Friends

We love spending time with Liz, Nate and their boys because we all have the same definition of "relaxation".....no schedules and no talk of the "plan" for the day... we just go with the flow and let things happen.  We loved spending a few days with them at Liz's parents cabin...such dear friends they are to us!

3 yr olds + popsicles = SMILES

the boys all playing together

Nate & Adeline catching up and having a good chat lakeside

Bubbles!

First time swimming in a lake for Charlie

my favorite 3...

Henry & Addie in their pjs hanging out...

14 Months Old

Charlie Joel at 14 months:

has 10 teeth  (Addie had 3 at this age)

will eat dry cereal, yogurt, and watermelon at anytime, anywhere

stands unassisted (getting close to taking a step)

loves to laugh....out LOUD and clap

loves the pool and splashing in the bathtub (until the walls are dripping with water and the floor has 

     puddles...then mommy pulls him out of the tub)

so mild mannered and happy

says mama, mommy, dada, daddy, "adda" (addie), nana (banana),  nah-nie (night night),  hi

has had 3 haircuts already (Addie has only had 2 haircuts in her life!)

loves to race up the stairs

likes to spin the wheels of little cars, trucks, and trains

banging toys together to make noise is a favorite pasttime

is a superstar sleeper (we have no complaints at our house about how our kids sleep....)

people (family, friends, and strangers) often comment "oh my, he has big eyes!"

growing so fast, and we're loving having front row seats to see it all happen...

HOT Summer Days

Addie likes to spread out her "Fancy Nancy" blanket and grab lots of books from the book basket and "read."  And there's something about the texture of this blanket that Charlie likes.  He crawls over quickly and buries his face in it.  Then he joins his sister in some good reading time.

Charlie took in all of the sights and noise of the Fourth of July parade this year.  Last year, he was just a newborn...

He was all smiles even with the 100 degrees temp that day!

Adeline and daddy sat right by the street because she knew there would be lots of candy being tossed to her.  She had her treat bag ready...and she scored big!

Addie & Riley enjoying the parade

Our little guy loves to laugh...

And so does our little girl...

Enjoying playing at the park (at the MN zoo)

Highlights of June

Summer is in full swing, and the month of June just flew by around here.  Patrick has had an extremely busy schedule at work, and I am keeping (or at least trying) the kids busy around the home front.  We're spending lots of time outdoors, even made 2 trips upto our family cabin already.  We usually only make it up north 3 times in a whole summer...we'll see how this summer goes.  We also enjoyed a great Father's Day weekend with Patrick's parents visiting us. 

 I am often reminded on these sunny, summer days, that I have the greatest job...to be a mommy to Adeline & Charlie.  I love taking them to the pool, going to the library, taking them to Costco (the kids love going there...it may be the oodles of samples they always seem to have),  eating lunch on the deck with them, watching them swim in the little inflatable pool (which by the way has been one of the best purchases since we became parents)...I am blessed to not miss a day in their young lives.  

my hired gardener

 Adeline finished up her swim session and is taking a break on lessons until Fall.  We're so proud of the growth she's made.

 Charlie's first time on a boat up at the cabin

Adeline already behind the wheel :)

 Charlie is loving the water and playing at the local pool

 check out these perfect tornado curls!

 Play games with Grandpa Dennis

 Father's Day 2012 - Every wife must think that her husband is the best daddy there is.  But really, I am convinced Patrick is the best daddy.  He can take on anything with the kids, even better than me....and I do this every day -  all day.  The kids adore him, and LOVE when he's home...so do I.

 our little Charlie...he looks so serious here, but don't let this fool you.  He's quite the smiler!

never a dull moment around here with Adeline...

Family Time

A beautiful Saturday...picnic lunch and play time at the park as a family...

Charlie's first time on the swing...loving it!

like father...

like daughter...