photo update

Since my last post we have been super busy around here! I sure love summer but it just seems to fly by and as the long days get shorter and shorter it seems our children are growing by leaps and bounds. Xander is really turning into a little person rather than our baby. He is totally "in our business" now and seems to catch on to adult conversation VERY quickly! He is so inquisitive and is keeping us on our toes. Of course we are always working on things like manners, sharing, listening to mommy and daddy...but he has gotten so much better at things that used to be our problems like hitting and going to the bathroom in a diaper (now is FULLY potty trained). He has these times where he is just craving our attention and is such a sweetheart telling us that he loves us or asking us questions to try to start a "conversation".
For example, the other night I let him lay in our bed b/c daddy was at work and Avery was asleep in her crib. I started asking him if he was excited about his upcoming birthday.

ME: Aren't you excited about your Birthday party?
X: yes...I am having a Thomas (the train) party!
ME: yes and it is going to be at the pool so you can swim before you eat cake!
X: and ALL of my friends will be there! (yeah, all 4 or 5 of them!! :)
ME: do you think you will get presents?
X: yes a blue present with a blue bow
ME: what do you hope is inside?
X: hmm...a BOX!
ME: ooh that would be fun! would you like new clothes or new shoes?
X: (thinking hard then laughing) No mommy!! :) I just got new clothes and new shoes!! :)
ME: oh that's right, what about a haircut? would you like a haircut for your birthday...?
X: (touching his hair) sure mom, I want a haircut (totally obliging me!)

the conversation went on to find out that he would like some kind of spiderman toy that squirts "goo" -i have no idea what he is talking about! but i hope he is happy with a big wheels and his very own fish tank along with some other small goodies :)
Another histerical one occurred when watching television. Lately he has been telling us that he wants almost every thing he sees on commercials. One day a commercial came on (in the middle of cartoons) for financing a b.r.e.a.s.t. augmentation or a tummy tuck. Xander started yelling at the top of his lungs "I want a tummy tuck!" We about died laughing! He still seems to be interested in that term and asks for one sometimes! :) what a crack up!

Ok, i promised pictures so on with them!
We visited Janel to see her new baby Reagan on June 30th along with our friend Kati and her family. Here is a shot of my failed photo shoot of all 4 kids-we never even got the baby in the picture b/c the other kids were too dangerous and not sitting still :) check out the thrilled expressions here :)


Here is one of Avery, who although looks happy here, had kind of a rough weekend as she had a fever and POP out came her very 1st tooth! :) Overall, she dealt with it well and since has gotten her 2nd tooth (a week and a half later)! Man she is growing up, huh?

And a couple of the guest of honor, Reagan Elizabeth! :) what a cutie!



Our neighbor's great-granddaughter came to visit for a week. Her and Xander are 6mths apart and have been playing together for a couple years now during her frequent visits. This trip they got along famously and she is just too cute for words!


This is also really the first couple of days when Avery showed some interest in sitting up by herself...here she is out on the lawn


and a couple of days later, sitting like a pro!!




Fourth of July came and went and we saw fireworks twice. The first night I braved it by myself-talk about stress! Crowds and kids are not one of my favorite combinations :) But these pics were taken on day 2 when we met up with some friends at the fireworks and daddy was there to help control the tornado we call Xander :)


HEre is a shot of Avery with her first biter biscuit! She loved it! Since then, she has been less than thrilled. Maybe it was b/c her 2nd tooth was coming in and came through the very next day :) Regardless she had a good time and looked cute doing it! :)


Here is one of my all-time fav pics of avery...she was all dressed up for summer with her cute little size 2 sandals and her sun hat! she knew she looked great-she couldn't stop smiling. and as soon as she saw my camera, she literally began to pose :) uh oh! i smell trouble in the way of a shopping pal.

We have had lots of other stuff going on, but it is too much to type about. One day I promise to be consistent with blogger but for now, you are going to have to take what you get! Hope you enjoyed the pictures! We have a big weekend ahead of us with MANY more pictures to take!! See you then!