Adelaide Walking & Other Adventures

Two weeks ago, Ada finally decided to let go of my pants leg and explore the world on her own, unsteady two feet.  Now, she is toddling all over the house, yard, sidewalks, stores, everywhere I dare turn her loose. (The video is from a few weeks ago.)

She has even taken to helping around the house --"sweeping," emptying the trash (ie pull everything out of the trash fling it on the floor), clearing the table (ie climbing on the table and throwing everything off), and cleaning (ie playing in) the potty.  If Michael and Sarah were both handfuls (and they were), this one is a handful and a half!

 Michael and Sadie recently recently learned how to do headstands.

We had a nice visit with Grandma this week. She brought Sadie a beautiful new tutu in celebration of her 3rd birthday next week.  She loves it, especially the way it twirls as she dances.

The Mercer gardens were so beautiful, we decided to go again and had a beautiful time. The fall weather was perfect, and we both got lots of ideas for our own gardens.

After years of dreaming and months of house hunting, we are finally in the process of buying our first house!!!  I can't even describe how excited I am to start decorating my own house and landscaping my own yard.  It needs some fixing-up, but we are soooo excited.  My favorite part is the fruit trees in the backyard!  And it's super close to the temple, right across the street from the church building, right next to the rec. center, walking distance to all three schools, and walking distance to a huge park.  It really is perfect.  Below are a few pics. You can also check out: http://search.har.com/engine/16518-W-Kleinwood-Dr-Spring-TX-77379_HAR88628218.htm

As mentioned, we are in the "process" of buying a house, but have yet to confirm a closing date, despite the fact that we have to move out of our rental house next weekend.  I'm trying not to stress, and I'm sure everything will work out.  I just don't know how it's going to do that right now.  I really wasn't sure what to expect going into the whole house-hunting process, but while I'm stranded somewhere in the middle of it, I have to say that I wish it were as easy as running to Walmart and picking up a new laundry detergent.  Sadly, I have discovered, it is not.

End of Summer

Some fun pictures as we've wrapped up the summer:

There's something magical about playing in a sprinkler, isn't there?

And playing in the rain.

With nothing to do one day, Michael suggested we have a party for dad.  So, we hung streamers, blew up balloons, made a cake, and had a party. Dad was sure surprised!

My parents came to visit a few weeks ago, and we went up to visit the Mercer Botanical Gardens in Spring.  Even at the close of summer it was beautiful.  It was our first time there and I'm so excited that, once we move, we'll be really close and can go whenever we want.