Two of the happiest kids at Sam's Club

Whose baby is this anyway?

What is Amanda doing?

Amanda is very helpful with her brother and sister.
She likes dolls... lots and lots of dolls.
and stuffed animals.

She loves to play on Build-a-Bearville.
Loves to ride her bike around the neighborhood.
Swims like a fish!
Loves to hang out in the new playroom and watch movies and eat popcorn!

She's a beautiful artist and writer...

What is Hayden doing?

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Talking more,
Taking off his diaper at inappropriate times and places,
totally not getting the whole potty training thing,
Adores his little sister and calling her "MY Bee-Bee...noooo MY BEE-BEE!"
Loves having his own bedroom now.
Loves his room so much, he kisses his baby blue walls.
Swims like a fish with his vest on.
Sinks like a rock with it off.
Folds his arms for prayers... and sneaks a few bites here and there.
Loves Cars cars and brings them with him on trips to Target--- one or two in each fist.
Is often found sleeping half in bed, half on the floor.
Favorite meal is Breakfast!
Loves to help daddy with projects.
Can eat a whole apple!
Loves to play with his Poppy George!
Is super tough. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!

What is Samantha doing?

Crawling,
Climbing up a stair,
Like to pull the hair on the back of my neck - OUCH!
Is very entertained by her big brother - especially on car rides,
Won't let her daddy put her to bed,
Is a total momma's girl,
Likes Matchbox cars,
Is growing a little tuft of hair on the top of her head - it's adorable...
and baby cleavage... I mean, come on. How cute is that?

nicknames currently in use include: chunky monkey, chubbers, sweet pea and our all time favorite - chumba wumba.

I Won, I Won!!!

Okay, I've entered about a trillion* online blog contests this year and have won nada, unless you include the time I suggested a baby name that no one else suggested and she actually named her baby that name ---how cool is THAT?!?.

Anywho, I totally hit the jackpot when I responded correctly to a question on this blog, The Late Night Stamper and won $50 worth of Stampin' Up stuff of my own choosing! Wooo hooo!!!!!

Now if you know me well, you know that I am not scrapbooker. Nor do I make cute little cards, boxes, etc. I do however love, love, love vinyl lettering and glass etching and anything super easy and of the simplest design. So here is what I put on my wishlist...

Something for a dear friend...

Something for the wall behind Samantha's crib...

Something for me... I've got ideas for this - hopefully I will find time to do all that I want to do!

The Letter A for Amanda - I'm going to put it on some scrapbook paper, frame it, then put it over her bed. I know soooo original.

The same thing for Samantha 'cause they share a room...

And of course Hayden, 'cause we can't leave that boy out of anything!

I'm sooo excited! Projects for the summer!

Samantha - 8 months!

Samantha and her Daddy!

Money Pit

Yes, you guessed it, our new house has become the mother of all money pits.

Okay I am exaggerated just a bit, but need I remind you that a person can drown in a pit of just 2 inches. And drown we just might! We're not exactly swimming in moola.

Our "pit" began with a VERY moldy bathroom that had to be gutted to the core...studs and mushy concrete and all. Dishwasher could use a little tlc, mice needed to be evicted, and roaches have been given a good talkin' to. The A/C has a mind of it's own - though we suspect it has more to do with a faulty thermostat. The 5 gallon paint container was cracked and subsequently left a trail of paint from the garage to the carpet of our bedroom. (Yea...memories!)

On the upside, Hayden's room is 1/2 painted and the pool water is totally refreshing on a hot summer day.

Michael says I need to bring in some income. Looks like Amy Lee Gove Photography will be back in business soon!

Preview of our new house!

I sort of took these pictures in a rush 'cause the
current owner of the house was still moving out.
Literally.
But here is a preview of the house we are closing on tomorrow. Soon it will be "ours" and we can call it "home"!!!

This would be the front door.



our dated kitchen.
but we can deal with it for a while.
the appliances are fairly new.


our lovely backyard.
complete with a requisite pink flamingo.
(by law, EVERY Florida home must have one.)
we've been breakin' the law for a while.

the pool!


the Florida room.
this will be the playroom!

playroom again.

Hayden's room.

Amanda and Samantha's room.

the garage.
check out the antique yard tools.
they sort of freak me out.

The master bedroom and bath pictures didn't turn out right and I forgot to take pictures of the living room and dining room... and the office - but once we move in I'll post more pictures.
So there you have it!