All smiles

Some little girl is really loving my camera these days.  She will give me nice smiles anytime I ask.  Wish Syd loved the camera as much as Sawyer.

Camp Fun

The girls and I spent a great week up at camp.  I missed my NY friends and wished I could have seen everyone.  I got together with a couple of girlfriends and had a great time.  I will look forward to moving up there this summer and be able to catch up with everyone.

The weather was warm but very overcast for most of the week.  The girls and I spent a ton of time outside.  Both girls swan in the lake water!  Crazy.  It was cold, but it was certainly much warmer than last year at this time.  The mild winter really made the water warmer than I would have expected. I didn't mind getting into the water up to my thighs.  Sydney was in the water completely!  Crazy girl.  Sawyer thought it was a little to cold beyond her waist! 

Daddy said that Izzy dog missed us while we were gone.  Jim and Izzy dog came up for the long weekend.  He has a lot of camp business during this weekend, but in between we had lots of fun. 

I took a ton of photos.  I missed shooting so much.  Our new house in PA is still not all totally settled so I haven't had time to shoot many photos at home. 

Here are a bunch of photos from our week at camp.

 Syd was pretending to be Cinderella and doing her "chores" so she could go to the princess ball!

Soybean was being her usual goofy self and Sydney pretty much puts up with it.  This face cracks me up! 

 Hugs and Loves!

 Thoughtful moments looking out the window.

 Playing "hair salon."

 My pretty girl.

just a few quick snaps

Getting There...slowly but surely

Painters finished late yesterday afternoon.  I love the colors we chose.  Even though I chose two different colors, you can't tell much of a difference in the two spaces.  The family room lighting isn't as bright as my old house, so I had to go with a lighter color.  I love the results against the dark gray furniture and white trim.  In a week or two I will move forward with decorating.  I have a very large and high wall behind the couch to decorate.  Thinking of a mirror and organic bloom frames flanking either side of the mirror.  The breakfast nook (not in the pictures below) also has a large and tall wall to decorate.  I have ledges matching the table.  I will put artwork and a few decorative items on those three ledges.  I think once the decorating is done, it will feel more cozy.  We ordered a 9x12 shag area rug and that should be in next week. Jim (and his partner in crime, my Dad) hooked up the power and HDMI cable above the fireplace.  We got a 47 inch tv for that space (not to obtuse at all, thank goodness).  I am not super happy about having a tv above the fireplace, but the room is wide opened and not huge, so that was the most logical place for it - especially with the amount of seating we strived to get in there (room for lots of family parties!!!)

The look

I call this "the look."  Pretty much sums up how she feels about me these days.

It often makes me sad, but then I realize that she is a strong willed 3 year old and that is a normal part of developing a sense of independance and trying to find her way through the world of life.  I hope I manage it ok.  Sometimes I know that I don't - that is the part that makes me sad. 

Sweet 16

Bethany turned 16 last week and we finally all got together for a party at our house this weekend.  Bethany had to work on Saturday as she didn't request off in time.  Considering it was graduation weekend for the university, my sister was concerned that she wouldn't get out of work in time.  Thankfully she got done 30 minutes before party time.

As always, it is fun getting the family together.  Jim and I enjoyed hosting the party too! 

The girls had an amazing time showing off in front of the family and the older cousins.  Jared wore the them out with all the playing.  They didn't go to bed until 10 pm and Sawyer slept in until almost 9am!  Never have my girls slept past 7:30am (no matter what time they go to bed!).

The cake was so pretty to look at but as soon as Jared cut into it, I saw that it was over baked!  It was awful.  I guess all of the bakers in town were overwhelmed with graduation cakes.  I guess I got the short end of the stick.  I am thinking of calling the baker today and letting them know that the cake was horrible.  I don't normally complain to companies, but I spent a fortune on this cake and expected a wonderful tasting treat for the family to enjoy!  Ugh! 

Making her wish!  Happy Sweet 16 to a wonderful young woman!  We love you!