Natalie's Big Day

Natalie's birthday is September 20th, and it just happened to fall on a Thursday this year. I made some little cakes to take to her class...they were a big hit (but what bundle of sugar wouldn't be with the little ones).

Elmo cakes

Natalie's little class...ready for snack time!

Natalie having her birthday cup cake.

After school, my step sister Laura (who is in town from California) came over with her sons Jake and Logan. Natalie loved that. She had fun playing with Jake, but she LOVES babies, so most of her attention was on Logan.

Natalie wanted to feed Logan, so Laura was nice enough to let her "help"

Natalie swimming with Jake

Natalie kept getting out of the pool to visit with Logan.

Natalie and Jake playing in her little car.

Later that afternoon, my father-in-law came over to stay with Natalie and brought her a birthday present. She "helped" him put it together. Natalie had a really fun day!

Time for School

Because Natalie's birthday is in the middle of September, she started off at her new school in the youngest class. They just moved her up to the "big kids" class because they felt like she would do better there. She now has to wear a little uniform to school and this was her first day in the new class. She only goes 2 days a week for a few hours, but she really likes it.

Going Shopping

Every once in a while, Natalie grabs her purses, puts on some shoes and announces that she is going shopping (I have no idea where she gets that from :) It is really hysterical to watch. So here she is...ready to go!

Is EVERYONE Ready For Dinner?

For a long while now, Natalie has slept with assorted stuffed animals in her crib with her. She hadn't ever paid a whole lot of attention to them...until now. One night while we were getting ready for dinner, she decided to bring not one, but all of her animals to the table with us so that they could have dinner too...and she hasn't wanted to leave them out of anything since! Dinner with the "crib clan"

Watching Hi-5 before bed...she brings the animals from the table to the couch one by one.

Giving lamb a hug (just after she got him a "sip of water").

Changing Minnie's diaper (luckily, Minnie was the only one who needed to have her diaper changed).

Daddy helping to put socks on Minnie (apparently she has cold feet too).

Natalie helping Minnie brush her teeth.

All of the animals back in bed...time to go to sleep.

The next morning...here we go again!!!

Helping Daddy and Papa at Work

Steve and I had to go to a meeting yesterday afternoon, so Stan watched Natalie for us at the office. She really likes it there, and was fascinated with the hard hats. Here are a few of the pictures...

Natalie's 2 Year Pictures

Natalie will be 2 on September 20th, so I thought I'd try to get some professional photos taken. The last few times I have tried to take her to a studio, it was a disaster, so I thought I'd have a photographer come to our house with the hopes that it would be better. Let me just say that the photographer (Deb Evans) did a WONDERFUL job considering that Natalie wanted NO part of taking these pictures. It was a disaster so I am surprised to have a few really good pictures! But here they are...

The Rest of August...In a Nutshell

Seems like August just flew by and here we are almost to the middle of September! Here are a few highlights from August...

Natalie's new favorite game...hide and seek...she found Daddy! She tells us all the time to "go hide" but she gets upset if you don't hide in one of the few places that she knows where to look.

Elvia and her son Jordy...Natalie was VERY upset when school started and Elvia started showing up without Jordy. She asks where he is everyday.

Natalie's new favorite spot in the recliner. She likes to bring her books in and sit down to read...what a big girl!!!

Natalie started at her little school for 2 days a week. Her friend Rafe goes to the same school, but unfortunately is not in the same class, so usually we try to meet before school starts so that they can play a little.

Natalie and Daddy

On one afternoon that it wasn't too hot, we took Natalie to the park. She had a great time.

Natalie on the swing

Natalie and Daddy "racing"

Natalie has decided that if she has to put on sunscreen everytime she gets in the pool, so does everyone else. She had some fun making sure that Daddy was protected from the sun!