Visitors

Aunt Rachelle came for a visit in July, and she brought her boyfriend Jordan with her so we could meet him. The kids loved him almost instantly. In fact, I hardly got any time with the kids while he was here. Carinn made him her new best friend. They were playing together all the time. It was a lot of fun to watch.

Adam, Emily, Carinn, and Jordan playing Candy Land - a favorite around our house!

Jordan and Carinn reading together.


The kids with Jordan and Aunt Rachelle.

Happennings

Well, it has been a while, so we have a few things to share.

July 24th was Carinn's 2nd birthday. We celebrated with a lot of our family. We had dinner, then watched Adam and Uncle Aaron play in their softball game, and then we had cake and ice cream. It was a lot of fun.

Carinn enjoyed her cake, and shared it with the rest of us. It looked great, thanks to Laura helping me decorate it.

Grandma Davies took Carinn to Build-a-Bear for her birthday present. Carinn insisted on carrying the whole box all the way through the mall to their car, and into our house. She even fell asleep cuddling up to it in the car on the way home. She loves her new "Kitty".

Cookie Time

Adam loves to make cookies with the kids. (Cookies from a bucket, that is.) Here's a shot of them enjoying their cookies and milk.

Playing Fetch

No, we didn't get a dog!

Emily and Carinn were playing fetch one evening before bed. Every time Carinn got the ball she yelled "I got it!" (She loves using her new sentences!)

Getting ready to throw (check out Carinn's concentrating face)

Action!

I got it! (Princess slippers and all!)

Swimming Lessons

Emily has been taking swimming lessons for the last few weeks. We get to use Aaron and Laura's pool. Her teacher, Rochelle, is just wonderful with her. I wish I had taken pictures of the first two lessons. Emily HATED every minute of them. She screamed the whole time. I thought we were in for a VERY long summer. During the third lesson we had a turnaround. All of a sudden, Emily started enjoying her lessons. (Maybe it had to do with the fact that we are bribing her - she gets a prize for every lesson where she does what Rochelle asks her without crying.) She is doing so well now. She even goes all the way under (although she still really doesn't like that part of it). Here are some pictures (after the turnaround):

Swimming and Smiling!

Up to her ears (and still smiling!)

Carinn wanted a picture of herself too

Loves for Grandma Davies

Grandma Davies took the train up to visit a couple of weeks ago. The mommies (Camarie and Laura) and all the kids (Emily, Grant, Carinn, and Grace) were able to meet her when she arrived, so we decided to make her some special signs so she could find us at the train station. Grandma was so happy to see us!

Making the Signs -

Meeting Grandma at the Train -

Loving Cousins

Carinn and Emily have a cousin, Grace, who was born in March. Carinn is so loving toward her. Almost every time she sees Grace, she is all over her: loving her, trying to dress her, pushing her swing, rocking her car seat, etc. It is so fun to watch. I hope she is that loving when she has a new baby brother or sister!