Visiting Indiana

June was our (Tatum and I) fourth trip to IN this year. Spurred by the wedding of one of my closest friends- Congratulations Katie & Ricky!, it also included my Pops' baptism, my 10-year class reunion and Matt's grandma's funeral.

Patti 'babysat' Tatum for me while I was off doing wedding 'things'... They had a great three days which included swimming, boating, coloring, Play-doh, and a very worn-out Lola at the end! (Tatum decided she did not need a nap while with Lola & Pocky) I don't know how they did it! :) Thank you soooooo much for moving your schedules around to help me out!!!

We headed up north to celebrate with Pops on his baptism, and hang out with the fam in Cedar Lake. Unfortunately, we did not make it to the Dunes :( , but we did escape the heat, well sort of, by playing in the pool. (the water felt like we were taking a bath) We had a great time hanging out with Aunt Liz, Uncle Doug, Grandma Potts, Poppy (Pops), Uncle Carl, Aunt Sam, Wes, and Buck. (ope, I can't forget the frog and lightening bugs!!!)

Grandma's passing was not an easy one for anyone in the family, but it allowed for us to get together with Patti's side of the family. Tatum enjoyed her second trip on the boat, her cousins- Zack, Chase, and Ashley, and enjoyed some jumps on the trampolene. (Thanks, Uncle David & Aunt Laura)

The Beauty of Life

June 1, 2009... the miracle of life brought tears to my eyes. This was the day we first saw the newest and youngest member of our family. Not just seeing the baby, but seeing the heartbeat- what joy it brings!

Baby's head is down (the big round part) with his/her legs up.

We are 14 1/2 weeks along, making us due at the beginning of January. New Year's Baby?

Saying Goodbye

In the past few months, we have said 'goodbye' two of our grandparents. My grandpa- Grandpa Bilinski, and Matt's grandma- Grandma Grandma (or as Tatum called her- Grandma Grandma Grandma). We both learned a great deal from them, and as my cousin, Jen, pointed out- the greatest way to honor them, is by keeping the family going and pass on their stories to future generations. They will forever live in our hearts, and in our children.

Loving the Toddler Days!!!

"Hi, wall. I'm Tatum" (Hi, Tatum)

"My friends are over there, wall" (where's that?)

"My friends are in bed" (that's nice)

"there's a little wall over there, wall" (that's a baby wall)

"wally, there's another wall downstairs" (do you talk to that wall, too?)

"yeah" (is that wall nice?)th

"yeah" "bye, wall, see you later" .... later ....

"Hi, other wall, I'm Tatum" (Hi, Tatum)

"Wall, want to play Legos?" (Sure) -she puts legos to the wall

"There's another wall upstairs, wall" (really?)

So, this is a typical conversation in the Carrington household now. :) Tatum just cracks me up all day... her conversations she has with her baby dolls, Baby Tad, Puppy, Jackson and Hunter... she tries to get Jackson and Hunter to play with her all the time... they just don't quite get it yet... soon they will, I'm sure! "This is my Jackson" "Hunter, come play" ...

Tatum absolutely LOVES to be outside... she has some rain boots (you can see in the pictures) that she slips on.. "Mom, I'm putting my boots on. I go outside, 'kay?" And off she goes! (she knows she has to wear her shoes to be outside)

We took another trip to IN in May for my brother, Carl's, wedding. Carl and Samantha looked amazing and what a beautiful wedding it was! Welcome to the family, Sam! :) ...

Tatum was the flower girl and she was absolutely adorable. She did manage to walk down the aisle (in front of me) and tried to hold Benjamin's hand (ring bearer)... During the wedding, she did circles around the bridesmaids, said "Hi, Uncle Carl" during the ceremony, and loved the 'waterfall' under the cake. I think Sam's mom was a little afraid of her knocking down the cake, but she didn't... she just looked at it and admired it! (Beautiful cake, Sam!)

We had a great time visiting family and friends! Enjoy the pictures and videos!

Stealing the Groom...

Day after dancing the night away...

Crazy neighbor boy makes it rain food... Can NOT get over the laugh!!!! :)

Rock Rock Rock

Baby Tad Rings the Door Bell

Pop, Pop, Pop

Fun times with Family!!!

I can not get enough of Tatum right now! What an absolutely fun stage! She is talking up a storm, and interested in everything! She has this fun head bob when she is completely sure of what she is saying... Matt and I laugh everytime :) She loves to be outside, looking at flowers or playing with rocks, or giving the dogs a stick to chew.

This past month we've seen a lot of family! Dan, Kim, and Grace came to stay with us a little over a week, and Pocky (Ron) & Lola (Patti) joined us all Easter weekend. Tatum and I headed to IN when Dan, Kim, and Grace headed back to TX where we saw everyone else! :) Here are a few random pictures from this past month. (no particular order)

They love each other... lol... (Grace was grabbing Tatum's ear)

Toddler Double Trouble... Look out Carl & Sam!!! :) (Ring bearer and flower girl)

May bride, Sam, in the middle

June Bride, Katie

My little artist

Learning Time w/Tatum!

So, I'm not like my brother, Carl... the editing of videos and being creative w/the computer and pictures... sooo, sorry this is a long video, but enjoy!!! It's learning time with Tatum!

Did I mention SPRING last week??? I was just kidding

Matt, Christy, and Tatum... welcome to Colorado weather... lol... Last week we were wearing shorts and capris- forget the coats and boots- watching the daffodils popping up in neighbors' yards. Today, we pulled out the snow shovel (so we could pull the car into the garage), snow boots, hats, gloves, and our thick coats! We are expected to get about 8-16 inches (maybe even 2 feet) by tomorrow morning. Oh the fun! :) This morning, Tatum, Jackers, Hunter, and I enjoyed the morning snow before the wind really picks up. The wind was already blowing, so I could only get a little of it on camera and it was before Tatum enjoyed watching me make snow angels, slide, and roll around in the snow. She also enjoyed learning to make snow balls and throw them to the dogs (or at the dogs ;) )... so they could catch them in their mouths.

Enjoy!