Goodbye Summer...

Labor Day weekend Dave went to a wedding in California without his girls (I insisted he go since it was a long time friend of his). Let me tell you, you never realize how much you depend on someone until they aren't around! Rylee handled it fairly well, although Daddy is a crucial part of her bedtime routine. I kept her very busy with Grandma and Grandpa and lots of family activities for the 4 days Dave was gone, which helped. I, however, did not handle the separation as well. We have lived in this house for a whole year now and not ONCE have I encountered a scorpion or anything worse than a beetle (no roaches or mice or anything). Well Dave leaves and they decide to come out of hiding!! So for 3 nights in a row, like clockwork, I lay Rylee down for bed at 7 and when I go to the kitchen to load the dishwasher or straighten up the house I am cornered by a GINORMOUS scorpion!! OH MY GOSH... You know how some people are afraid of bugs and snakes, etc. That's nothing! I am 26 years old and my gut reaction was to jump onto the kitchen counter, grab my cell phone, and call my Dad! I realize how lame that sounds, but it was just SO overwhelmingly upsetting to be home alone without Dave period, but then to add one of nature's scariest and possibly deadliest critters, that was the nail in the coffin for me! So I bawled uncontrollably on the phone to my dad at 9pm and he of course came and saved the day and destroyed that sucker into a million pieces (so that I knew a scorpion wasn't waiting for me in the toilet or in the garbage can, ya know?) Thanks dad!! I'm pretty sure I cried every single day that Dave was gone. Part of the reason was every time Rylee would point to the door that opens to the garage (where Dave normally comes in after work) and says "Da Da?" and then looks at me, I lost it. My brave face was no where to be found. Also, it's tradition for Rylee to yell "DAD!" after her bath to let him know that we need him to bring the towel (and he helps lift her out of the tub for me since I'm 7 months pregnant now). So I would finish bathing her and she would lean over the tub looking for him and yell "DAD!" and my heart just sank for her! I know it's really not that big of deal and she'll never remember it, but it was just so sad to hear her call for him and she's too little to understand that he's not home to carry out his Daddy responsibilities. We just both missed him so very much and never want him to leave for that long without us again!! :)

Here is a picture of the stud muffin in his brand new suit:

Here are some pictures of Dave and his buddies in California: