Party hearty

Our sweet girly turned two last Thursday. The lead up was fun this year, since she was excited about it (especially the cupcakes), so we talked about her approaching birthday a lot.




Flowers from her sweet Daddy...an early present.


On the morning of her birthday, she awoke to find the dollhouse that T and I got for her (and gleefully set up after she went to bed the night before her birthday so everything would be ready for her to find the next morning). The discovery was adorable, and she has had so much fun playing.








The whole setup seems a little big for our front room, but it'll stay here, at least for a little while, because I really don't want to miss a moment of her sitting there, oblivious to the world around her, pretending away, marching those dolls around that house, visiting with each of them. My heart melts.
And it's fun to sit there with her, and do a little pretending myself.


Back to the birthday.

After the initial discovery, I had to run to a baby appointment, so Imogen went with her Pa to the bookstore to play with the trains.

Later that afternoon, we ran by Kipling's house for a surprise cake pop and present.







Magical markers that only write on specially designated paper? Pure genius.


That evening, all the grandparents came over for a very low key snacks and presents party. I felt a touch guilty not having any kids to the party, but figured this was the last year I could get by with it without Immy noticing.
Plus she loves her grandparents...so what could be better than their undivided attention all evening. Plus, only one kid at a party means no sharing practice. Bonus.















Our family...and yep, Immy's probably kicking her brother. :)



All partied out.




My mom and dad spent the night after the party, so dad and Im made waffles for us the next morning. Yum.




On Friday Chauntee came over for a while to see all the presents and play for a while. Alas, no photos of them together.
But here's one of just Immy from that day, still living the birthday dream:





On Saturday mom came back to look after Davie and Immy while Auty and I worked on the kitchen project. T and Bryan worked on cutting out the cabinet and installing the dishwasher...oh, happy times ahead.

Bryan and Rae stayed for dinner, and more presents were presented. Here's a portion of the present:
These sneaks'll make you jump higher...just ask Immy :)




Please note plastic high heels and pj combo :)




So, lots and lots of birthday fun. It's continuing this week, too, as we keep playing with all the new, fun things.

A real live two year old. Nothin terrible about it.

And she does and says the most amazing things...but that's for another post. Or even for when you drop by for some coffee (or choc milk) and dollhouse fun.

Love.
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trip II

So, as I was saying...

::dreamychimesofyesteryear::


We had a lovely dinner and visit with James and Lori & Steve and Betty (and their way-too-grown offspring). Imogen thought she was grown, too, by the look of this photo:



Also, there are plastic high heels under that dress. No, really.
:)

And why is that the only photo I have of that night?


Thursday night we were at Travis and Sarah's. Collin and Stephanie were in attendance as well.
These two little girls were pretty cute:








Again, the only photos of the night. There were grown ups there. I promise.



We were at Jackie's, staying up late visiting on this last night in town...we had just gone to bed when Jackie knocks on the door and says something about fire:



Ya, that's my parents TX house. :( We were grateful the family that lives there now was safe, and no one was hurt. Stinks to have your stuff burn, though.
And quite the adventure for the last night in Texas.


Friday morning it was on to Kansas, where I took no picture of Imogen and her great grandparents!
But here's one with cousin Nicholas:






They look very related. And Immy even claimed to be him...sitting in her high chair a couple mornings after we got home she's saying "I'm Nic. I'm Nic." :)

We had a delicious dinner prepared by Grandma, and then an early birthday celebration for Imogen, complete with divine cheesecake by Aunt Andrea:



It was so nice to be with everyone...and I hate that I didn't take pictures of everyone. :(


Sunday morning it was back in the car, eastbound big time. We actually drove and drove until we crashed at my parent's house at 2:30am Monday. It was so nice to climb into a comfy bed...and huge thanks to mom and dad for putting us up after moving all weekend!!

So, all in all a very fun trip.

We're back into the full swing. The kitchen has a project to finish. Imogen has a birthday in a couple of days. And me? I'm a 90 year old pregnant woman.

Wait. Does that sound weird?
Yes.
It does.
Just saying...I'm quite pregnant. And I quite feel like I'm ancient, ancient, ancient.

6 weeks to baby time!

Love.

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boldest and grandest.

Hi, folks!
Well, we're back in RVA, after 18 days of visiting family and friends, and seeing the landscape of 10 of our United States. We had a fantastic time (minus the fact that Derek and Jill's munchkins were ill for the entirety of the time, so we never got to be with them :(. ). Another time.

Here are the photos:

Departure time of way-too-early:



She was such a good traveler!

