June at a Glance

June was jam-packed with all kinds of fun things. We had a blast at Arabella and Sophia's birthday party. Sami's favorite part was the water slide and playing with Olivia.

 

Both birthday girls did a great job blowing out the candles.

 

We celebrated Father's Day grilling in the backyard. Bob, Diane and Jen came over to celebrate with us. I LOVE our new covered patio- it gives us so much more usable space! Bob loved the sign we got him for his workshop. I was lucky to get a picture of each of them with the girls.

 

 

And of course, the evening would not be complete without roasting s'mores!

 

 

 

We found this huge pool on sale at Wal-Mart and couldn't pas it up! It's big enough for Elyse and Sami to "swim" back and fourth. It's also big enough for me to sit in and cool off. I love it. The babies enjoyed their time in the little pool too!

 

No playdate is complete without a good meal. I don't know what it is, but kids eating are the cutest thing.

 

 

Nat though is was fun to climb in and out of the pool the entire time. It worked up quite a thirst! Sami swam so much that she was all tuckered out!

 

 

 

 

So much to do in so little time! It's been quite a month.

 

 

Cole's 1st Birthday Party

 

 Our friend Cole was born 9 days before Natalie. He and Erin (Mommy) came home from the hospital to our house since their house was sick at the time. I love this little guy. I am not comfortable with the fact that he is turning 1 though---- it just means that Natalie is very close to turning 1 as well.

 

Everyone had so much fun! Natalie loved the splashpad, and I got wet snuggles afterward.

 

 

Sami wore herself out, while the birthday boy had a moment on Daddy's lap.

 

 

The babies were adorable in their "western wear"

 

 

 Happy Birthday big boy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natalie is 11 months? How is that possible?

I am living in a state of denial. I think all moms go through it as their baby nears the 1 year mark. It just goes by too fast. There is nothing I can do to stop it either, that's the hard part. This smiley little love bug makes me laugh on a daily basis. She might be getting too big for the basket and blanket, but she will always give a silly face or a winning smile!

 

Up close and with her sister. Still happy.

 

 

Her new best friend/toy/pillow is Fred. She will follow him anywhere!

 

 

My true measure of Natalie getting big is her first pair of 2 piece PJ's. I didn't handle it very well with Sami, I nearly cried when I saw them on Natalie.

 

 

Natalie love to show off all her teeth.

 

 

Can't stop this girl from climbing!

 

Peek-A-Boo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arabella's Birthday Playdate

Arabella is 3 now! Tonia and the kids came to visit. We had a playdate at Tammy's to celebrate. The kids loved playing on the water slide.

 

 

 

This is the only picture of all 6 kids. You can't really see Sami, and Sophia is turned away, but they are all there!

 

 

Splashing and sliding wore the big kids out. They all wanted snacks. Since they sounded like little ducks, Tammy got some bread and was "feeding the ducks". It was pretty cute.

 

 

 

Nat just found a shady spot for her snack.

 

 

Arabella was very excited about opening a gift. She loved her Cinderella towel.

 

 

After gifts and lunch it was nap time for all the kids. Tammy peeked in on Sami and saw her sleeping with her hands tucked in. She found some wings (who knows where!). The result?

My sleeping little angel!!!! Tugs at your heart doesn't it?

 

 

One more snack before we headed home. It was so good to have them all back together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May Cuteness

With school out, Sami wanted to go back to gymnastics. Of course, I couldn't say no! She even got a new leotard. (I couldn't help myself)

 

It was beach day, but we didn't know. She had a blast! I will try to get more pictures later.

 

It is actually cool for May this year- which means it's not 100 degrees out yet. We took the girls to the big pool for the first time this season. Nat got all packed up in her first ride in the wagon.

 

 

The water in the big pool ended up being too cold for me and Natalie, but that didn't stop us from having fun in the water!

 

 

Sami started learning freestyle strokes in her swim class and has started wearing goggles.

I call this "Goggle Face". Notice the rings around her eyes?

 

 

The water play continued after nap time in our backyard where we got out the blow up pools for the first time. We had to add some hot water from the sink this time. Of course, Sami wanted to wear her goggles! Natalie just wanted to splash.

 

 

 

Sami has been on me lately to fix Pumpkin Head. He had some minor "injuries" that had forced him to stay in the office until he got better. Sami was so happy to get him back, she laid like this for over half an hour!

 

 

 

Nat has started practicing with a spoon! It makes a huge mess and she gets more in her hair than her mouth, but it's a start. She has also figured out that we have stairs, and that the stairs go somewhere.... Houston, we have a climber!

 

 

I love Sami for many reasons, one of them being her very vivid imagination. She loves reading the Mercer Mayer book "There's an alligator under my bed". This is what I found the other day on the stairs. (For those of you who aren't familiar with the book, this is a trail of food leading all the way from her bedroom to the garage door- to lead the alligator out!) Love that girl!

 

 

Nat has started to really enjoy playing with toys. Here are a few of her current favorites:

 

 

Sami was feeling a little under the weather (and in the middle of a growth spurt). 2 Days in a row, she fell asleep in the rocking chair before nap time.  I love how peaceful she looks. It's been quite awhile since I had to carry her upstairs to bed, I know these times are brief!

 

 

Check out Nat's sweet ride. She loves it and I love the way she looks at Sami when she's being pushed. I really hope they grow up liking each other!

 

 

In the great debate of Nature versus Nurture I am torn. My beliefs usually fall somewhere in the middle. Look at some of these expressions that BOTH girls have. What cuties.

 

 

 

I have enjoyed playing with my new iPad (a gift for Mothers' Day). Here is a selfie.

 

 

Look how cute the little bug is with pigtails and bows!

 

 

Happy May!