*New Zoo*

Sadly, with having to work everyother weekend and the multiple summer obligations we have this year, our trip to visit Tom's family doubled as our summer vacation. Not that we don't LOVE visiting the Hoopers, but we usually try to do a trip as a family as well. We did however, have a great time... minus Logan's trip to the ER! We woke up bright and early Friday morning and hit the road. We spend most of Friday at the New Zoo with John. He works as a volunteer there, so we he was a great tour guide.

Lilly was a little diappointed that they only had leaves to feed the giraffes instead of crackers like last year, but as tradition she chickened out before actually feeding them anyways! Logan had a blast as well... he giggled and pointed at all the animals... until he fell asleep that is!

Rub-a-Dub

Rub-a-Dub-Dub my little man in the {sink} tub!

Logan is a little bathtub fanatic... he comes running anytime he hears water running... and squeals the cutest little squeal until you let him in to play! And really, how can you say no to those dimples?!? While I am a little ashamed to admit it, I am a rare hand washer thanks to the modern convienence of the dishwasher! So when I did fill up the sink to wash a few pans that didn't fit in the current load Logan was all over me to get in! Needless to say the pans didn't get washed... but we had a lot of laughs!

Independance Day with the Becks!

4th of July was my "bonus" holiday this year. Falling on a Sunday... and not my holiday to work... I had a 1 day weekend... smack dab in the middle of two weekends off! That may sound like a small gift, but after working EVERY weekend in June it was a much needed break!

We spent the 4th with our good friends the Becks! Brooke, Shane, and Cameron have been great friends and everytime we spend time with them we leave saying "we really need to make more time to do stuff with them". We had a blast watching Lilly and Cameron run around playing "monster" in the basement with flashlights... eating WAY too much... exploding poppers (and making a huge mess) in their back yard... and watching the Carson Park Fireworks with the Johnsons. We really need to get together again soon!

3... going on 17

My dearest Lillia-

Ever since they held that sweet little bum of yours over the surgical drape and announced that you were a little girl I have secretly prayed you would be just a little girly! I couldn't wait to put you in frilly dresses, pigtails, and tutus!

Prayers answered... you are girly to the core! That's not to say that you don't enjoy jumping in mud puddles or playing trucks with your brother... but deep down you're a princess! You wear dresses everyday... and are very methodical about which ones you will wear for certain occasions! You love crowns, necklaces, make-up, and shoes!

On this particular day I found you in the bathroom... playing "Mommy"... not sure if this is a replication of how tired I look after a long night at work or not... but you were pretty proud of yourself! I just hope the cashier in the grocery store didn't mistake it for a black eye! There will come a day (too soon I'm afraid) when you will be hogging the bathroom... stealing my make-up... and picking out prom dresses. My little girly girl!

Blog Neglect

Who was I kidding... a blog... ha ha ha! Life has been busy... to say the least... but I am happy to report I have found a few minutes to attempt to catch up! Stay tuned!

Tugging at my heartstrings...

Dear Morgan,

It's been almost 3 months since you left us now... your new house must think I'm nuts for writing you a letter... but not a day goes by we don't think of you and miss you like crazy. We watch the videos posted for new glimpses of you and pray every night that you will find a home filled with love, room to run, and lots of pigs ears ;) I can't apologize enough for leaving you, I can't imagine how confused you must be, but please know we didn't know what else to do to help you. We are forever thankful to everyone at Bob's House... we didn't know if we'd ever see that cute little tail wag again. It's nice to see you playful and not shaking and crying... sure wish we could have done that for you here.

Everyone told us that Lilly was young enough and would soon forget... but they must have underestimated the love the two of you shared! She asks about you everyday and laughs when she sees the videos of you running with the other dogs... "Morggy is happy again!". I know how hard it has been on her to lose her best friend... and although you probably don't miss being used as a landing mat, dressed up, or being walked around the house on your lease for hours... I'm sure you miss her too!

Logan is getting big and you would LOVE all of the food he now drops on the floor! That was when you first started to appreciate Lilly... when she could feed you :) The vet wasn't too happy about all the weight you put on those few months, but we laughed and just took a few extra walks! :)

Things just aren't the same without you here... but I'm so thankful that you're not as stressed and you're in good hands.

We love you Morggy! Big hugs and belly rubs!

The start of wedding season

With Tom out of town for a bachelor party, I was left to fend for myself at the start of wedding season! Now, normally I wouldn't complain. Free beer, good music, great company... but I had two small children in tow... and I wasn't quite sure how they would do. As it turns out Lilly LOVES weddings! She danced every song (minus the father/daughter dance where we had to drag her off the floor and bribe her with a sip of sprite... not my finest parenting moment... but I did what worked at the time). A true social butterfly she made friends instantly... it was so much fun to watch! Speaking of watch... Pa never took his eyes of her... especially when she was slow dancing with her "boyfriend". I guess having three daughters makes you attentive to those kinds of things... I should've known he'd be equally as protective of his granddaughter! Bring on wedding season... the Hooper kids are ready! Congrats to Katie and Cory... we had a wonderful time at your wedding!