11-7, Em's haircut

We've found a place in town that specializes in kids' haircuts.  It's not cheap, but boy does Emalie like it there and they do a great job.  You should see the big smile she has sitting in the chair.  She continually says (with a smile) "Emalie haircut".  It's just too cute.  The hairdresser always puts a little something in her hair after the cut.  This last time, it was this cute little ribbon.  How dainty and girly she looks-- little miss cutie-pie!

11-6, Buck

It's that time of year again.....these bad boys are chasing the girls all around the neighborhood.  

10-21, New Roof

ALL it takes is one super hail storm and a good insurance company, and a 1980s house can be transformed into an almost new one.  We joke that we can't move now because we finally got our new house:  new paint, new windows, new roof, new gutters and new driveway (ok, that expense was on us...).  It's been a really busy year and a half since that hail storm last summer (as if last year wasn't busy enough for us already!).  There has been lots of phone calls, paperwork, adjusters, contractors and inspectors.  We're grateful for the wonderful service we've received from USAA (might us well give them a little plug, right?).  They've really taken care of us and our home.  That being said, we're now ready to enjoy a little quiet around the house without all the interruptions.  On our wish list next for our house:  gas fireplace, a water softener and new flooring.  Whew-- sometimes I envy those carefree days in my first apartment in New Orleans. Oh, how much time I had on my hands!  I'm kidding of course.....  

BEFORE.......

(so happy to get rid of the cedar shake and the extra 'fire hazard' premium we paid for it)

DURING.....

Emalie was captivated by the 'big truck'.

I'll never again look out our bedroom window (this view) and not remember this moment:  I opened the curtain, holding Emalie to discreetly see the progress they were making on the roof.  One of the workers saw us, smiled and then.....lost his balance!! His arms were flailing and his feet were shuffling trying to regain his balance. (Did you know they don't wear any safety harnesses up there?)  It was an ugly, scary moment.  Thankfully, he did NOT fall off our roof-- though he came awful close.  He never made eye contact with us again and I never again looked out the window when they were up there! For a week, every time we passed by that window Emalie said, "Man fall down."  Yep, no kidding.  Whew.  

AFTER......