Florida trip - we're having fun visiting family!

We are enjoying the great Florida sun. We stopped in Auburndale, Florida so Liza could meet her Great Grandmother Bair. We had lunch, Chris picked out some tools from the barn, he has books and videos to read when we get back to Iowa and Liza got to smile and giggle with her great grandmother. Thanks for lunch and a fun time reminiscing.
After we left Auburndale we pointed the mini-van towards Stuart. We arrived earlier than expected and were able to see Nana and Gaggy. Gaggy was on his way to the mailbox when we pulled up and before we knew it he was singing "I found My Thrill." Liza just smiles and giggles when her Gaggy sings to her.

When Nana got home Liza went to her and just giggled and smiled at her pretty Nana's face. Liza enjoyed being in her Nana's arms and can't wait to spend more time with Nana and Gaggy this week.

Grandmother Sherra had her pool all ready and Chris couldn't wait to take her swimming today. We went and got her a ladybug float and her Daddy played all kind of games with her. She loves when he lifts her in the air or pulls her very quickly through the water. She just laughs out loud. Thank you Grandmother Sherra for having the pool ready - it's just what we need in the heat of Florida!

Christening in Montreat

On Sunday July 20th in Montreat, NC Anna Elizabeth (Liza) Bair was christened on the porch on the Jones Cottage. Her christening dress was made by her Grandmother Jones and Great Grandmother Marks and also worn by her Mother and Auntie Em when they were christened.

For our part of the service Chris and I said "because of God's love shown to us in Jesus Christ and the life of celebration this love brings, we want to have Liza baptized into the life and faith of the Christian community. We ask God's guidance in helping Liza to grow to respect herself and others. We bring her here today with joy, accepting the trust that has blessed us with her life." We were pleased to have so many family and friends with us for her special day and thank the Reverends John Rogers, William Straughan and Peter Rhea Jones for making this day so absolutely perfect.

We certainly missed all those who couldn't be with on this day and we appreciate all the thoughts and prayers sent our way. Liza's Auntie Em couldn't resist the opportunity to send a gift and Liza is having so much fun playing with her Mozart music cube. Thanks Auntie Em! Also pictured is the rattle that her Great Aunt and Uncle Ellen and Peter Rhea Jones gave you - Liza's mommy failed to write a thank you note for it so we hope this posting on the blog makes up for it!

Liza and her Popa Jones share a quiet moment watching the leaves sway in the wind - a new favorite activity.

My Princess Robe

Mommy was determined to get a picture of me in this robe before I completely out grew it. What Mommy and Daddy forget is that after bath is not a good time for taking pictures because I'm getting so used to my night time routine of bath, bottle, bed. Where does make me sit in the chair for pictures fit in?

Even if I'm grumpy I'm still so very cute.

When is it time for my manicure and pedicure?

Another Look at Cousins

There were too many cute pictures of Liza and Mary Katherine to post them all, so we put them in a slideshow.

Des Moines Farmer's Market

Many years ago Chris and several of his Des Moines friends had a booth at the Farmer's Market where they sold the products from their community sponsored agriculture experiment. Most Saturdays I didn't go with him because it was WAY too early to get up and get to DSM in time to set up for opening at 7:00 a.m. Of course those were the pre-Liza days...now 5:30 a.m. is close to regular wake up time so an adventure to the Saturday market fits into our schedule perfectly. Saturday was the first time we've been to the market since Chris got his combo birthday/father's day back pack. Liza and Chris were one of the biggest attractions at the market. People would stop us to ask how heavy the pack was, to see how much Liza could see or to ask about the sunshade. One man even took our picture. The comments from those not brave enough to stop us were the best. As we were walking past I heard one father say to his wife, that's exactly what we need and she said there is no way you could carry just the frame without a child in it. He told her he most certainly could. I glanced back to check out his build and while I'm sure he has the best of intentions it might take someone with Chris's frame to successfully pull it off.

Way to go Daddy - thank you so much for being strong enough to take me wherever I want to go. Now could you figure out the mosquito netting and maybe get me a pillow?

Rub A Dub Dub, A Little Reading in the Tub

As you might notice I've graduated from the little blue bathtub on the counter top to the big bathtub with my own lounge chair. I am getting to be such a big girl! Mommy and Daddy gave me this book to read. I love the book and my bath...

... except when they disturb my reading! Can't you see I'm reading...come back when I'm done.

Happy Birthday Poppa - you're not nearly as old as you act like you are.

Sitting Up and My New Backpack

Our little Liza Lou is growing up so quickly. She is so alert and is not satisfied being still. She likes to be on the move checking out new things. In her attempts to be mobile she has learned to sit up all by herself without support. Way to go sweet girl! She is playing (?) with Lily the frog who teaches her to count to ten, her favorite Lamaze toy (the peacock that our friends Abbey, Adam and Caroline gave her) and the ever present teething star. As far as we know she isn't teething yet but she loves the star because it is made of terry cloth and she can put it in her mouth. She's also sitting on a brand new blanket courtesy of Grandmother Bair and she has lots of room to play.

For Father's Day and Chris' birthday Liza and Co. (Sherra, Suzanne, Mary Katherine and Patrick) got him the Kelty Kid Carrier back pack that he's been wanting. In no time at all the back pack was put to good use with a trip out to Karl's property.