Water Park!

On Saturday, we met my brother's family and my parents in Utica, IL at The Grand Bear Resort. It was a child's dream and something that parents suffer through because it makes their kids happy!


[Evy went down this slide about 200 times.]


[Evy and Jacob wanted to sleep together in grandma's and papa's room. We didn't argue. It took Grandma about an hour to get them to sleep but then they made it all night!]


[The three oldest cousins. All looking at the camera. A small miracle!]


[The "resort" was so big there was a train to take us around.]


[Not a great photo, but almost everyone is present so that counts for something. Thanks for taking the photo Papa!]

Shocking

It always amazes me (sarcasm) that Evy has a hard time finishing a small serving of peas but can down an entire Dilly Bar without one complaint!

Outside

It was 80 degrees here so we pretty much played the entire weekend. It went like this; playground, scooter ride, bike ride, Jeep ride, sidewalk chalk, trampoline, stroller ride, playground, raptor center, water fight with the neighbors, sandbox, then swing set. I managed to sneak some laundry in and that's about it for housework.

Firsts

[I'm big enough for the highchair now!]


[The flower headband just looks silly!]


[First stroller ride without the carseat]

Sitting up leads to all kinds of new tricks!

Outdoor Adventure

I grew up going on outdoor adventures; hiking the trails of our state park, exploring the riverbed of the Des Moines River, and trespassing in abandoned one room school houses scattered throughout the country side. My brother and I had a plastic Fisher Price utility belt that held our canteen, compass, and telescope. I'm having a blast reliving this outdoor adventure through Evy's eyes. Yesterday, we hiked around the lake, spotted geese, picked up pine cones, and threw rocks in the water. Evy used a stick to draw a map in the gravel. She might not be too crazy about the adventure because she kept telling us that the map says it's time to go to the playground.

Cheetahs, Jaguars, and Cougars. Oh My!

Evy is really in to cheetahs right now so when I came out into the living room this morning wearing the dress pictured above I asked her if I looked like a cheetah. She said I looked more like a jaguar. Scott said I looked like a cougar. He thought that comment was appropriate since I am 9 months older than him. I'm not sure I agree.

Hair

This poor girl inherited my curly/wavy hair. And since I'm not going to blow dry, straighten, or use products on a three year old's hair she is left looking pretty bedraggled on most days. We brush it and then let it add to her "big personality". To be fair, this photo was taken right after a nap.

6 Months Old!

Charlotte Marie turned six months old on the leap year! She weighs 20 pounds which puts her in 12 month clothes. Woah! She is sitting up really well and has tried sweet potatoes, rice cereal and peas. She doesn't care much for the peas! She loves to watch her big sister and even when Evy is being aggressive with her Charlie just laughs. Hopefully this reaction to her sister's antics will continue for many years! Charlie continues to be very smiley although she has taken to yelling at us when she wants something. She doesn't really cry, just makes these little yells to let us know she is not happy with us. Such a sweet baby who even enjoys cuddling. I need this growing to slow down!!!