Other stuff...

Because of how I edited these pictures, they are going to be out of order. My apologies. But I'm starting out this post with my two favorite pictures of the holidays. Enjoy.

The children really loved the 4th of July. Obviously.

These Mel/snake pictures are out of order. They were part of a train ride excursion we took when Mark's mom was here for Geni's blessing. Mel loved the snake.

Look!!! Mel is almost smiling!!!!

This picure of Geni is also out of order, taken July 3rd... She is wearing blue corduroy overalls Mark wore as a baby. :) Of course she is more femininely accessorized...

Me and Geni on the fourth... Don't be judging- we went to the parade here...which was held in the afternoon to accomodate the churchgoers. :)

More of Geni on the fourth... I made her skirt, and myself one to match. :)

Back to the 3rd. again.

I LOVE them cheeks!!!

Don't worry- it's just into the garage. :)

The boys pining after the choo-choos.

Little beauties.

At the parade...

Mel and I at the Delaware Beach. It's pretty classy.

Our Geni girl- taken just last night.

Geni's Blessing.

We blessed Genevieve on June 27th. She was beautiful.

I made the skirt... (thank you Sheetsy for the beautiful teacloth!!!)

My MTC mission companion and her lovely mother sent me a package of vintage goods shortly after Geni was born for me to use in my little projects. I fell in love!!!! So, Geni's blessing skirt is made from a teacloth from that package. Thank you!!!

My mom and sister made the hair accessory- also adorable and perfect! Thank you!!!

Isn't she lovely? Mark and I painted her fingernails and toenails red- special for the occassion. :)

We had a little get together afterwards for our family and friends- once again- I am SO completely grateful for the friendship we have here in Ohio!!! So many people have adopted us-and help make events like this warm and wonderful.
The kids had a great time tearing the house apart.

Our across the street neighbors. They had their baby boy four weeks after Geni was born. :) He'll probably be her first boyfriend.

Our darling neighbor and adopted Grandma (Mema) insisted on bringing the cake! It was delicious.

Geni with her beyond gorgeous girl cousin Natalie! I emphasise the girl part because in our family girl cousins are hard to come by. :)

The boys (Mel, cousin Henry, and neighbor friend Corbin) playing trains. What is it with Thomas?

Us mammas with our babies.

Mark's mom came to Ohio special to meet Geni and come to her blessing. It was WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for coming!

So... here is the real Grandma and the adopted Grandma. Mel called them both "Mema"

More good friends!

Doesn't Geni look wonderful?

Geni with aunt Wendy. Wendy- I love you! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy you and John and the kids are close by!!!

Too cute- all the kids on the swing.

The girls couldn't get enough of Geni.

Gotta love Mel in this one. Always a fight.

Okay- this one is a little better.

Oh my goodness- it was such a wonderful day! The blessing was wonderful- and I had no stress because all my loved ones took care of everything for me- I just got to enjoy myself,a dn my baby girl's specail day.

So happy together

I may look a little pregnant or something in this picture... but be at ease- I am not... my shirt is just doing something strange.
If you were to walk into my kitchen after dinner... this is probably what you'd see.

Geni makes THE best faces. Geni Geni Geni. What a girl. SHe is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I even put enough exclamations on? She sleeps from 9 pm to 5 am. WOW. SHe only cries when she has a real problem, like from hunger, dirty diaper, or gas- and those are things that really do need fixing- so I can't blame her for that. :)
It's not that I love her more by any means... but I just REALLLLLYYYYY appreciate her good nature, cuddles,smiles, coos, and sleeping while we are going through this rough spot with Mel. It's not easy being two!!!

I love Mark. I always have. I loved him before I knew him and it just keeps growing and maturing. He is a GREAT dad. I wish all children had fathers who were so doting, patient, and playful- and that all mother's had such equal partners. I chose well. :)
If you walked into the living room in the evening right before family scripture study, this is what you'd see. :)

On a Sunday afternoon- you'd see something like this taken place in the kitchen. :)

For the record, I am VERY happy ... even while I'm tackling/wrestling/bribing and who knows what else to get Mel to let me change his diaper... well mostly happy anyway. :)

I'm not kidding folks...it's not fun. Well... sometimes it is :) but in a "I'm going to kill you !!!!!!" kind of way. :) I need to do a post on Mel soon. I can't believe all that he can do these days.

I really love moment pictures. These were some from Father's Day... but they could have been taken any day.

Life is wonderful- God is real.

Remember Me???

Looky looky! The coat I made when Mel was.... six months maybe ... finally fits!!!! Though of course he hates it... and it is summer... and after all... it IS made from grocery bags and newspaper bags... meaning it is stiff and crinkly-NOT comfortable. But still... go Britta! Look how awesome it is!

Mel is jumping in this one. :) He REFUSED to hold still a minute and smile. Oh well.

Geni Smiles for the Camera!

Geni looked so adorable for church yesterday, we just had to have a little photo shoot... and sometimes you just get lucky!!! She was actually smiling!!!
This one is my favorite. Doesn't she look sweet?

Growing Genevieve.

Genevieve has already gained 2 pounds!!! Way to go little girl!
So, because I'm not a regular blogger anymore, I forgot how to order the uploading of pictures... thus, in this post she gets younger the further down you go... hummm... that's not true... because a picture I took just today is practically right in the middle of the post. Oh well... Very cute. I love the flower on the bum.

With the weather so nice, we're frequenting the High Banks Metro Parks again. Mel LOVES it.

I LOVE Geni's eyes. Such a dark blue... I hope they stay!

This is the picture I took outside today ... on a swing reading Fablehaven, (which I finished today and loved) while Mel played in a kiddy pool.. doesen't Geni look big?

Us in our back yard... pictures should never be taken at noon. :)

Geni with her Grandma Laurie.

Look at those hairs!

What a sweet face!

This was taken on Mother's day.... burrrrrr! It was chilly, but we went strolling anyway. Isn't she adorable all bundley?

That is all. I just wanted you all to see how cute she still is... and I also wanted to hear all your comments on that fact. :) Merci friends.