The Ritchey's...

We recently visited Washington D.C. [again] but this time met up with our Lubbock-ites, Eric and MJ. Weather was so much more enjoyable and we loved getting to catch up with our friends. Sophie totally made two new BFF's and knew them by name within a few hours. She loved sniffing flowers with MJ and had a secret crush on Eric sharing her beloved "silly-bands" with him. She liked to walk with them and show them all the big trucks passing by too.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and theirs was jacked so I only have my phone pictures...sigh.


[Smelling flowers]


[Playing coaster flip and catch...??? Sure, we'll call it that]

So this trip we visited the NARA to view the original Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. Sat for drinks at the Willard Hotel were the term ‘lobbyist’ originated when Ulysses S. Grant was in office (1869-1877). Apparently President Grant would frequent the Willard Hotel to enjoy brandy and a cigar, and while he was there, he’d be hounded by petitioners asking for legislative favors or jobs. It is said that President Grant coined the term by referring to the petitioners as “those damn lobbyists.” [Were thinking of you Dad while we were here!!] And we took Sophie to the National Aquarium.





Thanks guys for letting us crash your vacation. We had so much fun and miss you already!!

Congrats to the Percival Family on their new addition, Miss Libby!

Hope everyone reading is having a great week!! Love.

Eighteen Months...

It's been an entirely new world for Sophie this past month. She's all over the place and LOVES to walk. She's figured out how to dance standing up and walks around in circles. [It's all part of her dance routine] She loves STICKERS!! I probably pull about 10 stickers off the couch, the ottoman, the floor and my feet 20 times a day. She likes to stick them on her legs then pull them off saying "AH!"...as in "OUCH!". Hilarious! She can eat an enormous amount of blueberries but has become quite the difficult eater. UGH! Bribery has worked wonders...for now.




[iPhone pic of stickers Grandma mailed...turn your back for 2 seconds...]

She loves to throw her trash away...and anything else for that matter. Still our little book worm...new favorites are "I Knew You Could" and "Pinkalicious" . She likes to "tickle, tickle" and LOVES the park slide. She likes to pick flowers and sniff to see how pretty they smell. Her new bracelets she finds in Mom's bathroom drawer...[hair rubberbands]. She knows where the snacks are and will beckon you to open the pantry door so she can pick something. She loves her baby dolls and likes to push them in her doll stroller. So sweet how she hugs them and pats their backs while rocking them in her arms.





She likes to be rocked for a few minutes before bedtime while you hum or sing her a song. We're teaching her the alphabet and she's learning new words everyday. She tries so hard to say what we say and for the most part...she can! Okay, so I'm bragging here...but seriously she's got to be the smartest baby on the planet!





Next up...POTTY TRAINING!!! AHHHH!!

And...Congratulations to The Wagner Family on their new addition...Selma! She's so precious and we can't wait to meet her!

Love, love, love.

Sophie's boys...

Dad, Julie and the boys came to visit us last week. We had such a great time relaxing and visiting, I had a hard time letting them leave on Monday. Sophie was completely attached to her uncles...she would go upstairs with them and you'd never see her again until bed time. She was a totally different [little] person around them...so excited and willing to show off. Yup, her uncles are definitely HER BOYS!



We drove up to Washington D.C. and braved the sweltering weather conditions seeing as much as we possibly could in a couple days [without melting away or bumping into a boy scout]. So much history in D.C. its hard to see everything when you're on a time limit but I think we hit some of the best spots. And both Air and Space Museums were unbelievable! A few hiccups...but fortunately David was found and the truck was released. [LOL]


The White House


Lincoln Memorial


Washington Monument


The Capitol Building

Thanks again for making the trip. We love you and miss you already!!

And, of course, you can't visit D.C. and not think about our soldiers. God Bless You!!

Have a great weekend everyone! Love.

It's OFFICIAL!!...

For those of you we haven't already sent this video to...Sophie's a true TODDLER!!!



Seventeen months and one week...she's actually walking! We're so proud Peanut!!

Love to everyone reading!

Way Overdue...

I finally got through all the pictures of my sister's wedding. Of course, that was back in March but hey, better late than never! So as promised here are a few pictures of Princess Sophie in her flowergirl dress. She was crashed out most of the reception so she missed out on most of the action. Thanks Keri for capturing these!!






[and stud Evan]

My sister was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. She's just stunning...even without being a bride so I had to share a few more pictures. Chachie...you're a lucky man...but you already knew that! Love you guys!







We love weddings! A congrats are order, [again] LATE, to our friends back home...Eric and Mary Jane Ritchey!! What a great couple, wish we could have made this wedding too but we are already looking forward to the vow renewal next year in MEXICO!! Welome to the club!!! See you in a few weeks!

Love.

Doumeng Reunion...

My Mom came to visit for a few days last week and boy did we enjoy the visit. Sophie was dragging Rammie ALL OVER the place showing her all her coolest tricks and talking up a storm. It was crazy...I could actually cook dinner in PEACE!! She brought all kinds of gifts, to NO surprise. Sophie was so spoiled she was pulling everything out of Rammie's luggage to find more presents. Little toot!



Wednesday GGB and O came to town. We celebrated GGB's birthday luau style and were so excited to visit with both her and "Mr. New York" himself...Uncle O! Of course, Sophie was showered with gifts yet again so she was won over quite early. She LOVED the bubble blower and kept signing "more" to keep them going. She's been putting her puzzle pieces together and gives her frog hugs almost everyday. Thanks you for all the the great presents.







Happy Birthday GGB!! Thank you guys for making the trip to Holly Springs. We truly LOVED the company and miss you already.



Gosh, goodbyes are a bummer. Unfortunately, we also had to say our last goodbye to our Crawford friends. We miss you guys too and hated having to say goodbye to such great people. You guys are awesome and we are so lucky to have met you. We wish you the very best in KANSAS CITY!!

[Sigh...]

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Love.

Happy 4th of July!...

Loaded up and went to Wilmington for the Fourth. Tried to hit up the beach in Wrightsville but parking was virtually impossible so we hit the hotel pool instead! Sophie loved it...outdoors and splashing in the water, right up her alley. I think we stayed parked on the steps for over an hour so I'd say that was a good afternoon!

We rested for a bit then headed dowtown for fireworks! Ate good food at Circa 1922 before the grand finale of "Boom-Boom-Pow's". Sophie was completely freaked out at how loud the fireworks were to the point where she was directing us back to the car, but after a couple minutes she was okay and watched without blinking. Spectacular show that lasted about 20 minutes...long enough, for sure. Sophie crashed out almost immediately after getting in the car.







Before heading out of town we decided we needed to take the tour of USS North Carolina of World War II. So AMAZING! There are no other words. Thanks to all our soldiers!!







Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Happy 4th!! Love.