peek-a-boo.

While we were on vacation with my mother, brother, and sister-in-law, Danielle, Danielle decided to perfect Eli's peek-a-boo skills. Andy and I have played peek-a-boo with Eli for some time now, but our little guy is extra-smitten with his Auntie because he was truly showing off for her! Since then, Eli loves covering his face with blankets, clothing, and the random diaper to play peek-a-boo. We just love, love the smiles, squeals, and laughter that this little game entices! Thanks so much, Auntie Danielle! We love you and can't wait to play peek-a-boo with you very soon!

...Take a "peek-a-boo" at Andy and Eli in action...

praise baby.

Before leaving for our beach vacation, my mother ordered something very special for Mr. Eli to enjoy during the very long car ride - a sweet, sweet 4-CD collection to call his own! Eli's new Praise Baby collection is simply music to his and our ears. Using the most popular praise and worship songs, Praise Baby incorporates soft music, a baby/child-friendly lead vocalist, and the sweet sound of children backup singers. Praise Baby is simply a delight to listen to in the car and we couldn't be more thankful for Eli's new gift. Please listen to a few examples from one of the four CDs for yourself...they are just the sweetest!

beach fun.

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everything but the kitchen sink.

We are so excited to leave for our beach vacation tomorrow! Andy should be thrilled that I am such a thorough packer!

you'll "bee" great.

While Eli and I made our way back to Louisville last Thursday, Andy was settling in at a computer testing center to take the first of his three medical boards. Because Andy has studied for so many hours in the last year for this very important board and we are just so proud of him, Eli and I sent a "special bee-livery" to the Brown Cancer Center on Wednesday to let our wonderful guy know how much we were cheering for him! While we didn't want to send flowers, we decided on an oh-so-cute cookie bouquet from Cookies By Design. Wow! We were so impressed with the quality of this product! The sugar cookies were beyond enormous, neatly and beautifully iced, were very thick, and tasted just delicious! We certainly recommend Cookies By Design if you have an upcoming event or need an extra special treat for someone in your life!

...just take a look at the size of this bee hive cookie...
yum, yum, yum!

a weekend with friends.

We were so excited to welcome Keith, Dana, and Samantha to Louisville this past weekend. Friends from Morgantown, Andy and Keith attended medical school together, while Dana and I were roommates. While those years seem worlds away from where both of our families are now, we always look forward to spending time together. What fun it was to see how much their Samantha has grown and to formally introduce our little guy to this special family of three. While pictures were few and far between during our weekend visit amidst lots of chats and play time, we did manage to snap a few fun pictures during our park visit. We certainly hope that our next visit is oh-so-soon because we just love the Newbrough family!

our philippi visit.

How quickly our week passed when Eli, Carmen, and I traveled to Philippi for an entire week! While our small town is just that, it never ceases to amaze me just how busy we stay in and about our two-stoplight town! Lots of fun visits with both family and friends, trips to splash in our community pool, picnics, cookouts, and plain 'ol simple relaxing on my mother's front porch, filled our enjoyable visit. Time with family and friends is so important and cherished and we just can't get enough of it! What can we say? We love those mountains!

...Take a peek at some of our fun Philippi moments...

Visiting with Nana and Grandma Frey at Aunt Julie, Uncle Chuck, and Cousin Amanda's annual Fourth of July picnic...whew...what a hot, hot day!

...Smiling with daddy's sister, Aunt Julie...

Kent and Papaw Joe grilled fillets for a Fourth of July cookout at Noni's. While my mother has a very nice gas grill, Papaw Joe insists on bringing his own charcoal grill as he feels this is the very best way! What a most delicious meal we had!


...always a fun time when Uncle Kent and Auntie Danielle entertain the little munchkin...

...dressed for the occasion...

...sharing a morning visit with Aunt Kay and Uncle Rusty...

...enjoying pizza at Twin Oaks with Aunt Stephanie...

...splashing at the pool with Noni...

...playing with our special friend, Sharon...
we missed you Anna Kay and Hunter!

Once the head of the state of West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection, my grandfather still enjoys his retirement, at his small surveying office. He just refuses to slow down! We are so proud of him. Eli and I just loved visiting Papaw Joe at his new office!

blogging break.

Eli, Carmen, and I are letting the country roads take us home! We are so excited for a week-long visit with our family! While we are sad to leave Andy in Louisville, we are anxious to relax in our small town, sit on the front porch, take lots of walks, and visit with so many that we love! West Virginia, here we come!

...Take a peek at our small, Philippi...

The Philippi Covered Bridge

...we will drive through this each day...

...don't hit the sides...

...our small main street and court house...
yes, that is a small two-lane

...my small Presbyterian Church...

7 super months.

It simply amazes Andy and I when yet another month passes and our Eli is one month older! We can hardly believe that our sleepy newborn is an animated, happy, and lovable seven month old! Where has time gone?!? Can't it slow down?!? His first year is just passing too quickly! We are simply, simply adoring the stage that Eli is in at this time. Lots and lots of smiles fill our day, little giggles and squeals can be heard throughout our home, as our Eli is one happy, curious, easy-going, and fun little boy! While it's just mind-blowing that over half a year has passed since those early morning hours of November 30th and crawling, finger foods, and walking (oh, just the thought of this frightens me) are in our near future, we just could stare at Eli all day and watch him grow and change!

...seven things that Eli loves at seven months...

* all veggies
* his pull-down monkey toy on his car seat
* his early morning feeding, usually sometime between 4:00-5:30am
* The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
* smiling, laughing, and talking
* jumping, bouncing, and rolling
* our pup, Carmen - he just loves to watch and reach for her


...a few things that Eli doesn't love at seven months...

* getting his mouth wiped following eating
* drinking water
* taking a bottle (oh, my! we are working on this!)