Trying to Walk

Gates is trying really hard to walk. The other day when I came home from work Gates and Chris were sitting in the back yard and when Gates saw me he stood up on his own with out holding onto anything. It was so crazy.

Lake Baby

Another trip to the lake with Gates. We love going to the lake. We aren't the most exciting boat people though. We just ride out to a cove, anchor and just float around but, it is so relaxing. There is talk about tubing this year but in the five years that I have been out on Chris' family boat the most excitement we have had is Cocktail cove when the binoculars were needed. Hmmm that has me thinking about a possibly interesting post all of its own.

Gates playing with Max, the Dempsey family dog.

How cool is this dude!?

Relaxing

I love sitting on our screen porch relaxing. So does Gates!

I love to shop!

Shopping makes me happy. I hate to admit it because I know it is shallow, but I do. I don't necessarily have to buy anything and I still enjoy shopping.
Yesterday, I went shopping and it was wonderful. Now, I am not your average shopper. I am the ultimate cheapo. It hurts me to pay full price, because in most situations there is no need.

I did a little shopping on my lunch break at the J Crew outlet. I love J Crew, but it is usually out of my price range, even when stuff is on sale. Luckily they have an outlet, that to me is even better then the regular stores.

This is what I got. Some new shorts. For some reason my but or belly hangs over or out of my old shorts. These soft fun tees and this adorable navy blue skirt. It is hard to see how cute everything is so just wait till I post a picture of me wearing these cute outfits and you will see.


I also went into the Strasburg outlet store. They have the cutest stuff, but it is ridiculously expensive, but I shop the sale racks when they are doing additional 30% off the sale price. They are only doing an additional 20% now so I have some things I am eying. I found some amazing deals last summer on the Christmas outfits Gates wore last Christmas.

He had one other cute holiday outfit that I can't find pictures of but all of these outfits were around $10! $10 for a nice Strasburg smocked outfit is unheard of normally. I get high off stuff like this! I haven't been able to find any Christmas '10 outfits for cheap but it's still early.

These are a couple of the things I am eying and waiting to get marked down even farther for Gates wardrobe next summer.Chris had class in the evening so after work Gates and I went out for some more shopping. I told you I like shopping. Gates didn't seem to mind either, he just sat in the buggy and did some people watching. I went to Ross, which is not one of my usual shopping locations, but they are a great place for baby basics.
Here is what we got at Ross all for less then $20.

You can never have to many footed pajamas.

8 Months Old

Did every one have their calendar marked today "Gates is 8 months old"? So, a lot has changed since 7 months. It has been confirmed that Gates is going to be just like his dad, IN TO EVERYTHING! He will not sit still, which you can see from my efforts to take his 8 month old picture. He wants to put everything in his mouth, he can crawl fast, lifts himself up onto the furniture or whatever he can grab ( Some times that is Sam or maybe myself) and is starting to get demanding. But, he is really cute in the process so we forgive him.

Do they make baby helmets? Would you think I was crazy if Gates wore one around the house? He needs a helmet! Since he is climbing onto everything he also bumps his head into everything. Most the time it doesn't even faze him but he does have little purple dots on his forehead.










Luckily Chris joined me in this challenge of trying to capture a smiling picture of Gates. The only way Chris was able to help was by dropping Gates into his marshmallow chair. Don't call child protection services on us! The chair really is a giant marshmallow and Gates was laughing like crazy.

I had the camera set on the action setting which is suppose to catch movement but as you can tell Gates was to fast for that. I kept trying to capture the moments anyways and did get lots or really cute blurry pictures of Gates. I am still working on my camera skills, that might be a small part of the blurry pictures.

The whole time I was taking these pictures I was either prepared at any moment to catch Gates from jumping or I was holding his leg or foot.




I am telling you this child is hyper active, thanks to Chris' genes.

Swinging in the park

I don't think I have mentioned this in the past but our house is for sale. So, we have to find baby and dog friendly places to go every once in a while when some one wants to look at our house. Today was one of those days so we went to Grant Park. Gates really enjoyed swinging while Sam whined the whole time because we wouldn't let him run around sniffing and peeing on everything.

Diaper Dance

Uncle Scott watched this video and called it the diaper dance which I think is very appropriate. It looks like we need to find some on those plastic guards you put of the crib railing since Gates is already enjoying chewing on it.

Boating time!

This weekend we went out on the boat for the first time this year and Gates came. This was only the first of many more trips out on the boat.

Mom's new toy

I have a new toy! I never get to play with it though because Chris is always using it. If any one has any great apps or things I can do with my toy let me know.

God Save America

I am very concerned about the state of our government and the future of our country. I know I am not alone. Our pastor at our church recognizes that our government is not going in the right direction and that there is only one ultimate power out there that can bring the kind of change we need. I have made a covenant to God to pray every day from July 4th till November 2nd for our nation. The power of prayer is amazing and especially when the mass pray together so I would like to ask you to concider joining me in this covenant in:



-Praising God for the privilege to live in America
-Thanking God for the rich Christian history of America
-Petitioning God for His blessing on America
-Praying to God for wisdom and discernment for elected officials
-Asking God for boldness and strength to share truth with friends and neighbors



If this has caught your interest and you share these feelings please join me by going to this web site and make this covenant to pray.

http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sto_GodSaveAmerica

Hawaii part II

Our trip to Hawaii was so amazing! Here is a recap of some of the things we did while on Lana'i.

We layed by the pool looking out over the ocean ordering drinks, food, reading and socializing. This was my favorite part of the trip. All the excursions where fun but if we did it again I would just spend my days here by the pool.

We went for a hike. This is along the ocean where the lava formed pools.

Behind this cliff is the resort where we hiked from.

Went to a luai and got layed.

I drank every form of frozen cocktails.

Chris went deep sea fishing and caught this fish. I went to the spa and was pampered.

Not really, he did go deep sea fishing but no one on his boat caught anything. Sad. Should of gone to the spa with me.

We took a ferry over to Maui for the day.

We went for the Mustang convertible this time to switch it up.

Ate lots of yummy meals.
Went horse back riding.
And most importantly, we enjoyed our time together.

We also went snorkeling. I took pictures with one of those throw away underwater cameras that I have to remember to get developed.