We started out this summer with a bang. Luke had his First birthday on June 9th. We decided it would be easier (and cheaper) to keep it to a small family party. He had a Basketball court cake that we all ate and a his own personal basketball cake to mees himself up with. We made birthday hats and had a great time. It was also great that Grandma & Grandpa Draper could be in town for the festivities.
It is always fun to have them come for a visit because I get great company AND my house gets renovated! Woohoo! It was especially nice to have company while Josh was at work during the day. I get lonesome sometimes and their visit was the perfect remedy. I absolutely LOVED how this summer's project turned out. The big project taken on was (drum roll please)...,"Painting the downstairs." Goodbye burnt orange and kelly green, hello neutral! I also now have a chocolate brown accented fireplace wall!! Hooray. I feel so calm and peaceful in my home now instead of constantly feeling stimulated with bold colors. Don't get me wrong, I love color, but I usually prefer color in my accessories.
Toward the end of the summer our family took our first road trip to Utah. We stayed for 2 weeks. It was fun for us and the kids to touch base with everyone there. No one in Utah had seen Luke since he was born. This was the perfect opportunity for the kids to meet and reacquaint themselves with the family.
When I asked Isabella what her favorite part of the trip was she said, "The pinata at the family reunion, and Grandpa's swings." It's true. She really did LOVE that clown pinata and both of the kids couldn't get enough of Grandpa's swing set (how big is that thing, like 20 feet high??). They also enjoyed feeding the horses, watching humming birds and playing on the "Up & Down" chair at great grandma's house. It was a great visit. Oh, and Kyle...Thank you for pushing the kids almost non-stop on those swings!! You are fabulous!! I wanted to also thank Jody and Michelle for the clothes. It makes life a whole lot easier (and cheaper) because of you!
Since returning home Josh has been released as ward mission leader. He is now the gospel doctrine teacher. He also started his new job this week working as the new Assistant Principal at Old Settlers Elementary School in Flower Mound. Josh has worked so hard. I am so proud of him. We are so happy and so blessed.
Speaking of blessings, did I mention that we will be welcoming a new baby GIRL to our family? Our new arrival is expected at the beginning of February! We've decided on the name,"Elizabeth Adele". We are anxious to meet her. Isabella is too. She is constantly walking around the house with a baby doll stuffed under her shirt. She even has me feel her tummy when her baby kicks! Too cute.
Another cute thing Isabella did recently was writing a Christmas list to Santa during sacrament meeting. It was unusually quiet (this usually means that she's up to no good). Well, I looked over to find her scribbling away on a notepad saying,"I want strawberry shortcake for Christmas". This phrase was repeated several times. I think she scribbled out 5 or 6 pages to Santa by the time she moved on to some other activity. I suppose I should have to remember this "strawberry shortcake" thing within the next couple of months.
Luke loves balls and cars. He recently has started to dance too. His favorite song right now is the song from the cat in the hat tv show where their is talk of going on an adventure with the cat in the hat and his thing-a-mi-jigger. He also has taken up an interest in dogs and will walk around the house panting like one.
My kids are so great. It's fun to watch them grow and experience the ups of life. I can do without the "downs" thank you very much.
