First Hair Cut

So, you kind of had a mullet thing going on in the back.  So, our friend Stephanie and myself decided it was time for you to get a haircut!  She gave you a sassy Type 3 hair cut and I just can't get over how amazing you look!!!  You weren't a big fan of actually getting your hair cut, but you love the results! 

You look amazing.  There are so many "moments" I want to capture where your hair looks perfect, but you are SO QUICK!  It's hard to catch you sitting still at all :)

Love you baby girl!

Our New Favorite Person

Is, Hillary!!! 

We tried it out once and it went great... so on days Starlynn goes to preschool, she's going to pick you up on her way to her barn and you can "help" feed horses and clean stalls!

No tears leaving mommy at all, and you were SO happy when you came back.  Your happy countenance and the way you waved at me when you got home warmed my heart.  Hillary is doing this for free, but it's worth all the money in the world to me to have you be so happy and get to do things you love. 

It made a pretty big difference in our day!  I think you're just like me.  Spend an hour or two with people once in a while then HORSES, HORSES, HORSES.  And dogs and cats and anything else that is not human.  Lol.  Love you Launa Lu.

Just Like Mommy

We decided that Launa has to grow up on a farm or ranch.  She is just like me.  But, my mom and I were speculating as to why, as a child, I didn't throw tantrums like this one.  The answer is: because I could always go outside!!  The first part of my childhood was in AZ and 80% of my memories are from playing OUTSIDE.  Then, when we moved to WA, we always, always (until now) lived on a property with horses right there with us.  And, as you might have guessed, I was ALWAYS there.  An hour or two with humans once in a while and then barn, barn, barn, horses, horses, horses. 

Launa is consistently trying to get me out the door.  And all she wants to do is "ride Bob Casady" (ride Bob and Casady). 

These photos capture her delight that we were OUTSIDE!!!! and GOING TO THE BARN!  and then RIDING!!!! 

She can be quite the challenge on days we don't do anything.  I thought I was a go-getter.  I am looking forward to the spring, when it's a little warmer, Harmony is a little older, etc.  I suspect we won't see much of the inside of our house come summer. Which, because Launa and I are so alike, that suits me just fine! 

And, we gotta make our dreams come true of having our own farm!

Launa: I got you girl.  I understand!

Let's get this show on the road already!

Chasing Ellie Mae down the street

I know I shouldn't!

But I'm gonna anyway!

She was happy to be on the horse, but was growing impatient with my picture taking.  She kept squealing at me.

I didn't get the smiles I wanted until we got the horse to move!!!

I love this little girl SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!

Talking

Not even 2 yet and you just said to Harmony, "Come give me hug. Lay down on me." I might have been one of the only ones that could understand it, but you said it.

It's like, "ome gimme ugg. Way dow ah me."

Lol. You say pretty much anything and everything. Love you so much talkative one!

Leslie

Train Shows with Daddy

Daddy has been taking his train and running it on the Tacoma Train Club (which he joined) Layout on this little model train tour they are going on.

You've been going with him the last few weekends.

Yesterday, you didn't really want to leave me. You were gone ALL day yesterday. Daddy can help you get to sleep there for your naps by setting you up with a sleeping bag underneath the train layout. Then you have fun watching the choo choos and walking around with daddy.

Today, you're going back with daddy. I expected you to fuss today when daddy told you to give me hugs and kisses and cry when you left like you did yesterday.

But...

Daddy said, "Lets go beautiful!"

And you said, "I tuming." (coming)

Then he scooped you up and told you to give me hugs and kisses, which you did not want. You had business to do.

Then daddy starts walking to the car with you and you flash back the happiest, cutest, most memorable smile at me I've ever seen. You are the choo choo girl. Daddy's little buddy. He loves taking you and says you're really well behaved and a big helper.

You like to be busy doing things all the time (like mommy).

It brings me joy to see you so happy! I'll never forget watching your cute smile over daddy's shoulder all the way to the car.

Leslie

Early Morning Christmas Tree

Launa:

There is a special thing we get to do--just the two of us.

Growing up, I used to stay up after everyone or get up earlier and spend time sitting on the couch, by the light of the Christmas tree only and just marvel at its beauty and all it's meaning and the feelings it brings.

Since you get up before everyone, this is now something you and I do together. I love how relaxed you are sitting in my lap with my arms around you looking at the tree.

You've gotten so used to this, when we come upstairs and the tree isn't on yet, you say "oh no!"

And then when I turn it on you say "Wwwwooooowwww!"

Then we sit and cuddle, and I tell you about the tree and what it represents.

After a while, you're ready to go play. And like all kids, you have a fascination with the ornaments, but are pretty gentle with them! Kinda... :-)

I love you Launa bug! Thanks for making Christmas that much more special.

Love,
Mom

Barn Helper/Baby Sitter

On Daddy's Watch

Daddy must bore the snot out of you. Hahaha. You have fallen asleep on his watch the last few days!!

Uncle Brad Took a Pic...

...of a regular happening at our house :-)

When You Had a Cough

Hey Launa:

You recently had a cough that kept you (and us) up for a couple nights. Me the first night getting up and coming to you in your crib every 1/2 hour, and then daddy the next night. Daddy took you upstairs so that I could sleep and be functional for you girls the next day. So, you both slept on the floor, daddy patting your back when you needed help and was just there to comfort you when you'd wake up and look around to see if anyone was with you.

Then later the next morning, you were pretty groggy and fell back asleep in our bed.

You're 95% better now and sleeping in your own crib again.

You are loved!

Watching Tinkerbelle with Auntie Brenda

Saying Hi to the Horses

We had to stop by and drop of grain to the horses. It was cold, rainy and muddy so only I got out of the car. But Casady was putting his head over the fence, so Launa got to say hi... with a lot of laughing.

Gabe's Car Seat

You think you're pretty big stuff now, and you like to climb in the car and then into the car seats. The other day, we all went in Rachel's car and you decided you were riding in Gabe's. Since you guys are about the same size, it worked. His seat reclines a little and you had a nice, comfortable nap.

Sister Love

Poor, overly loved Harmony. Lol. She mostly loves all the love but sometimes Launa can get a little "passionate" (rough).

Skype with Grandpa

All you want with the Apple products now is "grandpa, grandma" ever since we Skyped with them on Grandpa's birthday.

Yesterday, both sisters were sleeping so you got to spend about 20 minutes just you and your grandpa. You mostly sit and smile but forward the middle and end you started performing :)