Gulf Shores

Picture this: 2 mommies in need of a getaway. A free beachside condo loaned by wonderful friends and a spur of the moment decision to split town. All went well - it's always nice to find good travel buddies.

More Beach

We spent our days at the pool, beach, or as in these photos taking walks and visiting the Gulf Shores zoo. All good fun for both the mommies and the girls.

More Beach Stuff

I dread the day I'm not Nia's favorite person anymore. The kisses come freely now (for the most part) and she thinks we're best buds. I am conscious that I won't (and shouldn't) always just be her bud, but I cherish these times.




Tropical Storm Fay stayed away and these peace sisters had a great vacation with their mommies! We had perfect weather the entire time and only had some wind the final day. Bliss....

Jazzercise???

Nia wakes us every morning by coming into our room (unless we have to get her up first because of scheduling). One recent morning she came in and announced that she was all ready to exercise. I sleepily opened one eye and found her in this outfit. I still don't know how she managed to get those stockings all the way on but she did. We've had the 'Elmocise" video for years now but she was never interested in it until recently. She watched it and must have seem someone dressed up ala 1980's excercise Jane Fonda style. What a crazy girl.

Preschool Orientation & First Day

She loves her teachers already and enjoys a bigger classroom this year. My mind can't barely understand how much she grew over the summer. She's such a big girl now and wants to do EVERYTHING herself.

Another Trip to the Zoo

The Zoo continued

These posts show our favorite animals! The cats, and for mommy, the monkeys and apes. Ian's high school mascot was the Komodo Dragon (living in Indonesia) - thus the photos of Nia and daddy that big lizard. Nia thought it was scary.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

The beauty of a newborn.... almost makes me forget how hard it is (especially the first time!).

Go Team Nia!

Nia does love her gymnastics. We're back at the "Little Gym" now and Nia is happy to show her instructors all her hard work over the summer. We were watching the Olympics and she had to run and put on her leotard. She then entertained us with "routines" (which mostly consisted of somersault upon somersault and a few kicks). We may have a future Olympian on our hands!

Whatchu Talkin' Bout Willis?

Mommy Nia

Like I said.... this girl LOVES playing mommy to this baby doll. It's been cooler this week so we've been thrilled to get outside more. I'm am definitely ready for preschool to start. One more week and then Nia will be busy Mon, Wed, and Friday from 9am to 2pm! She's excited, but not as much as we are. And I'm thrilled to report it looks as though I've found the perfect job. I'm waiting for the final offer this week so I hate to jinx it, but I've been verbally offered a job working 4 days a week AND two of those days from home during any hours that I want! It's the situation I've been longing for. Both for me personally and certainly for our finances. Yea!

Goofin' Around

This is one of Nia's many baby-dolls and stuffed animals, and her current favorite. It goes everywhere she does right now.... sits in the carseat in the car, and even acts naughty and gets in trouble sometimes too!

Summer Heat

Thank goodness for indoor play areas! We've had heat indexes well over 100 which makes going to the park impossible. On the downside, going to the mall makes me want to shop! But on the upside, we can ride the $1 carousel and Nia can play while mommy sips coffee while we both stay cool and away from mosquitos! That works for both of us.

Time for Barbies!

As much as Ian LOVES his little girl, I know he'd secretly rather be at a little league game. But, he steps up to it and does the girly things his daughter requests... this time Barbie play.