Smile!

Here's the story of these pics:
1. A certain photo studio was having a great sale, so I took Makana in for a photo shoot. SOOOOOOOO CUTE! I got suckered into getting more than the special package because there were great shots. :) I was excited to see the results. Waited 3 weeks . . . .
2. The day came to pick up the pics. I arrived and waited for about 20 minutes only to be asked, "Did my manager not call you?" I thought perhaps the photos might be delayed, but then I heard, "The film from your batch was destroyed at the lab." Film? I thought they were digital. Hmmm . . . We could get a refund or do a retake. Rescheduled.
3. Went to the retake one week later--Makana decided to go through a growth spurt or something and was sleepy and uncooperative during the photo shoot. She kept trying to escape out of the picture. Rescheduled.
4. Went to the retake of the retake one week later, at a different time of day--Makana CRIED the entire time! Got our money back. Dave reassured me we already had lots of pics of our baby, but he said he'd take pics of our girl in her dress.
5. Hence, these pics.

Question: So, which would you pick as a substitute for our photo studio pics?

"Where's the . . . ?"

"Oh, there it is!" Makana's happy her play set is now under the shade, for Mommy cannot tell her the slides are too hot in the middle of the day. :)

Summer Fun

Even though it is September, it still feels like summer in the Southwest. Makana likes to lounge on her slide and invites others to do the same. :)

Having fun with GiGi

The time spent with GiGi was great! These are a few of the pictures that GiGi took while she was with us. Her sister--Aunt Jeanne--is the one playing in Makana's tunnel. :)

You say, "To-may-toe . . . "

I just returned from a Ground Floor party, and it was fun playing games with everyone. :) One of the games I was able to spectate was Catch Phrase. Joachim said, "To-may-toe," to which a certain person on his team (whose full name will remain untold, but he did go by "Miah" as the label on his cup) replied, "To-mah-toe."

If you have ever played the game, you may see the humor in the response. The person giving clues is not to use any form of the answer in his clue . . . . :)

Fragile Beauty

I learned that Arizona has the 2nd largest population of butterflies in the United States. It makes me wonder where is the first, but I am thankful for these beautiful creatures. I have always been fascinated by them, as I remember having a large, oversized poster doodle art thing of butterflies that I would color carefully when I was a child.

Playing with Papa

Dave was asking me when was the last time Dad came to the mainland. I think it was about 17 years ago--for my graduation from ND. It's hard to believe that he is here, but we are glad he is. The strange thing is that Dave thinks that is also the last time his dad left the mainland. Freaky. Will he also be traveling off the mainland before 2007 is over?

Makana's always making sure Papa is with us. We went to a botanical garden, and they have an assortment of bug repellent as you enter the first garden. As you can see on the back of Makana's leg, it is probably for the best, for the bugs like her as much as they, me. :)

Dad made some Korean BBQ'd meat for Serra's party today, and we'll also take some to a Ground Floor gathering tomorrow. MMMMMMMMMMMMM--nostalgic flavors fill my mouth! :) (For John--Yes, it is bulgolgi, and I'm taking advantage of Dad's cooking prowess!)

Not a Jiggy Sort of Day

The conditions were perfect: Makana was exclaiming, "Go, Irish!" The skies were blue in South Bend. Weis took the helm.

Then the game started. :( While I am still excited football season has ensued, I wish it had gotten off to a better start. EEK! 3-33 is not what we Domers had hoped for the opener of this season. After all, a field goal does not merit the dancing of the Irish jig. Nonethess, we are true fans; we will press on! Cheer, cheer for ol' Notre Dame! :)