E-L-M-O

Makena loves Elmo. At Christmas last year, almost everything she got was Elmo. When we came home after Christmas our neighbors gave us one of their Elmo's because their kids did not play with it anymore. By the way, thanks Bingham's. Well Makena has loved it since she got it. She love to dance and sing with it. The other day she had it out and would hug him and look at me and say cheese. (It was like hello mom, I'm ready to have my picture taken and here is a photo op for you.) So I just thought I would share. Enjoy!!!

See how much she loves Elmo.

Well this Elmo is the YMCA version of Elmo. So it sings the song YMCA, but instead it is ELMO. Normally she dances with it as well, but since I had the camera on, she can get a little distracted.

Happy Birthday "2" You

Last night after hitting the beach, we went to Chili's for dinner to celebrate Makena's 2nd Birthday. I can't believe that 2 years has already passed. Where did the time go?

They brought her cake and ice cream and sang happy birthday. She has learned to really love that song this week. She would sing it and dance around. (of course all she knows is happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, well you get the picture) She was so excited to see this huge piece of cake and ice cream.

And she was all about taking the first bite.

She is just tooo cute with chocolate all over the place!!

Our friends that went to dinner with us. Love you guys.

Beach Babe Part "2"

After Makena told us that she wanted to go to the beach for her birthday, all we heard every day was beach, beach, go beach, alllllllll day. She was so excited to go.

She loved playing in the sand and the water.

We stayed the night at our friend's house and then they went to the beach the next day with us. Thanks Sariah, James and Jarom. We had a wonderful time.

The store fronts were so much fun. Yes this is the front of a gift shop.

The shark mouths were the entrance to the stores.

USS LEXINGTON

Our first stop on our trip to Corpus Christi for the week was the USS Lexington. This was one of the key aircraft carriers during WWII.

I loved that they had so many places for people to take pictures (photo op's) as you went through the carrier. Perfect for picture addict mom's such as myself.

Makena found the stage and started to perform (of course, because I was not asking or trying to get her too. You know they never do it when we want, but I will take advantage when she'll do it on her own.) She was dancing and jumping for all to see.

I love pictures of kids and their daddy's. So as they went walking to the airplanes I had to get it. I love how she just follows him and tries to keep up. She was so excited to see all the airplanes.

Makena fell in love with this little cart. She loves to pretend she is driving. We had to fight to get her down.

They had the brig to go in.

What a blast!!

Play Group at Micky D's

Yesterday we went to Mac's for our play group. And I thought, since Makena chose the beach instead of a party, I would make cupcakes and take them for her party.

Daddy had the day off and so he got to go as well. Thanks Daddy.

He of course is able to get up in the toys and play, not so for mommy. So daddy got to chase all the kids down the slide.

She had 2 candles and we all sang Happy Birthday! Even today as I am putting on the pictures she is singing.

We had been practicing blowing bubbles and so she was able to blow out her candles on the first try and loved it.

She was sooooo proud!!

She wouldn't look at the camera, she just wanted to eat the cupcake.

Thanks everyone for a great time and celebrating with us.

Beach Babe

While Chris was gone to his flight training in July, Makena and I had time to play. We went to McCallen, TX to go visit a friend and her boys. Then we all went to Corpus Christi to the beach.

We were all so excited to go and have fun in the sun!

Makena loved playing in the sand with all the toys.

They were all having sooo much fun.

My friend Sariah was great at burying the kids in the sand.

Here they were digging James out.

While we ate lunch, we had many unexpected visitors (if you have ever seen the movie "The Birds") you will know how we were feeling. So the boys took off to go chase them away.

Isn't this just cute!!!!

We also went to the Texas State Aquarium. However, Makena did not last long so it was back to the hotel for nap. Thanks Sariah, James, and Jarom for a wonderful time.

Chris and I asked Makena the other day if she wanted a birthday party or if she wanted to go to the beach. She of course chose the beach. (Are we raising her well or what) So this weekend we are going to take Daddy to Corpus for Makena's Birthday. YEAH!!!!

Michele Phelps Is At It Again!!

Well for those of you who know me, know that I have this lust for adventure and thrills. The
"faster the better" the "more spins and loops" and "falling from airplanes" and such. I am afraid that my daughter has got a large dose of my adrenaline junkie in her.

We went to pool yesterday, because well Makena loves the pool and we only have two more weeks of it being opened. Which I don't understand because it will still be over a hundred degrees here. We love to go cool off.

We had been playing for about an hour, and she saw other kids jumping off the diving board. (of course they were much older than she is) She knew she had to have a turn. So we took her over to the diving board and well, let her jump.

When she got on, everyone started paying attention. They could not believe this little thing going to jump. We all waited anxiously to see what would happen.

She got to the edge and of course the first time I was with her. I was holding her hands. We then told her she could jump to daddy. She hesitated for only a second.

Then it was OFF she went!!!!

Everyone, including Chris and I, were in complete shock that she actually jumped. In fact, I am still in shock that she did it and I watched her do it. After the first time, she just kept wanting to go again and again. I couldn't even tell you how many times she did it. Way to go Makena. Brave little thing.