Open Wide

Aaron got donuts for us yesterday and there were two left today for the kids. He was getting ready to cut Colin's up for him and he said no Daddy, I take bites. Aaron thought this was very photo worthy. Such a determined little 2 year old. We had a great weekend even though it was hot. Hope everyone did also.

Heat Wave

WOW it is hot here. Last night we went to our new favorite kids restaurant. It has this great play area with eating right by it so we can watch our kids but have adult time also. YEAH!!

The boys were playing this game for quite a bit. Then I tried to catch it on film and it was over. They love to see any picture I take but haven't grasped the concept of a movie. Trust me they were really cute.

The girls wanted to try the sprinkler today but didn't want it to move at all. They didn't last long and then just played around. It was very hot today so we enjoyed our air conditioning.

My wonderful dad offered to watch our kids so we could go out for our anniversary. It was a great evening with great food and time together and Mark and Jen. Their anniversary is tomorrow so it was fun for all. Thanks Dad. The kids had fun but they were very dirty.

New Camera

Friday is my 10 year wedding anniversary and I wanted a little digital camera with the ability to do movies. I love my other camera but it is big and heavy. I just put my new one in my purse. Lauren loves to watch the videos of herself. Thank you Aaron for giving me my present early. I'm having a blast with it. He doesn't read this but at least everyone else will know I'm thankful.

We have started another session of swimming lessons. Lauren has the same teacher this session, which is great. She seems to be improving a bit with every lesson.

Lauren has started jumping in without holding onto Tasha.

They were using the noodle today to float. Lauren did very good. Her issue is not relaxing.

They were working on front floats and Tasha let go of Lauren. This was a first and Lauren did great. I realize she doesn't look like she is floating but she didn't freak when Tasha let go, that's huge for her.

Strawberries, yummy to my tummy

We went to a local farm today to pick strawberries with Mimi and Papa (Aaron's parents). The kids were very excited. Lauren did amazing. She picked a bucket full with only a little help from Mimi. Colin used his tummy for his bucket, stem and berry. He was a mess but so happy.

what a great helper!!

A rare moment when Colin was picking and not eating. Lauren was so proud of her HUGE berry.

How wide can he open his mouth and then he would chew and drool.

The result was a messy happy boy.

thanks to Oxy Clean this shirt is white again. YEAH!!

Virgina here we come

Virgina was great. The weather was amazing. It was warm and not humid, which is very unusual for this time of year. My parents and grandma flew out on Monday and my sisters and I followed on Wednesday night. I'm not sure what I was thinking about taking a red eye. We slept about 1 1/2 hours that night. Our flight in San Fransisco was delayed about an hour and we only had an hour layover in our next stop. We made up some time but still had to run when we heard the 2 minute warning. We made it and so did our luggage. YEAH!!!

We did a lot of sight seeing. This was taken on this awesome suspension bridge looking back at Richmond.

We had a BBQ on Friday for the bride's side. It was nice to have a chance to meet my aunts side of the family and have a nice visit with my family. In the picture from L-R Jennifer (the bride), me, our Grandma, Lindsey, Heather(Jen's sister), and Cheryl. The last time this shot was taken was 10 years ago at my wedding.

This was us all dressed for the rehearsal dinner. The restaurant and food were amazing.

Ready for the wedding. It was a lot of fun getting dressed up for the evening. I never do that at home. I will see about getting a picture of my cousin. She looked amazing on her wedding day. They were both so happy.

We were a little giddy by the end of our travels. We took Dad's camera and were playing. I'm sure the people sitting around us were thrilled.

While I was gone

Well I was gone for 4 days but everyone survived just fine. Aaron took a few pictures of the kids. They had a great time but missed Mom. I missed them all a lot. My neighbor did help with Lauren's hair a few times. Dad tried but it wasn't quite the same. Everyone was alive and that was all that mattered.

Dad tried with the hair.

Jen made it better. Thanks Jen.

Swimming - Getting Brave??

Today was my last day of swimming lessons because I will be flying to Virgina Wednesday night. Lauren has one more lesson but we have already signed her up for the next session. I think this is what she will do this summer. The only way to get more confident is practice. She is getting better but seems to still think the deep water isn't as safe as the stairs even though her teacher holds her very tight. She did earn her pink sparkly sticker today. YEAH. Amanda is doing great. Look at those big arms. If you can see the little girl in the picture with red hair that is swimming all around. She is also 5 but swims like a fish. I'm hopeful that Lauren will be there by the end of the summer.

Lindsey came down today so we can be ready to leave. She was modeling her wedding outfit. Isn't she a hottie. I'm excited but a little nervous. I haven't left the kids with Aaron in over 3 years, which means he's never had both. He will be fine even if he's not sure.

I think this will be my last post until I get home. Everyone have a great first day of summer.

