Lake Cumberland July 2010

Yes, that is Chloe on real, big-kid water skis! And yes, that is Chloe crying and screaming at the top of her lungs in protest! She could do it, just not willingly. Our weekend at Lake Cumberland with the Kuenning family was full of all sorts of first--from Chloe skiing to Drew swimming by himself (with the life jacket on, of course) to 12:45am kid bedtimes (oh yes, you read that right) to no naps all weekend long....oh yes, it was a fun/sun/water-filled trip that was so much fun, and so exhausting! I love it that Chloe and Drew have such good friends in Josie, Jack & baby Sam--and I'm so glad that we can make fun memories like this for them to share. Maybe next year we'll be able to get them to bed just a weeee bit earlier, though! :)

Chloe's Best "LeBron James"

The picture pretty much speaks for itself, but this is Chloe's best athletic feat performed to date--a leaping jump off the couch to reach the ribbon on the balloon hanging from the ceiling. Good camera work, Daddy!

Drew's 2nd Birthday

If only there was a way to bottle up the innocent joy and happiness that comes from a 2-year old when the figure out that the party and presents are all for HIM! It took us a few days to get Drew to realize that it was HIS birthday (and not sissy's or Daddy's), and once he got it, he was just the sweetest, happiest kid in the world--not the happiness that comes from getting what he WANTS, but the happiness that comes from just getting something. So adorable, so sweet. How can I make this last?!

July 4th Party

Our neighborhood July 4th party was a lot of fun for us and the kids--we were so surprised that they managed somehow (thank you, Sugar!) to stay up until the fireworks started, and I was shocked that they weren't scared--apparently our neighborhood really knows how to do fireworks right, and they were quite big and quite loud! Their staying-up-late record was soon to become tested, however, because our trip to Cumberland was right around the corner......

Our Trip to Iowa!

So, catching up on some long over-due posts to the blog! Here are some pictures from our trip to Iowa--the kids and Nana and I had a great time visiting Adam and Julie! No one does a craft project like Aunt Julia, and there was some awesome rough-housing as well! It is definitely a toss-up as to who was the most tired--us or the kids!

A Day with Dad & the Car Wash!

We had a great family-day for Father's Day which included a 3-mile jog (and Chloe rode her bike the WHOLE way!!), lunch and swimming at the pool...and then Chloe and Drew helped Brian wash my car. They both were sooooo into it, we seriously thought about maybe hiring them out to the neighbors! I don't know if it was the matching "Reds" hats or just the fact that they were doing something fun with Dad, but it was definitely one of those unplanned special moments that make you smile! (The last picture is what pure exhaustion looks like!)

Father's Day 2010

Here are a few pictures from our Father's Day get together at our house. The highlight of the day no doubt was Chloe asking Gramps to play "Bingo" with her, and watching him listen to her "teach" him the rules--priceless!

Parky's Farm

Chloe's party at Parky's Farm was so much fun--I never thought it would be so neat to a bunch of kids interacting together, but it was so neat to see Chloe with all her friends in one place! She honestly wasn't quite sure what to think at first, but then she figured out that being the first in line for pony rides and all the activities was pretty cool! And there has never been another child who enjoys being the center of attention like Chloe, so she was in her element!

Chloe's 4th Birthday

Chloe's birthday last week was like a marathon of events--we made brownies to take to her friends at Nancy's, had a special birthday breakfast on her birthday, then opened presents and celebrated in the evening of her birthday....all before her big party over the weekend! Whew...thank goodness birthdays only come once a year--they are exhausting!

First Family Day on the new boat

We had a very successful first day as a family out on the boat today--after a rainy morning we were one of the first boats out, which was just fine with me! And by early afternoon, everyone was ready for a nap! I was just glad that I had packed a "buddy" for Chloe, even it was technically Drew's (notice the blue color!)

Swinging and Jumping!

Here are a few pictures of the kids swinging at the park and jumping on pillows at home--definitely 2 of their favorite activities!

Mother's Day & Brian's Birthday

We celebrated Mother's Day and Brian's birthday in one big afternoon this past weekend--and judging by how well the kids have slept ever since (they were in bed by 7:45 tonight!!), I would say that they had a great time! Drew discovered that his new favorite past-time is lifting his legs up as his tricycle rolls down the hill in the driveway, over the curb and into the street--besides the heart attack that it gives me every time he does it, we all thought it was hilarious to watch him try it over and over!