Lazy Days of Summer

I don't have much to say with this post; instead I wanted to share some pictures of how we spent our summer. No big trips, not much excitement...just simple summer days around our house, enjoying our family time. Total bliss!

The boy with the first picks of the season

Chipmunk so proud of the fruits of his labor

HotDog is not so much into gardening (just like her mommy!)

She REALLY doesn't like gardening:)

Monkey is finally starting to feel comfortable in the pool

Chipmunk and HD having fun in the pool with Daddy

Monkey will play for hours with chalked railroad tracks and his trains. The simple things in the life...

Sleepovers with cousins

Playing, I mean "working", hard in the garden

HD wants her turn!

My freshly-bathed babies cuddled in my lap. Does life get any better?!?

Alas, all good things must come to an end. The boys started back to school last week (yes, the first week of August - we do year-round school in our area). I can't believe Chipmunk is a big first-grader! Not surprisingly, Monkey was so excited about starting his new preschool that he wouldn't sit still for pictures.

Of course, things aren't always this calm and content. Check back soon for some exciting news that will definitely liven things up around our house.

Fun Times in Nashville

Looking at a weekend with absolutely no plans, HD and I decided we would hop in our van and go visit our friends Maria and Ellie. We had so much fun. The girls did a little shopping, a little football watching, a little puddle splashing, and a lot of playing.
We arrived (fashionably late, of course) and headed to the mall for a little girl time. The girls did really good - Ellie slept and HD ate. Then we headed to watch Josh's football scrimmages. While there it started to rain and the girls had a blast playing in it. HD taught Ellie how to jump in the puddles (sorry Maria!) and they were both soaked by the time it was over. Then we headed back to Maria's for pizza and playtime. I think it's the first time where the girls have actually gotten the concept of playing alongside of each other rather than staying in their own little universe. They were so cute together, running around in their diapers. I think their favorite game was throwing the ball with Josh. Then they had fun tackling him. He played with them all night long; he is such a sweet big brother! HD was so wound up she did NOT want to go to sleep.
After a very short night of sleep, HD woke up in quite the mood - I have never seen her so grumpy! Poor thing was so exhausted she couldn't even pick up her feet when she was walking; she must have tripped at least ten times. I think she cried more in that hour than she has in the past three months combined. I decided to head home then instead of going to the park, hoping HD would nap most of the way home (which she did). So it was a quick trip but well worth it. I love it that our girls share such a special connection and can't wait to watch them grow up together. Maria and I envision lots of sleepovers and phone calls between these two.
(I stole these pictures from Maria, as I am currently between cameras. She has more pics on her blog.)
Thank you so much Maria and Kevin for your wonderful hospitality. It was fantastic!

HD giving Ellie some love


Playing in the rain


The only time they sat still long enough to snap a pic!


She though she had escaped the camera


Our future Wildcat



Tackling poor Josh!


Ellie polishing my toes

Seriously, how cute is she?!?!

HD ready to go home!