The Teddy Bear Picnic - Lucy's Second Birthday (June 2012)

This year for Lucy's birthday we hosted a teddy bear picnic in our back yard.  Our family and a few family friends joined us for a sweet celebration on Lucy's birthday.  I know Lucy had a great time because she still talks about this party (months later) and when she saw me working on this post she started jumping around and exclaiming excitedly about her birthday party.  Here are a few photos from the Lucy's special day. 

Two years since Miss Lucy joined us!

One of Lucy's gifts (and a prop for the party) was this huge bear. She looks so tiny with it!



My baby is two!

Come have a teddy graham, Lucy ...

Lucy's awesome birthday cake, from Isabel's bakery in Sparks.  They do a really great job with special cakes like this.

Party favors baked by Grandma.

OMG, our family room is clean!  Just had to post proof that our house is not always a disaster.

Grayson and Jeremy chillin' in their aviator shades.

Lucy having lunch with cousins Abby and Maddie.

Tim and Priya.

Happy birthday dear Lucy, happy birthday to you!

Enjoying her cake.

Lucy's new wagon!  A gift from Nonnie and Pappy.



And a new toy car from her Miller Aunties and Uncle!

  

Pappy and Nonnie watch Lucy check out her new ride.

Feeding Coco, a birthday present from Mommy and Daddy.

Post-party, Coco, Tiny (the little one on Lucy's left) and Lucy go for a ride in the new wagon.

Notre Dame 10 Year Reunion

Going to Notre Dame was one of the best decisions I ever made.  It is a place that shaped my intellect and my values and is where I met some of my most treasured friends.  It is also where David and I got engaged.  It is hard to believe it has already been ten years since I graduated!  I missed the five year reunion because I was studying for the Nevada bar exam (while working full time), but I was determined not to miss this one!  I'm so glad I made the trip and so glad that so many of the "world famous" SFD crew could make the trip too.  I don't know how other universities handle reunions but Notre Dame arranged an amazing weekend that was a great mix of everything I loved about Notre Dame: time to nourish the intellect (there are actual classes you can attend), time to nourish the spirit (mass, grotto visits), time to strengthen the body (running around the lakes, golf for those who enjoy it), all arranged so that the reunion attendees can gather in fellowship together. Oh, and then there are the late nights at the 'Backer!  My ability to stay out 'til 3 a.m. was definitely aided by the three hour time difference!

And our hearts forever, love thee Notre Dame!

Inside the stadium during an improptu tour.

Becky, Sarah, Rachel, Kelly, Katie, Allison and Courtney

 


Kelly, Allison, Rachel, Courtney and Sarah



Backyard photoshoot (May 2012)

These are some of the photos of Lucy I caught while trying to get her to pose with her bears for a photo to use for her 2nd birthday invite. Fast shutter speed required to catch this girl! The eventual wining shot is the one very similar to the one at the bottom.  As you will see, for most of this session she was more interested in running through the grass than in posing with her bears.  Running is one of Lucy's favorite things!

Before and After Lucy's First Haircut! (May 2012)

In May of 2012 the mullet/general straggliness of Lucy's hair came to an end with her first haircut.  I called it a baby mullet but one friend once informed me that Lucy's hairdo looked like a pony" as in it was all on the top and down her neck (with little on the sides).  I'm not sure it was a compliment but it was an apt description.  Although the baby mullet could sometimes be styled pretty cute (see below), it also was a little out of control (also see below) and Lucy was not really a fan of sitting still to have her hair done.  I kept looking at her hair thinking the shorter sides might just naturally fill in but that did not happen and instead her hair was often in her face.  My stylist, Jenny O of Salon 7, was great with Lucy.  She had Dora the Explorer stickers for Lucy to look at during the cut.  And Lucy held VERY still.  She was pretty excited since we had been talking it up for a few days.  Check out the before and after examples below.

Having a good hair day pre-cut.

The baby mullet in all its splendor.

Nice, right?

Okay, this is out of control, Mom!

When she actually held still the mullet could be styled into this cuteness.  This is the morning of the cut.

Chill out with the camera, Mommy, my hair will grow again!



Look at me in my big hair cut chair!

Mommy explains "no more mullet" to Jenny O.

Chop!

Holding so still!

Look at my bangs!



Admiring her new 'do in the full length mirror.