Monday, August 30, 2010

Into EVERYTHING!!!!






Andy is into EVERYTHING these days - I have NO IDEA what I'm going to do w/this boy! My little Abby used to stay right by me, play w/her toys, and just behave...



Now, there is Andy. I just keep saying "God won't give me more than I can handle". Or, at least I hope! :) I'm scared of what the future for me, and my house, holds...



So, as many of you know - Andy has been have some MAJOR GI issues the last 5 wks or so and we are currently removing foods and different types of milks until we get him fixed up - here's hoping! In that, he has a MAJOR diaper rash and dislikes (only because Abby says we aren't allowed to say the word HATE) getting his diaper changed. So, I had this GREAT idea to put a baggie of crackers in his diaper basket and we give him one to chew on every time he gets his diaper changed. Problem? He can get into the diaper basket - and he loves those crackers!



I found him trying to tear into the baggie to get them out. This is after he dumped ALL the contents out onto the carpet. He finally got his cracker and was VERY happy w/himself.






Here he is being a "Big Boy" and playing in Sissy's Pool







This one is my favorite. Abby was watching TV, I was balancing the checkbook, and Andy was playing - QUIETLY - in the toy room. I should have known he was up to something...



I found him like this - drawing on the carpet w/one of Abby's chalk. Apparently the box didn't get latched! He was so happy, and proud of himself, that I just let him do it awhile. Hey, it wasn't markers...







Sunday, August 29, 2010

Roughing It?

So, our family likes to Camp. But, I wouldn't say we "rough it". I would say we do something similar to "vacationing outside". First camping trip of the season we had a Traeger BBQ - hooked up to a generator. I slept on an Aerobed - hooked up to said generator as well. We have fun, we eat, we drink, but I wouldn't say we rough it - but that is fine w/me!!!!!!!!!

Abby LOVES camping. She gets so excited to go camping - I remember liking it at a kid - but she LOVES it. This trip she got to play on the beach, there was a large playground, paved roads to ride bikes on, and a lot of ranger led activities to keep her busy.



Dad and Trav spent most of their weekend either fixing something (typical). Good thing we were 2 miles from Newport - they had numerous hardware and autoparts stores close! Here is a great photo of Elizabeth "helping" Dad fix his lantern. Dad was also incharge of feeding the "beast" most of the weekend:



Abby and Elizabeth - need I say more really? When they aren't fighting and freaking out, they are posing and loving on each other. They crack me up and I can't wait to make them both a scrapbook of all these pictures some day - because they are just so cute and cheesey!




Here are just some random shots... It was a great trip and everyone had a good time!





Beverly Beach

This last Saturday we spent the morning on Beverly Beach. It was fun. Windy, but fun. Sarah and her girls joined us and the kids seemed just find in the sand, and water, and surf. The adults on the other hand here a tad bit chilly!

Here are some pictures of Sarah and her Girls:



Andy enjoyed the beach. This time he discovered the joys of filling a bucket, a stick, a rock, and snoozing on Grammy:




Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Thirteen Months Old


Andy Turned 13 Months Old 08/24. Here is just a picture of him - and his really cool hair that day!
He started walking - 08/18. At least those were his first steps. As of this week, he is walking more and more and more! With this comes even more fear on my part... :)

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Trucks and Tiaras?

Last Saturday was "Big Truck Day" at Conestoga School. I have never been, but I would highly recommend it from the reviews I get from Abby, Trav, and anyone else that has ever been there. They bring everything from Big Truck, Limos, School Buses, Semi Truck Trailers, etc. for the kids to crawl around on and explore. Fire Engines, Helocopters, etc. I could go on. Great, free entertainment. Sometimes it really pays to live in Suburia! There is alway something free to take your kids to!



Abby and Trav went for their second annual trip. I'm sure Andy and I will join next year when he realizes what a "Big Truck" is exactly.... This year it was HOT and he was little. So, him and I stayed home and napped!



Anywho, they met up w/a few friends and had a great time Dancing in the party limo and getting body painted!






Then, just yesterday I took Abby to see a Childrens' Production of "Cinderella". It was great - $8 and only 50 mintues long. Perfect! She had a great time and it was nice to just spend the day w/her. She is such a great kid and has been at camps and playdates a lot lately. It was really nice to have some one-on-one time w/her. We will do it again next year!




Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Artistic Andy

Trav and I keep thinking that Andy is going to be our "Artistic" child. He loves to sing, dance, and explore. More so than I remember Abby doing. More so then regular I think. He is boogie-ing all the time! So, I figured he would be the one that loved art class. Well, that is where my theory ran dry... for awhile!



First class - love it! Clapped, ate paint, etc. Not a ton of "painting" per say, but he had fun.
2nd Class - bored. Now, he was tired and it was nap time. But, he just didn't get excited.
3rd Class was this last week...



Started out about the same as the 2nd class. He was just sitting there, staring. Looking the others, tasting the brushes. Looked at me like I was insane when I tried to show him how to put the brush ON the paper. Balls didn't even work - now balls are Andy's crack at the moment. He didn't care. Bored...






Then, then he discovered that HE could touch the paint. Screw this "brush and ball" idea. I'm going to paint ON myself WITH myself! That was the ticket. He took off! Literally. I spent the rest of the class chasing after him and trying to keep him on the plastic.



He clapped and splattered, he used his feet, he used his diaper, he used EVERYTHING. It was pretty cute...







