It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...won't you be mine

She LOVES her swing that Gama brought Easter weekend!  It was a beautiful Saturday , so we got to play outside for a while after her nap before dinner.  Marlee studied the swing for a minute, but as soon as she swung back and forth the first time...she was hooked!  It was great to see her smile and laugh...such fun!  I hope there are many more days to come like this one.  Yesterday we started letting Marlee feed herself some with her spoon.  She's been playing with it after she's done with her food for over a week now, learning how to hold it and how far she can put it in her mouth.  Now we can load it with a little food, guide it to her right hand, and she will get the food in her mouth.  There is obvious pride after she does this.  :)  She's almost crawling on hands and knees, but mostly army crawling and on hands and feet (which is so funny looking, but it gets her where she wants to go).  There has been some pulling up to standing on several things too.  She is also finally able to bounce on/reach the ground in her jumpy/spinny thing that Bebe and Gramps got her (see pic below).  She is moving and shaking!

The puppies are almost 5 weeks old.  And it's official that the girl puppy is going to a new home in a few weeks...to Rebekah and Mike!  My Auburn girl friend who lives in Nashville now.  Husky was a breed she and her hubby were considering getting, and we decided it would be best to just keep one puppy (logistic-wise).  It will be so hard to let her go, but she is going to a great home...Bekah is sooo excited!  They are out and about so much more now...getting into everything!  They are starting to play with toys and really get each other.  Today was the first time we've taken them outside.  Hopefully potty training will start soon.  ;)  They are so cute and fun...and the definitely make Marlee smile!  Here is a pic of Boda around 4 weeks old.

Even though it's beautiful here, and we have all our comforts...tornadoes ravaged parts of sweet home Alabama this week.  Tuscaloosa was the city that was worst effected out of all 6 states.  Almost 300 people are confirmed dead, and many houses and other buildings were flattened.  The video and pictures are devastating!  My brother (who is currently a student about to graduate at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa) said finals were cancelled and graduation is postponed til August 6th.  Many people and organizations across the state have already teamed together to organize relief for the many victims.  Many people are getting donations to my brother or to me to get to him to help out as well.  It is so bad, but it seems like much good is coming out of it.  Cherokee Co. (our hometown, Centre) has been without power since Tuesday.  Some people got power back today, but many (including our parents) are still without.  Not much complaining about losing power when others lost so much though.  Keeping all the effected in my thoughts!