November

Lilly with her cousins Jordan and Abby

Lilly trying to walk Whitaker

Playing outside one evening

Lilly and Momma

Lilly Marie (getting so big)

November has been full of weekends with family and friends. Just today, we took Lilly to the circus with our family. She watched the whole show. She especially loved when the dogs were doing their tricks. It was fun to see her reactions!
Last weekend,Lilly got to have a sleep over with my mom (my dad was hunting). We went out with family and friends for my brothers 30th birthday party. Lilly stayed up and partied with my mom and her friend, while we were out for the first time in a while. Ryan and I also had a great night! Yesterday, we spent the afternoon at our cousins house. We had a yummy Thanksgiving dinner. Lilly loved watching her cousins Jordan and Abby play. It was cute, she would follow them around and watch what they were doing. Our weekends go by fast, but they sure are fun! I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I get 5 days off!
Lilly Lately: Lilly knows how to say her name. We ask her so much, she must think her parents are a bit odd. She recognizes herself in pictures and says "Lilly" but in the cutest voice. Lilly loves her Papa. When we are with my parents, she usually wants just him. Lilly loves to sing. She also loves to make me crazy by not eating. I must fix everything I can think of and she ends up taking 3 bites. I wish I had that much control! And, Lilly just finished her swimming class. By the last class, she was an old pro.
With Thanksgiving coming up this week and my 4 year anniversary, I must say that I am very thankful for Ryan and my sweet Lilly. They sure make me smile each and every day. I am also very thankful for my wonderful family and friends.
Gobble, Gobble,
Kelli

Halloween

Happy Halloween

Reading her books!

We had a great Halloween with our Lady Bug this year! I took Lilly to my parents subdivision party and she jumped in a bounce house. Later that day, we had a few neighbors over as well as my family. It was fun to see the kid in their Halloween costumes. I took Lilly to a few neighbors, while Ryan stayed home and entertained our guests!
Lilly lately: She has learned a few more words, just the other day she said " I know" to something Ryan and I were saying to her at dinner. We were just dying! She is also beginning to say " I love you". She is trying to say Whitaker. When we are home, we can hear the train, she'll say "toot, toot and do the arm motion, she loves, loves Jello. There are many mornings that she'll ask for Jello when we come downstairs. She is also learning a little Spanish too! She knows milk and water!
The older Lilly gets the funnier she is becoming. I find myself laughing pretty often. It's neat to see the new words she picks up as well as her gestures she's doing. Oh, she has also learned to do the splits!
Hope you are all doing well! Call me crazy, but I am already talking about how excited I am for Christmas! I already started my shopping!!
Love,
Kelli

Pumpkins from School

Lilly found the one she wants!
Daddy and Lilly

The Famiy~

Today we picked 2 pumpkins from my school. Here are a few pictures!

Lilly at the cider mill
Lilly holding onto Ryan for her life at swimming lessons.(sorry it's dark)

Our little artist.

October Madness

We've been pretty busy over here... by the way we still don't have our laptop back. It's been there for over a month. I called again,, the part we need is on back order. Jeesh, if I would have waited to get that back, I would never get on here.
Our weekends have been jammed packed. Two weekends ago we went to the Cider Mill with my whole family; Grandma, Aunt, cousins, parents, kids and more! We had a great time. We all met at the Plymouth Cider Mill. The weather wasn't promising, but we thought we'd try anyway. Well... we got caught in the rain while out on the hay ride. We were soaked... it was an adventure to say the least. Isn't it always an adventure with my family- that's why I love being with them. Before the rain came, we did get cute pictures of Lilly. You'll see the picture from last year and the one from this year. This time she could stand herself. Crazy:)
This past weekend we moved my sister and Saylor into their new home. It's absolutely beautiful. They seem extremely happy and we are very happy for them.

Lilly Lately: just yesterday she started to say :thank you momma", (melts my heart), she loves to brush her teeth, loves to color,loves her old baby bouncer (it turns into a toddler chair, who knew?) and loves, loves, loves to feed herself.
Lilly is also taking swimming lessons with Preston and her friend Grant. She doesn't love it, but is tolerating it. It's great fun, we sing nursery rhymes and practice getting use to the water. It's perfect for her.

