Welcome to Tiki Cove!

So, after returning from a WONDERFUL vacation in Red River, the heat was too much for me to handle! (I really intend to post my pics from RR soon, but in the mean time you can visit www.flynnville.wordpress.com to check out some of Katy's pics!) I finally convinced Eric that we needed some sort of pool. After a frantic search of Big Lots, Wal-Mart and Target on Saturday, we found this "beautiful" summer must-have! Apparently, everyone in Burleson beat us to the punch b/c these things are in short supply!

Redneck or not, our blue, bubbling above ground pool is a life saver! We had it set up in about 45 minutes, but it took about 5 hours to fill. Around 9:00 PM, Eric and I had our first swim in Tiki Cove and it was superb! There is a little blue sign on the tree with the name of our new oasis. We even have a hammock donated by our friend, Rob, a palm tree, cooler, chairs...you name it and Tike Cove can provide it!

It is in her blood!

Grandma and Grandpa bought Edee her first 4 wheeler while we were out of town. I cannot believe how well she fits on it! She immediately grabbed the handlebars and put her little thumb on the throttle. It needs a new battery, but Grandma pushed her around and around. She loves it and she even makes some very accurate sound effects! I guess it is just in her DNA!

Eric and I had a wonderful dinner last night to celebrate our 7th anniversary! Grandma kept Edee while we had a superb evening at Reata in downtown Fort Worth. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute, but it sure was great to come home and look at our sleeping dolly!

Look closely...

Is that a big, sleepy dog I see?? I know the quality of this picture is poor! I quickly snapped it with my phone. I just thought it was TOO cute of Elkee. She is resting her head on the wheel of Edee's Jeep. She has really taken a "back-seat" lately when it comes to photo ops! She spent last week with Grandma, Grandpa and Greta while we were visiting my mom. HOWEVER, she will be joining us on the 10+ hour trip to Red River next week. What's a family vacation if you are missing a very important member of the family?!?! It will be interesting to see who sits in the front seat...Elkee or Mommy??

The Most FABULOUS Fathers I Know!!

Uncle Mike is visiting Daddy at the lake this Father's Day weekend! He has always been like another Dad to me and TeeLee. He is a wonderful father and grandfather to his girls, Mika and Sadie! I'm so thankful that these two buddies were able to spend the weekend together!!

These shots were just too good! I had to include both! Thanks, Christy!

Gary is being silly! He's not much of a drinker, but he appreciates The Captain!

Daddy and Edee are looking sharp and ready for the pool! She was glad to have her Daddy back in town in time for Father's Day!

I feel more than blessed to have so many Fabulous Fathers in my life!! :-)

AAHHH...Summer!!

Time to eat...AGAIN!! Edee can't get enough of all the summertime yummies!!

OH!! What a beautiful sight!! My daddy is back on the links!

This swing has been around to entertain several little girls over the years!

Edee would ride or push this scooter all day, if she could! She even found some toys inside the seat!

Nonna is getting all the sugars! Eric better hurry and get back soon!!

Summer, summer, summer!! It has been HOT, but it hasn't slowed us down! My dad had his first golf outing since his treatments began in April. What a major victory in his battle! The picture above was taken Monday morning before he left.

Edee and I are spending the week with my mom while Eric is in Orlando for a trade show. We have been swimming, playing with all of Nonna's toys, riding in the golf cart, swinging, and most importantly...EATING! Every time I turn around, Edee is trying to climb into her high chair. She also will smack her little mouth if you are eating something, as if to say, "Hey! What about me??" We have found few things that she won't eat and she LOVES fresh fruits and vegetables! Let's just hope that will continue as she gets older!

Show-Off Day at the Little Gym

Edee has been going to the Little Gym for a couple of months now. Saturday was "Show-Off Day" to end the Spring semester. She will be attending this summer, but she was ready to get the exhibition started!! FYI...she had a nice, big, orange bow before class started but Daddy was worried that it would leave a mark on her head while she was doing her forward rolls!

She has that look of intense concentration! She's ready to get this show on the road!

"Hurry up, Daddy! We're gonna be the last ones to the parallel bars!"

Mommy and Edee were doing some fun flips! She loves to do these at home. A good workout for Mommy, too!

The teacher, Ms. Karen, commented on how Edee would clap after all of her friends performed a skill. She encouraged the parents to model clapping with their kids when they see another child do something. That's our little motivational cheerleader! YEAH!!!

The Air Trek...SO COOL! You sit on it and it blows up like a giant inflatable raft. The kids all do front rolls and jump around. Edee used this opportunity to make her rounds on the social circuit!

She has been practicing her rolls at home and can almost complete one on her own. I was a dancer, NOT a gymnast, so I won't be much help beyond somersaults and cartwheels. Aunt Tee will be able to help perfect her ballerina moves, as seen in the first picture, but we may have to recruit Aunt Misty or Auntie Allison for some tumbling tips!

Let the adventures begin!!

Eric and I had our first night away from Edee on Saturday night. We were given tickets to the Indy Car races at Texas Motor Speedway by one of my fabulous students and her family. Her dad works for Dickie's so we were able to watch the races from their suite above the finish line. It was a blast! What a hospitable and fun group of people!! My mom and Gary came to stay with Edee, so we made the most of the night and just stayed at a hotel near the track. We woke up the next morning and took advantage of the sidewalk sale at Cabela's. Eric got a new wardrobe for his upcoming birthday and we had tons of fun in the store. I can't wait to take Edee back to look at all the animals!

We came home and took Edee to REI to try on child carriers. The minute we put her in one, she started grinning from ear to ear! She is very nosy and observant, so she appreciated her new view of the world! It was precious! The pack is so light and easily adjusts to fit me or Eric.

AND on another note...Edee is one year, one month and one day old today. As if that wasn't enough of an accomplishment, I caught her taking her first steps today! She has been standing independently for about a week now, but she took 2 little steps today when she thought I wasn't looking. She is such a wonderful baby and I treasure every moment with her!!

I am looking forward to more adventures this summer!

W