Update 2:

(Things that have happened just since my last 'real' post, on Livia's 3rd Birthday)

♥ We went back to Indiana to celebrate our little girl's Birthday there ♥

• Livia had a Birthday Party at Gatti-Town with her Aunt Kee-Kee, Uncle Matt, Maggie, Nolan, & Garrett; and her Grandpa & Grandpa Fultz

Livie's pretty Birthday Cake

Some of my most favorite people in the whole wide world!

Liv getting ready to blow out her candles

Giving sweet Maggie some BIG lovin's!

And opening all her fabulous presents

FYI:  Her Aunt Kee-Kee & Uncle Matt absolutely spoilt her rotten!!!

The kids had tons of fun with rides & games

But all too soon, it was time to get ready to go...

The girls didn't even want to let go of each others' hands!

I feel so blessed that we've been able to spend the time that we have with our families -- in some ways, it's never enough... Not enough girls' nights, not enough play-dates, and not enough double-dates. But we're going to keep trying! And I'm still hoping to see my nephews play in at least one of their baseball games. 

• Livia had another Birthday Party at her Nana & Papaw's house. Almost everyone on her Mommy's side of the family (and friends!) came... And they spoiled her rotten too!

Since this party was at her Nana & Papaw's house, we thought a farm-themed cake would be perfect. And I've never seen a cuter, happier little cow!

Isn't The Donut Bank amazing?!

Liv had just woken up from a little cat-nap in this photo... So sweet & sleepy!

It wasn't long before she was wide awake & ready to blow out the candles

I was tickled pink that the triplets were there...

And they were even more tickled to see their Uncle Don

(the moment he arrived, they totally swarmed him!)

Before long, it was time for presents

\

LOVE this one! She's literally inside the bag ~ haha!

And she's learning the love of shoes very early in life (that's my girl!)

I was so happy to have all our family & friends there!

↑ My 'Bestie' and her little ones ↓

Then we all went outside to see the baby kittens:

And even though I had to be talked into this pic, it turned out being one of my favorites:

Especially since this one was taken right after:

♥ So sweet ♥

So, those were Liv's Birthday Parties in a very small nutshell ☺

Zander (Updated)

Puppies grow incredibly fast! Especially a certain little German Shepherd by the name of Zander... Case in point:

Look how huge he looks in Michael's arms!

Oh, but he's still Laura & Michael's 'baby'

"The Family Howl"

Yes, they can get Zander to howl with them!

There's no doubt whatsoever how much they love him

He's their big baby!

Superbowl 2010

Our day of Fun Photos in support of our favorite team making it to the 2010 Superbowl:

Livie the Cheer-leader!

She's already got the poses down  :o)

And what a killer smile -- all that's missing are some braids

Well, Aunt Laura took care of that!

Love it!

Liv watching TV with her Papaw

No, she's not actually watching the football game

But she does at least know what football is!

Me tying to corall Liv for some cute pics of us...

Which we were actually able to get!

v-- I think these 2 are my fav's --^

Then Uncle Michael & Aunt Laura played

"Swing the Toddler!

Livie just loves her Aunt Laura & Uncle Michael

Persimmons & Playing

A couple of weeks ago out in the country, Laura & Michael, the triplets, and Liv & I were out at my parents. While Liv was napping, Mom thought we should all go for a walk on such a beautiful day, so we took the triplets (and Michael) to the persimmon tree. We all had lots of fun, and here's just a few photos from our afternoon...

Michael just couldn't resist jumping on the hay bales on the way!

And the kids loved throwing rocks into the creek.

Below:  Everyone looking around for persimmons

I wish I would have actually taken a picture of a persimmon for those out there who don't know what they are... I will try to explain though.

It's a very small fruit roughly the size of a buckeye (sorry, there are no other fruits that I can think of even close to the size of a persimmon!) They grow on persimmon trees and ripen in late fall. The very best tasting fruit will be on the ground. Unless you want to taste the most bitter thing you'll ever put in your mouth, DO NOT pluck them from the branches! The persimmons are loaded with seeds, and the fruit is just a bit stringy -- it almost feels like cooked sweet potato in your mouth.

Most importantly, they remind me of my Granny. The first time I vividly remember trying them was with Granny, out in the field behind the milk house. I remember her telling me that the ugliest ones tasted the best. But being a head-strong little girl, I just had to try a pretty one for myself... Boy did I regret it! But twenty some-odd years later, I still remember that day. Granny helped wash out that bitter taste in my mouth with the sweet persimmons she gathered, and with a glass of milk when we got back to the farmhouse. I miss my Granny so much sometimes... But it would be selfish of me to want her back here on earth; she and Pa are both in Heaven. And we will always keep them close in our memories and hearts.

After the persimmon tree, we headed back towards my parents

Laura hand-in-hand with Sam & Meg

Meg & her best friend

But before our adventure was over...

Michael just had to climb a tree

 So off he went to climb to the sky...

 

Most literally!

He made us all so nervous!

Thankfully he began descending

And finally...

Down...

On solid(ish) ground!

*Whew!*

We would have hated to have to call the fire department to help get him down! Not just because it would most likely take them more than an hour to arrive, but how awful would it have been for a fireman to have to be rescued from such a silly situation!

Michael's escapades didn't come without ramification though. Besides a sore arm shortly after getting down, he also ended up with a raging case of poison ivy all over his legs!

All that mattered for this moment was that my sister's husband had safely made it back to earth...! And as of yesterday, they have already been married for 4 months. I pray for them daily as they've really just begun a long, wonderful journey together!

~Oh, it is Love~