Huber Farm = Freezing!

We went to Huber’s in hopes of creating a Hottman Family pumpkin picking tradition. All the girls were there – Lyla, Isabella and Blaire. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. We’ll try again next year, thanks to Jennifer’s dedication at getting the whole thing together.

We all showed up at the winery and started sampling wine, which was great fun. However, the cold and rain kept us there and we never got on the wagon ride as planned to pick our pumpkins. Instead, Lance bought one at a stand just outside the winery, and we headed home without our pumpkin patch pics.

We made the most of it, though. :)

And, of course, there was lots of walking involved. In fact, this proved to be quite a historic day for Lyla. When we got home and were getting ready for bed, she decided to walk, back and forth, on her own, between Lance and I. It was a culmination of everything she’s been working on over the last few week, and we sat there awestruck. We got a great video of it, which unfortunately, I don’t know how to load here (John??), but it was an absolutely amazing moment to be a parent. She was just as happy as we were, squealing with delight at what she had just accomplished, over and over and over again.

My favorite part of being Lyla’s mom is the inspiration I feel at how much she embraces life. She is so happy to be alive…makes you appreciate the little things, like being able to move your hands around.

Rain or shine, it was an awesome day.

My favorite:

A Visit From Aunt Susan

While Daddy hung out with Uncle Kip at the U of L game, Lyla and I went to Nan’s and Grandpa Don’s to visit Aunt Susan, who was visiting from Florida. We were happy for Blaire and Lyla to spend some pre-nap time together playing with Blaire’s gym. Fortunately, the gym survived a couple of Lyla’s attempts to pull it down, and I think Blaire was thoroughly entertained:

Anyone who has been around Lyla for more than 5 minutes these days knows that her most favorite past time in the world right now is “being walked”. Lance and I have back pain to prove it. In the words of Grandpa Don, she definitely leads the way – she knows exactly where she wants to go:

Happy 4th of July

Lyla had a great time on the 4th hanging out with her cousins, Isabella and Blaire at Grandpa Don's and Nan's. Unfortunately, the three babies were never awake all at the same time, so no group pictures were possible.

Lyla was able to take in a few fireworks from the neighbor's house, but she was a little tired by that point. There's always next year.

Lyla's First Easter

Lyla's first Easter was a very special weekend for us because we are getting really excited about returning to Louisville.

We went to church with Nan and Grandpa Don, and Lyla got to wear her Easter dress and first pair of new shoes. We all thought she was a vision. :) Lyla spent most of Easter morning in the church nursery, and she was sleeping by the time we came back to get her. She woke up, though, so everyone at church was happy to get to meet her, especially David Emery, the minister who married us almost four years ago.

When we got home, we had a great afternoon with family. Nan and her sisters made an Easter cake for Lyla and Marmie brought her an Easter basket filled with lots of fun stuff including two new outfits! It was good to see everyone, especially a pregnant Jennifer who is three days past her due date with Lyla's next new cousin. We're all very excited!























Happy Easter!