Friday's Thoughts

Today is a day of random pictures that don't really "go" together.

It just feels like the right thing to do today, just be random.

So, this is how I look lately, I have a tumor growing on my left side. 

It has its own legs, arms, and a head.

I would have it surgically removed, but it is really cute.

Soon it will be walking on its own and I doubt I will look like this much longer.

Speaking of walking on its own, I'm giving it only another month before I'll have to really start running.

She much prefers to be on her own two feet even though she's incapable of doing so without assistance.

She can cruise along the furniture, walls, whatever is available.

She can walk behind her push toy, but can't steer.

She's even taken a few steps on her own when she didn't know daddy let go of her.

Of course, as soon as she realized she was on her own, she dove for the floor.

Good to know she's a little cautious.

This picture was about a month ago, she has much more hair now, Yay!

And it is starting to curl just a bit in the back, Yay again!

Oh my, it is almost June now!

Where has May gone?

We have more family visiting time planned this weekend.

She loves her cousin Ryan, even though it looks like she's trying to push him off the bench.

Apparently, she wanted to see something and he was in the way.

This pushiness is not unusual behavior for her.

She knows what she wants and has no problem letting us know.

I have a marigold growing in the cracks of the back patio.

I told you this would be random.

I didn't plant it there, yet still, it grows.

I wonder how long it will last considering I don't usually water the patio.

This is Holmes.

You probably remember him from earlier posts.

He wouldn't look at me.

Typical cat behavior.

He's very fluffy and pretty and soft.

I wish you could pet his picture so you could feel it too.

He looks harmless enough, however, this was shot not long after he clobbered Laci in the head.

Pushed passed his baby limit he lashed out at her.

He didn't scratch her.

He just sort of hooked her with his claws (all five of them) and held her there until I came to the rescue.

Can't say as I blame him.

She follows him and tortures him relentlessly all day long.

You would think he would learn to run away by now.

Running away is not on his agenda.  Yes, he has an agenda.  He's a cat.

That's about all the randomness I have for now.

I'm looking forward to a great long weekend with my family.

Ryan's overtime will be hitting hard soon so we have to enjoy our time together while we can.

Happy Friday.

Some days...

...we all just need a nap.

Peonies & Other Adventures

When Beth told me she wanted to drive 200 miles to buy some flowers I thought she was crazy.  Then I remembered two things about my sister:  one, she IS crazy, and two, she is really crazy about her flowers.  Have you seen her blog?  I mean, the girl planted a gajillion seeds in her garage this winter just for fun.  She has been researching this particular peony farm for months and was adamant that she was going there to purchase some peonies - her favorite flower.  Luckily for her, her sisters and mother are ridiculously supportive of her obsession and her extended family lives very close to the peony farm.  So, to the peony farm we all went.

We left for the Bay Area on Friday morning and I really think Beth would have preferred if we passed up Aunt Jen's house and headed straight to the peonies.  But, the agreement was we would be visiting the peonies Saturday morning at 9 am sharp!.  And I mean SHARP!!  Since this was supposed to be a relaxing weekend for me, I wasn't really in the mood to rush around Saturday morning to hurry to the peony farm.  I casually mentioned to Beth that maybe it would be OK if we didn't get to the peony farm exactly at 9 a.m., that perhaps 9:05 or even 9:10 would be acceptable.  Well, you would have thought I asked her to remove her right arm based on the death look I was given.  Alrighty then, 9 a.m. it is.  In actuality, we arrived at exactly 9:06 and thankfully, Beth did not have an aneurysm as a result of our tardiness.

The peony farm was actually pretty cool.  There were peonies everywhere, this lady specializes in growing them.  Beth was in her glory with all the flowers, and a fellow peony fanatic to talk to.

There were rows,

upon rows,

upon rows,

upon rows of peonies.

There were so many different colors and they really are a very pretty flower. 

While Beth chatted it up with the peony lady, I took a lot of pictures.

And more pictures.

And Laci practiced her walking.

If it weren't for Beth, I probably never would have seen the beautiful hills of Milpitas that we drove through to get to the peonies.  That part was very cool.  Since I was driving, I didn't get any pictures of the scenic drive up, but I did get this view from the peony farm.

After the peony excursion, we returned to the city where I was reminded that I'm a country bumpkin, driving a country bumpkin truck, in very unfriendly territory.  Seriously, I just don't understand city drivers.  Is it your goal to risk life and limb every time you drive to the store?  Oh, it isn't?  Well, you had me fooled.  

We had an awesome girls lunch at New Jersey's Cheese steaks, and an exciting trip to a two story Target.  You can tell I'm from the country when a two story Target is a big deal.  Heck, any Target is a big deal.  At least I wasn't taking pictures of the Target escalators like someone else I know, mom.  We returned to Aunt Jen's house after our adventures and finished our relaxing weekend with some tri-tip, Mad Gab, and lots of visiting.  Oh, and Beth had to tend to her flowers.

Laci was very good for most of the driving part of our trip, except the final hour on the way home when it was obvious she had spent entirely too much time in her car seat and not even Cheerios could help the situation.  To all parents who embark on road trips longer than three hours, I have profound respect for you.  You are much braver than I am. 

Happy Baby

So happy after a very rare two-hour morning nap.

Rosy cheeks.

Messy hair.

Big smile.

Pretty brown eyes.
Yes, today, they are brown.

Is it too much to ask for this everyday?

Going on a Road Trip

This morning, Laci and I are leaving on a girls-only road trip to see my "Aunty Jenny" and the rest of the family in the Bay Area.  Ryan is staying home to hold down the fort.  His eardrums are probably thanking him right now.  This could possibly be the loudest road trip anyone has ever taken - my mom, sisters, Laci and I - ummmmm, I don't think any of us has an "inside" voice.  I love my family, but truly, we are freakishly loud sometimes.  The best part is we'll probably all be talking at the same time, and I'm sure, at some point, I'll have to play the part of the parent and make everyone "BE QUIET!!!" so I can think for a minute while I'm driving.  Oh, the joys.  Hopefully Laci's little eardrums don't burst from the level of excitement they are about to experience.  Thank goodness it's only about a three hour drive.  Personally, I don't think even I could handle any more than that.  But seriously, I'm excited to spend so much time with my family and to create some new memories we won't soon forget.