- I'm siiiiiingin' in the rain... -

...just singin' in the rain!

Ohhhh the buckets of fun a dreary, rainy day can provide!  Harper loves to put her boots on and stomp around in puddles, so these warm summer rains are the perfect storm for her [pun intended]. After we watched a decent thunder + lightening episode through the window, we went out to the porch to check out the calm.  I quickly retreated back inside to grab the camera, because HOLY CUTENESS!

"Come on Scar-wett, do you want to try my 'breh-wah?" ...Harper is always including her little sissy, which totally melts this momma's heart!

"Mommy! Her can't ho'd my 'breh-wah!!! Here Scar-wett, wet me show you... Say cheeeeese for Mommy!" ...Yep, she's her momma's daughter.

What a glorious feelin', I'm happy again!

I'm laughing at clouds, so dark up above...

The sun's in my heart...

...and I'm ready for love!

Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place...

Come on with the rain, I've got a smile on my face...

I walk down the lane with a happy refrain...

...just SIIIIIIIINGIN' in the gloooooorious rain!

So! Rain, rain, come and stay; you gave us so much fun today!!! :)

- "He comed all 'da way from Cowo-rado!" -

Yes! Cheers! It's true what they say: Uncle Blake popped in to Illinois to meet his newest niece [and I suppose to visit all the rest of us, too]! We enjoyed a couple days jam-packed of fun and good 'ole family time. Harper got rescued early from daycare so she could join the welcoming committee at the airport:

...and then Uncle Blake was treated to a manicure as he arrived at our house to meet Scarlett!

Harper loved having her crazy uncle home for a couple days, though she declared [more than once] that she would rather go out to "Cowo-rado" next time so she can ride the airplane and also see her beloved Sarge. :)

Annnnnd we couldn't let Uncle Blake jet off without setting up the tripod and snapping a few family pics! [Grammy's idea!] It was a bit of a total disaster considering how we cleverly brought our camera bag sans battery [...Brian left the battery plugged into the wall amidst our mad dash to get out of the house that morning]... And learning to use my parents' Nikon with queer buttons and NO REMOTE was not what I had in mind for a group with a small reserve of patience and an even more fleeting attention span [Harper and Papa tie for worst attitude!]. But! Despite the blazing sun and miserable humidity, we finished the job and trotted back to the homestead for more food and fiesta.

Keep Colorado cool for us, Uncle Blake!

Until we meet again..... :-*

- Cinco de Mayo meets Nurse's Day -

There's nothing left to say, because this eCard says it all:

^^ Word.

Firstttttttt, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo at Great Uncle Matt's garage party...

...and THEN, I celebrated Nurse's Day with a little haircut at work followed by some happy hour + desserts with a few of my favorite nurses!

Cheers to two holidays that no one gives a damn about! ;) :) 

- Scarlett's Baptism -

Ever since the random April day in 2015 when I cut out [*gulp*] and sewed a little piece of my wedding gown into Harper's baptism gown, I've had this desire for it to become a family heirloom and be passed down for all my female posterity to wear! I've also had this vision of having everyone's name who was baptized in it embroidered into the satin under-layer, but I wasn't quite sure how to go about getting that done. I'm two [or four] stages below an amateur seamstress [typically only sewing things like burp cloths or blankets -- AKA -- things that humans puke on], so I immediately knew I wasn't brave enough to attempt the project myself.  But! One measly mention of it to my grandma, and she jumped on the task and made my vision a reality! I absolutely ADORE the finished product:

^^ ...and it's so much more special knowing she stitched it so lovingly. Seriously, I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! I know my daughters [and their daughters, etc.] will treasure it forever. :)

Anyway, I just recently got the gown back from my grandma and it made me realize that I never posted Scarlett's baptism pics! 

FAIL. 

But yes! It happened! She was baptized into the Catholic Church way back in February, and she is pagan no longer! 

Instead of having a catered post-baptism dinner like we did for Harper, we decided to attempt the cooking ourselves this time around! Second baby syndrome: it fits me like a glove. ;) :) The food prep started at 9am [in anticipation of a 5:30pm dinner!]...

...and with lots of help from Uncle Garett and Uncle Jon, we were packed up with enough food to feed 50+ people and headed to the church by 3:30pm!

Once again, Fr. Meconi humbly agreed to celebrate the Mass and baptism, which of course we were totally thrilled about!  Papa, Grammy, and Harper got to carry the gifts up...

...and then Mass was over and it was Scarlett's show time!

I love the way [Kate and] Harper stood so quietly and lovingly during the ceremony:

"Scarlett Clare, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!"

YAYAYAY for the newest Christian in 'da house!!! May she always keep her flame burning brightly...

...with the aid of her amazing godparents, Tory and Gavin. Thank you both for agreeing to help guide our sweet baby!

Annnnd we're done! 

Freed from sin and claimed for Christ! 

Welcome to God's family, Scarlett Clare!!!

Time to let loose with some food + fiesta!

Oh haiiiiiii, you pure, sweet soul! ;)

^^ ...All kicked back on the beautiful white blanket her Great Grandma Penny crocheted especially for her [or is it knitted? You can tell I'm the typical female millennial...]

And just like she did for Harper, Grammy Resa made a bracelet for Scarlett that she plans to add beads to for her First Communion and wedding! I love this new tradition! 

We love you to the moon heaven and back, Scarlett Clare! May you revel in your Christian dignity and always follow in the footsteps of Christ! :-* 

"God's love be with you, Little One, on your very special day...

As you become a child of His and follow in His way!

And here's a prayer that God will bless your happy family, too...

And watch them with His loving care as they watch over you."

- When you're the BEST of friends... -

...[alwayssss] havin' so much fun together...

I have that catchy Disney's Fox and the Hound song stuck in my head, which is super queer because I'm fairy certain I was eight years old the last time I saw the movie...

But! The point is: I've actually really truly honestly totalllllly never seen two better friends than H and S, and I'm becoming OBSESSED with watching the love blossom between these two beautiful sisters!!! Every morning when Harper wakes up, she comes in our bedroom and nudges her way in between Scarlett and me [disclaimer: we don't co-sleep with 'da baby! But usually after the 6am-ish feeding, snuggle-bug Scarlett melts her tired momma's heart and easily earns herself an hour's worth of spoiling before Harper traipses in and our day officially begins]. As soon as Harper comes in, she always fingers through Scarlett's hair so gently and says, "Good morningggggg, Car-wettttt! How are you da-day, tweet heart? Did you sweep good for Mommy? Did you have a good night, Car-wett?" *swoon* *double swoon* *triple swoon*

[The respiratory junk continues to run thick around here [[pun intended, but seriously, ew gross]], and sweet Scarlett has gained permission to lounge around in her sleepers basicallllly all day every day.  She does have a closet full of beautiful clothes, but I just want little sis to stay comfy while she sleeps off the snots and continues to recover!]

Lately, Harper has been stuck on this: "Car-wett is my best fren, Mommy! And Daddy is your best fren!"  ...And one time she exclaimed her most brilliant idea to date: "Whenever I get older, I'm going to get married to Car-wett and Mommy and Daddy!!!" Oh boy.

I rest a lot easier knowing that, no matter what happens to Brian or me, these two will always have each other!

Keep on keepin' on, you two! Your sweet love for each other has absolutely melted yo' mama's heart!!!