Surprise!

Brian traveled to Hong Kong for 10 days for his MBA class. So it was just Stella and I for ten whole days! That is a long time!! So we decided to fill some of our time with some bedroom renovations. First we started with Stella's big girl room. She isn't moving into it yet, but right now she loves to play in it every night! We decided to paint it a bright turquoise blue with one chocolate brown wall. Then the accents....pink, pink, and more pink! Below is her feather boa showing off her weekly artwork....

Then we decided to really test her art abilities and do a bigger project. It turned out great! She loved to "dip, dip, dip" the brush and paint. So much fun. I see more painting in our future room projects. I then decided to hang her painting with some of her pink beads.

Of course, she had to sign her artwork.....

And we tried for some footprints.....

On top of her dresser....we just need to add some pictures!

I had to test out my art talents since Stella did such a good job. I think she showed me up!

Then came the BIG surprise! Since I was already painting and Sherwin was having a great sale....I figured I might as well keep going. After a few sample colors on the wall, my Mom and I started painting with Stella's "help" of course. She would always find a a way to sit on our lap, climb up the ladder with me, or rub into the wall of wet paint....but who cares....it was FUN! (The pictures really don't show the "true" color...)

His expression was priceless.....a look of shock mixed with the look that says "I love it!"....couldn't have asked for any better!!

Labor Day Weekend

We had such a busy, fun weekend! We headed down to Indy Friday evening after work where the fun all started. Saturday morning we woke up and started prepping for the big ND game! Stella was excited and ready!

Lacey and Jerome added a fun last minute twist to their little shin dig with a huge bouncy house! The kids loved it. Stella hung in there like a trooper even though she would fall every other step. As you can see below, by day 2 when she landed she would just kind of lay for awhile before getting up....it was so much fun!

Stella was all to eager to help out throughout the weekend.....

The weekend flew by and before we knew it was time for Stella's cardiology appointment on Tuesday. This was her first echo since the surgery and we were hoping for the best....and it happened! Stella's heart looked and sounded as normal as can be...what a relief. She has gained weight and her doctor was very pleased. She will continue to get echos and EKG's for the rest of her life but hopefully less and less often. There is a possibility of one membrane/obstruction growing back over time, so we continue to ask for your prayers that it doesn't! She has a few restrictions but everything keeps looking good we won't have to add to that list. Thank you all for the continuing prayers....they have definitely been answered.

Lots of Pics

Stella has started sleeping with a pillow and blanket.....the first night she didn't quite figure out the pillow thing yet....

Stella looking cool in her shades and the lake....

Uncle Brian was a brave soul and let Carlie drive the jet ski!

Aunt Emily hanging out with the girls....pretty soon will have a little girl of her own to hang out with!!

Stella and I hanging out on the tube....on dry land. She wasn't a fan of tubing in the water.

My mom and dad looking so cute on the jet ski. I love this picture :)

Stella LOVED the jet ski....all she did was ask for more all weekend!

Brian preparing Stella of the football season...go Irish!

Having some summer fun....

Getting some good laughs with Grandpa and Grandma Butcher :)

Tears, Tears, Tears.....

The above video is a great reminder of what we have to be thankful for. My friend posted this on her facebook page, and I thought it was worth spreading :)

Orlando 2010

Stella and I's trip to Orlando started out kind of stressful with delayed flights, canceled flights, and long waits at the airport. Dad had his work cut out for him entertaining Stella while I tried to rebook our flights by waiting in LONG lines. Well, we finally got rebooked however his work wasn't done. He then had to help entertain her on the plane....which really went pretty well.

Stella and Millie were pretty good friends all week....that is whenever Millie was not crawling anywhere near Stella. Stella would get nervous and flap her hands while screaming and pointing at Millie....not sure what to think of a crawling baby. It was hilarious all week. But here in this picture, they don't mind each other.

The Adams' kids and Stella....two blonds, a dark one, and a redhead....what a combination!

I took a nap one morning while mom and Lacey babysat....this is how they entertain.

Millie loved looking out the window and watching the kids in the pool. Stella loved giving her kisses through the window.

Stella just hanging out by the pool.

A cute pair of ruffled butts :)

Hello, anyone there?

Oh dear....texting already?

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

Summer is going by way too quickly! We have been super busy every single weekend, which is lots of fun but very exhausting!

Dawson's Dogs is one of our favorite hotdog places. It is right around the corner, kinds of old fashioned, and just a fun place to grab a bite to eat. Stella enjoyed the giant hotdog!

This is how Brian's multi-tasks.....watching Stella and getting yard work done. Whatever works! She absolutely loves it!

This past Sunday we headed to the Tin Caps game. We had box seats, but thought we would start off in the lawn so Stella would be able to run around a bit. However, that did not last long because it was HOT in the sun. We ended up back up in the box seats, in the shade, and our whole row was basically empty so she had plenty of space to run! This picture looks like she was really into the game!

Just hanging out eating my grapes :)

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Butcher

I love this picture.....although I can't get it to turn the right way on the blog. Such a cute look to her daddy :)

Adams County 4-H Fair

I cannot remember the last time I have been to a 4-H fair....but tonight we made a last minute decision to head to Adams County to the fair and parade. Not too much has changed....lots of people, lots of kids, long lines to eat, smelly animals, hot weather, loooonnnnggg parade, and lots of candy! Thanks to Stella's expert candy snatching hands, we got to enjoy a little candy on the way home :)

She kept saying "hop, hop".....

She wanted to touch one right up until it let out a big "baaaaaaa..."


Remembering Micki's story of being charged by a goat, we found some resting goats to get close to :)

What's going on in there?

Yay! Parade time.....!!


We got to enjoy the parade with our friends Eric and Rachael and their boys Cameron and Wesley....so cute :)


The parade lasted a llloooonnnggg time....she was ready for bed.

Finally....getting cozy.