We are looking forward to Halloween. Ryan is especially looking forward to sitting outside on the drive way passing out candy. He can't wait to have a fire and chat with the neighbors!

Take Care,
Kelli

Summer Pictures

Lilly riding the roller coaster at Tommy's birthday party
Pool Party with Grant and Ryan

Can't get much cuter than this!

Fall Is Here

Lilly practicing T-Ball

Lilly at a birthday party playing in the sand table with her friend Addison

Lilly and I
I'm back... sorry for the long delay. It's been busy these past 3 weeks. As you all know I went back to work so, the evening is filled with hanging out with the family and doing school work. If there's time I watch a little TV or read my gossip magazines. Life is hectic, but going well. Lilly has adjusted to going back to Cindy's as well as my moms and sisters ( I think). She has given us some trouble with sleeping and the only thing I can link it to is me not being home with her. She got so upset one Saturday afternoon, that she jumped out of her crib. Yes, that's right she used her legs to wrap around the top bar and pull her self right out. I met her at her bedroom door. She was hysterical, I grabbed her and gave her a big hug. It makes me sad that she feels like I am not going to be there. So, we went back and forth about transitioning her into a toddler bed or putting a crib tent in her bed. We went with the crib tent. So far so good. She wasn't so sure about it the first time but now, she's okay with sleeping in a tent. It looks kinda funny, but it works and it even keeps out the bugs! ha Who even knew they made crib tents. Smart people.

Lilly Milestones: She loves to eat with a fork, she gave up the paci on her own (she had a sore throat and couldn't swallow) I gave it to her even after she wasn't sick and she didn't want it, so it's been gone for 3 weeks. Lilly is talking more and more every day, she recognizes her family in pictures and loves to kiss them, and continues to climb everything she can. The other day she climbed up her chair, that is on our kitchen chair(like a booster seat) so she could see what we were doing at the counter and then looked at Ryan (while pointing her finger) and said NO, NO,NO.

Well, Fall is here and I already decorated my house. I couldn't wait. This is my favorite time of year. We are going to the Cinder Mill with family next week. I can't wait for Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I know, I know slow down! It's just so much more fun when you have a child to celebrate with!

Enjoy the crisp air!

Love

Kelli

New pictures will be posted soon. Our computer is getting fixed... I don't have any on this computer! Check back in a few days.

Lilly Lately

Lilly driving her car

I can eat all by myself

Maddie, Laurel and Lilly

Last week Lilly and I had a play date with our girlfriends. Lilly and her best girls wore their matching dresses and played together and posed for pictures. They looked so darn cute. Jill, Heidi and I had a hard time getting all 3 of them to sit still, it was a circus! This past week we also had a play date with a friend that I haven't seen in 10 years. Her daughter and Lilly are 9 days apart. It was so great to see her and meet her daughter. Lilly and Kiera played well together.
As a family, Ryan, Lilly and I played outside in her baby pool. It was so hot, Ryan and I got in with her! We also had fun going out on my sister and Saylors boat. For the first time, Lilly finally sat in her ladybug float and enjoyed it. It took a bit to get her comfortable but once she was, she loved it! Of course I didn't have my camera to capture the moment, so next time I will. We also visited a new cousin. Lilly loved looking at her, just like she does with Lanie. She is really into babies.
Lilly Lately: She says "no" for everything. Right now it's still funny, but I know that will get old soon. She loves to play with her baby dolls and push them around in their stroller. She also loves to feed them. Lilly continues to climb everything. She'll climb the ottoman and dance on it! She enjoys watching Blues Clues and she is into feeding herself using a fork and she likes to dip everything in ketchup!
I find myself laughing with Lilly often, she cracks us up! Ryan's heart melts when she walks up to him and gives him a kiss. She is just such a sweet little girl. We are having so much fun with her!

A Visiting we will GO!

The Water Park

Lilly wrote that!! haha

Lilly and Laurel

Life around here has been great!! We've been keeping busy pretty much everyday. Lilly and I are out and about visiting all of our friends and family. Last week we had many play dates. We met with all of our WLE friends, played with Grant our neighbor, played with Laurel and of course Preston and Lanie! It's fun to visit at all their houses so Lilly gets to play with their toys and change things up.

