Playing at Raymond's shop

August 8, 2009

Daddy went to work on his big truck AKA "Babe".



Dani loves this truck so when I told her we could go visit Daddy AND see the truck there was no stopping her! But once we got there and she saw that she could sit on the forklift she decided that was fun too.


And a few random favorite pics...

Goodbye Papaw Mike - We love you!

On August 7th we put Papaw Mike's ashes in the Veteran's Cemetery. First we had to get the princess dressed and ready.

The grounds are beautiful. I'd like to spend a day there just wandering around with my camera. Most of the pictures in this collage were taken from the window of the car.

Parker and Tim said their last goodbyes then it was Dani and Daddy's turn. I love that in the bottom right picture she's blowing him a kiss.

Times like this make you appreciate the family you still have.

Talk about kissing cousins!!!

There was plenty of random Danica cuteness to keep us all from getting too depressed.

And I had an opportunity to get a couple good pics of Grandma with her grandkids and great-grandkids.

I would say it was a nice day but as expected it was very sad. So I'll close this post by saying... we miss you Papaw Mike and we love you. You will always be with us in our hearts.

Bed Head

This is what Dani's hair looks like most mornings, some days it's crazier, it's rarely tamed down. I just thought she was sooo cute with the crazy curls and the new outfit I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures. Judging by the last picture she liked the idea too :)

A day full of Grandmothers

OOPS! Mommy posted out of order! Sorry! That last blog should have waited it's turn, oh well.

On August 8th Mommy and Dani went to church with Grammie.

After church Mommy, Daddy, and Dani went to Grandma Zonnie's house where there's always lots of fun stuff to do.

Dani got in a kissy mood and we all had to kiss her and her bears.

These next pictures are some of my favorites, especially the center one.

The reason we were there wasn't just to visit. Our project was to add some of Papaw Mike's ashes to Grandma's and Dani's bears (both were designed for this). Dani loves her Papaw Bear.

And we'll finish with one of my favorites of Grandma and Dani.

Lake Idamere Fun

On August 16th we took Dani to Lake Idamere Park. I love this park! I just wish it was closer to our home.

The first stop was "sway fun" like being on a rocking boat.

Then it was the oversized swing (Dani just called this "red")

Down the slide

around the jungle gym

onto the little spinner thing.

Honestly, I wasn't spinning her fast but I guess it was enough for her to get really dizzy because she fell off then couldn't stand up. I tried not to laugh, but it was really hard.

Next she wanted to climb up the tube slide

Then play in the dirt with the digger

Back up the slide and onto the airplane

Stop and smell the flowers

Give Mommy cuddles on the dock/pier.

Show off your bellybutton!

Grab a sip of water

Sit on the bench swing (copy Mommy)

What a fun day!

Another day to play with Ellie

On July 26th Dani, Grandpa and Mommy went to visit Uncle Joel, Aunt MaryAnn and Baby Ellie. But first Mommy had to stop and pick up her new Nikon camera :) Which means there were even more pictures taken than usual!

First Dani had to pose in her little sun dress.


Then there was time to get aquainted with the newest princess. She tried to get Ellie to "give five".


She posed at the front door,


Played on the stairs,


and gave Ellie her fist anatomy lesson...
This lesson is how to locate your belly button.
Step 1. Make good eye contact with your student.
Step 2. Show your belly button to the student.
Step 3. Show belly button to class.
Step 4. Show belly button to student again.
Step 5. Point to your belly button (sticking your finger in it works too).
Step 6. Show satisfied smile because you're such a good teacher.

You would almost think these girls are related by blood. Especially when you look at those bright blue eyes


and chunky chubby thighs!




But there's no blood to tie this part of the family together, only luck that we were put together and love.

That's all for this post except the girls (and Joel) saying goodbye!

Playing with Ellie

On July 23 Dani got to play with her little cousin Ellie and also visit with Grandpa, Jim, Uncle Joel and Aunt MaryAnn.

First some Ellie pics


At first Dani didn't know what to think of another little princess in "her" space


But she finally decided that since Ellie liked her so much and that made every body else happy she should be happy too



Then she found a magnifying glass and thought that was really fun!


Somewhere is a video of Ellie laughing at Dani but I can't find it right now. I'll post it as soon as I find it.