Vacation - pool and biking

We just got back from an awesome trip to Branson, MO. Justin went with his family several times growing up, but this was my first trip there. It was great. There is so much to do there. We only scratched the surface, but what we did do was just perfect for us! The kids love swimming, so lucky for us our hotel had an indoor and outdoor pool. Luke was facinated by the fact that there could be a pool inside, he got quite a kick out of it.

Yes, Kate was as patient and cooperative as usual. She hung out in her stroller when she wasn't hanging out in the pool. She is such an easy going girl. (I know, I sound like a broken record).

Evan is a dare-devil (broken record, again?). We purchased these "life jackets" in Florida this summer and they really have been the best purchase. The boys have so much more confidence when swimming. Evan has so much confidence (or something like that) that he has started jumping in and wants us to throw him into the pool. I don't think he even closes his eyes, much less his mouth. He goes under, bounces right back to the surface smiling and says, "again".

Don't be fooled by this picture. Although, Luke can now "swim" on his own, he absolutely does not like to go under. So this picture may look like he's about to be tossed and dunked, it's an illusion. Dad is going to safely catch him as he comes back down. No going under for Luke. No sir.

Kate doing her favorite new move - waving.

Look how excited Luke is to have his picutre taken. Isn't that sweet?

Great photo-op off the side of the road. The boys loved looking into a REAL racecar.

Watching the rainbow trout swim by at Dogwood Canyon (I plan on dedicating an entire post of landscape pics of that place soon - sooooooo beautiful).

We rented bikes and carts for the kids to ride in. For 2 people that are out of shape, we biked (with kids in tow) 6.2 miles! The kids enjoyed it, too. We made various pit-stops so they could get out and run around, but otherwise they just hung out and took in the awesome surroundings. Kate started out the trip in a cart by herself, but she wasn't too happy about that and the weight proved to be too much for Daddy, so she teamed up with Luke and all was right with the world after that. (It didn't hurt that he was feeding her yogurt melts half the time : )).

After 3 nights of sharing a hotel room and running the kids ragged, Evan pooped out. He just couldn't take it anymore. This kid was sooo tired that J lifted him from the cart, bought water from the gift store (while holding him), changed his diaper, and put him in his carseat all without waking up. Poor buddy. Now we're getting back into our non-vaction routine. Good times!

Little Miss Kate

This sassy gal is 10 months old now and boy-o-boy is she into EVERYTHING. This is one of her favorite past times: playing, chewing on and toting around shoes. Kind-of gross, yes.
She's also pulling up to a standing position all the time. She has even gotten brave enough to let go for a few seconds. I wonder how long it will be before she starts taking those much anticipated first steps?!?

Waving to me, Daddy, her brothers and anyone that looks her way is also something Kate loves to do. The other day we were out to eat and she waved nearly the entire meal. Needless to say we had lots of people come by to say hello to this friendly little gal at our table. It's pretty cute.

Here's short list of things Kate is up to:

~ she has started eating "big people" food. Such as, cheese, yogurt, rice, noodles, bread, diced fruit, small bites of hamburger, chicken, turkey and of course yogurt melts and puffs. She can't get enough, actually. I really don't think she'd stop eating if we didn't cut her off!

~she's now a professional crawler - she gets to where she wants in a hurry!

~FINALLY sleeping through the ENTIRE night. Thank goodness for this!!!

~weight 21 pounds, 13 ounces (81%), height 30 and 3/4 inches (99%)

Love you, Kate!!!

Imagination at play

Just looking at these pictures makes me smile. Here's to many more dress-up and mask making days! We love you boys!

More summer fun

How can summer be coming to an end so quickly? It only seems like it has just begun! I say that, but then I realize how much we've been able to do. I think part of the reason I am dragging my feet for summer to end is because our Luke will be starting pre-school in just one short week! My goodness, how has that happened?!?!So, to live out our fast approaching school year, we have been out enjoying as much as we can as a family. It's only 6 hours a week - yes, I know, but it's the beginning to a long road of rushed summers and the anticipation of a new school year.

I can't even wrap my mind around this little one being in school. Oh my.

Luke will do great, of that I am sure. This rambunctious fella. Hmm, I wonder how he'll feel about his big brother being away from him for a couple of days a week (ok, 6 hours!)? He'll probably relish the fact that he can play with any toy he wants without big bro interfering. Not that he won't have to share - Little Miss will make herself be known, for sure. I'm hoping that I get some one-on-one time with Ev, just him and me. We've never really had that, so maybe this will be our chance. Here's to Kate's naps schedule cooperating!

Ahh, summer. How I love thee.

Just pictures . . .

Evan, 2 years

Kate, 9 months
Luke, 3 1/2 years

Our 3 sweeties

We recently bought a new camera and I decided to take it out in the yard with the kids and give it a whirl. I have TON to learn, but LOVE it and have found it with me constantly. I think I may be driving J crazy with the "excessive" picture taking. Ah well, he'll get used to it and maybe the "newness" will ware off?!?! Nah. I can't believe how big the kiddos are getting. My goodness, it really does go so fast.

Kate - 9 months

Oh my! We're only 3 months away from our baby girl turning 1. How did that happen!?!?! Kate is developing quite the personality lately. Here are a few things that she's up to nowadays.
-crawls everywhere
-pulls up on everything
-eats like a horse and definitely knows what she likes and doesn't
-talks all day (very loudly at times)
-protests when she doesn't get what she wants
-has started to really irritate her big brothers by interrupting their games and car rolling
-started sleeping through the night! (well you need help finding your pacifier on occasion)
These are just a few of the wonderful things that this lively and sweet baby are up to . We love you, Kate!

Notice the pony tail! Ahh, what a big girl!

S'mores

We got a fire pit this summer! Too bad its been so stinkin' hot - we've only been able to enjoy it once. Ugh, oh well. It'll cool off soon enough. Of course, if you have a fire, you MUST have s'mores. Good stuff. Here are some pics from our first backyard fire and s'mores.

I got HUGE campfire marshmallows. Awesome if you're just having marshmallows - VERY messy and a tad too big for s'mores. Ahh well they tasted great.

Baseball

Luke recently went to his first baseball game. Grandpa Doug took him, it was just the two of them. It was super hot that day so they were only there through the 4th inning. Luke was able to indulge in fries (apparently he told grandpa "mom doesn't let me have fries", lol), lemonade and candy. At one point Luke told Doug it was "smoking hot", that boy is a riot! After leaving the game they headed to Bass Pro to check out the animals and fish. Luke had a great time and has been talking about his day with Grandpa ever since!

4th of July, 2011

Happy 4th!!! (A day late). The 4th was so much fun this year! Our neighbor was super nice and bought the kids a "tub o' fun", which is awesome kid friendly "fire crackers". They absolutely loved it, as did our niece and nephew! We celebrated with Justin's sister and her family and his mom and dad. As always, it was a great time. This year, Annie and Chris were able to borrow a boat from some friends, so we were able to watch the fireworks display from the water . . . a MUST from now on! Ha, I wish! I'm sure next year is going to be even more fun with Kate running around with the other kids - er, I mean interesting!

Pre-celebration pic on the deck.

How cool are those!?! Yes, a mess, but no fire involved!

Little miss couldn't have been better (shocker). She just hung out an watched the action from her car seat. What am I going to do when she's out of this thing???

My adorable in-laws



Fun on the boat

Seriously patriotic folks!!!

Ev was so proud to be driving the boat with Uncle Chris

8 months

What a sweet baby girl our little Kate is. At 8 months she is the the most laid back little gal ever. She is always happy and is eager to get into everything. She's army crawling now and she is determined to go places. The boys are not too sure about her new-found mobility. She takes their cars, books, blocks, you name it - she wants it. It's pretty funny, actually. In addition to moving, she's a talker and an awesome eater (she loves eating like a big girl at the table with us)! We love you sweet pea, you are awesome.