Lilly also spent the night at my parents on Saturday night. Ryan and I went to Grand Rapids to visit some of his old friends. We had a great time! Lilly and my parents went to visit my grandma and some of my cousins. She had lots of fun!! My parents said that Lilly was great, Whitaker on the other hand was a big baby during the night. He usually sleeps in bed with us, or on the bathroom floor. He started there with my parents, but my poor dad couldn't take his LOUD snoring anymore and put him in his cage. Well, Whitaker had something to say about that. An hour later, he was still crying and howling! My poor dad was worried he would wake up Lilly, so Whitaker slept in the basement. He didn't like that either but what was my dad going to do. Pillows over the vents and my dad could finally get a good night sleep! Sorry Dad;)

Today, Lilly and I met my cousins at the water park. Lilly actually went in the water and liked it!! Yay. It was a great park. It was so nice to see Tricia, Erik and their kiddos as well as Julie and family. Stacie met up with us later so that Preston could play with Lilly! They had a great time.
I just can't believe it's already August. I am enjoying every minute of the summer and sure don't want it to end. Just under a month until I go back to work..boo hoo!!

Some new things Lilly is doing: she say's all done,night night, thank you (dunk ooo), no (shakes her head as she's saying it). She also say's no when she pulls out her bows, emptys Whitakers food bowl or when she tries to shake the shelves; kinda funny:)
Keep enjoying your summer!
Love,
Kelli

Having a Great Summer

Lilly and I at the park.

Ryan & Lilly on the slide

Dancing to the music

Hi Doggie!

Gymnastics

I was doing pretty good updating our blog, but time has gotten away from me. Lilly and I have been filling our days with play dates, shopping, walks and bike rides. Lilly went to my parents beach with Preston. She enjoyed watching Preston and then followed what he did. They loved throwing the sand into the water! Preston also came over for a visit yesterday. They sure enjoy each others company... they also love the same toy, they're just like brother and sister. I love to watch them play. When it's time for one of them to go, they give each other kisses!
We had a family day at my sisters last weekend, Lilly loved showing off her "gymnastics". She's so cute! I have no idea what got her doing this, but whenever she does I make a big deal and tell her that she's doing gymnastics. She's so proud of herself. You can see it in the pictures. Lilly and I also went to visit Laurel and my girlfriend Jill. They played well together. Ryan and I have really enjoyed our time with Lilly lately. She's been really funny:) She tries to say everything we do and mimics us! It's pretty funny. Yesterday, we took her to South Lyons park. Not to much to do there, but she had fun! She likes to slide down the slide and swing on the swings. We also went to Downton Wixom one evening. They had music, rides, food and more. Lilly loved dancing to the music and loved to see the dogs that visit children in hospitals.
This weekend we will be celebrating Ryan's 35 th birthday. Happy Birthday to Ryan! We love you~

Water Works!

Getting so big!

Playing at the beach ( Ryan's 1st birthday party)

Lilly has been a water babe lately! Last week Lilly and I went to the spray park with a friend. She was a bit nervous. Her and her friend Ryan were both standing in front of a sprinkler (Kristy and I didn't know) and it turned on and got them both wet. They were not happy! There are sprinklers everywhere and they go off and on! Maybe next year Lilly will like it more.
We also went to my parents beach where Lilly and Ryan (her daddy) played in the water. It took her a little bit of time to get use to the water. By the time it was ready to go, she seemed to like it.
Yesterday, we went to her friends first birthday party. There was a beach there and she walked right up to the water and got her feet wet. She was an old pro! She loved playing in the sand and throwing the ball into the water. It looks like we need to make it more of a point to go to my parents beach because she really enjoys the sand and water!
Hope you are all enjoying your summer as much as we are:)

~Kelli

Summer Fun

Ryan, Lilly and I at the cottage

Lilly and Titi Stacy

Happy 4th of July!

