Kara and the Splash Park

Kara came to visit us the other week.  I am so thankful for her, her friendship and just who she is.  She is so selfless.  She is such a good friend that she knows what I need and is always offering to help me in some way.  So she came up to see us, let Cody and I have a date night, and then offered to go to a new park with us the next day.  

We went to a splash park in Sherman and Harper was a little hesistant at first.  But she soon figured out how to run through the rainbow sprinklers and step on the floor sprinklers.  She had a ton of fun and didn't want to leave.  Plus, we also met some moms there that are in a playgroup that we are joining.  Such providence.  

We love you, Aunt Kara!  

The McCool's came to visit!

Since we've moved up here, I've been worried that I would miss out on seeing my sister and watching Grayson and Reese grow up.  But we have gotten to see them a few times for family things and they had a Saturday free (which is rare for them) so they decided to come visit and see the house.  

Harper absolutely loves Grayson and Reese.  She likes to follow Grayson around and copy him.  And she is always trying to love on Reese and give her bottles, pacis, hugs, etc.  She loves playing with them and is always talking about going to their house (especially to swim).  Plus, she loves my sister because Kristen totally lets her get away with anything.  She can not say no to that face!

Harper has overcome her independent stage when it comes to holding hands, getting held, and having things done for her.  She is suddenly always wanting to be carried.  And when that sweet voice asks Kristen "Ish you?" which means "Hold me," she does.  Fine with me - I get sweet Reese for awhile.  

Grayson loved the 4-wheeler so we took it outside where there was more room.  He seemed to like the house.  Playing the piano was fun, new toys, dogs outside, etc.  I hoped he would have fun so that he would want to come back and play with us some more. 

We borrowed the Hempkins' 4-wheeler so we could take G for a ride.  He rode his around for awhile with Cody until he decided that the big one looked like fun.  Then we took a ride.  He was a little nervous, so he kept telling me to go slow, slow.  He did ok, he liked it for a few minutes but was done pretty quick.  It's pretty big and fast, so I'm sure it'll take awhile to grow on him.  

He kept wanting to drive, which made me nervous!

It was a blast to spend the day with them. I've missed them so much and I feel like Grayson and Reese just change so much so fast!  I'm thankful that Kristen and I still get to talk after work and catch up on our days.  I miss them but I'm so grateful to spend time with them!

Our NEW House

Our House!  It's not really done.  It's STILL a work in progress.  School started for Cody a few weeks ago, so the progress has slowed wayyy down.  So I figured we might as well just take pictures so people can see, because it won't get much better any time soon.  We still have a few major projects to do - repaint the exterior, a sliding barn door for the hallway, a new mantel, and completely redoing the outside patio and landscaping.  Small project wise we have a ton of organizing, knobs, curtains, rugs, decor, etc.  When I asked Cody when he thought we would be done, he actually said 5 years.  I kinda agree.  So we'll just enjoy the house for awhile.  Maybe rest a little because I am seriously exhausted.  

Entryway

Dining Room 

Buffet 

This was my great-grandparents old record speaker.  My dad had it the whole time I was growing up.  He recently moved and we got it.  Also, the stool is from my brother, Eric, because it is the same stool we had growing up at my grandma's house.  We loved that stool!  It was bright yellow and we used to use it to help my grandma around the kitchen all the time.

Kitchen

I love our big, huge, island.  It's perfect to set stuff on and prep all our meals.  Plus, I can do dishes and cook and watch Cody and Harper in the living room.  The cabinets are fabulous, hold a ton of stuff.  And the backsplash is a blue painted beadboard, which I love.

Kitchen and Breakfast Nook

The halltree was also from my dad.  This door goes to the backyard and is usually the door people use.  But we have crazy dogs now, so we have started having to go out the front.

Living Room

Harper's / Guest Bathroom

Harper's Room

Harper loves her new big girl room.  She sleeps really good in her bed and hasn't ever gotten out (fabulous!).  And she loves to look out the window at the cars passing on the highway. 

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom Shower 

Game Room / Play Room

This room is huge and we have actually kind of made it into 2 rooms.  Our old living room furniture so Cody can lounge back here and hide if he needs to.  

This is Harper's playroom.  It is a little overcrowded with toys, but she actually plays with all of them.  She loves her playroom.  She plays in here all day and loves having her toys back.

It took 7 1/2 months from the beginning of thinking about it: 2 months to clean it out, 2 months to demo and frame, and a month of small projects.  But it's DONE!  So, so, so HAPPY!

Celebrating Pop and Mimi's Birthdays

Saturday night we went to my parents house to spend some time with them and celebrate their upcoming birthdays. 

CarCar and TayTay with the nieces and nephew

Playing together.  Reese likes to climb on the toys. 

Counting money in a game the adults were playing

Reese and Tay Tay

Grayson throwing the ball to Piper. 

Jumping on the bed!

Playing hide and seek - in the bathroom cabinet

And in the pantry

Mimi and Reese

Reese and Pop

Reese finally got her toy (it was in our storage with all our house stuff).  

Now that she is walking, she will love it!

This made me laugh.   Birthday present from his two teenage girls - high fashion sweaters from Forever 21 and H&M. He's learning what the word "fitted" means.   Ha!

Happy Birthday Mimi and Pop!  We love you!

July Photodump

July has been HUGE.  We finally moved to the new house.  It was a big transition and has been a long few weeks.  We have been overwhelmed with working on the house and trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer.  

Playing on the Hempkins' 4-wheelers.  This was the first time that Harper enjoyed it.  But it's pretty hard to drive, shift, and hold a toddler who is squirming around.  

Shopping McKinney Trade Days with the fam - she found lots of dolls.  

The joys of potty training.  Stopping on the side of the highway to potty because you can't find a restroom and you are an hour away.  Thankful for the portable potty!

So with everyone home for summer, sometimes we got a little bored.  Taylor and Carleigh liked to make up vines and funny photos.  This is a "family retake" idea from pinterest where you recreate a photo.  It's super funny and a little creepy.  This is the first picture Cody, Taylor and Carleigh ever took.  He went with me to Arizona to meet my family after we got engaged.  They were so little and cute!  But its cute that they have just grown to love each other more.  It's almost like they have been family their whole lives.  

We spent our last day in Highland Village playing at the park and feeding the ducks.  Harper loves when Cody comes - he is way more fun than me!  And the ducks were in full force that day - there were tons of them. 

Our first weekend in Denison, we did the Lowe's kids workshop.  Harper loved getting to hammer and play with tools.  

Her first diy project.

Taylor and Carleigh came home with us for the weekend.  They took like 15 videos just in the car going home and taught Harper to say "Oh no, it's the po-po."  She missed them a TON!

Hanging in the new bed together (its rumored that someone even got a paci...)

Our first dress up experience.  She really wanted to wear the dress but I don't think it was the most comfortable thing.  But she still looked cute. 

3 minutes later we were naked as usual.  

Taylor left her ipod so we played with it each day and sent her pictures.  

Another picture for Taylor - Cody with his 4 cherries from his Sonic drink.  Taylor seems to always get jipped on cherries so we thought we would show her our luck.