Officially Fall!

Having a ball with Aria, Aspen and Chris in the cooler weather. We ended the summer as we began it, at Burns Park "Funland". Aspen is walking--clapping, babbling and Aria is loves her new school and her new friends. Had a great night out for my birthday last week although I missed celebrating the day of with Chris who was flying in MO. Here is one of my favorite pictures.

School!

Aria started school almost two weeks ago! They start early here in Arkansas. She is at a private school in Little Rock (pre-K 4's) and she loves her teachers, Miss Amanda and Miss Lynette.

We have made some friends here -- Aria has regular play dates with Emma and Kensley who live in Maumelle. Our pool closes Labor Day so we are trying to get a few more afternoon swims in before the end of summer. I have been going to a regular dinner out with friends followed by Bible Study at a wine bar (my kind of bible study) on Wednesday nights which I love. Chris is learning a lot about all aspects of the helicopter business and flying some. And Aspen? Aspen is eating up a storm (finger foods and jars), crawling super fast and starting to cruise and walk holding our hands.

Both girls are happy and healthy and so are we.

Date night!

Chris and I got out for a date night --and decided to go up in the helicopter. It was incredibly scenic and even cool! We flew over the Arkansas River and to Pinnacle Mountain. What a great ride!

Hot. Hot. Hot.

We can't stand the heat. It really is intolerable here in the summer, especially with a young baby. We've had very hot weather (and no rain) since the middle of May and we are very ready to move to fall, unfortunately August and so far record breaking heat (it is going to feel like 118 today, maybe 120) has only started. It is a shame that the weather makes it so difficult to enjoy the natural beauty of this state. To add insult to injury, many things don't open (pool, swimming spots at guarded lakes) until noon which means it is already close to 100 (actual or feels like, makes little difference both are) by then. People tell us it wasn't always this bad during the summers but that things are getting worse. We were warned but thought "How much worse than VA could the summers be?" The answer? Waaaay worse.

Cheerios, Crawling, Pulling Up...

Aspen is on the go! She has only been crawling for two weeks but apparently has already moved to pulling up on everything! Nap time is not so fun these days, she spends a lot of time sitting, crying, pulling up until she collapses in a heap.

Aria's swimming cache

Turns out Aria won a 5th place ribbon for her 1:10 backstroke time at the last meet! She also got one of two medals (boy and girl) for most improved 6 & under swimmer on the Maumelle Marlins and everyone on the team received a trophy for participating. It was one fun awards banquet! After the awards everyone had cake, ice cream, went swimming and dove for quarters.

Sisters playing

A few summer photos.

Swimming!

Stats!

Aria had her 4 year old well child yesterday and Aspen had her 9 month checkup a month early. Poor Aria had 4(!!!) shots. My ears are still ringing! Aria is 45" tall and 46 lbs which puts her at the top off the chart for a 5 year old :) Aspen was 17 lbs and 27" which puts her in the 40th and 60th percentiles respectively. We had a great 4th of July. Aria saw the fireworks for the first time with her dad (after playing with sparklers at a friends house in the early evening). Aspen is rolling everywhere, we've had to cage our living room, and starting to get up on all fours. We are enjoying our summer with Miss Selma's camp, First Presbyterian summer program and swimming activities. It is HOT here in Arkansas. Hard to believe but hotter longer than Virginia. Longing for some fall weather!

Bedtime!

Aria is 4!

Aria had a wonderful birthday. She started the day with swim practice, then we brought two dozen doughnuts with sprinkles to camp at Miss Selma's, then we finished the day with a party at the Purple Cow with two 4 year old girl friends and their parents.

Aspen is babbling "dadadada" getting teeth (she has one out and another popping through) and has started rolling and getting very mobile--rolling all over the place. Both girls are happy and sweet. We are so lucky.

We are adapting well to life in Arkansas. I've met some wonderful women (and families) in our community and on the other side of the river. I had a great time at "Momcation" a retreat for mom's at Heifer Ranch in Perryville Arkansas and hope to make it an annual event. Last weekend we went to Jay's wedding in Fayetteville (Doc I's grandson) and it was really fun despite the fact that we left the suit bag containing all of our wedding formal attire at home and had to buy clothes an hour before the wedding :) This weekend is Father's Day and it is HOT so we will probably spend a lot of time at the pool.

Aria's first swim heat

Our little girl is very determined!

Summer is right around the corner...

We're still surprisingly busy! Aria had a little concert at her mothers day out program (Lutheran) made the swim team for 6 and under set, has started a weekly gymnastics program (instructor tells me she is very flexible). We are still investigating preK 4 programs. Leaning toward Miss Selma's in W. Little Rock.

We went to Jay Heulitts' medical school graduation celebration yesterday. What a great group of people and fabulous food! We met "Dr. Duck" a physician duck hunter. He and his wife have nine children, 4 biological, 5 adopted. Amazing. We also met Jay's fiancee and their family. A long time friend of Candy's, lovely people. Aspen was a big hit. :) so was Aria.

Chris has been flying a fair amount. Lots of storms taking out power lines around here. Chris had to fly at first light yesterday to assess damage. He loves his job and we love that he loves it. :) Missing friends and family, but adjusting to life in Arkansas.

I have a "momcation" coming up that I am really looking forward to, and then Jay Heulitt's wedding in Fayetteville where I will get to see all the Inglefields. Whoo hoo!!

In Arkansas!

A hectic few weeks!! Where to begin? The mad packing frenzy before Easter? The wonderful week long visit with family in Nova? The 16 hour trip through Virginia (including a brief visit with Kitty Ama, Chris' mom), terrible weather and tornadoes in beautiful Tennessee and hail damage to our car? Worst flooding in West Memphis and on I-40 since 1927? Tiny house 1/2 half the square footage of our Chesapeake house? We are adapting and thriving though. Chris enjoys going to work every day, Aria is already making friends and we are finding the people in our town to be warm and friendly. Aria will do a mom's day out program locally for the rest of this month to make some more friends.

More party pictures

Aria's Farewell Party at School

Aria's teachers Ms. G and Miss June had an amazing party for Aria her last week of school before we move to Arkansas. Here are some pictures

Aspen at 4 months

Photos by William "Kenny" Lucord.

Aria at one year, Rachel at one year

Guess who?