First stop, Luther OK, where we sent some time with these jokers:




And their Adorable:




The kids were so sweet (read: Imogen didn't attempt to maul Liam). It makes me excited to see her with her little brother!



One day we visited the OKC zoo. And bravely petted goats:



Lots of thanks to the Brown's for such a fun stay!


Then on to:



Where we had such a fun time with Aunt Jackie:



And, of course, Biz:




While there, Immy adopted a stuffed penguin, and together they did their best to distract Isabel from her studies.

Well, here they helped with a chemistry project:




And I like this next photo because it shows how things went...Biz would be in her room working on school, and then Immy would go back there and take over :) :









Dinner at the food truck park one night with Tia:




Sweet Frog run:




Smart move, mom. Blue yogurt?




Ok, I think that about sums up the first week...minus the times I didn't take pictures :(...time in Granbury with the Greens...time at Austin and Erica's... time with Dave, Charlotte and Kristen & Roger and Kara & Kristen and Morgan)

More photos forthcoming.

Love.

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trip

It's the most wonderful time of the year...almost. Give it a month or so. But the weather has cooled down considerably, the windows have been staying open, and we've been enjoying the outdoors. If there's one thing VA knows how to do, it's autumn time.











We're excited about taking a road trip later this week...stopping in OK, then TX, then KS. It will be so fun to see everyone!
I must say, though, that I wonder if T knows what he's getting in to...taking a cross country road trip with a toddler and pregnant gal whose back (while pregnant) throws wretched fits. So between my back and my daughter, we should be able to drive T completely insane (stopping every few mins?) by the time our destination is reached.
Thoughts are appreciated.

:)

And a couple more pics:



Immy, at Nonna's house, practicing her big-sistering.





We wish Fafa was coming with us on our trip!

See you soon.
Love.

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vote for summer

Pass me an absentee ballot...

Summer has been full and fun. I've been terrible about taking photos of it. :(

T built a wall and we now have a third bedroom for the new little munch. :)

T took cabinets down and we repainted...next on the list is hanging some open shelving. And putting new cabinets where the doorway used to be. Things are nicer. Things are brighter.

More fun to come as we keep working on the project. And I'll try to take photos.


New Little is growing like a mad man...his sweet little turns and kicks are getting stronger every day. Can't wait to meet him face to face.

I'm at 26 weeks and feeling like a total moose.
There. I said it.

But I'm thankful for my healthily growing son.
:)


And Big-Little Campbell (Imogen) is a wild woman herself. She loves singing and pretty much sings all day long (hello little Autumn)...she sings in the car with her cds...she sings while she plays the piano...she sings along with songs on the iPad...she sings to herself while she looks at books. And it's the sweetest thing you've ever heard.
She talks and plays and snuggles and sometimes throws fits.
We love this sweet little girl.








Looking forward to this weekend!
Love.

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and one more for the boys team...

now that's one handsome boy, wouldn't you say?

we're very excited!!

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Hi, July.

Hi folks...this summer has been rolling along at a nice, brisk pace. Seems like there's something fun to do every day...and after the fun is done then there's no time left in the day to blog about it. :)


Last day of June. A birthday day for my dear sis, who forges new ages just ahead of me so I won't be too afraid to turn that age myself, when my birthday rolls around 18mos later. I think that's what she does, anyway. So, thanks!







July 4.
Immy and Aden



July 6.
We went with my family to lake Gaston, and had a marvelous time.
(btw, the photo below wasn't 'scripted'...but it shows what our life is like...T and I, with folded arms, watching our daughter dart off into the sunset :)




July 10. A super fun and delicious birthday dinner for sweet Lottie. No photos taken of the dinner, but I'll say that Kristen made the best ribs I've ever eaten. :)

Oh. Here's a photo from July 10...snapped quickly before running to rescue.



July 13.
A fun trip to the Children's Museum of Richmond with Kenrda and Janelle.






July 14.
June birthday dinners with T's family. Again, lots of yum food and yum dessert made by Rae.

Here's a photo from that night. It's Immy playing the piano while Grandad sings. Adorable.



Other than those things we've been swimming, and playing, and golfing, and home-improving. All exciting things that I'll expound on later. Promise.

And tomorrow we get to see our new little on the screen (!!!)...marking this pregnancy as halfway done...and getting to find out whether pink or blue is more appropriate.

That last part was a joke.

Boys and girls can wear whatever color they please.

We're super excited to see our new little.

:)

Love to each and every one from this crazy girl and her folks.
(yes, she refused a shirt all day yesterday, stating "I like it off." as her valid reason :)



Good night, dear ones.
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