saying good-bye...

saying good-bye: it seems like only yesterday that bobby and i were looking for a new daycare. Bobby was switching to a different position at work so Livi needed to go to daycare full-time. We knew Kim through mutual friends and decided to meet with her. The first time we visited her home, Livi took to her immediately. I will never forget it. Livi actually walked up to Kim and held out her arms for Kim to pick her up. Liv had never done that before with a complete stranger. On the way home Bobby and I both agreed that it was a sign from God that this was the right person to take care of our little girl. And boy, were we right! Livia has loved Kim's childcare. She made so many new friends and learned a ton - mostly all good things, right Kim? :) We are sad to say "good-bye" , but we are so grateful that Livi was able to be in Kim's care for the last year and a half. Thank you, Kim! You will always be in our hearts.

out of the mouths of babes...

out of the mouths of babes:

grandma pam: so what do you think of grandma's dessert, livi?

livia: um, it's kindof icky.

---------------------------------------------------------------

We all laughed at the dinner table so hard (even my mom)! You could tell Livia was trying not to hurt my mom's feelings. How cute is that?

it's all "wright"...

it's all "wright": bobby, livia, sophia and i met the sederholm family at the wright county fair on thursday. We always love this fair because it has so many interesting things to see and do. Livi's favorite things were the pony and camel rides. Sophia slept through her first county fair, but Livi had a blast with cousins, Kaytlin and Elana. We are looking forward to the next fair adventure!

it's all "wright"...

Holding the chicks with cousin, Kaytlin
It is hard to tell in this picture, but the rabbit was as

big as a dog. We had never seen a bunny that big before!
Feeding the ostriches with a spoon (they were vicious!)
Riding the "tractor"
Sleeping through the fair

one look...

one look: can you tell how much they love one another?

counting down the days...

counting down the days: i am starting to dread going back to work. I have been enjoying my time with Sophia immensely, but all good things come to an end. I have been going to school this week starting to prepare for the new school year. Sophia has been coming with me, but Livi and she begin their new daycare on August 4th. We're going to try half days for the first week or two to see how things go. I am so nervous! I think the girls will be fine, but can I have a sedative or something...

doctor, doctor...

doctor, doctor: livi saw the pediatrician today for her 3-year old check-up. She was a little apprehensive, but Bobby told her she wouldn't get "poked" today, which made her feel better. I couldn't believe how grown up she has become. The nurse checked her hearing (Liv wore the headsets and had to listen for the "beep"), vision (she had to read the shapes instead of the letters), and blood pressure. The pediatrician checked all the standards things (heartbeat, breathing, motor skills, etc). After the visit, the doctor gave Livi a sucker to take home with her. As we were leaving the clinic, I asked Livi what she thought of the doctor's appointment, and she replied, "It was cool." Kids say the darndest things.... :)

a little stain goes a long way...

a little stain goes a long way: my parents have been diligently staining

our deck and fence this past week.

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)
See...

watching

all

those

HGTV and

TLC

programs

have finally paid off!

when i grow up...

when i grow up: livi was a fisher-girl by morning and a cowgirl by evening. Her future is filled with endless possibilities...

crash, boom, bang...

crash, boom, bang: we visited the sederholm family in elk river for the fourth of july. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Brauts, sunshine, family, swimming...what more could we ask for?
kaytlin, elana, livia, and bobby taking a dip in the pool...
waiting for the fireworks to begin in the back of the expedition...

We drove to Annandale to see their fireworks display. All four of us crawled in the back of the truck to watch the display bug-free and air-conditioned! That's the life...

if you give a mouse a cookie...

if you give a mouse a cookie...
then she'll ask for some fun with her friend, lauren...
which will lead to more fun on the merry-go-round...

My mom, Sophia, Livia, and I attended "Toddler Tuesday" at the Mall of America today. After the presentation, we (my friend Julie and her daughter, Lucy and my other friend Sarah and her daughter, Lauren) headed to Nickelodeon Universe. The girls had a great time (including the moms), followed by an expensive, but delicious meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant. I think we will have to dub this day "Mommy/Daughter Day" with the 3 "L's" and start a tradition. What do you think girls?