Here is his masterpiece... I took a piece of white paper and put it on the plastic to transfer it so I had something to bring home! But, the picture is basically all I have of the class, but that is okay - he totally enjoyed himself! :)




So basically now we realize that we have an artistic child that walks to the beat of his own drum... oh lord help us...


Sunday, August 15, 2010

5th Annual Summer Visit!




Auntie Megan and Uncle Odie came to visit today.
We took the kids to Pizza Planet to celebrate all the Cousins' Birthdays:
Andy - One, July 24th
Issiah - Two, July 31st
Abby - Four, July 21st
Lorenz - Four yrs, Nine mos, July 21st
Okay, so it wasn't Lorenz's birthday - we celebrated anyways. It isn't his fault he is the only one that missed the July Birthday!


It also dawned on me that this is their 5th annual July/Aug. visit!
#1. Abby was born
#2. Abby's 1st Birthday
#3 Issiah was born
#4 Andy was born
#5 Andy's 1st Birthday


We se eachother randomly at other times, but this visit has turned into tradition I guess! Not sure any of us realized that until now!
Here are some cute shots that I got as we were leaving - they are ALL looking - can't beat that!


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Friday, August 13, 2010

Little Man


Hello, my name is Andy and I'm a preppy polo shirt model...
And I'm pretty dang good at making it look cute!

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...

Nothing like having two birthdays in three days to keep you busy. But, it also really, really, really makes you realize how blessed and lucky you are as well. Not only do we have healthy, beautiful, happy kids. But, we also have wonderful friends and family to share them with! As always - I was OVERWHELMED by every one's kindness and generosity when it came to celebrating and gift giving! These last two weeks (yes, it took me two weeks), as I sat down to write out the Thank Yous, I was reminded again...

This last week I picked up their photos at JCP, scanned them in (sshhh, illegal), and got them stuffed into a TON of thank you notes and on their way in the mail. If you haven't gotten yours, you should shortly!

Anyways, in scanning and print these photos, I just had to share them again - because they are so cute!

Thanks to everyone that made the birthdays special and now I plan to rest until Christmas! :)









Email me if you want/need a copy for framing or fridge decor - I only gave out ones that fit in the Thank You notes for now! But, I have 5x7s and larger for you die-hards out there! :)


Monday, August 9, 2010

Three Amigos - NOT Fashion Plates!


Just a quick, cute picture to share... We went camping this weekend at Detroit Lake. There will be a bigger post w/more pictures later, but I couldn't wait to share this one!
Our Cousin Sarah, and two of her girls, came and joined us on Saturday for some camping fun!
Notice Elizabeth's outfit. She dressed herself. The shirt is on sideways - I think... The shorts are on backwards, and the shoes are on the wrong feet.
Abby on the other hand INSISTS that her outfit matches becuase there are pink/white bears on part of the shirt. Oh, and her undies are on wrong - the tag is in the back, but her waist is thru one of the leg holes - comfy!
Neither girl would let us fix them - they had done it themselves after all! Who knew the tomboy Isabelle would be the best dressed? :)
Cute picture for numerous reason - Enjoy....


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Sunday, August 8, 2010

Camping - Detroit Lake

Camping at Detroit Lake always reminds me of camping when I was a kid. We went there a lot. But, it is a good one for families I think. Huge park w/paved roads to ride bikes on, a play ground, and a pretty mild and semi-warm lake.


Andy really enjoyed Camping this time. Being over ONE and the SECOND child allowed him to experience the finer things in life - Marshmallows, Licorice, and Pirate Booty. Wow - sister didn't get that crap until she was almost TWO! Sometimes it DOES pay to be the second baby...




Abby had a blast this time. LOTS of water play, playground play, bike riding, and lots of time w/Cousins and Grammy/Papa! Who could ask for more really?


Sarah and the girls drove up on Saturday and spent the afternoon w/us. That was a ton of fun for Abby and I also enjoyed my visit w/Sarah. And, I think Sarah enjoyed her "Andy Time" as well! They bonded over Pirate Booty and Licorice - Sarah's chair might never be the same again!






Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Just so you know...


Just so you know....

You leave your plate unattended and go off and play - I WILL crawl across the yard, pull up on the table, and eat your pizza and salad!


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Sunday, August 1, 2010

Lunch on a Stick!




We took the kids to the Washington County Fair for "Lunch on a Stick" this year. Always fun, always expensive (seriously $4 for a Corn on the Cob!?!?!), and the highlight for me is always the "Dairy Womens Booth" - we can't get there fast enough as far as I'm concerned!

I remember LOVING the Fair as a Kid, but we had a FAIR - the STATE FAIR. I just can't get into the Washington County Fair. But, hey... it is close to our house, it is free (to get in), and it has a Dairy Womens Booth. So, we go... We eat Lunch on a Stick...


Abby ALWAYS enjoys the "Kid Play Area" (and it is FREE). She hasn't figured out the bigger, more expensive rides - shhhh don't tell.

It warmed my heart this year to watch little Andy crawling around w/his big sister. I love the pictures I'm starting to get of them "playing together". I realize that it was the moments like this that everyone thought I needed two kids - and I'm glad I caved! :)


Later that evening... Andy enjoyed the wonders of Raviolis and now all the sudden Abby likes them again becuase Andy was getting so into it. It must be fun then right? She asked for them again the next evening - score. Next stop pizza? We will see...




These bottom pictures are just some that Trav shot even later that day (big picture day for us). He was just so cute... putting stuff in the house like sister. Monkey see, Monkey do!