The Secret Garden

Relaxing on LuLu's porch!
We made 2 HUGE brush piles for pickup on Laura's curb.

Girl time!

Get those weeds Laura! Watch out! :)

Dad and Mike de-ivyed (is that a word!?!?) the side of Laura's house! Dad clipped back so many bushes and trees and now you can acutally see Laura's house when you drive up! Exciting! :)
Teamwork I tell you!

So we traveled down to NC this weekend to hang out with Auntie LuLu. We had such a great time! On Saturday morning we wanted to do a "little" yard work before heading to the zoo. Who would have known how carried away we would get and work until sun down! :) It felt like an episode of "This Old House!" It was so rewarding to see the before and after of Laura's yard. We were so disappointed that we didn't get a "before picture" of the whole yard though. We discovered many hidden secret gardens and sidewalks! We grilled out at 9pm on Laura's porch when it was quitting time and reflected on all the work we had done!

Our Sweet MnM!

Mallory Noelle Morin (MNM--such fun initials! at least we think so!) in her M&M outfit (thanks Chiquita!)...I can't believe she will be 6 months old on Sunday and fits into this 6 month outfit. When she received the outfit I was sure it wouldn't fit for a looooooooong time and here we are at 6 months and it fits! Our little girl is growing up quick! :)
She loves to wiggle and giggle! I love this one on the couch, but it's a bit blurry...had to put it on here anyway! Wonder if little Mallory will like M&Ms?!?!? :) We hope so!

1st Mother's Day!

My first Mother's Day has been all that I thought it could be and more! Mike totally spoiled me with breakfast and lunch cooked to order! We enjoyed time with my Mom, Dad, and sis Susan and her boyfriend Mike as we grilled out for lunch. :)
It was so fun to have a WHOLE day to reflect on God's goodness in giving us Mallory! I am so grateful to be a Mom!!!!!! God is soooo good! :)
And last night Mallory started trying to kiss us! (At least that's what we think she is trying to do!) So cute! She opens her mouth wide open and leans in for a slobbery wet one! Adorable!

Surprise Campout!

We had our niece Abby over for her b-day last night. Mike surprised her by picking her up at school and bringing her to our house. We went to McD's for dinner and then back to camp out in our living room. Abby loves making s'mores! (Thanks for the s'more maker Ginny--we've gotten so much use out of it!!!) Mallory had so much fun with her cousin in the afternoon and out to eat and I know she can't wait to be old enough to sleep in the tent too with us. I got a really cute video of Abby making Mallory laugh, but I haven't figured out how to put that on here yet. I'm learning--hopefully one day soon I will know how to do that! :)

Happiness is being with Auntie Em!

Mallory had so much fun today playing with Emily. (A friend I lived with before marrying Mike) Emily knew just what to do to make her smile and giggle! :)
After a weekend of resting, today was a lot better for the little Mal Pal. Hopefully the first cold is behind us! :)
And Mike had fun putting her to bed tonight as I entertained 11 other ladies from the neighborhood downstairs for Bunco. I was nervous about what she would do when she heard all the craziness below her room, but Mallory slept through all the wild laughing and talking! Yay! :)

Weekend fun!

Mallory enjoys looking on as her cousins eat dinner and make faces at her! :) She also enjoyed time with Uncle Matt (who sadly injured his ankle playing football last weekend). He's in good spirits though and is currently "gaming" into the night with his twin. :)
Mallory is having so much fun this weekend because her cousins are here to spend the night. She is slowly beginning to feel better too. Yay! :)

Chunky Monkey!!!!

Mallory had her first fever this weekend...(w/o going to the Dr. and having shots first) and we were so concerned because we didn't know whether she was sick or starting the whole teething process. Then on Monday she started to sound a bit raspy (so sad!), so today I went to the Dr. (Am I an anxious mom or what?!?!) And it's official-- Mallory has her first cold! I think it's been harder on her parents then her though! And she is quite the chunky monkey now! She weighed in at 13 lbs 4 oz today! So the cold hasn't hurt her appetite at all! It's hard to watch your little bug-a-boo not feel 100%, but I have to remember to "give all my cares to the Lord, because He cares for me." (1 Peter 5:7)