The Grahams

So, I am sitting here cooking dinner when all of a sudden I realize Callie is sitting at the stove playing with her reflection in the stove.....i just sat back and observed. She had a full on conversation with the "Callie in the oven" and then she started dancing with her..... Sorry about the crooked pigtails, the stack of pans on the counter, and the horrible camera work (I couldn't stop laughing)....couldn't get the conversation but I got the dancing....

Callie has been learning about the days of the week at school....every day I ask her what day of the week it is. Today is Wednesday......here's her response!

The Graham family stayed very busy this weekend! We had an absolute blast - from watching the seahawks with good friends to playing with our cousins and family. We enjoyed a ferry ride to Bainbridge to enjoy a their children's museum. Super fun! It was a perfect day filled with cousins and laughter. 2 little goofballs on the ferry boat There was a giant light bright that all the kids loved Bennett completing the Lego challenge Future bank teller Every time we go to a children's museum, Callie spends a majority of her time at the grocery store/restaurant We spent a great breakfast with the Wagners on Saturday and then headed out to a Touch a Truck event. It was super fun, the kids enjoyed playing in all the vehicles.  Riding on the tractor - just like grandpa! 2 future firefighters The boys in the another tractor

i can't believe our little girl is now 2 - although there are times when she reminds me.....We celebrated her birthday a week early surrounded by good family and friends. We were camping on her actual birthday - which was a blast. Here's some updates: She continues to grow like a weed. She is in the 92nd percentile for height and the 76th percentile in weight. We are constantly trying to find shirts long enough for her torso.  She is an absolute chatterbox. She speaks in complete sentences and picks up everything we say. I made the mistake about complaining about the traffic when she was in the car (don't worry, it was clean complaining) and now every time we stop the car (even at a red light) she tells me traffic stinks.  Her favorite thing to do it sing. She sings songs we've taught her, songs she learned at day care, and my favorite, songs she makes up.  She continues to be a bit shy when she first meets people but it doesn't take her long to warm u...

We were so lucky to head to South Carolina this summer. It is an amazing tradition that I truly treasure. I, of course, failed to charge the camera before we left....in fact, I even thought about it and decided that we would be fine....we were, of course, not fine. The camera lasted 2 days - so here's a couple pictures from the trip - it's all I have. I love this vacation - I love seeing Callie interact with a side of our family that we, unfortunately don't see very often. We were missing 2 very important people this year from our family but they we remembered throughout the vacation! We all traveled together which was an absolute blessing. The kids entertained each other and swapped toys - our goal was for the kids to be so obnoxious that we would get a whole section of the plane to ourselves....that didn't work out! Digging and playing with grandpa Callie shares her grandpa's love of the beach - she would have spent every second of the trip eithe...

It's been a while since I've posted....sorry! Callie and I have been enjoying our summer start and have been staying very busy. Although we have not really had summer weather here, we've been creative in our outings. Here's some pictures from some of the things we have been doing..... We have spent a lot of time in our backyard this year. We decided to rip all the grass and plants out and level and replant. Callie got a kick out of the diggers that were housed in our backyard. We have taken quite a few trips to the zoo already. We are very lucky to be stuck right between the Tacoma and Seattle zoo - I love both of them! Callie loved the monkeys - she talked about them for days. She couldn't get past the fact that they were eating in their beds! My little goof ball! We really like this too - the seal kept swimming right up to Callie and she would giggle each time he rubbed against the glass. It has been raining quite a bit around here -...

I can't express how much I love being a mom! The joys, even struggles, add up to something amazing and immeasurable. It drives me crazy how quickly Callie is growing up - she's learning new things quicker than ever, we truly have a sense of her strong and determined personality. I am excited about what's to come but every once in awhile need to remind myself to take everything in because it changes so quickly. Some recent events have made me remember how important it is to remember everything and tell all around me that I love them. So, this post is more for Callie than anyone.... My new favorite thing about Callie is that she has realized she can now make Preston and I laugh with one little thing she says or does and she thinks it is great! The joy I see on her face when she realizes that she is the reason we are smiling and laughing is adorable. It then leads her to her super contagious silly belly laugh. Here's some other new things: She knows all of her abcs...