hunting buddy

This one's for you, Uncle Josh!

And I'm pretty sure this next one's for me...

Uncle Josh got Nyla these camo K-State overalls last year for her birthday...

little girl, big day

1. two years old 

2. time with family

3. HOT weather

4. cold drinks

5. homegrown feast

6. birthday cake
7. playing with Elliot
8. pool time
9. chips dipped in pool water

10. little girl, big day

My parents provided most of the feast. The corn, cucumbers, onion rings and potatoes were all from their garden and my dad fried catfish that he and Tyler caught on the Smoky Hill River. I made mini fruit pizzas and guacamole.

Nyla's tummy was so big and hard after swimming. She must have drank a gallon of pool water!

In this video, Nyla claims the water, just as she thinks she has to claim everything else in life!

She was very excited about her cake.

Elliot and Nyla rounded out the evening sitting at her new picnic table playing with the ice cream set Grandpa Paul and Grandma Cathy got her.

(Note: If you're viewing this post via email subscription, you'll need to click on the posting title above to go to my actual blog website in order to view the video.)

two years

Height: 35 1/4"
Weight: 33 lbs.
Head Circumference: 19 3/4"

According to the growth charts, Nyla is still in about the 85th percentile for height and moved up slightly for weight to about the 100th percentile. Over the last 6 months she has grown 2 1/4 inches and 5 1/2 pounds. Her head grew 3/4 of an inch, which puts her at about 100% or maybe even just off the chart. No surprise there, Tyler and I both have big heads to accommodate our big brains. ;)

There were two notable things about Nyla's rather uneventful checkup. The first was that as soon as the nurse called us back, Nyla went trotting down the hall hollering for candy. We haven't been to the doctor since almost 6 months ago and it was the first time she was ever offered candy there, so I'm really surprised she remembered that! The other thing was when Dr. Shelly asked Nyla to open her mouth and say "ah", she actually did it and was cooperative. I was just surprised when she seemed to understand what was happening and right away did what she was asked!

At 24 months of age, Nyla...

• has counted to 6 correctly once that I know of. Recently her counting has regressed as now she is consistently saying "1, 2, 5, cinco"!
• consistently recognizes yellow, green, orange, black and purple. We're working on pink, red, blue and white.
• really doesn't play that well on her own. Her newest nickname given by her Grandpa Kenny is "Full-Time" (as in full-time job).    ;)
• is rather dramatic about most things. For example, rather than making a simple statement about wanting or not wanting something, she gets extremely wound up about it like we're going to make her do the opposite of what she wants.
• enjoys pretending with food-related toys and dishes, coloring/drawing and playing in the water.
• loves TV a little too much. Her favorite show is Elmo's World. She enjoys most shows on Nick Jr., but her most recent fave is Blue's Clues.
• isn't that interested in potty training yet.
• is becoming fairly good at using a fork and spoon.
• speaks in short sentences.
• thinks it's really fun/funny to run.
• still doesn't favor one hand over the other.
• would live on fruit and milk if we let her.

Nyla got this tea set for her birthday from Mrs. Work (her babysitter during the school year).

Tyler and I wish she would grow out of sitting like this. She's even started bouncing around in the pool in that position, which can't be good on her hips!

a year in review

Last year I made a photo montage of Nyla's first year (posted here). I enjoy organizing photos and had fun doing that, so decided to make another one recapping Nyla's second year. This time I added a few short video clips (although I admit 2 of the 3 are blurry).

Nyla was born on the 17th of July, 2 years ago, and shares her birthday with her Grandpa Paul. So in honor of her birthday and our official entrance into the terrible terrific twos, following is the montage of Nyla's past year at a glance...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

slices of summer {part 2}

My parents' / grandparents' garden

Nyla really prefers skinny dipping over wearing a bathing suit. 

AJ

Sidewalk chalk

Nyla and I met up with my good college friend, Christin, and her daughter, Grace, at the splash park in Manhattan.

It turned out to be a tad overwhelming for the girls. Maybe in another year...

 So we hopped on over to the playground instead.

puddle jumping

I took a week off work and Nyla and I spent several days at my parent's. In about 24 hours it steadily rained 5 inches, so Nyla got to have a good session of playing in the mud.

Look at all that water!

Lately she keeps putting on this fake smile for the camera. She closes her eyes tightly, tilts her head back and says "cheese." Not sure where she learned this, but I'm not that big of fan! 

Needless to say, she enjoyed herself and her poor K-State t-shirt will never be the same.

gfeller float down 2010

Not sure how many years this has been going now, but this past weekend was the annual float down that my brother, Josh, hosts on the Smoky Hill River (south of Junction City where it runs through my Grandpa's land).

The river was up compared to previous years so the group (30+ of Josh's friends) was able to start the float down with some cliff jumping.

Josh and Tyler jumping

Josh and Tyler after the landing

A view of the cliffs where they jumped from

Floaters - Tyler is the one waving

Checking out the floaters

My dad created a "redneck shower" this year, complete with loofahs and shampoo. :) And no, this sprayer has never had chemicals in it. It is strictly used as a "redneck fire truck" when my family burns pastures.
 

The shower in action. Tyler stood on the tractor and controlled the water pressure.

My dad fried zucchini.

Josh cooked hot dogs.

Last but not least, the beautiful landscape at "Son of a Beach."

By the way, my mom and I were there too, helping out and enjoying the festivities. :)