Back from my mini vacation

Over the past weekend a friend and I took a trip to Chicago to visit a friend we used to work with. Teresa and I left Friday morning after dropping off Alex at Daycare. This was the first time I have been away from Alex more than one day. We arrived at the commercial Hartford office around 10:30. We finally were able to see Debi after a long 4 years. We had tried several times to take a trip up there or for her to visit Indpls, but something always came up. We also got to meet many coworkers we talk to daily either on the phone or email. It was great to put faces to names. Later Friday night we hung out with some friends at Debis house. Saturday we went to the Taste of Chicago where we ate sausage and spinach stuffed pizza, canolies, cheesecake, tamales, homemade chips larger and taller than I have ever seen, chocolate dipped strawberries, and some more items I dont remember their names. Debi showed us around downtown Chicago where we checked out Lake Michigan, Navy Pier and all the beautiful buildings and condos. We even saw Oprahs condo she used to live in. Saturday night we lounged around, watched movies and vegged some more. Sunday morning Teresa and I headed home. I arrived around 4ish. As I walked in the house, Alex ran to me, stopped, got down on all fours and crawled to me panting with her tongue hangin out. She loves to pretend to be a dog. I had a great time and I needed it very badly. The last few weeks have been rather stressful with work and family issues. Im just glad I finally was able to see Debi. And I did really well away from Alex. I started missing her a lot when Doug was sending me pictures of her watching the Greenwood fireworks on the cell. But other than that evening, I did really good trying not to think of her and Doug.

Chatter Box Alex

We have been getting so many comments about how much Alex talks. Yes most of her jibber jabber doesnt make sense, but she really likes to tell stories. She continues to talk on her play phones and sometimes fights us for the real phones. In the past I have tried to have her talk to people on the phone but she freezes under the spot light. But just the other day Nana was on the phone talking to Alex at Grandma Thayers. Alexandra actually responded with "Okay" twice and a few made up words. She even said "Bye See ya" which is her everyday comment to everyone when leaving daycare. It was so cute. She said her first sentense a couple of weeks ago. We were outside and she ran to the fence where Lucifer (or Bubby per Alex) was. She touched him, turned around and ran to Daddy saying "I touched Bubby". We asked her what she had done. So she ran to the fence again, ran back to us and said it again. At daycare the other day Amy told me that she fell off the slide. When Amy asked her if she was okay, Alex replied "I am alright." and brushed off the mulch and dirt. I cant believe how much she is picking up. Doug told Lucifer to "shut up" and then Miss Alex repeated "Shut up". Not a phrase I would like her to repeat so daddy was informed not to say that again. Today I smashed my finger getting into the truck and the "F" word slipped.. and of course our Angel Alexandra repeated it. So now I officially have to watch what I say. Yes it was cute to hear her first curse word before she was even 1 year old - Shit - but now we really have to watch what we say. But I just know she is bound to have a potty mouth like her mother and PaPaw.

She looks innocent but she is definitely not.

Watch the storm roll in...

Sunday evening I took these pictures of the storm that brought a lil bit of hail and a chilly night. This pictures were taken in the front yard looking up. Its crazy to see how dark it got.

Rain Rain Go away

Our backyard
A few roads down from our house
A flooded house outside of the addition
In our addition

Saturday I went out taking pictures of the flooded areas around our addition and Greenwood. I have so many pictures. Here are just a few....


another road in our addition





flooded car in the quads

Alex enjoying the flooded streets

Meet Dodger

On the way home from work yesterday we picked up a hitch hiker. He was running across the road dodging traffic. We were afraid he would get hit so we turned around. I ran across the road in the middle of traffic and held his hand as we ran back to the car. He sat in my lap on the way back home. We carried on a nice conversation about how cute and small he was. We decided he needed a better name, so we called him Dodger. Once we got home I introduced him to Alex, Doug and the rest of my family that came over for a cook out. Later we decided it was getting late and he needed to go home to get some shut eye. Because he didnt really have a home, I introduced him to the pond behind our house. He liked it. I hope he decides to visit once in a while.

Meet Dodger-an adorable baby snapping turtle

Here is Dodger riding along in my truck in the cup holder. He eventually climbed out so he had to sit in my lap

All Done

So we are officially finished with the back porch. Saturday morning I started the day planting flowers and putting down mulch around the patio. Later during the day we went out searching for a fountain. We found it at Lowes. Doug set it up and now we are done. I love just sitting outside in the sun listening to the water fall in the fountain. It is very relaxing. Im excited for when everything starts growing, spreading and blooming. We have hummingbird and butterfly attracting plants. Alex loves to watch the water as well and sometimes puts her hand in it. Lucifer is being a brat a keeps walking through the flower bed so I plan to put a few decorative items in the way so he cant.