West Virginia

Last weekend we took a trip to West Virginia. It was my first time going that far west since we have moved here.

It was nice seeing all of the small towns, big lifted trucks, and slower pace of the country.

The car ride was long and had many curves, which made us pull over a few times so I could get my barrings. I was amazed by how many trees there were EVERYWHERE! It was very beautiful and very refreshing to take a break from the city.

We ended up in Elkins, WV at a train station to take a train ride for Kylee's and my first time. I will admit to the majority of the passengers being much older than us. I guess Kurt and I are just getting in touch with our elderly selves or something. The waterfall was very pretty and I think Kylee loved getting out and playing in the water.

She was a great sport on the return trip home after being in a carseat already for 3 hours. She survived a total of about 7 hours in a carseat that day. Thank you Kylee for being a good sport! (Yeah, Kylee looks really attractive in this picture)

Favorite part of the trip: A woman laying asleep on a towel on her front porch with her legs hanging off the stairs while her kids are outside playing. All you could really see was a bum and legs. I really got a laugh out of it and wished I had been able to take a picture fast enough as we rode past it on the train.

Happy Birthday Gus Gus!

(Line from Cinderella)

Kylee is now officially one year old! She had a pretty busy day today, but we were able to end it with her favorite meal (spaghetti), cupcakes with some friends, and present opening.

One of her favorite presents was her cooking set. Now she doesn't have to pull out our pots and pans anymore to bang around.

We love you little girl!

Blessed

So I know this sounds cheesy, but I am so grateful for my healthy and happy daughter.

Some classmates from high school recently had their daughter go missing while she was being baby-sat. It turned out she had fallen into the canal in the backyard. Thankfully, a farmer two miles down saw her and immediately got her out and started CPR. She is awake, but still remains in critical condition for the next 24 hours due to swelling of the brain because of the lack of oxygen.
http://helpsullengers.blogspot.com
http://patrickandashley.blogspot.com

This just makes me realize how fast something can happen and flip your life completely upside down. This new perspective helps me to be thankful for every little moment I have to share with Kylee. (I am sure there will be plenty of times though where I will need to come back and read this when I feel like I am on the last straw.)

This and That

Kylee knows how to hit the pool with style, she wouldn't be seen any less. :) Our neighbor bought a little outfit and these sunglasses for Kylee so we decided to try them out at the pool. She knows how to work it!

Thanks to a garage sale Kylee got this little wooden rocking horse to practice her mad riding skills on. I was surprised how well she does on the horse by herself once I put her on. She was born to ride. Ha ha ha...I wish to Kurt's regret.

Like mother, like daughter. Give her a year or two before she upgrades to the real thing.

Shiny New Tricycle

So Kylee is spoiled and received an early birthday present from her Grandpa and Grandma Sandlow-Parrish (my parents). I think I was more excited than her when it arrived.

We have been able to take it out in the afternoons and evening for walks around our apartment complex and Kylee seems to love the break from her stroller.

She is such a funny baby. Instead of sitting upright on the seat she loves to slouch to one side and just let it all hang loose. Good thing for the harness on the trike, otherwise she would probably fall out. Lazy little girl.

Enjoying Summer

Kylee and I have been trying to be creative with all the hot weather we have been getting here on the East Coast.
Other than dog walking and running the necessary errands we have tried to stay indoors. We have made trips here and there to the pool, but we can't live in it 24/7, which we would like.

One of Kylee's creative outlets is coloring with her markers. I still don't think she completely gets the concept of drawing on the paper and not herself.

We have also enjoyed meeting friends at the mall to walk around, let the kids play on the escalator, and enjoy some delicious frozen yogurt. (Totally would recommend the new frozen yogurt place in the food court of the Pentagon City Mall.)

Nice Doggy

You make do with what you got. At least she doesn't know anything is wrong with this. This probably also answers the question why Kylee sometimes smells like a dog.

Why is Kylee trapped in a dog crate? It prevents her from getting into mischief, keeps her from falling down four flights of stairs, and I always know exactly where she is: eating snacks in a dog crate. Yummy!

Everyone always tells me that I am going to have some interesting stories to tell Kylee about our dog walking days. I am guessing this will probably make it on the top ten list.