Crawling!!!!

Yes, it is awkward, and half scooting. But that's how she's doing it for now.

Isn't that adorable??

She's crawling!

(This is Ryan) Holly has been extremely busy these last two weeks. I've been lucky to spend more time with Vivi. About a week ago, she started taking her first forward movements. Then, one day as I was eating my dinner on the floor and playing with Vivi, she made her first big move. The dog was by me and she crawled toward the dog and when she got close she started giggling. She reached for the dog and the dog moved to the other side of the room. She turned around and went for him again. And like before, she started gigling as she approached Toby. Toby moved and it started all over agian. Unfortunately Holly had the camera or I would had put it on the site. For some reason, Vivi thinks Toby is the funniest thing on earth even though Toby can't stand her.

Signing Time

My little girl loves Signing Time. The other day Ryan and I tried to put on a Fraggle Rock cartoon for her instead. She got excited when she saw the TV turn on, and then she FREAKED OUT when Fraggle Rock started and it wasn't Signing Time.

This video was taken the day before. Check out how much she loves this show:

Videos from Raleigh

Here are some video clips from our trip to Raleigh. First, Vivi's new best friend:

Zoo fun:



Fun with cousin Lila:

Recent Pictures

Today I finally downloaded pictures from my camera and discovered that I had over 160 of them. So I'm gonna give you an onslaught of my favorites:

We start 'em young:

I posted videos earlier of our trip to the Denver aquarium. Here's a picture. She loved the rainbow fish, but most of the time she was more interested in mommy and daddy than in the fish. I feel like there's a lesson in that...

Playing with daddy. Living in Paonia, even visiting a Barnes & Noble is like a theme park:

Wait, how did she get in there?

Vivi and her favorite snack. Paper.

From our visit home to Raleigh. BFFs:

Strawberry picking:

Fun at the zoo:

This is my favorite picture from the zoo. It was a long, hot, and fun day, and when we were done we got on the bus to get back to the parking lot. I took Vivi out of her stroller and set her down to give her some tummy time on the seat. After 1.7 seconds, she fell asleep like this:
With Aunt Nelly at Jack's birthday party:

Grandpa:

Vivi's a little fascinated with Jonah:

Can't you tell?

Vivi and grandma:

Vivi and grandmere:

Vivi and grandpa:

Admire my baby. Do it.

JUST TRY to tell me this baby isn't stinkin' adorable:

What the What?

About 3 weeks ago, our local newspaper published an ad looking for an appointee to the district school board. One of the elected members had to withdraw because of health issues, and the remaining school board members needed to choose someone to replace him for the remainder of the term -- about a year and a half. I decided to apply.

A week later, I got a letter saying that the appointee would be chosen after a public Q&A panel with the 6 applicants. I spent the week researching and preparing, and last Thursday I was on a panel with the other applicants. A moderator asked us questions, chosen by the school board, on a rotating basis. It was very intimidating.

Then, about 10 minutes ago, I got a call saying the board picked me. I am now a district school board member.

What the what??

Bring it.

Anticipation!

I am giddy! Tomorrow Vivi and I go home to North Carolina, and we'll be there for 2 weeks. Every time I look at her, I'm just SO EXCITED for my family to love and adore her, as they're bound to do.

I CAN'T WAIT! ONE MORE DAY!!

Aquarium

This weekend, Ryan and I took our baby to Denver for the weekend. The drive there was AWFUL. There was a snowstorm around Vail, and it took us 8 hours to make the 4 hour trip.

Saturday, we all went to the aquarium. She was still a little tired from the crazy schedule the day before, but when we saw the rainbow fish, she woke right up. Check out how cute she is:

Glee Personal Statement

I have no chance. I know that. But I had SOOOOOO much fun making a Glee audition tape. Here's my personal statement:

Our Country Girl

A future 4H-er in the making:

6 Months

Two days ago my baby turned 6 months old. I can't believe it! Sometimes I look at her and am shocked that she is so big! But I'm not sad; she just keeps getting cuter.

Here are some videos. They're nothing in particular -- just Vivi being Vivi.

And my favorite, the belly laugh. Sorry it's moving so much; I couldn't stop laughing myself!

I'm going crazy

My hormones are a little out of control lately. Today I watched Julie and Julia and cried 1) when Eric gave Julie pearls for her birthday, 2) when Julia found out Dorothy was pregnant, and 3) at the end, when Julie says, "I love you, Julia." This was not getting a little choked up. This was full on tears with Vivi shaking in my arms. And those of you who have seen this movie know that these are RIDICULOUS things to cry about. 3 times.

OK, that's it. Now for your viewing pleasure:

My spoiled, spoiled puppy

My beauty, playing with her favorite toy -- a spatula.

Daddy loves introducing her to new foods before he's supposed to. Here's her favorite new lollipop

And my favorite

Home again

We got back from TX on Sunday. Why is it that you're always more tired at the end of a vacation than when you left? We had a GREAT time, and I already miss the Williams and the Crests, and Vivi misses Allie. More on the trip when I get pictures from them to post.

For now, enjoy watching what happened when we came HOME from the trip. Vivi was very excited to be out of her carseat!

People Magazine

Thank you for the magazine, nana!

Stuff

Funny picture from our snow storm. I really thought we had this dog neutered...

My cute girl:

And the video to match:

Snow Day

We got about a foot of snowfall last night. It took Ryan and I a long time to shovel out 2 driveways and paths to the chickens and wood pile, but I got my exercise for the week! Here are some videos from our snow day:

Toby LOVES snow:

My silly hubby:


Can you tell Toby loves Ryan?


Wow, it feels so weird making a post that's not about Genevieve...

New Pictures

Does anyone know why some of my pictures show up sideways when I post them to the blog? I've already rotated them on the computer.

A New Trick

Yes, I am aware that my voice is really annoying on these videos. I would tell you to mute this one, but you need to hear her grunting to get the full effect.

Failed attempt. I probably shouldn't even post this one, but I think it's cute.

Success.

Funny Song

I know this is a funny song to sing to a baby, but she LOVES it. Can you name where it's from?

This is also the closest I can get to that "missing picture" I posted on earlier. She does it cuter than this, but you'll get the idea. Watch for her to bring her hands up to her face.