In June...

we have learned that....

Layla rocks a bikini!!! A ladybug bikini of course!

Layla hearts ice cream!!!

Layla and Shea LOVE Great Grandpa Sloan's cooking

Layla loves to cook in her kitchen

Layla uses EVERYTHING as a cup...and seemingly loves soapy tub water :-)

And occasionally she uses an actual cup as a cup....and even puts "water" in it

from her refrigerator

Layla is terrified of the frog pool. My sister and I figured out that it is the gigantic frog eyes on the pool that scare Ms. Layla...we discovered that right before these screaming pictures!

And finally...we have learned that Layla is a girl after her mother's heart and she loves coupons!!! Okay, maybe Layla just loves pulling them out of her grandma's purse, but it is a start :-)

A Workout, Ice cream & a Celebrity

So this is how the night transpired...

Cassie and I went to work out at the YMCA.

We got home and off my parents, Cassie, Shea, Ryan, Layla and I went to tour Ryan's new school and drop by Kris and Nicole's house to see their 20 week ultrasound pictures (congrats on the healthy little _______!! Don't worry I won't ruin the great news!)

Anyway, my sister and I opted not to shower or change out of our workout clothes before we left...because who were we really going to see???

So after Kris and Nicole's house, we headed here:

And while in line, we noticed a beautiful person (actually entire family) behind us. It was the one and only.....

Yep, Cindy Crawford and her beautiful family. Yes, she is beautiful and yes, she ordered ice cream.

Cassie and I felt so gross (we cannot believe we never showered or changed at this point) and this is how we looked after our celebrity encounter. Sidenote- Yes, Cass is a little wet. She had just bathed Shea prior to this picture as he was covered in ice cream.

Yikes! We have learned our lesson now. We know now always to be ready to encounter Cindy Crawford at Dairy Queen.

And I have to say I am a little offended she didn't hook Layla up with a modeling contract :-) Hee hee!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!! You are the best, and I think you are pretty funny too!!

Love, Layla

P.S. Happy Father's Day to my grandpas, uncles, and all the other dads out there too!

Look at me from Father's Day last year...I was swimming in a newborn onesie that my mommy tried to shrink for the big day!

I was so teeny, but don't worry...this year I filled out my 12 month onesie nicely :-)

Next Steps

Today was Ryan's last day of work in the district that he worked in for 5 years and I worked in for 3 years. Layla and I went to say goodbye to the office staff and we visited for lunch (Noodles & Company...my favorite!!) one last time. Layla played basketball in the gym, a sport she is really loving these days.

She loves chasing the ball....

and putting the ball through the hoop.

Do you think one day this picture will be next to Layla's high school basketball picture???

We will have to wait and see :-)

So yes, Layla said goodbye to PKMS, but she is looking forward to a new gym to play in next year too :-) And Ryan did have a good last day, but he had a rough ride home. Ryan got his first speeding ticket....EVER! Five years driving country roads to and from school and his last day of the commute he gets a ticket...crazy!!! Here he is with his speeding ticket. Maybe it was a sign he was never supposed to leave the district....

but we don't think so and we certainly hope not, because his first official day as principal starts tomorrow. Good luck, Ryan!!!

Start of Summer

Summer is here, and we have been busy. Let me give a quick update: Layla now has six (possibly 7??) teeth and no, she is not walking quite yet (but she sure is cute trying!)

and yes, we are working on getting out of the swing for naps and into the crib. I will update more on the swing/crib later...I don't want to jinx anything!!!

Anyway, Layla and I have pared down some of our weekly activities to allow for more freedom this summer. We had our last swim class and yoga class until the fall in the past few weeks. We will remain with our playgroup through the summer and hope to get a pool pass if the weather gets nice enough.

Speaking of yoga, here are Layla's yoga buddies. We tried to get Layla to look at the camera but she is in her yoga position...crawling around as fast as possible :-)

Layla has been keeping busy at home enjoying all of her birthday, mostly ladybug themed presents. Below Layla is enjoying her new chair and one of her new favorite books (ladybugs of course!!). Notice her shirt, too?? (so cute!!)

And now for a picture of Layla and her new set of wheels. She just kicks back and enjoys the ride.

And Layla really enjoys her wagon rides, especially when this little ball goes along for the ride. It is kind of like a fetch game for mommy and daddy :-)

And Ms. Layla loves to play with her blocks. Right now she piles the blocks together, but I'm sure before we know it she will a building machine!

And now for Layla listening to her "Layla" CD. Look at how happy she gets after she hears her name :-) (and yes, she does have a ladybug brush in her hand!!!)

Happy Ladybug Party to Layla...

Saturday was Layla's 1st birthday and 1st birthday party. It was a fun day and we were so thankful that the weather turned out to be just fine. Layla was not feeling her best, but she made it through the party better than we expected. We are not sure if Ms. Layla was a little under the weather, getting teeth, or having a bad belly reaction to the Children's Motrin we were giving her (most likely a bad combo of the three).

Anyway, it was a fun, ladybug filled day and I am so glad that Stephanie and Super Aunt Ann captured many pictures for Ryan, Layla and I to remember this big day. Thanks to both Steph and Ann for taking pictures and thank you to everyone else who helped with the different aspects of the party!!!

Warning...picture overload below!! :-)

First pictures are of Layla and her birthday outfit. I found the outfit on etsy.com which is a website to buy/sell anything and everything handmade. The outfit was tutu fun...hee hee!!!

I hope to have a portion of her one year pictures taken in this outfit this week.

Now for the set-up of the party....for those of you who love a theme!!

We had the food table (which was not yet full in this picture) and the "Little Bugs Eat Here" table

And then there was a tablecloth for everyone to sign. I would like this tablecloth to become a tradition at Layla's birthday parties for everyone to sign each year.

My personal favorite sign of the day....my sister made it...it is too funny & still in theme...!!!

And now for Layla's high chair and smash cake (my sister also designed the ladybug high chair).

And then for the official one year old pictures. If you look at the clock really closely it says 3:36...exactly one year from when Layla was born. I have to admit...it was 3:37 when I realized I missed the big moment so Ryan turned the clock back for the picture :-)

And now for cake....

And Layla says, "No hat, please!!!"

And I guess, "No singing, please!" either!!

But then Ms. Layla enjoyed the cake eating part

Until she was all finished.... then she wanted mommy back :-)



Next, Layla gained some energy from the sugar of the cake and enjoyed the gift opening (and yes she was in her third outfit of the day....the onesie and tutu were supposed to go back on but they got dirty earlier in the day). She crawled around, examined gifts, admired toys and played with the gifts as they were opened. Layla got so many wonderful gifts....she is such lucky girl. This morning she zoomed from new toy to new toy. So cute to watch her explore everything new.

And Mr. Shea LOVES the gift he and his mom and dad gave to Layla :-) You can't see it in the picture, but the chair also has Layla's name on it.

Oh!!! And next year at this time, Layla will have three more friends to enjoy her birthday with. The three girls (Katie- due in November, Nicole- due in November, and Laura- due in October) below are all pregnant with their first babies. Congrats ladies and I am so excited to meet the new babies!!!

And finally, what is a first birthday without a favor and goody bag?? Okay, I know it really doesn't matter either way, but I had fun making the cookies with my mom and putting the little bug nets together for the little kids.

Have a great week, we are going to rest up after two weekends of first birthday parties!! :-)