Summer Summer Summer Time!

Here comes the Sun!

Did I just mix Will Smith with the Beatles? =)

Well, Summer is here in full force. Well except today. Today is cold and stormy. But the last couple of weeks have been hot and sunny and we can't get enough if it. With a miserable cold and rainy June, everyone was asking, "where's summer?" and July answered with a resounding, "HERE I AM!".

We have taken full advantage of the beautiful weather and have welcomed in an unofficial break until Joey enters Kindergarten in the fall.
Between the end of preschool and Fall Joey is going to a three week summer kindergarten that Woodland Elementary is offering. So far he likes it!

Other than working in the yard, we have sorted out the garage, enjoyed the firepit, and lounged on the grass.

I love both of these pictures (top and bottom). It's rare to get a normal picture of Joey these days and I don't have nearly enough of Van outside!

The firepit turned out really awesome and it's so fun to go out to the backyard after dinner and enjoy a fire and cook some smores.

The other day we roasted hot dogs in the fire and enjoyed some homemade pretzel hot dog buns that Josh made. DELICIOUS!

We even made a front yard "water park" that may have rivaled Wild Waves. OK, maybe not that cool, but 4 kids agreed, that what Josh and I set up was the bee's knees.
Last Sunday, we watched my friends 3 kids (all under 5). Mix that with Joey and Van and five car seats, dare I say we felt a little Brady Bunch(ish)?

It has been nice barbequing and eating dinner on the patio in the evening. We forget how much we enjoy a nice bbq meal.

Whenever they get the chance, Daddy and Joey sneak away to work on projects such as rebuilding the carburetor on the old lawn mower or doing yard work in the backyard.

And not to be outdone by the outside work I spent some time making a Summer mantel. I was tempted to keep up the Independence Day decor but figured that I had enough yellow and other bright colors to work with that summer decor was in order. I love having a mantel to decorate on!

10 months

My little baby is growing up so fast!

Photos are starting to get harder to take of you. You prefer to move around than be still. No surprise there.

The big milestone this month is you can pull yourself up and you are quite good at it. Dare I say your balance is impeccable; could walking be coming up faster then expected?

You have the cutest toothy grin. Daddy and I both agree that you are getting my teeth. Your two front teeth have the same gap that I sport. You are able to use those chompers to eat just about anything within reason. Blueberries and veggie puffs seem to be your favorite though. You are still nursing, but we affectionately call it "topping off your goozle." Your dad asked me the other day what was going to happen when I have to "degoozle" (wean) you. Who knows?

We recently moved you into Joey's room. I'd say you share a room with your brother now, but for some reason Joey has taken issue with sleeping in a room with you and refuses to do it. Apparently you move around too much for his liking. I think a tent bed is in order for your big brother.

Van, months like these make me realize that time is too fast. Before I know it you will be one years old. It seems like we waited for you to come into our lives for so long and now that you are here time seems to speed by.

I love how smiley and tender you are. You adore Joey and I think most days you prefer his company over Mommy and Daddy's. What will we do when he starts school in the fall?

This photo makes me laugh because you look huge in it! It is strange, some days you seem so scrawny and lanky and other days you look like a chubby cheekster!

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day was a little different this time then in year's past.

Josh worked. I had a volleyball tournament.

So over came Grandma Candy to watch the boys.
Luckily, my tournament was right down the street so I was able to be home in time to cook our usual Irish dinner of Corn Beef and Cabbage with a side of Red Potatoes.

As far as wearing green went. Josh wore a green tie. My volleyball jersey was teal (that counts right?) and the boys got St Patrick's Day shirts from Fred Meyer.

Van looking Irish as usual? Is it me or is his hair have a tinge of ginger in it?

Joey, Joey, Joey. Why don't you like the flash? And the silly faces?

Toe nails

Ewww...I haven't blogged in over a month! Probably because we didn't have internet for 3 weeks. But that is another story.

Funny story.

Joey is sitting on the recliner watching TV and this is how the following conversation goes.

"Mommy, I am trying to put my nail back on."

"You can't do that, Joey, it's impossible."

In my head, my mind starts pondering, when is the last time I cut Joey's nails? He hates clippers, but it's at least been a year. Why are his nails always short then?

"How are your nails so short, Joey?"

"I pick them Mommy." He then starts pointing in various directions. "Over there, and there. Mostly at the dining room table. Sometimes in my room. It's all over the floors."

Flabbergasted <----ME!

He then goes on to say, "Oh Van, when you start crawling you can't crawl over here by Daddy's chair or in my room. You don't wait to eat toe nails or fingernails."


GROSS!

So is my life.

Now I must go vacuum!

My Boys.

I love how much they both love each other!

Van started solids this week.
Is it me or is time going by too quickly?



The verdict is out on how much he really likes rice cereal, but it is fun watching him try to eat it.



Speaking of growing up. Van recently learned how to roll over front to back and back to front. He also is in love with his Jumperoo!

Joey is still as silly as ever. Josh was working on the front door and Joey dropped everything he was doing, grabbed his tool belt and was right by Dad's side to help him out.