Since We've Been Home

So I started this post forever ago and I have not been able to finish it because my computer is filled to the brim with pictures and I can't find our external hard drive. It literally will not let me download a single one. I had to delete tons of apps on my phone too to make more room. I'm thinking this is not a good sign, since she isn't even one yet.

Annabel has needed lots of social interaction since we have been home. I think she got spoiled by the level of community and amount of attention she got in Albania. Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to:

Lots of swim dates. We love that Daddy was at this one! Literally a whole entire day at the pool and an AMAZING meal at Dee Dee and Bob-O's. Debbie and Bob not only cooked an incredible meal, but they even let us sit, eat, and enjoy our food while they took all the kids and played with them. It was incredible to say the least.

Play dates with lots of little boys. I swear 99.2% of the kids we play with regularly are boys or older girls. I think that may be why Annabel plays so rough:). Annabel and Porter playing house. Shepherd and Annabel had a pool day, but they were more interested in the fire pit. The bottom picture she was the only girl with seven boys! Watch out fellas!

Fourth of July at Lee and Ruth's. Our favorites!

Lake Days with cousins. Can't believe how much these girls have changed in 6 months! Watch out Olympics 2020: Lilly is an amazing little gymnast and Lauren rocks at soccer. 

Play dates with our two girl friends, Brooklyn and Preslee. And our adopted brother, Levi. 

This girl is growing! She has learned to play in her room by herself and loves opening the dresser. We bang on the piano, eat three meals a day in our high chair, and love to eat toilet paper. 

Firsts: Playing dress up with Stella, pulled herself to standing in the car seat (the car wasn't moving), and wearing her first TOM's.

Mom and Dad had a date night while Mimi was in town. Yummy dinner at Mermaid's and some bowling. I think I bowled around 35. That's right, I'm awesome!

More Firsts: Learning how to use the sippy cup, reading books, and standing on her own.

The pool has been a huge blessing this summer! We love pool dates!

We had so much fun keeping Porter man for a whole day! I think he was ready for a break from Annabel, but she loved every second of playing with him. 

We went to the splash park and had crepes with our play group one day. This was so fun and a nice break in the routine. 

She had her first mascot encounter at the Naturals' game. It was an epic fail. Poor Clare was the lucky one who was holding her. Though you can't tell at the moment, Annabel is getting super excited to go to Aunt Joyce's wedding in San Diego and depressed Aunt Kim is moving:(!

More pool play. We met a new friend, Brice, through Jazzercise and we were so glad Walker came down to play with us. We love seeing him and his mommy! And of course a day isn't complete without playing with Stella and Porter:).

We had the Martinez's and Wagner's over for a yummy dinner one night. Both of the Martinez boys had an Annabel(le) to play with:).

Again, the nice camera is still broken, so this is the best I can do, but Keith and Charis' wedding was incredible! I absolutely adored all of the decor, she was gorgeous, and he was crying. Could not have been better. Did I mention there was red velvet cheesecake with layers of cream cheese frosting for the groom's cake? Yummo!

Community Group, silly guys, and some of my favorite ladies at the wedding! Excuse my shine; it was an outdoor wedding, in July, in Arkansas. We were thankful that Gam and Bup were in town to keep A.

Annabel has been spoiled by grandparents lately. Gam and Bup were up last weekend, then we went to spend the night with Iggy and Gagi on Wednesday. While we were there I got a phone call that some chairs I had ordered in LR came in, so we drove down to pick them up and got to see Mimi, Aunt Biz, Granny and Grandpa. This is Annabel walking with Grandpa's walker. It was precious and totally made their day! Annabel reading the newspaper with Iggy. I think this was the first time she had really seen a newspaper. While I was killing time waiting to meet my sister to put my second chair in her car Annabel fell asleep. I just so happened to drive by this door which almost to the day is where we took our maternity pictures last year. I couldn't help but get a little sentimental. I texted Josh a pic of the door and one of Annabel. Man, how our lives have changed:)!

We've had lots of little birthdays too where I did not take pictures. Sometimes it's hard to remember to take pictures while I'm chasing her around, and sometimes I just choose to soak up the moment instead of running to get my phone. She gets cuter and cuter by the second, and I'm never going to be able to capture how amazing she really is! We are loving life, even though it is exhausting at times:).