Summertime and the living is busy!

Sorry for the hiatus, but per usual we have been busy this summer.  I've been working 6 days a week all month and Natalie is currently down for a nap, so my free time is limited.  I'll see what I can cover in a short span!

My grandmother turned 80 in June and my family threw her a birthday party.  I don't see my aunts, uncles, and cousins very often so it was great to catch up with them as well as family friends that we only see occasionally.  Natalie and her cousin Kendall were adorable in their little dresses and they ran around squealing and hugging one another; Grandma's friends loved it.  My grandma always comments that the girls have two sets of parents because they go to both Rick and I and my sister and brother-in-law equally for their needs and comforting.  I always thought that was a bit of an exaggeration until one of Grandma's friends walked up to me and told me the kid on my hip was so precious.  I replied, "Thanks!" and then I realized that she wasn't mine--I had been carrying Kendall around for a while because she had asked me to and although I knew I had Kendall and not Natalie, I still take responsibility for her.  I love both of those little girls, and they love each other!

Rick's parents came up to visit over the 4th and we spent a lot of time reading books, playing in the kiddie pool, and eating barbecue.  Natalie made the adorable shirt she's wearing in the photo below at daycare--I loved it!  So cute!

 Last weekend I went to my good friend Anne's bachelorette party which was a great girls' day.  The day started off with a wine-infused painting class where I realized that I am not artistic, even while painting an abstract design.  After painting we biked around downtown Des Moines and stopped at a few bars before going to dinner at Centro and then bar hopping in the evening.  It was a great day and it was great to have a "me" day with my girlfriends.  It was great to see those ladies--it had been too long!

In the midst of the past month Natalie also had her 18-moth check up and she still is on the tall side and average weight.  We're casually potty training (she used the potty at the mall today!) but since they can't accommodate the task at daycare until she moves up to the 2-year old room, I haven't really pushed it too hard.  We're still making headway and every time she uses the potty that's one less diaper I have to change!

Rick has had bronchitis but has been a trooper and in the past week or so we have almost finished re-staining the fence.  We had sprayed the stain on several years ago and it is starting to peel in some spots so Rick is sanding it and after Natalie goes to bed I come out and help him cover the newly bare wood with stain.  It's taking some time, but it looks so much better!  Hopefully a few more days will do it!

Work has changed a lot since I had last posted, but I'll hold off on the big changes until they go into effect.  Everyone I work with and Rick and I still have jobs, so that's the important thing.  Unfortunately I think we will be working again next weekend, but that should be the last one.  I can't wait.  I also have a lot of PTO to use and August and September are a great time to take some vacation.  Now to decide what to do on my days off...