Fun in the Sun

With the warm weather and the need to be out of the house we love to try a new sprinkle park.  This one has a large sand area with working water faucets.  All the kids were in fill swing making castles and moats.  We had a great time!

Our Happenings

Right now as it is just the 3 of us most often we are always looking for fun things to do or new places to try.  Parks of course are there favorite. Pictures and details below.

 This is there favorite the park has sand volleyball

and the 2 don't waste anytime getting there shoes 

off the play and find treasure in the sand.

 What a mess!!

One day while I was making lunch the kids were playing 

in there rooms.  I could hear belly laughs coming from both.

There were a few things on the floor when I peeked in

 and I just thought I would let them be.  I know you think how

could I let me kids make such a mess and not be watching them.

I was no worries I was close by and this happened in a matter of seconds.

 Besides Nolan asking for shows he also now asks to use 

the computer.  He loves listen to the songs on Starfall.

Obviously I was not in the know to the cool little bracelets that are 

such a big hit but Gracie rally wanted one.  She loved picking out 

her own colors and had one for me made in my favorite colors as well.

21 Months

Since I missed Nolan's 15 and 18-month check up and he is just now going for his visit at 21-months to start the process of catching up.  There are shots he should have received at both the 15 and 18 month visits.  Nolan missing them is just fine with me.  I think shots are important but I have always like the idea of spacing them out.  I assume its God's protection over Nolan.  This wellness visit was to make up for the 2 missed appointments.  Nolan did receive shots and the others will be taken care of on his 2nd Birthday check up.  As always he got so very angry about the shots and Dr. Gracie was standing by my side watching every part asking about all the instruments the doctor used.  He is a full talker, mover, and such a sweet kid.  I thought the idea of him soon turning 2 would be so sad but he already acts as though he is 2 and right now I am trying to get him to stay where he is and all he wants to do is everything his 4 year old sister does.

Here are his stats:

Height: 34 1/4" (66%)

Weight: 27.5lbs (68%)

Head Circumference: 18 3/4"(72%)

sorry this is so blurry but was too cute to not post!

Sweet Feet

Ok so feet are not my favorite things by far but I was comparing one morning these sweet feet of mine. I found it funny to see how big Nolan's feet were and how very soon he will surpass her in size.  Crazy how much faster boys grow then girls.

ipod

Our family is an Apple loving family.  We love our electronics so I was not surprised when Nolan climbed up next to his sissy to play a game and have her show him how it is done.  I think he may need his own sometime in the near future.

A Flower for You

Gracie loves picking flowers for anyone.  Nolan has picked up on the kind gesture and followed in her foot steps, literally he spent the day following her around picking flowers and bringing them to me.  I can say one day his wife will really appreciate this sweet trait.

Sweet Teen

One of our visits to the sprinkle Gracie was not her normal Gracie self.  She spent the whole time laying on the blanket and just watching with me.  It was nice to have some girl time but I just thought she was acting like a teenager saying the water was too cold and people kept splashing her.  I thought this was what I hope my sweet teen will be like...no chance right?!

trying to get in a quick selfy

More Fun Friends

Ok so our last part of our summer has been delightful and we have had lots of time with friends.  We even got a sweet treat of going to the zoo with the Long family.  We were missing our usual trip to the Akron Zoo, this made up for it.  This zoo is probably 4 times the size and there was no way we were going to come close to seeing everything nor did want to try.  They had lots of animals.  Gracie and I are the quick observer type.  We look at one animal then on to the next.  Like window shopping, we don't spend a lot of time checking out every inch, Nolan so different.  He liked to stand on the gate and stare forever.  I found myself have to pick him up and then tell him another amazing animal was coming up.  At some point it clicked there were plenty of animals to see but he was very slow.
This zoo also has a sprinkle park area which is great for those really hot days at the zoo.  Our day was not really hot but no matter they wanted the water fun.  There were plenty of kids running threw in there clothes or just a diaper.
One thing I recently mention to troy was how much fun it would be to take the kids to sea world.  I know they would love it.  Well, we got the next best thing and takes sea world off my list for now.  This zoo has a dolphin show that was a lot of fun.  Gracie and Nolan did so well sitting threw the whole thing.

this mama must be so happy to have 4 cute babies

lots of hand holding

splish splash

what a ham

so excited...

dolphin excitement(sorry iphone)

dolphin show

Special Dates

Every year before Troy goes MIA into the world of football Gracie and Troy have a special date night. One that always consists of ice cream and some other added special events.  Ice cream, park time, and even picking flowers.  Troy got to have special time with both kids and the loved it.

A couple of weeks ago I took Gracie to the Kohl's Museum so we had our mommy/daughter day.  But since Troy was spending this perticular evening with Gracie I took Nolan out.  A few times he asked for Gracie.  One of which was at the park.  Where Nolan and Gracie always swing on the same swings.  He point and said sissy and looked at me.  Over all I do think he enjoyed having me all to himself.

don't mind my no make-up workout clothes look

what a ham right

Even Troy and I got a night out but I never remember to take a picture except while I am getting ready and then the idea is gone.

Blessings

Although we are new a very big area we are blessed to be surround by friends we love.  Most of them we won't get to see daily because there is some distance between us we will try as often as possible.  One of our good friends from our University days lives in Wisconsin.  We got to go spend time with them one weekend.  We had a blast, all of us.  The two old guys spent their time on the porch catching up on life, the kids play the whole time without any arguing.  I was not sure how it would go sometimes kids just get a long and most of the time they fight like cats and dogs.  Being both first born girls they did take turns being in charge but they did really well.  The moms didn't stop talking unless there was a questions from the kids or questions about eating.  I did get a couple cute pictures of the kids but none of the adults.  We end up talking so much I just forget.  This is going to be a new priority when I hang out with friends.  I have almost zero pictures of myself and the people I love being with, boo.

 fall of 2010

2013

 nolan's obsession with vacuums continues

he found a vacuum that he took everywhere

and boots we could put on himself. 

 girls checking out their boo boo's

 nolan wanted to ride one of the bikes 

gracie always wears a helmet so he put

one on so he was ready to go

 i think it is time for this little man to have 

his own bike he is practically bagging for one

 the girls having dinner

nolan loved the pool and swing-set

Missing Friends

Our good friends the Durant's sadly moved from Canton right after Nolan was born.  We missed them dearly and lost a family that we spent a lot of time with but when we found out we were moving to Chicago area we knew we would get to reunite the families and the long conversations that we so loved to have.  Once things settled we had them over for fun time of swimming, chatting, and just hanging out.  Although we are no longer only 5 minutes apart, I hope the 40 minute drive doesn't keep us to far apart.

 the kids enjoying a snack

 lots of jumping

 lots of swimming

 the girls using lip gloss and doing each others hair

 two peas in a pod

love eatting

 one of our kids tables

 the messy boys hanging out

too cool entertainment