Vanessa's Quinceanera

Yesterday was our first Quinceanera. We went over to Sulma (Laurelea's child care provider's house) to celebrate her daughter Vanessa. It was quite the ordeal and we really did not know what to expect. They walk down in a procession and then her father changes her shoes. Sulma and Vanessa both spoke and then we were served quite a feast. 

Jenny and her boyfriend Melvin

L

Jenny and Melvin

The flower girl

the little girl who carried the shoes, that were inside the balloon

Jackie and her escort

the birthday girl-Vanessa and her cousin Brian

The dress was incredible

the changing of the shoes

me and L- she tried steak for the first time

I was a little grossed out-but she really liked it

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Tower and aTornado

Last week we purchased a Princess Tower, to most it is called a Learning Tower, but we affectionately call it a Princess Tower. L loves her tower as it allows her to be right up in the action. We've been cooking together, doing dishes and art all while in the tower.

At around 4 yesterday afternoon, we learned that there was a Tornado in our area so we took cover in the basement. We had fun exploring this kind of scary part of our house. Here are some pictures from us camping out in the basement and of the Princess Tower.

Whisking water and soap

not so tasty

L got a little bored in the basement so we went for a tour in her back pack

pushing the cart around the basement

doing the dishes

Jacob's 42nd Birthday

Jacob- Lucy's dad had a birthday celebration Saturday morning. Cory had a class so just L and I were in attendance. There were tons of kids there and lots of yummy food. L went in style and opted to not take her shades off for quite a bit while inside. 

inside shade girl

the spread

kiddos playing

Singing Happy Birthday- this was L's favorite part

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival

Love this!

Today we went over to the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival. Greenbelt is another small town adjacent to Hyattsville. It was fun to get out and about, and we were surprised to see how big the festival was. We had lunch at this great Mediterranean place, listened to the band, had some pictures taken. 

At the entrance

checking out all the vendors

Lunch

Ice cream

River Park

We took Lucy with us down to the River Park in Bladensburg by bike on Sunday morning. It was only 85 degrees but with 90 percent humidity it was thick. The girls had fun playing at the park and I know it was good for Lucy's folks to have a little break and be able to focus on one.

Love this attitude

running around the princess tent

Greeting the birdie

Lucy Lou

The girls

Homeward bound

The Carlyle Camp In

L checking out the sales on baby stuff in the paper

We were looking to head out and try our luck at camping, but the idea came to us that we could pitch our tent in the back yard and camp here. We liked the ease of this idea so on Saturday we did just that. We were so thankful that we did because just as we sat down at the camp fire, the lightening started. We were able to get everything cleaned up before the rain started.... L was thankfully asleep in her room. 

Lucy, and her parents and brother joined us for dinner

Henry-The newest addition to the Clark family

Our tent in the back yard

Camp fire

New lounge chair in the back

19 Months

Laurelea you have grown and changed so much this month. The highlight this month has been that you love to play the bus game. You constantly look out the window at home or when we are driving and are in search of a bus. If you find one you are so thrilled with yourself, but you also like to ask even if you don't see one. We joke with you and tell you, "no it's not a bus". You think this is the funniest game ever, so we find ourselves playing it OFTEN. 

You caught whatever bug I had this month which put you back on breathing treatments and antibiotics. We see such a change in you when you are on the breathing treatments. The pediatrician was concerned that you might have pneumonia so she wanted to be cautionary. We are glad that this little spell is behind us and that you are feeling lots better.

You are still really into babies. Your favorite book is Babies that you got from Grandma and Grandpa Carlyle. You want to read this book all the time. You also are really into trains, which you call choo, choos. Elmo is of course still a favorite and as you have been sick you have gotten in your much loved TV time with Elmo.

This month we reversed your car seat and you are now a forward facing in the car and you love it. Our Pediatrician recommended that we switch you around since you are pretty tall for your age. It has been a good move for us all. 

We love you Sugar Bee and can't wait to see all that you will do this next month. 

Game day and her 19th birthday all in one! 

Love her dress from Neen

She can now say, "cheese"

being silly

Not very excited about being away from Woody

So Cory and L sat with Woody