I have to say, being off work for the summer doesn't take long to get use to. I love not getting up for work everyday and I especially love being able to spend my days with Lilly. We got lucky this past week because Ryan was off too. It was great having him home with us. We took Lilly to the zoo. She enjoyed looking at the birds and ducks the best ( I think because they would walk right in front of her). It was a lot of fun, all the animals were outside and pretty busy. The weather was perfect! Another day we did some shopping, played outside in the pool and took a bike ride. One day Ryan was able to get out golf and I did some visiting with friends and family.
For the weekend of the 4th we went out to the cottage. It's always nice to get away and there is definitely away!! Unfortunately, this visit to the cottage was a noisy one; we are going to have new neighbors soon. They were pulling up trees and clearing out a large lot, so all weekend we listened to the tractors digging and trees falling. We knew this would happen one day; it's sad to see things develop so close to us. We where there with my whole family. It was great to hang out together! We played corn hole, slid down the slip n slide, watched fireworks and had a bonfire. Thanks to my brother for the great fire work display!! Hope you had a great 4th of July too!
Kelli~

Froggy Pool

Lilly enjoyed swimming her her frog pool from Grandma Linda. She didn't like it as much when Ryan turned on the sprinkler, it scared her. So, after that she had fun watching Whitaker play in her pool. She also liked to play with her bubble machine and run around the yard throwing balls.

Some new words Lilly has learned: baby and bubbles. It seems like she does pretty well with words that begin with B. She has also found a love for her belly button. It's as if she didn't know it was ever there, she is always looking at it! When we are inside playing, Lilly loves to play with her crayons as well as take her blanket into Whitaker's cage to relax with him.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

Kelli

She's Here!!

Malaina and I

Titi Stacie and Lilly (on Father's Day)

Malaina Ryan Duff has arrived!! Here are some pictures of our darling little niece. She is just a doll.

Home Bound

Lilly's new toy from our neighbor!

Loves to be silly when I have the camera out

I am getting so many teeth!

This has been a itchy week for me. Last Tuesday I found a small patch of poison ivy on my arm. Tonight, I have it all over my body. I am allergic but wow am I really allergic. I went to the dermatologist twice and it's still super uncomfortable. But, I am hoping the end is near! (I'm trying to be positive).
Lilly on the other hand has been sick since Monday. We've had to cancel play dates and visiting my new niece. Yes, that's right I have a new niece Malaina Ryan Duff. I did sneak up to the hospital to look at her, (I didn't hold her!) I am dying too though. She is doing great and so is her older brother Preston and momma and daddy! Lilly had a fever again today, but tonight it seemed to be getting better. So, hopefully tomorrow we will be able to leave the house. I have to say though, since I've been home bound these past few days, I have cleaned many drawers, painted and organized! Pretty productive.
Hope you are enjoing this hot weather we have all been waiting for!! I am excited to get outside and enjoy it!
Kelli~

A Great Week!

Lilly got the coin in! (I know this picture should have been last, but can't figure out how to move it)

Lilly concentrating on getting the coin into the piggy bank.

Almost in!

Lilly and Preston's 1 year Pictures

Lilly's one year picture

Lilly and I have had a great week. We've been outside playing, going for bike rides, visiting family and doing new things at home. The other day, Lilly mastered getting her coins into the piggy bank. It took her a few tries, but my determined little girl did it! She was so proud of herself and so was I. We couldn't wait to show Ryan when he got home! This past week Lilly has also learned the sound of a kitty and where her mouth is. Oh and today she fed herself. I put the food on the spoon and she put it to her mouth! Again, we were so proud!
We are all patiently waiting for our new little niece to arrive. I had Preston yesterday while Stacie whet to the Dr. We were hoping that she was going to be sent to the hospital... but Malaina isn't ready yet! Poor Stacie is ready! Lilly and Preston had so much fun playing with 100 balls in the familyroom as well as run around the house after Whitaker! They are so cute together!

Where's Your Clothes?

I just had to add this picture! She loves to run around without her clothes on.

Summer Break Here I Come

Lilly in her shades... I know she's dressed for Fall, but it was chilly this morning!

So fun!

I don't have to much to report today. This weekend we got Lilly a seat to my bike (Ryan is in the garage working on it right now), and a new ball house. We still need to get a few more balls for it; it only came with 6. Hmmm I think it should come with more. But, she did still enjoy playing in the pit with the 6 that it came with. Hope you are having a good weekend. My week is going to get really good come Wednesday afternoon, I am done for the summer! Yay!