For Your Viewing Pleasure...

Ok, ya'll, it's about to get all video-ish up in here :)

I realized while I thought we hadn't taken a lot of video of E, that indeed we truly had.  However, instead of using the big camera, probably like we should have, we used our trusty phones and captured the moments at hand (thus the not amazing quality).  And this post was born with me wanting to have these videos all in one place.

And I guess I should just go ahead and warn you, this is going to be one of those complete "full o family fun" posts.  As in, it may not necessarily appeal to the masses, but this post is likely to be a major hit with the grandparents!

So there's your disclaimer ;)

If you so desire to proceed, there is some serious cuteness taking place in these videos.

Feel free to just ignore the doting parent voices you hear below...go ahead and just focus on our adorably cute main character:

(another note:  for some reason some of the videos look like they're going to be sideways, but they shouldn't be...who knows why it's like that?)

First up, our daily means of transportation.  This just goes to show what a ride it can be sometimes...and yes, I really do love that my hubby is that big of a dork.



Now we have her first exposure to grass.  Enthralling, huh? ;)



While my mom and Gma were here El learned to feed herself from this container.  Too cute, I say.



Happy smiles in Starbucks...



And here she is having a blast on the swings.



This next one just might be my most favorite.  She just decided one day (a month or more back) to laugh at anything and everything.  Hilarious!



Finally, this last one I took today.  Normally she dances much more than she does here when we put on her beloved "Shape Song Swingalong," but for whatever reason today she was more interested in pointing at the screen.  Still precious to the mama and daddy heart :)



And now you are sufficiently up to date on all the happenings of our smallest household member!  Way to go if you barreled through all those ;)

The Last Few and A lot Going on!

I wanted to post the a last few photos from the time spent with my ma and grandma on our day around town.

(that one above is a little chaotic, but I like it nonetheless...we take those buses EVERYWHERE)

Huge portions of deliciousness at one of our favorite restaurants by the lake.

Overlooking the Danube.  It's certainly not blue like it's said.

And as I was looking through these photos again I was reminded of how our time here started way back when (before we actually moved here).  After all, a little known fact, Jas and I did get engaged here in Slovakia.  Which had me wanting to look at the photos from my very first trip...

Apparently I have a thing for photos of old lights.

Not far from where we got engaged...gorgeous.

Our first trip together to Slovakia...little did we know we would end up living here and even have a child here!  My how God has plans!

And Sonya, that last one is for you :)

Sometimes it's fun to take a trip down memory lane.  It's good to be reminded that God has His hand in our lives when it's so easy to float by in the busy-ness of everyday life.

And believe me, life is busy lately...but good busy. We're in the midst of a jam-packed month.  Team, conference, team, family in town, vacay...and not to mention all of that with a lil tot "cruising" around.  So, it's possible that things may get a little slim over here these next few weeks, but I'm sure I'll be popping in and out with an update or two...for those of you who do join us here on our little part of the ole 'net :)

Now it's off to bed because I'm sure I'll need all the energy I can muster for the weeks ahead.  Here goes!

Nine Months Old!

Ok, ok, wow, this one feels big for some reason.  Maybe it's because my husband so lovingly said to me yesterday, "well, this is her last single digit month!"  SERIOUSLY, husband!?  Don't you know you don't say things like that to a mama?  He's learning, I tell ya (albeit slowly ;)

This month's highlights:

*The girl can EAT.  She's a great eater and will eat almost anything (watermelon, green peas/beans, and bread aren't her favorites, but she'll still down them).  She loves sweet potatoes, most every other fruit, and rice cakes/puffs.
*Elise can now do her mouth like a motor boat, claps her hands, dances to a certain song or two, crawls all over, pulls up on all kinds of things and cruises around, can show us just how big she is by raising her hands, and generally interacts with people well.
*Sleeping is still not her favorite thing in the world.  Lately, the past couple weeks or so, she has gone to bed by 8 pm but wakes at 4 am.  She's hungry and ready to nurse at 4, but will then go back to sleep until around 6 am.  That 4 am time is pretty tough, so hopefully she will soon get in to the practice of sleeping until at least 5/5:30 (or later) in the near future!  Here's hoping, right!?  In napping news, she generally takes about an hour nap in the morning and an hour nap in the afternoon.  See, she's no sleeper, that one ;)
*Still no teeth!
*She's still quite attached to mommy, but she LOVES smiling and laughing for daddy.  Not to mention, being chased by dad is one of her most favorite games...and it makes me laugh quite a lot too! :)
*Lately she's started to be scared of the vacuum and loud noises.  This is totally new.

Of course, this morning we had our normal photo shoot.  How about some outtakes?

Happy NINE months, sweet girl!  We love you!

Insta{FRIDAY}

I missed last week, but I'm happy to say I'm back with InstaFRIDAY this week :)  I always enjoy looking back at the small moments captured throughout the week.

You can follow us on Instagram at:  palmerponderings

and jandcpalmer

How about a look?

Hope YOU have a great weekend :)

His Only Request

Jason had just one request for Father's Day.  He wanted to spend some time in the hammock and have Elise help him feed the ducks/swans around our lake.  Wish granted!

Don't they look adorable getting their daddy/daughter time on? (I totally camera-crashed their party :)

She was a hammock convert immediately.

And then it was time to feed the swanlings (I made that word up...I know it's not right, forgive me)

Love that one above with the lil "swanlings" sharing bread.

We were right up close and personal.  And I saved my very favorite shot of the day for last.  Jas was determined to feed one and I happened to catch it at the right moment...

Brave man that husband of mine.  I mean those gorgeous birds have been known to get their snap on.

I did get a few of them feeding the swans, but the lighting just wasn't right.  Let's just say Elise was more interested in feeding herself than sharing with those birds...that's my girl, big eater, that one ;)

And Now for Some Family Photos...

As promised photos from our time out and about the other day.  GORGEOUS day it was...

Lil model getting her pose on.

Proof it was quite windy.

Love, love them.

Getting E to look at the camera is a task indeed...but 2 out of 3 isn't bad, right? :)

He's my favorite man in the world.

She never ceases to impress me...she ordered the duck!

My grandmother was working on her photography skills in that one above ;)

And finally, a four generation pic.  Can you see where I get my love for color?  Makes me happy.

Hope YOUR Tuesday is a happy one!

Around Town...

On Saturday Jas and I took my family around and got our tourist on :)

For me that meant taking some photos of Bratislava...which was refreshing because I don't normally take many photos when we're out and about doing the everyday.

I was quite happy that it was a nice day...made for even happier photos!

Bratislava castle...gorgeous.

Novy Most (New Bridge)

It was also quite windy, but I wasn't complaining.

Slavin (memorial monument)

Old Town

More Old Town

Of course I took some family pics, but I figured I'd save those for the next post.  Stay tuned! :)

To the World's Best Dad

It's really true.  I agree with Elise ;)  You really are a great dad! Love you, babe.  Thanks for being a wonderful daddy to our lil girl!

It's LOVE!

We have my family in town this week...

and we've been doing lots of snuggling (if you consider "lots" a minute or two at a time...ha!)

Jas shot these on the balcony and they make my heart melt.

Today my mom and Elise took a walk around the lake and I hear they had a grand time :)

(pre-walk and E was just minutes before a nap...)

And finally it was nice to have a recent one of the hubs and I (even if it isn't the best photo ever)...

And as I finish this, our little minute snuggler is tearing into a pack of water...better run!