This is the longer one I meant to put up

Crazy Layla

We're not sure what got into Layla this evening (= Either way it was fun. By the way, if it looks like she has a fat lip, she does. She walked into a table this afternoon and it really puffed up. Poor girl...she doesn't realize that she'd gotten taller and just can't run under everything anymore!

Carlson Cousins

Layla has one cousin who lives in California. They share the same middle name and initials which is great since they also share clothes and the initials all work! It was great fun to see them. I just LOVE how Lj is trying to pose for pictures now - and always doing this little half hug or arm around or something. Lucy wasn't so into it, however (=




This photo below crack me up - she so obviously trying to pose and be sweet and then she's all chubby and awkward at the same time! Love it!!

I'm not sure why these came out in such different sizes, but you get the point.

Conference

This sweet boy was adopted from Ethiopia and he and Layla just loved each other. It was so sweet! Everyone commented on how cute they were saying "Hi Layla", "Hi Enoch".

This was the team we worked with for the duration of the two weeks - it was a lot of fun (=

This is Kelly who is our main contact person at the moment and during the conference. She does a great job make sure all the bases are covered.

This little girl was a favorite of Layla's. She was always adjusting her pacifier and giving her her sippy cup etc

We are glad to be back home, but Layla made some good friends (=

On the beach in Boston!

Sadly the layout is having issues tonight and I am just too tired to make it look good (= We got back on Wednesday after a HARD day of travel. Ick. We had a great time in Boston and Layla got some great beach time in, even if it was too cold to swim! We also had our first donuts there! Couldn't pass up the Dunkin Donuts the entire time we were there - they are on EVERY street corner. We finally succumbed and Layla loves them, of course (=

Daddy Date

Layla turns two next week and Tom and I thought it was time for her to have her first date with her daddy. She knows that mama and daddy go out on dates together (one of the pluses of living with parents!!) and it was fun to see her get the concept of a date with daddy Ice cream, playground and puppies.....Way to go Dad.

Cuddly

Layla has been so affectionate and cuddly lately. She has also started sucking her thumb which we don't really understand. We thought she was teething, but who knows. Anyway, we are enjoying the cuddles whe we can get them (=

My Birthday - belated shots

Mama's Birthday! We went to a park to grill
just for a change (we grill a lot at home because
Dad has a LOVELY grill!).
Friend Sue and Cousin David came along.
Layla was on the swing most of the time (=
She likes to go SO HIGH!

Almost a Diva

Layla's Nana (tom's mom) gave her this exquisite pink fluffy cape to wear and it is the source of great fun for Layla and the various animals that wear it. Today she was walking around in her styling pink sunglasses and her cape matched with a lovely diaper. The flash on my silly camera is too slow so I missed the lovely pose... What you see is just the aftermath (=

Pooh butt

Jen sent another fabulous package for Layla. So full of things that I haven't given it all to her yet! I loved these little pants. It was too cute with the lamb butt as well (= I should have taken off her big but we were eating outside and she was running everywhere (= The top right photo reminds me of photos of myself trying to find an appropriate smile. Gotta love the chub legs still (= She is just too much fun. Every night we all look at each other and say "she can't be real!!" What a blessing to have a child with such a sweet demeanor!

Tonight Tom and I were headed out for my birthday and she was getting a little clingy in order to avoid her bath. So Tom and I were kneeling down with her taking her clothes off and I said "Daddy and Mommy are going on a date." She knows what these means - sort of and immeadiately put her arms around me to hug me and do a little pat pat on my shoulders and then leaned over to Tom and did the same. Then she took off running to the bath. Somehow knowing we were going on a date made a difference! funny child.