It is Miles' birthday today... he's 31!

We have a big weekend ahead of us filled with friends and family, we are excited.

To celebrate Miles' birthday, Halleigh and I went to the Durham Bulls FanFest today, with Ashley, Jack, and Louisa. It is a beautiful day today and we had to take advantage of the nice weather and GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!

Below are some pictures of our morning out. I originally was VERY excited to get Halleigh's picture with the Bulls' mascot "Wool E. Bull" but she had a total meltdown when she saw him and wanted nothing to do with him... it was an Easter Bunny incident all over again.

I walked into the living room to find this... so precious!

 Here are some other cute pictures that were taken today. I don't know what "puppy" did to make Halleigh fall in love, but she hasn't let that dog out of her sight all day today. It has made for some great pictures.  

 To continue my canning kick, last night Miles and I put some of our cucumbers to good use and made pickles. Using my grandparents' recipe I slaved away over a hot stove (literally) and made/ canned 6 quarts of pickles.

Not knowing that you are not really supposed to store cucumbers in the refrigerator, we lost a ton of our pickle sized cucumbers, so we sliced some of our big cucumbers and pickled slices and spears.

In a couple of days we will have plenty little cucumbers to make whole pickles, but until then we are waiting 30 days for our sliced pickles to be ready to eat! 

Here are a couple pictures of our end product. We made Tzaziki sauce last night too, and besides it having too much lemon, I think that we have finally found a recipe that we like. I would post pictures, but Miles was so excited about it, I'll let him post those.

I am so thankful for Halleigh's budding personality. She truly is a gift from God. He knew exactly what I needed in a child; she stretches me in areas that I need to be stretched and she fills our lives with such pleasure and happiness.  Miles has really started to enjoy Halleigh also, he was really looking forward to a time when they could really play together and that time seems to have arrived.  I am so thankful that Miles adores Halleigh and she so obviously adores him. 

I had a new book club meeting last night and when I got home there were dirty dishes, clothes, bibs, and toys strewn throughout the house.  I more often than not, get annoyed by this, since I am the one that has to clean it up in the morning, but this morning I got up and realized that all of this mess was the left-overs of a fun daddy-daughter night.  Halleigh woke up this morning in a really good mood and I like to think it is because she went to bed and had sweet dreams of her time alone playing with daddy. 

And as I just put Halleigh down for her nap I was struck with thanksgiving that she like to take naps.  It isn't a struggle, I lay her down in bed, put her covers on her, turn on her music, turn off the light, and walk out. Not a peep. Thank you, Lord for a child who sleeps!