Dallas and Adventures with a Spoon

Bethany's vocabulary is increasing more and more. She can identify animals now, and makes their animal noises when she sees an animal. She is still trying to figure out how to oink like pig. It sounds more like a growl. It's very cute though. She is definitely understanding more. Daddy had to outside in the middle of supper one day, and when she saw him leave, she decided she was done eating. She pushed the bowl away and wanted down. Well I told her eat the rest of your macaroni and cheese, and then we can go outside and see Daddy. Well she grabbed that bowl so fast and ate the rest of the mac and cheese in under a minute.

Tonight she was playing in the entertainment center. We keep one of the compartments full of her toys so she had a place to open and get into. Sometimes she like to crawl in there and shut the door and then pop out and say, "Boo". Tonight she was doing that, and she needs me to close the door every time. One time I closed the door on her, and it opened a few seconds later with her holding her Care Bear and a play phone up to ear. It was just like a magic trick.


You may think that looks like a cute picture with chocolate on her teeth. Not chocolate. Try brown crayon. Luckily, she's forgotten about the crayons recently.

The 16th through the 19th, I went to Dallas for our Mary Kay Seminar. I had a fabulous time, learned a lot, and had so much fun. I came home very tired, but ready to do it all again next year. Bethany wasn't too sure about me that Sunday morning when she first saw me. The rest of the day, she was pretty much a mama's girl.

This is all of the National Sales Directors in our seminar. They're wearing their fabulous new coral suits.

This picture is from awards night. These are some consultants from the Peoria area, but they are in a different unit. The only time I really got to see them was during the general sessions.

Bethany is now sitting at the table and eating with utensils. Right before I left for Dallas, she decided that she was done with the high chair. We've also pushed back her supper schedule a little bit so that she eats with us. She still doesn't quite eat everything we do, but we're working on it.
She had to do it all herself. I just tell myself to deal with the mess because I don't want to be still spoon-feeding my 3 year old someday.
Isn't that such a Bethany look?

Our 4th of July

We had a busy couple of days with our 4th festivities. I'm going to let the pictures do the talking.

On the 3rd, we went to Glen Oak Park to watch the fireworks with Bethany's Peoria grandparents, Pastor Dave and Diane. We thought that would be a good one to introduce her to fireworks. She did very well considering she stayed up three hours past her bedtime that night.

Our new camera has a fireworks setting, so I was very excited about getting to use it. I have to practice before our Disney World trip in January, and you don't have too many opportunities to take pictures of fireworks.

We were all wondering what Bethany would think of the fireworks. She did awesome! She spent most of the night watching them this way. She was even trying to grab them out of the sky. She was somewhat concerned over the loud booms, but Shane convinced her it was all in fun.

We had a very busy day on the 4th. We had family and friends come over for a cookout. Thanks to everyone who lended a hand and brought things. It was much appreciated. Despite the busy-ness, it was still a fun day.

Trevor was showing Bethany some love. She didn't know what to think.
Ashley and Bethany were taking a picture together, and Trever wanted to get in on the action too. I love this picture. It's such an eclectic mix of people: my daughter, my cousin, and my friend's son. We had fun with the bean bag set. I'm so addicted to this game!
Even Craig and Pastor Dave got in on the action.

On the night of the 4th, we went downtown to watch the fireworks. (Thanks Grammy for staying behind, so I could go.) They were so awesome!!! I heard these were the second best fireworks in the state, and they didn't disappoint. We are definitely bringing Bethany to these next year. If you're not sure where you want to watch fireworks next year, then you should come to Peoria. I'm sure they'll have to top themselves. Enjoy the pictures.

Bethany at a Wedding

Our little girl is certainly transforming from a baby to a little girl. She is getting very good at climbing. My last safe spot of the table is gone. She can now climb onto the chairs and reach whatever is on the table. She really loves her crayons. She always wants me to get them out. She'll color on some scratch paper for awhile. Then she has to hold all eight crayons and go off to play. I'm not crazy about that because I don't want to find her coloring elsewhere. So I have to take them away. Then she cries, and finally goes to play with something else. However, in an hour or so, she remember the crayons, points to where I normally keep them, and we go through the same thing all over again.

She has to hold onto the popsicle. I've tried to get her to just hold onto the stick, but she won't have any part of that.

Aunt Jessica and Uncle Doug came to visit. Doug was creating some homework for a class he would be teaching this summer. Bethany just had to crawl up in his lap and help him.
Shane officiated his first wedding on June 28th. It was for his cousin Sarah and her now-husband, Russ. Shane did a great job. Here's the happy couple.
Bethany enjoyed the wedding cake as well.
Bethany spent a good time dancing with Aunt Jessica. She doesn't look like she's having fun here, but that's because it's past her bedtime. We had a very late night that night. We didn't get home until 9:30, and we thought Bethany would sleep on the hour and 1/2 drive home. Nope.