More birthday shout-outs

Tis the season for birthday fun....July and August are very busy months. Eli has lots of friends and everyone is turning "1". Here are today's shout-outs....

ONE: Happy Birthday Elizabeth! I've included a picture of her from this past weekend. We haven't yet convinced Jacque (her mom) to do a blog but she does read all of ours so I know she'll see this. Elizabeth we hope you have had a super fun day.

I'm so cute

TWO: The second birthday shout-out is a little closer to home. ME! Elizabeth & I share a special day. I won't go into my age or anything, let's just say it's over 30. =) Today has been a great day. I've had lots of phone calls, emails and in person happy wishes. As you get older you don't think of your birthday as a big deal but I've sure felt special today. Tim started the day with some very thoughtful gifts and we ended it with some mini-cupcakes and a family walk. I couldn't be happier.

Here are some pictures from our cupcake episode tonight. There were so many cute ones that I just couldn't choose!

Yummmm, cupcakes

Aren't they good Eli?

I'm practicing for my own birthday

Finger lickin' good

Umstead bike ride and party fun

Whew, things have been busy. Can you believe it's Tuesday and I haven't told you about our weekend yet?! So unlike me, just haven't had much time to blog.

This was a fun weekend at home. Can't really remember Friday night - probably some eating, playing, bath time and bed (for all of us!). Saturday morning Tim & I both got up with Eli and, after breakfast, we headed to the Museum of Art to ride the pavement into Umstead. Tim pulled Eli in the bike trailer and I tried to pull my not-so-in-shape self around Umstead. =) I figure with the weight of the trailer and Eli, I was ALMOST equal to Tim in fitness level. We ended up doing about 12 miles and it was great. Eli really seemed to like it. Hopefully we'll have many more weekend morning rides. We went home and played - Eli didn't want anything to do with napping on Saturday - and had lunch together. After lunch, more playing and then later in the afternoon we went to Eli's friend Noah's 1st birthday party. It was so fun to see the birthday boy (and the birthday Daddy, it was Waylon's birthday party too). There were lots of cool things to do. There was an area of water toys, an area under canopy of regular toys and then lots of food and drink. Eli got kinda fussy so we didn't get to see Noah have his cake but we know it was yummy.

Sunday was a much better napping day. Eli let us sleep in until 7am - first time EVER! Then we had breakfast and watched the Tour. Everything we ate that day was off of yellow plates to celebrate the yellow jersey and the Tour. Usually Tim & I have a big Tour party but this year was just a small one with Eli, introducing him to the race. He took a morning nap, we then ran errands and then an afternoon nap. I think he was making up for no naps on Saturday. Sunday after dinner, we went to Rex Hospital to see a friend of ours, Richard, who had open heart surgery last Thursday. He looked great and Eli had so much fun roaming around the room and walking into the hallway to see if he could find other people. He even walked down and peeked into someone's room - it gave them a good laugh and a smile.

To sum it up, it was a good family weekend. Nothing too exciting but definitely busy. This upcoming weekend, Eli & I are headed to my parents' house. Grandma is going to keep Eli on Saturday so I can go ride roller coasters with my brother. I'm so excited - it has been almost 2 years. Let's hope I can still handle them!! Tim will have a quiet weekend but we'll be sure to leave him a nice honey-do list. =)

Faster Daddy Faster!!

Tim and the equalizer trailer

Eli, Elizabeth and Birthday Boy Noah playing in the water

Fun water time

911 can I help you.....hello?

THAT is what I heard today when Eli was playing with the telephone. I was sooo freaked out! He usually plays with the phone but has never actually called anyone. Well, today, he pushed the worst possible buttons. I grabbed the phone when I heard a lady talking and it was a 911 operator. I had to explain to her that my baby was playing with the phone and I was sorry. I hope I don't get in big trouble. No more phone for Eli!

We have a walking little boy....

Who needs crawling? Eli is getting really good at walking. Tonight he did about 50 feet through the house, changing direction and balancing along the way. Amazing how much his walking progressed in just a few days. He still can't stand from sitting, he has to pull up on something first but there's no denying the boy can walk now!!

Here's a little clip of him in action.

4th of July ...... busy busy

Oh my goodness, for not actually going anywhere for the 4th holiday, we sure were busy here around our house. Tim's parents came to visit us for the weekend and help us with some projects. They got here Thursday afternoon and the planning began. First order of business, Tim & his dad were to work on fencing in our back yard. Friday morning, off they went to Lowe's for supplies and they hit it with a bang. At the same time, Tim's mom did some magnificent weeding in our plant beds. I'm not good with plants and have never really cared....until now. Something like that happens when you grow up (don't worry, I'm not fully there yet!). It was a busy day. In the afternoon, Tim's mom played with Eli and I was able to move some rocks and do some raking. After a full day's work, we enjoyed hamburgers and a good ole fashioned cookout.

Saturday Tim's mom and I ran some errands. We looked at some furniture and then I decided that Eli HAD to have a wagon...THAT day. I was so determined that he needed a wagon. We went to one store, had them call another and then ended up at a completely different store. Wagon mission was accomplished and I was very happy. Tim & his dad continued working outside while I took Eli on a wagon walk. He absolutely loved it. He smiled the entire time he was in it. (He still does two days later!) Saturday night we did take-out from Boston Market because it was storming quite a bit. We also had some monster thunderstorms Friday night - we can't possibly be in a drought right now.

Oh yeah, Tim & I are quite excited that it's Tour de France time. July is our favorite month of the year because we love the Tour. Now we have something to watch on tv every day for the next 21 days!!

Sunday, Tim's parents left fairly early and we just watched the Tour while Eli took his morning nap. Then it was a few errands and lots of play time before going to our friends Carol & Kevin's house (Ryan's parents) for a cookout. The boys had so much fun playing together and it was pretty chaotic. Tina & Tim also came with Lexi so with three kids all over the place...well, you can imagine! Eli was into most everything and I joked with Carol that Eli is their two week warning. Whatever he was into, Ryan is not too far behind. We ate yummy food and enjoyed the company of friends. A great way to end the holiday weekend.

So let's sum up our weekend.......yard work, eating, playing, eating, nap time for Eli, more playing and eating...it was a play-apooloza weekend! We enjoyed our time with family and friends and hope you had a fun holiday as well!

Tim & Grandpa working on the fence

Progress on our flower bed project

Eli pushing the cozy coupe in the yard - it's all about walking these days!

Grilling with Daddy

Fun wagon time

Mommy & Eli on his first wagon ride

Playtime with Grandma

Hanging with Grandpa

Happy Birthday Noah!

Eli wanted to wish his pal Noah a very Happy 1st Birthday. Hope you had a great day!!

Poison Ivy, Oak or something splotchy

About a week ago, bumps developed on my (Evia's) lower left leg. It didn't hurt or itch, just red bumps. I thought maybe I got bit by ants or something. Then the red bumps spread on that leg and now they're on my right leg. Hmmmm....what is this? Well, my mom (self-proclaimed expert on all things poison ivy related) is telling me that it's poison ivy or oak. She said that it surfaces about 3 days after exposure - well, I WAS cleaing out Belle's pen on that Saturday - that would make 3 days. The weird thing is that it still doesn't itch. It's ugly and I don't like wearing anything that shows my lower leg right now but it doesn't really bother me. I've started Caladryl treatments to hopefully dry it up. Mom also told me that I could use bleach on a cottonball to help dry it up. I'm going to give the Caladryl a few days and see what happens. How bizarre is this? Poison ivy with no itching.....I must just be lucky.