Cuddles

Nick loves when his girlfriend comes to visit. Ben is still in denial that Taryn is actually his girlfriend and not Nicks....

 

Summer Days

We are so lucky to have amazing neighbors! Christopher has been in Vienna all week - and it has been super hot here. Add in Nick not feeling great and it's been a lllooooonnnnnggggg week. Today I took the kids over to Ed and Maryanne's and they swam and swam. Nick is getting so good at jumping in - but still hates his face getting wet. We will work on that. Xander is a little fish and gets so frustrated that he can't explore like he can in the bathtub. I'm going to have to watch this boy like a hawk near water! 

I wouldn't have survived this week without Kallie. She has totally taken over on Nick and he has wanted nothing to do with me. He still isn't feeling great and during our swim just cuddled in and slept for over an hour. I think Kal dozed off too.  How perfect are they together? Zack and Andrew kept each other entertained by trying to drown each other. Oh good times... 

 

Goodbye Braces

 Oh the day we have been waiting for since he was 7! Andrew started with a nasty crossbite and needed to have his jaw stretched. We started this project in New Mexico - moved it to Ohio, took a break in England, and started back up in VA.  I don't know what's more exciting to me....having Andrew out of braces - or only have three braces payments each month....

Check out that amazing smile!

Spiderman underwear!

Guess who has decided to try out big boy Spiderman underwear?!  We are on day 4...and just had accident #1...not to shabby!  I let him decide if he wants to wear diapers or underwear, and normally he'll choose underwear. Potty training in summer is the best. He just runs outside, pees on the grass, and comes back in!  Oh, and can we acknowledge how xute he is in his ever present rainboots?  It's over 100 degrees and rainboots are still his footwear of choice. It could have something to do with the horrible sore on his foot from his Sandals....or not...

Welcome Summer!

Ok, summer has arrived with gusto!  We went from nice weather to 100+ in a matter of a day. Thankfully some awesome neighbors share their pool!  The kids had an absolute blast swimming! I can't wait for Hawaii this year. I think nick is going to love the water so much!

Don't let Ben's face fool you, he loved it..

The next day nick wore this outfit ALL day. His Spiderman jammies with his life vest. He also found our stash of birthday candles and carried all 24 around all day singing happy birthday nick and pretending to blow out the candles. Three year olds are seriously the greatest. 

We Love When Grandma and Papa Come!

 We love having visitors! The more crazy, loud, busy our house is - the better. Grandma and Papa came into town to be here for Ben's graduation. We, of course, decided to celebrate as much as we could while they were here so we did Nick's birthday, temple open house, Papa dates, and game nights too! It was such a great trip and full of so much fun and laugher. I love that my kids have such amazing people to look up to and mentor them.

Papa is an incredible chef. He pretty much did all the cooking while they were here. His favorite activities are taking the kids are their own lunch/breakfast date - just the two of them - catching up and hearing all about what is going on in their world and what is important to them. I love that he does this. Nick was excited to get his own date this year too!

Grandpa realized we were missing out on one of the worlds best kitchen tools - and AirFryer. Next thing I knew he was proudly explaining all the amazing things this particular model can do - and then spent the whole next week showing us! He cooked every meal from chicken, bacon, and salmon in this! I have to admit - I've been converted!

  

What kid doesn't love Grandma's neck kisses?!

Grandpa dates! The kids look forward to this every visit!

These sites make me smile. Grandma working on her computer drawing and creating for her business - Papa reading articles, working, or finding something interesting to share with everyone. Love the matching recliners :)

And SO.MANY.GAMES! Ben and Papa killed me and Kal. I don't want to talk about it....