we've been pretty busy wrapping up all of the year-end activities for addison. we had addison's dance recital recently which was a big and fun production. she had a great time. the video and photos were actually taken at the dress rehearsal since they don't let you take pictures at the actual recital. but it was just like the final performance... hair, make-up and all!















and then she also had her preschool/jr. k graduation. they did a few songs, including "we are the world" and had a little ceremony. our girl is growing up! can't believe she will be starting the big school this fall. crazy!

















after the ceremony, the school had a picnic in the yard. ellie is having fun!



her signature smile



our graduate



addison and her best friend, olivia

the girls and i took a trip to st. louis recently. had an amazing time as usual. i love going home and spending time with my parents. staying up late talking with my mom and dad and having beers and chilling out with them. as the old saying goes there's no place like home... well, other than my own home. ;) but my parents are so humble and understanding and always give such great advice. my appreciation for them grows every day... especially since becoming a parent myself. i just have immense respect for them. they are amazing. in addition to spending quality time with my folks, i got to have dinner with an old and dear friend, and the girls and i met up with my cousins and their kids for a little bit, and of course, we ate some good food while in town! it was great.

i guess the only negative thing about our time there, was that it was hot as hell there! we happen to be there on like the hottest days! it was like record-breaking temps. ughh. even ellie would say, "too hot!" but we found a way to cool down... :)


we went to the st. louis citygarden. it's this sort of sculpture park/botanic garden/water garden in the middle of downtown st. louis. it was really cool. the kids had a BLAST!






love ellie and her juicy thighs! hehehe :)



hanging out in papa and nana's room after a family dinner at Red Robin.






oh and then the other bad thing was... that ellie got another UTI. :( so horrible. we had to take her to the children's emergency room to get checked out. that put a slight damper on our trip. but after getting some antibiotics, she was better. poor thing. she was a trooper though. and thankfully, she is fine now.




the happiest patient at st. john's childrens hospital. she's so cute in her gown.

this was a little while ago. i forgot to post it and just recently found it again.

boy, justin bieber sure has a hold of young girls' hearts. i personally don't get it. he's a bit too girly-looking in my opinion. but even our young addison likes him... well, at least a couple of his songs. i do admit this song is catchy.

watch addison really cut a rug!!!