I am depressed.

Yesterday our GAP closed. Forever. I am feeling sad and depressed. Where will I browse so happily in the sale section? I guess I will have to visit my old friend GAP when I go to Austin or Allen. I am still depressed. Yuck.

I will miss you, GAP.

One year!

Here are a few of the highlights from Addie's party...




Erin, Emerson, and Addie


This girl loves her new swimming pool and maracas


Fun with cookie monster. Thanks Declan and Kiera! (and a yawn on this one, in case you were wondering...I just thought this was a funny face).


Check out the long hair. This is why we usually have her hair up in a pony-tail.




Cooooo kie Ah! Ah!


The day before Addie's first birthday, she decided she would take a sippy cup. We have tried all combinations of drinks and cups, and the one she takes are the cheap take-n-toss cups. Of course. Here is the evidence.



Lucy...are you listening?


Do you want some of my milk? It so good.


Ha! Lucy is such a fun dog. (Not to mention that she loves when Addie dribbles milk all over the house with her cup. Jackpot!)


Such a cute little bottom.


Still a little confused by the grass


Our little family.


Such a sweet face.




Addie and Papa


Unfortunately, I have been a bad blogger these days. I haven't actually written much on my posts, but just put up pictures. I always think of things that I would like to blog about, until I start up the computer, then I forget. I'm sure most people just want to see pictures, and are fairly uninterested in my thoughts or little life happenings. I am going to make a mid-year resolution to post better updates with words and pictures. Hold me to it, blogger friends!

Birthday and Lindsey Pix

Well, our little one is finally one! I can't believe it! It has flown by and this sweet girl is keeping us on our toes. Here are a few of Lindsey's pix from the last year...

3 weeks


4 months


9 months


And here are the pix from our 1 year session with Lindsey Cotton. They are beautiful, as usual.












Let me know which are your favorites!

Birthday pix to come...once I load them, I will put them up for all to enjoy!

New tricks

Here is what has been happening with us the last few weeks...

The Sheets' boys throw a mean 4th of July party.
Addison and the boys


Addison and Levi trying to figure out how to get into Duke's crate.


The Sheets' kiddos and all the Strader clan.


Trick #1. Addie hugs her stuffed animals and carries them around the house. This is her beloved Merkel, the fluffy white dog. She loves it. And it is perhaps one of the cutest things she does right now.



Trick #2: Not pictured, but you can just imagine. This girl loves books. She often goes off into her room, pulls some books off the bookshelf, and sits (legs crossed at the ankle, of course) and reads ALOUD to herself. She reads with great passion and inflection. Also, one of the cutest things she does. (Since we haven't gotten a picture of this, two pictures of Daddy reading to Addie will have to suffice for now. )



Trick #3: Pulling a pillow off the couch and laying on the floor when she is just plum tuckered out. So cute.

Trick #4: Playing peek-a-boo, by herself, with her pretty pretty scarf. Here goes.
On the head...


And let the fun begin...


almost there...


Yay! So fun! (Bonnie, notice the super-fun topsy turvy doll you sent. She loves it!)


Trick #5: CLIMBING. I think this is going to be a problem for us. Addison had walked into the living room 2 STEPS in front of me, and this is what I found. We had set out her new car seat in the living room, so we could get it ready to put in the car. She managed to crawl up in it and was so proud of herself.



Today was Addie's first time to ride in her new car seat. I think it was her first time to realize our car had air conditioning. It was a good day for all.

A hard day of playing!

This is what Addison spent her morning doing:
Trying to figure out how to put this silly Tennessee hat on.








This girl is going to be trouble.


And after getting dressed, Addison got her first set of pig-tails. Andy said they looked like horns, so we will have to do some bows next time!


And after a long day of working and playing hard, this girl is sleepy. So sweet.