Sam's 2 Year Photos

So, it took 3 separate trips to the photo studio to get Sam to cooperate with us & the photographer to take the pictures. She practiced good at home, but she just didn't like something. The different backdrops & how they hung from the ceiling and laid on the floor...somehow freaked her out. With 10 minutes to spare on the third session, I suggested we don't use a backdrop & see if she'll cooperate. The fire truck she's on in most photos was behind all of the backdrops, and she immediately went for it. Once she started smiling, we didn't care. We got what we could. Supposedly the record number of visits to that studio was 4, so we were close...that's not one I care to come close to ever again! But we ended up with some good ones, so it all worked out. Click on the picture below to see all the pictures.

Sam's 2 Year Photos

Bubbles & Balloons

Fired up the bubble blower Sam got for her birthday today. Maddie & Sam were just chasing them around the yard, and some little girls that were visiting family behind us came over to play too. Lots of squeals & giggles!














This thing was cool, it would make a big bubble, and put one or more smaller bubbles inside of it. Only a few of them made it out of the yard...the girls kept popping them.

Then, as we were cleaning stuff up, we saw these 2 hot air balloons going by from the backyard!

Just some random cute pix

Sam's 2nd Birthday

Sam is growing up! 2 already...and believe me, she's a pro at acting like a 2 year old.
With all the rain yesterday on the 4th, it was great weather for her birthday party. Lots of great friends & family made it and it was a great time. Sam really got into opening her presents, but there were so many (a good problem to have!), she lost a little interest towards the end.

Thanks to all for coming & making it a great party!

4th of July 2009

I promised Maddie that she could be in the 4th of July parade in West Peoria with my work that is in it every year. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative and no where near what is normally is in July. It rained the entire parade and it was not warm. She was a trooper and her friend Savannah joined us too. The girls hung in there for most of the parade before getting back on the bus. So, here we are wet and in our ponchos! Better luck next year!