August comes to a close...

Patrick and I still consider ourselves "newbies" in this parenting journey, but one thing we know to be true is that time goes by quickly.  Adeline at almost 3 years old is Miss Personality Plus.  We joke that if she was a bbq sauce, she'd be "sweet and sassy."  We think though that she is most certainly more sweet than sassy.  Recently I asked her, "Are you spunky?" to which she responded, "No, I'm Addie!"  :)  As all parents consider their children smart and exceptional in every way, we are no different.  Addie certainly exceeds our expectations in many ways, and we continue to marvel at the joy that she is to us.

This summer was a summer of transition for Miss Addie.  Late spring, she became a big sister.  She loves Charlie to pieces.  We often find her nose touching his, and her curly locks draped down over Charlie's face.   She just wants to be near him...all the time.  I can't blame her, Charlie is quite adorable.

A month after Charlie was born, she transitioned into a "big girl" bed.  This couldn't have gone smoother.  Her bed had been ready for a couple of months before she began sleeping in it.   I may even have a little bed envy....What girl wouldn't want to sleep in a bed with pink sheets and a polka dot duvet?  It is as girly and cozy as can be!  Then in early July, Adeline was potty trained!  All this to say, she is no longer a baby but a toddler....a big girl...a big sister.  Quite a summer for her... We certainly love that Adeline!

Charlie is just over 3 months, and we can't imagine life without him.  It seems like he was just born yesterday.  Yet it feels like he's always been a part of our family.  He smiles so big, literally from ear to ear.  An adorable dimple on his right cheek pops out when he grins.  He coos and goos and drools, he squeals with delight.  He is a happy little guy.

Adeline happened to catch some of the US gymnastics competition recently on TV.  With her interest in somersaults, she took a liking to watching the gymnasts do their routines.  After taking notice of the girls' attire, Addie asks, "Can I put on my swimsuit too?"  So funny...

Hanging out with daddy while he takes a break from mowing the lawn...

Addie likes to follow Patrick around when he's doing lawn work.  She's found a comfy spot to sit and blow her bubbles.

This picture wouldn't make me laugh so much if it wasn't the end of August and 90 degrees here on that day...just having fun playing in her SNOWPANTS!

Little miss gymnast doing somersaults (in her snowpants) anywhere, everywhere, anytime, all the time...

Adeline & Riley...buddies

playing in the laundry basket up at the cabin...

Addie is all about her baby dolls lately.  Everything I do and use with Charlie, she does and uses with her dolls.

having a little bedtime snack

At a coffee shop with Svea & Elsa (Addie calls her "Salsa")

Charlie with my dear friend Heidi

Vail, Colorado

All of us had a "first" this past weekend.  Patrick and I had our first taste of Vail, Colorado, Adeline made her debut as a flower girl in my cousin's wedding, and Charlie went on his first flight....and it was our first trip as a family of 4 on a plane!  The kids were awesome travelers even with the early morning the day we left.  After having been woken up at 4:30 am, Adeline was the most happy 2 year old one could imagine.  She was all smiles walking through the airport, and she was pretty much all smiles throughout the weekend being with lots of family.  Well, she did have a few moments of sadness before the wedding when her new, fancy shoes gave her 3 blisters...poor thing!  

We had a wonderful weekend.  Vail was gorgeous, the weather couldn't have been better, and we spent lots of time with my extended family.  The wedding was beautiful!  Here's a sampling of photos from the weekend...the photos may be a little flower girl heavy! :)

Charlie taking a snooze...

keeping herself busy (and waiting patiently for her juice from the flight attendant) with her sticker book

Adeline with the ring bearer at the rehearsal

so cute!

Charlie and mommy at the rehearsal dinner which was so much fun!

Walking around Vail Village....Addie and her buddy Albert (yes, Albert Einstein)

Addie and "auntie" Reiner hanging out after breakfast

Charlie with Reiner and great-auntie Mary

Adeline & Evalyn were both flower girls, and they did such a good job...couldn't have been more adorable!

sharing some snacks before the ceremony

the ceremony was outdoors in a very large field/garden.  The wedding party had to walk a great distance to get to where the aisle for the ceremony was.  Here's daddy trying to keep Addie running in the right direction.  The kids ended up running through this field....it was the most unplanned yet precious thing everyone had ever seen.

the happy and beautiful couple

Adeline with auntie Leah

holding leah's bouquet...

Here we are....the kids are growing so quickly!

my favorite boys...

grandpa with the little ones...

Adeline with great-auntie Lynn (mother of the bride) at the Sunday brunch

Uncle Chris & Evalyn enjoying brunch

Uncle Joel & Adeline engaged in what looks like a serious conversation...

Penguins, County Fair, and More

Our summer continues with lots of activity...

 the new penguin exhibit at the MN Zoo....

An evening at the Dakota county fair...of course to get our tastebuds ready for the big MN State Fair which starts very soon...

having a little Icee...

 Addie's first lollipop (and loving it)

"Charlie, do you want a lick?"

 Adeline's toys all lined up...

11 Weeks Old

 "I like to play with my sister's stuff after she goes to bed...."

 "I want to be with daddy..."