4th Of July - 2012

My parents, Jenn, Mar's family and us got together for the 4th. The plan was to swim first but we had a good monsoon rain and swimming was out. We did the next best thing and let the kids put their suits on and play in the rain and puddles. They had such a blast and it was a fun different thing for them. For dinner we grilled delicious steaks and had some tasty sides to go along with it. Dessert were red, white, and blue cupcakes Jenn made and one of my personal favorites, rice crispy treats. We all just hung out and had a good time chatting. It's always nice to spend time with family. We topped off the night, of course, with watching fireworks. It was a great way to spend the day.

Olivia was standing where the rain from the porch roof was pouring down on her. She loved it!

 Aiden never rolls from his back to his belly. I guess Legos were motivation enough though.

 Aiden and Daphne, I don't think they even look related. They looks so different.

 Yummy, festive cupcakes. Thanks Jenn!

 Who's Mtn Dew is it?

 They are just about the same size.

 Wondering why he is in the van all alone.

 I like this picture because you can just about see everyone and I love the way Zoey has her arms around her dad's shoulders.

Where's the Baby?

 These two just love each other.

Aiden's First Food

Mister Aiden has officially had his first taste of any type of food. Of course it was the typical boring ole rice cereal I mixed with a little bit of apple juice. Honestly he wasn't so very interested. He had a couple bites but wasn't really anxious for much more. It was a nice first try though and was very entertaining for the whole family to watch. The kids found the whole experience rather funny.

You want me to try what?

 Not sure what to do with the nonsense in his mouth.

 Olivia freaking out about something.

I am pretty sure more ended up on his face and his shirt than in his tummy.

Feeling pretty happy with it all.

Three Little Dragons

Another of Zoey's creations. She made these adorable dragons using printer paper, crayons, tape and some of the brads from my scrapbooking stuff. I think they are super cute.

Meet. . .

Fire Breathing Tressie (Zoeys)

Lighting Breathing Lightning Blot (Noah's)

 and Ice Breathing Maggie (Olivia's)

5 Months

The 5 months have gone quickly of course but that seems to be the way life is as I have gotten older. Aiden is perfectly wonderful. He is pretty content all day as long as he is fed. He squirms around on the floor a lot during the day. He doesn't really roll much yet but somehow he always ends up in a different place than I put him. He loves his siblings and watches their every move. He loves to be held and snuggled and he sleeps all through the night. He is holding his bottle on his own pretty good these days but isn't a pro yet. He makes us all happy and keeps us smiling. We love him so much. He may be growing fast but he sure is a little guy. At his 4 month check up he was only 12 pounds 11 ounces and 24 1/4 inches long. That put him in the 20th percentile for his height and only the 4th percentile for his weight. He's our teeny tiny guy but I really kind of like it that way. It makes him seem to stay little longer. Aiden really is such a great baby and I just love him to pieces!

Some 5 months pics of Aiden. Some I love, some didn't turn out like I would have liked but I love his face in all of these so I had to post them all. 

 He often has a look of surprise or curiosity. He is not always too willing to give up smiles. He often makes us work for them.

 But when he gives them they are those big, wonderful, opened mouth, gummy smiles. Love them!

 This is his "I am so done with you taking my picture Mom" face.

Father's Day

The only picture I snapped to log Father's Day is this one of the sign Zoey made. How lame is that? I didn't even take a picture of my dad or my husband. Well, we had a good day. Jay had to work but got off early so that was great, we were all able to do dinner together. Mom and Dad came over to eat and hang out for a bit. We did 3 different treats for dessert since my dad is such a junk food junkie. It was a great evening. I am so grateful for my dad and the example he has been my whole life. He is the most wonderful, good-hearted, loving, faithful man I know. I am so glad I was blessed to be his daughter. I am incredibly grateful too for the father of my children. He is a wonderful dad and he loves his children immensely. He works hard at a job he really loathes sometimes so he can provide for us. He loves all of us for all that we are despite our many flaws. He has high expectations for his kids and I commend him for it because I don't think I would always do or think the same as him. He's just a good man and I love him dearly. Happy Father's Day to the wonderful men in my life. I am so blessed to have you.

He really keeps the important parts covered. Silly boy.

Afternoon at the Pool

We spent the afternoon with Aunt Moonin (Marilyn) at the apartment pool. We ate Panda Express for lunch by the pool and spent a couple hours swimming, hanging out and having treats. It was a really fun afternoon and almost all of us got away without much sunburn at all.

My boys

I cannot believe this girl is big enough for a braid and a ponytail. It just makes her that much cuter!

Trying to share Legos with baby brother.

Surrounded by Legos and no clue what to do with them.