What the What?

In my green beans, I found this guy:

He's furry and white.

I've done some research...

Ew.

I dont think I'm going to eat any more of these green beans.

What are you thinking?

Ari has recently begun to eat rice cereal and bananas. She has the 'sucking' down but not the 'swallowing'.

"Are you serious, mom? This is not the good stuff."

Still not so sure about it.

mmmhmmmhmmm....

The one thing Dan has noticed is the new consistency found in her diaper. Holy moley!

Eating is overrated. Why don't we just play instead? ...Just like her Dad:)

This next week: avocado and sweet potatoes

Happy First Father's Day!

Daddy,

Happy Father's Day!

Enjoy this poem and read away:

You make me laugh and giggle,

when you dance and jiggle.

You work hard and more than enough

so that mommy and I can eat the good stuff.

You love unconditionally, for real

and I know you like it when I squeal.

I like to cuddle and sleep right nearby.

So when you wake, we are eye-to-eye.

Please know that though I seem to want mommy more,

Your time will come and her I'll ignore.

Learn from me and listen up:

My love for you will fill up your heart's cup!

Mini-Vacation

Ari and I went to Florida for a short trip to the gorgeous [rare] weather for June. (Special thanks to US Airways for direct flights from CLT to MLB, and thanks to Grandpa).

There was a lot of pool playing in this three-person centipede. Ari loves watching her cousins Allie and Zach. She laughs at their dances and their silliness and she reaches out for their toys.

The sun and water wiped Ari out and she fell asleep on her tummy (for the first time). Another first, she started eating rice cereal before we went to Florida and ate pretty well while we were there.

Cousin Allie and baby Ari, super cute buddies!

We sure missed Daddy!! He completes our trilogy and we were a little out of whack, but he encouraged us to have fun. We did! Ari is a little water baby like me and she loved the beach.

the truth of things

Cars abundant in quantity are NOT the same as cars abundant in quality.

Lately, we've seen a black cloud in a lot of financial situation but we were blessed with a great deal on this new [used] car... a Subaru Forester; in great shape and dreams of camping trips in Pisgah (our favorite forest).

However, our new black beauty needs new tires and was (on the first day of driving) recently blessed with a tiny crack in the bottom right corner; special thanks to a dump truck. The check engine light came on yesterday (we've had her for 5 days)... we hope its an oil change problem only.

-Price for repair: $300+ for tires, iffy$ on windshield, $30 oil change and $? check engine light.

Oh, the Buick beauty. Such a great deal (free!, Thanks Grandma!). It has been a record 92 or higher for a few days here in Charlotte and who wouldn't want to ride with No AC and a falling ceiling? Oh, dont forget to check out the sweet dummy spare up there on the right.

-Price for fixing: $500+ for AC, $100+ for Interior design, $300+ for 4 new tires

(I forget to mention the Buick's worth: around $500 total)

The [un] trusty Honda. We've had her for three years now and though Hondas have a reliable reputation, she has failed to live up to it. A new transmission that leaks, needs new boots, new tires and rotation, a cracked windshield across the middle (2 or more feet) and new windshield wipers, something about a timing belt.... oh, the list continues.

-Price for repair: $250 new windshield, $450+ for parts, $300+ for labor to fix the insides.

Did someone say the lottery is $262 million?

I'll be right back. . .

Peace

My cousin Eric came home last night. After seven months in Afghanistan, Emily received the best birthday present ever: a hug from her brother. I feel relief and joy as I view this picture below. He is safe and in the arms of the ones who love him most.

Thank you, soldiers, for giving your lives to sacrifice for my freedom. I pray for the families and friends of those who serve. I've always been patriotic, proud to be an American... but today, the feeling is a little bit stronger.

Ari is proud to be the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of men who served.

May peace come soon, even if it means the return of the Peacemaker.

Wait till you see this...

Yesterday afternoon, Ari was eating and I was teasing Bauer with a paci-clip. I kept making this 'squirt' noise and poking him on his nose. Well, she started laughing and I grabbed the camera and filmed this unexplainable giggle. How cute! She couldnt stop and even had tears in her eyes as she was laughing so hard. Oh, the giggling has only just begun!

Happy Haller Happenings

With school ending this week and a 5-month old rolling around, we've been busy beavers! We have had visitors and tons of fun, not to mention a giant amount of squash, peas, beans and zucchini in the garden to harvest (and eat!). Here are some snapshots of our active lives.

Lots of smooching to remember what brought us together in the first place ;) (Ari is a little embarrassed!)

Lots of lovin'. After the Hallers, Aunt Shell came to visit! She made Ari laugh and sleep and bought her some super stylin' clothes. Thanks!

And of course, lots of sleeping and eating.

Ari is so beautiful when she is asleep. Her skin is so soft and smooth and her little lips are so pretty. I know ALL moms feel this way: all the world's problems are forgotten when you watch your babies sleep.

the Haller Clan

Bill, Barb and Katie came to visit for a long weekend... we had a great time gardening, playing scrabble, photo-taking, cooking and most of all, laughing and being entertained by Ari.

Katie is usually behind the camera... which is wonderful because she is so talented!  But, its also sad because we don't have many pics of her and Ari.

Thanks to them for visiting, talking and eating all the food I prepared.  We are looking forward to Michigan!

5 MONTHS

• I can roll over on my tummy from my back
• I am around 13 1/2 pounds.
• I am so tall and I love to stand
• I laugh and talk and squeal all day
• I chew on anything and everything but especially fingers and toes 
• I am flexible, I can sit and grab my feet and chew on them!
• I love to sit and watch mommy cook or daddy get ready for work
• I sit up and hold things in my hands
• I eat a lot, like 8 or 9 times!
• I like to eat at 1 or 2 in the morning again; I missed mommy too much and now I am back spending time with her around then.
• I like to watch Bauer run around; I also love his kisses on my feet
• I giggle when anybody sings to me

credit for photos goes to Katie Haller Photography (wait 'til you see the rest!)