I Flip For the Little Gym!

Samantha loves the Little Gym! I took my camera yesterday to snap a few photos of her in action. Jerry Lee had the day off, so he went with us. It's nice to have an extra set of hands. She is a very busy girl!

We are using these to learn how to go up and down steps.

Learning to swing on the rings.

Crawling through the tunnel.

Getting an assist from Papaw on the balance beam.

Trying to hand Mommy a ball.

Balls! Balls! Balls! Her favorite part of the day.

Catching bubbles.

Happy Place

Samantha in her "happy place."

I think everyone has their happy place. Whether it be a special chair, behind the wheel of a car, curled up in a bed, a spot in the yard, or, my personal favorite, sitting on the beach with your toes in the sand, there is a spot where you just like to be. Samantha seems to have found her happy place in the house. Unfortunately, it's the rug in the half bathroom. I suppose I'm glad I'm not a germaphobe or this would really flip me out. If we leave the door open the slightest bit, she will pry it open and just sit. She hasn't touched the toliet paper since the infamous day of my last post. She doesn't even try to get in the cabinets, really. She just sits. Sometimes Bunny goes with her, other times her milk or a snack. I have even caught her lying on the rug when she's tired. I managed to get this picture of her beautiful smile yesterday ... a welcome sight after a very long 10 days of battling sickness and the side effects of steroids. Here's hoping you get to spend some time in your happy place today!

Uh-oh.....

A Big Weekend

What a wonderful weekend we had!! Big Guy and Grammy came and spent a long weekend with us. They got to witness first hand her latest trick ... walking!! Our sweet girl took her first steps on the 4th, and she hasn't slowed down since. In other news, she has also started giving out kisses, identifying (and saying) eyes, and saying the word "no"!

On Friday, we went back to Gatlinburg and to the AQUARIUM!!! Samantha did not disappoint. She loves her some fish. And, call me crazy, but I think the fish like her, too! We also had a nice lunch at Calhouns, where she ate her first big girl grilled cheese. If all that wasn't great, Grammy couldn't resist taking her to the Christmas Place on the way out of town.

On Saturday, we did a whole bunch of nothing! We got out a did a little bit of shopping, but nothing major. Samantha put on a show in the baby pool Big Guy and Grammy got her for her birthday. Give her some water and a few bubbles, and she's a happy girl!

We can't wait to do it again!

Enjoying a grilled cheese at Calhouns.

A really big rocking chair ... vintage Gatlinburg.

When she saw the big blowers, I think she knew where she was!

FISH!!!!!!!!!!

Catching the cool mist from the waterfall with Big Guy.

Making a new friend.

Checking out the jellies.

Trying to figure out how many sting rays are in the tank.

With Big Guy and Grammy.

Helping Big Guy open his birthday present.

Seeing if his new Life Is Good shirt fits her.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th, everyone! We started our celebration last night with a cookout and fireworks. The church in front of our neighborhood had their big to-do. We grilled burgers and dogs at our house with Jerry, Connie, Jared and Katie, then walked up to see the big show. It's the least we could do ... the people who put it on rented a ton of trucks from Steve. So, thanks Pyro-Shows!!

I was worried how Samantha would react to the commotion. We were up way past bed time, and fairly close to the fireworks. I should have known that my fearless child would love every minute of it. She watched most of the show with her mouth wide open, pointing and clapping. She even resisted any effort to cover her sweet ears.

We hope everyone has a blessed 4th! We are heading to the pool, then to our next door neighbors for their annual "Losers Party" ... they're British!

Waiting not so patiently for the fireworks to start.

There they are! Can I touch them?

Figured out my camera has a fireworks function.

Applause!