Emma turns 2 years old

Matt’s daughter, Emma turned 2 years old April 29 so we had a little party with the Miller’s on Friday night. Matt has been bringing Emma over every Thursday evening for the past couple of months so we are starting to get to know her pretty well. She took to Jim right away and he is quite smitten with her. It took her longer to warm up to me but she’s now to the point where she comes looking for me. She is a little cutie & a good little girl.  We’ve never had to put anything up or tell her no because she doesn’t get into anything.  She knows her toys are downstairs and she loves going up & down the steps just like any other kid. She never throws fits and only cries when she’s tired. She repeats everything we say so we have to be careful.  I don’t know – it seems that she’s too good for a 2 year old!  I hope I don't put a hex on ourselves by bragging!

We gave her a little kitchen.

And some clothes.

Emma with icing on her face.

Singing Happy Birthday.

Posing with Grandpa & Great Grandpa.

Like I said, Jim's quite smitten with her.



Our yard has taken a couple of hits this year....

We didn't discover this snow plow damage until the snow melted.  I called the streets department to come out and fix it and they put us on the list.  Somehow we thought they'd put some sod over it but they just moved the clods of dirt around. 

Now it's all lumpy & bumpy.

We lost our bradford pear in the storm Tuesday night. Actually, I was surprised that it lasted as long as it did because we've been in the house for 5 springs now and everyone knows how weak these trees are.  I don't understand why they're planted so profusely because they never last. 

At first Jim said we could salvage it but thank God he realized we didn't want a half-tree!

Although Jim was upset to lose such a nice tree, I think he was secretly excited to use his chainsaw!

The Latest Redecorating

When Jim & I talked about a winter project this year, we thought we'd work on putting tile, granite or some other solid surface on the fireplace & shelving in the family room.  After some investigating & trips to a couple of tile stores, we decided the job was more than we wanted to get into.  We talked about it and agreed to remodel the powder room instead.  I really liked the way it looked with the dark blue paint color beneath the chair rail & flowered wallpaper but after almost five years I was ready for a change. 

I had a picture that I had torn out of a magazine a couple of years ago of a bathroom remodel that had bead board installed and I really loved the look. Luckily, Jim is pretty handy with his saw & nail gun and he agreed to my plan. I had also seen a paint technique that looked like leather at Home Depot that I wanted to try. 

Here are the results:

This time we didn't fight or get into any disagreements because since it was such a small area we had to work at separate times.  I did all the painting first and then Jim did all the bead board & trim and installed a new faucet & light.  We're both happy with the way it turned out.  

Maybe next winter we'll get to the fireplace & shelving......

Pictures from Las Vegas

The girls play three card poker.

Waiting in line at Pawn Stars.

On Fremont Street.

Gumby & Pokey on Fremont Street.

Having a drink on Fremont Street.

Waiting for the bus.

Inside Pawn Stars.

Joyce poses with Ozzie on Fremont Street.

Homer pays a visit.

The light show on Fremont Street.

Janice rides the tiger at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden.

Scott gets chummy with Janice.

Too bad so sad!

The gang poses in the Golden Nugget Rush Tower lobby.

The Barkus Parade

I went to the dog parade down in Soulard yesterday and if you've never gone it's so much fun to see all the dogs dressed up in their costumes.  Here's just a sampling of the thousands of dogs dressed to the nines: