Crazy Cousin Fun

Max is in town and we are having crazy cousin fun. The highlight of the day is definitely bath time when a serious splash fest shakes down. There is water everywhere! They laugh and play until Evan shoves his face into the water or we try to wash Max's hair:) Then, it is off to bed for two exhausted boys and a our big girl.

Cousins Playing

Behind Bars

I know what it looks like, I've officially lost my mind and left them behind bars at the zoo or something. Some days, that might not be a bad idea:) But today, the kids are just watching Dad dive and swim at his parents pool behind the pool safety gate. What little fish we have at our house (and they didn't get their skills from me...I was the kid clinging to my mom for dear life in the pool). Haley on the other hand is swimming all by herself this summer. She does a modified dog paddle through the water. She can swim the width of the pool by herself then hop out. I can't believe it! Evan just splashes up a storm. He puts more water in your face than the spraygrounds. Our kids love the pool. And check out Evan's blue eyes....ridiculous:)

Friend or Foe

I'm not sure if Nora thought Evan was a friend or foe on their first playdate. Evan is a few months older and right now that difference accounts for a lot. Evan wanted to bop her on the head, tackle her or just crawl over her. We haven't quite yet learned how strong we are yet. In fact, yesterday Evan grabbed the back of Haley's shirt and probably sat down, pulling her off the couch and onto the floor. Our little bruiser. Anyway, I'm sure he'll make friends one day:) Once Nora is captivated by his sparkling personality and wit, they will be inseparable! (that's if she isn't repulsed by his food covered face, hair grabbing and biting) She's a cutie-pie and could be quite the heart breaker.

Escape Plan

Don't be fooled Mom, I'm working on my escape plan. Our little prisoner is climbing more and more everyday and I am super scared that he'll figure a way out of his crib. Yikes! Evan cracks us up. He is always making funny faces and is so expressive. Thankfully, Haley loves to get in Evan's crib and show him how cool it is to bounce and play in there so maybe he'll decide it is a fun place after all. They were actually having a blast before church and wanted to stay and play in the crib as long as I'd let them.

Family Loving

Evan thinks his big sister hung the moon. He can't get enough of her. If she would play with him, chase him and talk to him all day, that would be the best thing he could imagine. It is so fun to watch them start to interact. If only he didn't eat her toys and get "baby drool" as she calls it all over her things. Then, he'd be the perfect little brother.

Big Girl Bed

Yesterday we put Haley's big girl bed together. Jed, the handy dad that he is, is going to make a headboard and footboard for he daybed to match her furniture. But, in the meantime we put all her new bedding on her new bed. She was so excited I wasn't sure if she'd sleep. But, thankfully, after a quick trip out of her room, she made it back to bed and slept through the night. Yippee! I can't believe how big Haley is getting and what a wonderful joy she is.

Wobbly Walking

Here is a short video of early walking. Evan is determined to figure this whole walking thing out as soon as possible so he can keep up with Haley.

I love NY

In honor of uncle Daniel's last day in Texas before he heads back to NYC, the kids have on their I heart NY shirts. It is so awesome and amazing to see how much kids come love people that they don't even get to see very often. As soon as Daniel comes into town, Haley picks up where she left off with Daniel without missing a beat. How blessed we are to have relatives that love our kids like we do.

Messy Eater

My little guy is the total opposite of Haley when it comes to meals. Not only will he eat almost anything, but he doesn't mind digging in with both hands. He loves getting dirty and eats with gusto! You're looking at avocado squashed all over his face. Yum. He also just had his 9 month check-up and is 17 lbs 11 oz. He's only in the 10th percentile for weight which is great news for mom whose toting him around all day. If I let him down, he'd crawl away and into something dangerous before I blinked. He has also taken 4-5 steps at a time. I know he'll be walking in the next couple of weeks. Yikes.

Christmas in June

It felt like Christmas in June when my parent's came to visit for the weekend. The two big highlights were my great-grandmother's piano and my old dollhouse. My parent's loaded up their pick-up truck in Oklahoma and after a two day's journey south, six guys and lots of sweat later, the piano found a way into our home. I spent the remainder of the weekend updating the 70's designer wallpaper in my old dollhouse and replaced it with some more modern designs. It is so precious:) I love watching Haley play with it and remember many hours playing with my sister. Who would have known that someday my daughter would play with the little house that I loved for years. Beautiful memories! (my dad always ends up in more pictures because my mom must be off chasing the other kid:)

25th Anniversary Surprise

Jed and I worked with some friends to host a surprise 25th Wedding Anniversary Party for Jed's parents last night. I can't believe we actually pulled off the surprise. I am not cut out for surprise parties though because all the lies were getting to be too much trouble! They had no idea that we planned the small gathering for them. After Jed blessed and prayed for their marriage we all shared an awesome ice-cream cake. What a wonderful way to honor 25 great years of marriage!

Peek-a-boo

Evan is just learning how to play peek-a-boo. He's decided it is about time that he does some of the hiding and surprising too. So Sweet.