ABC's

Summer fun and summer tushies

Since it is so hot here lately, we decided it was time to invest in a pool. This little adventure set us back all of $9. It was totally worth it. We played in it twice Saturday and twice today so it was already worth it's cost. Adam loves to fill things with water and dump them out. Genius. Hannah and Layla splashed eachother and watered "plants".

Layla took her work very seriously.

After swimming at Grandma's for a couple of hours, we treated daddy to some steak n shake. I think the kids approved.

Everyone was completely worn out and slept well.

Sunday morning the littles and I took a walk. I think they are just the cutest.

And we had some more happy morning pool time while dad mowed.

Layla was so excited to go get her suit on that she started getting undressed outside. Enter tushie # 1.

Happy boy. He is vacuuming - that makes him happy.

After more hours of swimming at Grandma's we played in our pool again. It was quite a weekend!

The water was very warm by this evening so the kids were hot tubbin.

And tushie # 2. We had to loose the wet diaper because it was gross and he needed a little air anyway.

Hannah learned to swim all the way across the pool by herself this weekend. She started swimming underwater, but can now swim with her head up. She can tread water and jump in the deap end. It was a very big deal. We will be right with her and watch her closely, but it is so awesome that she can swim. She loves it and wants to swim in the olympics. I am very happy for her.

Summer fun and ear infections

We have been doing a lot of outside playtime in between the rain storms here. We make sure to wear plenty of bug spray and sunscreen, but no matter what, the kids are happier outside.

This is a picture Adam took of himself. He still has an ear infection (we are on our third antibiotic) and he loves taking pictures. So if a kid is really crabby a smart phone or camera will keep them quiet for a few minutes. We took our crew to the incoming kindergarden playdate last weekend at Longview Farm Park. It was great and everyone had a good time. Hannah got to meet some new kids that she will be in school with this fall.

Layla spent the day swinging.

Adam loved to climb and slide.

We swam for 4 hours today! It is so hot that we spent the day in the pool at Grandma's. The littles took naps and Hannah learned to swim without floaties. It was just amazing to see her swimming like a big girl. She has 16 swim lessons this summer so she is just going to get better and better. Here they all are tonight. Sleep well little people.
I've been lazy about uploading videos lately. It's just takes forever. Here are some new ones.

Adam singing.

Adam boogie.

Kids running.

Where strep throat almost gets the better of us.........

We took Layla for her three year check-up on Friday. She is great. Healthy & very smart. She weighed in at 30.8 lbs (50%) and is 38.5 (75-90%) inches tall. The doctor and nurse were very impressed as they listened to her answer her Denver screening questions. She has the logic and skills of a 4 year old. The doctor especially appreciated being told "Ok - That's enough" when she was talking to her about staying in her bed. Too funny.

Adam joined us on our adventure because he was a screaming crying mess. We assumed ear infection. It was worse than we thought. He has a raging double ear infection, sinus infection, and throat infection. Since he was already crying and yelling "Stop it" and we knew he needed antibiotics, we saved him the throat swab.

That night around midnight, Hannah woke up with an extremely high fever. After 4 hours up with her and her fever coming back every couple hours, we took her right in Saturday morning. Strep Throat. Gross. By the time we got home I was also feeling bad and achy. We cleaned the house and did our best to keep everyone resting and drinking all day. Matt and I got antibiotics for ourselves also. I for sure have it, but Matt is safe so far. We saw Layla take a big drink out of Hannah's cup so we are bracing for that also.

Hannah and Adam are feeling a little better, but this thing really knocks them on their tushies. We are flying through Motrin and Tylenol, but are hoping the fevers stop today. We have taken a bunch of baths (followed by straight bleach tub wash), and done a lot of movie watching. I took two aimless drives with the little kids to get them out of the house and satisfy "bye bye car". It is actually very relaxing when they are quiet and staring out windows. They love the river so we go back and forth over the Boon bridge until we are ready to come home. Today we might venture out to get new desparately needed gym shoes for the girls, but time will tell.

Hope your weekend was better than ours!

Weekend Extravaganza.........

We started the weekend with an adult only trip to Chicago. It was not kid related so no pictures are posted here, but it was really fun. (really really fun)

When we got back Saturday, Mark, Beth, Abbey and Owen came to visit for the rest of the weekend. We kicked it off with some sprinkler time.

and some bubbles.....

The girls got along so well. Hannah took Abbey under her wing like a good big sister and Abbey loved it. We can't wait until they are all a little older and we can get together more often.

Is this not the cutest picture ever? running cousins.

We all had dinner and the girls were pretty tired from their day. Abbey and Hannah went to bed fine while Layla played her getting up game. I wasn't there though so it was all good. Beth and I took the evening off and went for a bit. Everyone was asleep when we got home!

The next day we had some more fun playtime. The boys got along great too :) The daddies took off for golf so we were on our own.

Hannah holding Owen.

We played outside. The kids rode bikes and ran around - all around good time.

We did some swinging. Layla goes sooo high now that she pumps herself. Scary, but oh so cute.

Adam did some swinging.

And then (after a round of naps), it was time for the BIG BOUNCY PARTY!

It was just awesome - everyone had a great time. Layla had little friends there and they were all so good. It is hard to believe they are 3! Here are our 4 cousins before the party started. Owen didn't make it, but at 5 months bouncy parties aren't that great anyway.
Big Birthday Girl.Layla and Addie. They share a birthday.

Hannah had a great time too. We didn't see her much since she just runs off, but it was awesome for her.

Adam had just as much fun. He required an assistant (which is super tiring), but we traded off every few turns. He was in baby 7th heaven.

and so was Layla. We slid and slid...........

and slid...........

and we bounced and bounced................

and bounced...............

Abbey had a fun time and deffinately held her own. She was so silly.

Adam loved running and falling down.

New room + Bigger slide = More sliding..............

We tried to get a good picture of the kids, but my camera was not cooperating. They were very tired, and oh so ready for some pizza!

Silly face picture - super mega cuteness.

Layla loved being sang to. She was unbelievably good and gracious.

Tired girls in the princess throne.

When we got home we still had to open all those presents!

She made it about half way through before she was done for the night.

The next morning, Mark, Beth, Abbey and Owen took off for home and we started Layla's REAL birthday with some sprinkler time. It was hot early so it was as good a time as any to do it.

We did a little relaxing also........

Hannah did the most sprinkling......She loves the water.

After naps it was off to Grandma's for some Memorial day fun. Hannah went over early and swam.

Adam enjoyed some B-Ball. He's getting pretty good at hitting off that tee. Adorable. Check out that concentration.

Layla was ready for some swimming.

Adam wanted to just hang out. When he did get in, he just likes to cuddle. He doesn't fuss, but just wants to be held.

We sang to Layla again with her princess cake and of course she loved it.

and she did great at blowing out candles. She opened the rest of her presents and got lots of good stuff. She is one happy girl.

After that our kids were spent and so were we. We headed home for early bedtimes for all. It was an awesome weekend for Layla and although she may not remember it - we definately will!