Dad's in Japan

For the past week, Dad has been traveling...out of the country. Elise has done pretty well, sometimes she says she misses him, but we have been trying to explain his absence as best we can. Since he has been in Japan it becomes pretty difficult to determine who is on which day. There is one advantage to being 13 hours apart. Some days it has actually made it possible to talk to him twice in one day. For example, we could talk to him before he goes to bed, which is our morning. And sometimes we would get a chance to talk to him before he headed to work in the morning, which is our evening. This is not the first time he has traveled to Japan, so we both have Skype accounts and have been able to talk for free over the computer. BEST EVER! No more phone cards, or just email.
My computer is not new enough to have the internal microphone or the camera so before the last trip he made we bought a microphone headset that plugs directly into the computer. The best part was when Elise talked to him.

I think she really liked hearing him and being able to tell him the fun things we were doing. Obviously you can tell we went to Kroger. Her favorite phrases for where dad is and what he is doing are:
"Dad is on a field trip."
"Dad is on an airplane." We told her that when he left and that an airplane will bring him back to the airport then he will drive home.
He gets back today, and we (I) am so excited. Hopefully everything goes smoothly and there aren't any delays.

Probably the last time...

The last two days the weather has been pretty warm, so we have been outside a little bit. Our backyard gets too hot in the afternoon to really just hang out. Well, today after Elise's nap, she wanted to go outside, so I asked her if she wanted to play in the water table. So with a resounding "yes" we went outside. I didn't even bother putting her suit on her because it takes more time than it is worth. So I just put some sunscreen on her, filled up the table and let her go.

 Blowing bubbles

I think is she could have she would have climbed into the table.

She had a pretty good time, though it didn't last as long as I thought it might. The only bad part was that I was baking in the sun. We really need to get some shade back there, but that is another project for another day.

No pictures- time?

Where has the time gone?! I can't believe we are almost half way through September. It seems like it was June just a couple of weeks ago. The worst part is that time travels even faster this time of year. MOPS is starting on Wednesday, so we have that to look forward to. I have also signed Elise up for a storytime at the library on Thursdays. It is kind of a month to month thing so we'll see how our schedule turns out and and see if we will continue. I really like going because it gives us something to do out of the house, and we get to check out new books. Since she loves to read books over and over it is best to get new books, at least for our sanity.

The other part that keeps this month moving and I hope it goes quickly is that Bob is going to be traveling to Japan. He leaves on Saturday and will be back on Thursday afternoon. I am sure it will go quickly, but sometimes those days just drag. I hope the weather stays nice so we can make a trip to the zoo or something. I also think that Grammie might come to visit, so that should be fun!

I wish I could say that I have a bunch of pictures just waiting to be posted, but I don't. I have somehow become lazy. I can't even make up some kind of excuse, other that just busy with life. I am hoping to try a little harder and be a little more organized with our activities and my procrastination.

Swing time

We got to visit some of Bob's friends this weekend. We haven't seen them for about a year. Their boy is 3 1/2 and they had a great time. He even taught Elise a new way to swing.

 Giving a push

 We all had a great time. Thanks to Kerry and Gavin for hosting at their house!

Weekend Fun!

 This weekend we went to visit Bob's parents. Elise loves playing with Aunt Sis!

 Jack and Alex came over on Sunday. I think Elise has a good time with him, but sometimes I think she gives him the 'side eye' because she is not sure what he is doing.

Now, the pictures you are about to see are of Elise being a complete HAM! Grandma made chocolate chip cookies for dessert on Sunday, and Elise had a very good time.

 "Don't even think about taking my cookie."

 "Just kidding!"

 More hamming it up

 You can't help but love that face!

 "Uncle Matt said what??"

 Cookie face

Two peas in a pod!

County Fair July 2011

As with most of these, they are long over due. We went to the county fair with Aunt Kathy on one of the days that it wasn't 1000 degrees outside. We went earlier in the morning just to check out the animals, and it worked out great. It wasn't too hot or crowded. 

 The goats were very friendly and Elise loved that they interacted with her

It was so hot the week of the fair that they had fan/misters out so people didn't just pass out. She thought it was the coolest thing to be 'playing in the rain.' She just wanted to dance around in the wind and water. 

No pictures, but an Update

I have been kind of busy and reoccupied the last couple of weeks because Bob has been working A LOT. Two weeks ago he was home for 2 nights, and last week he was home for 1 night. Since it is just me at home, it can make those days very long. Now, normally he doesn't work quite that much, but he is working on several projects and having to travel a lot. I wish I could be more specific, but there are times I still question what I actually know about my husband's job. The thing I do know is that he works very hard and is good at what he does.

Now, the good news. Last week Bob came home with official paper work for a promotion! I am so proud of him, and he has deserved this for at least a year. It doesn't even come close to making up for the amount of time that he puts in at work, but it is a step in a better direction. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much of a 'light at the end of the tunnel' right now. Although, he should be home a little bit more this week, which is great.

I have been wanting to get on and post some pictures, but lately I just haven't had the motivation and most often I just want to veg for a little while after Elise goes to bed. I'm going to try to get some of the pictures that we do have up. I know that I need to catch up a little now because MOPS will be starting soon and the beginning of the year is always very busy.

I am so proud and lucky to have the best father, husband, and friend.
Love you lots!
Laura