Ice Cream Treat

I have been getting ready for the wedding I'm attending in Virginia. I was doing laundry (it is Monday) and came down to a very odd sight. My daughter was asleep. For anyone who know Lauren this is a rare sight. She gave up naps before she was 3. Thankful it was just a quick one so it didn't mess up bedtime.

The kids were once again enjoying the sun today. Jen got Colin some real Crocks for $1 at a garage sale and is getting quite good at putting them on. Although they don't keep the rocks out from our play area so about every 2 minutes he sits down to tell me he has a rock in his shoe. He then empties it and puts his shoe back on so he can repeat again in a very short time. I've tried suggesting no shoes but you try reasoning with a two year old who knows best.

For Mother's Day my in-laws gave me a gift card to Cold Stone and it was a good night to use it. We let the kids share one and Colin finished his, no surprise but Lauren left some also not a surprise. She likes the ideas of sweets but usually doesn't finish. Colin will drink his ice cream when it is done just to make sure he really got it all. Our Cold Stone is located at this very nice shopping center with a grassy courtyard that the kids can run around and enjoy. There are ducks on parade all around our city, which if you know where I live this will make sense. The kids loved them. Thank you Mimi and Papa for giving us a great evening.

Dad's Day

Lauren had made Aaron a few projects from school, home, and kids club (the gym). He had lots of projects made with love. She was so cute. She had been hiding them under her bed for about a month.

This evening we had our dads and family over for a nice BBQ. Once again my husband made a great meal. I know some of you are thinking, wow your husband even cooks on Father's Day but Aaron loves to cook. He cooks and I clean. It works for us. Hope all of you reading this were able to have a nice Father's Day. Leave me a comment and let me know.

Great Saturday

I suggested a few days ago that Aaron take advantage of a nice Saturday and play golf, so Aaron and Mark were off for a morning of golf. For Aaron's sake I won't discuss the score, apparently it wasn't pretty for him. Enough said. Lauren had requested a morning walk so we bundled up and headed out. It was sunny but very windy and cold. The kids stayed nice and warm and I just moved faster.

We had Mark and Jen and kids for dinner tonight. It was time for some nice steak. Aaron did an amazing job as usual. The kids had time to play before and after dinner. They were SO dirty, but very happy. As a special treat we bathed the kids and then Amanda and Andrew came back over for pink sherbet.

Colin and Andrew were trying to throw Frisbees. Colin wearing a flat ball as a hat. Cute boys.

Twins?? Mark decided to go short on top.

The girls get their own little table when we eat outside. They feel so big.

Finally Sun

Aaron and Lauren love to play the Wii in the evenings. Lauren is getting a lot better at the sports. She prefers to bowl. This game she scored 136, which was a new record for her. She was very proud of herself. She isn't very good at the driving games, but she is only 5.

Finally we woke up to some sun today. Our weather has been cold and rainy for awhile and I'm ready for the sun. My kids were up to pictures so I always take advantage of that. They aren't always the best pictures but at least it is current.

Cute kids

I am leaving next week for my cousin Jennifer's wedding in Virginia and wanted to get a few highlights for the occasion. The picture doesn't show them that well but in real life you can see them. For anyone wondering who took the picture, I let Lauren. I set the camera on the table and adjusted it and she got to push the button. She would lean down to look through the eye piece. She was so proud of herself. Our camera is VERY heavy so I won't let her hold it but the table worked. Hope there is sun wherever you are and you can enjoy it.

Mom, the Garbage Truck is Here

Last week we missed the garbage truck but not this week. If you want to get technical it was the yard waste truck but Colin isn't that picky. After coming home from the gym through major construction which is a huge hit at my house. We say a few back hoe type machines, a dump truck and a skid steer (thank you book with pictures and labels). The morning was complete with the viewing of the garbage truck across the street and then at our house. I'm thankful for free entertainment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSEY

Today is my little sister Lindsey's birthday. We called and sang this morning which she loved. Ha Ha. Lauren and Colin made cards and since we won't see her today Lauren had me take pictures so if she stops by she will know we were thinking of her. Lauren put 23 candles on her cake, glad there not real. Wow, Lindsey, you are getting up there.

I wanted to show everyone our garden. We (meaning Aaron) re-did our back yard last year. It is amazing now. We decided to try a small garden so this is what we came up with. We have tomatoes hanging down and peppers and basil on the top. The strawberries get the excess water down below. Our tomatoes have flowers and we have a few little peppers, so exciting. For those of you who read my sister Cheryl blog about her bowl full of berries I wanted to show my huge crop. This is our first ripe berry. I'm not sure how many we will end up with this year but it's our first attempt.

While I was taking pictures Colin decided to "play" in the bathroom. Never a good idea. I'm not sure why he is fascinated with the toilet bowl cleaner but he is. Don't worry we washed hands right after I took the picture.

Swimming lessons are still going well. There was a sub today but Lauren did great. I hoping that with a few more she will be able to swim a little bit on her own. We will see.