Tasty Summer

Marshmallows. Campfire roasted marshmallows. A tasty summer treat.

The smoke.

Owen kept wanting to cook his marshmallow in it.

Lilly was enamored by it. She kept waving her arms and talking to it in excitement. (I wish I got a picture of it)

She loved her little treat too. Even though it wasn't cooked over the campfire, she was a happy camper.

Day at the Lake

A few days ago, Jimmy was going to be gone all day and evening. So to break up our day, we took a day trip to a lake in Warsaw with some friends. It was a perfect day! Perfect weather, perfect water temperature, perfect picnic area, perfect beach area...it was great!

Both Own and Lilly were not sure of the water at first. Owen warmed up pretty quick and was a little fish in no time--jumping off the pier (for me to catch him or into 4 inch deep water), running into the water at high speed, floating in his little inner tube, and testing out water wings. He had a blast.

Getting ready to jump!

While the life guards called a "safety break," we took the opportunity to refuel with a snack.

Lilly, on the other hand, did not warm up to the idea of the lake and sand by the end of the afternoon. She did make some strides. But was sure to let me know that she preferred to be in my arms than anywhere else...which is a.ok with mommy :)

A time for everything

Sunday was a big day for these tuckered out boys. Jimmy led worship and preached his first sermon at church in the morning. Then we piled in the van and headed to a family reunion for the afternoon. It was so nice to see cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. When we returned home, this is where the two boys spent the rest of the evening. Owen, who NEVER sits still, stayed on the couch all night with a 104 degree temp. They are both still recouping today.

This is the most this girl has every enjoyed a swing! She sat there going back and forth forever! Before today, she has acted a little timid of playground swings. But today was the day she decided to love them.

In Sad Shape

Poor guy. In the past two days he's gotten hit between the eyes by the end of a fooz ball rod, and then knocked on the eyebrow from pulling on the cord of the wireless router and making it fall. He looks like he's in rough shape.

Mr. Fix It

A couple days ago, Owen announced to me that the chair was broke. Then ran to his room and returned with a hammer and nail from his tool set. He laid down under the foot rest and started hammering the nail. Then proudly informed me that he had fixed the chair. Whew..that was a close one! I just love him!

Reflections

Lilly was busy enjoying her reflection in the stove. They were having quite the conversation with one another!

Let the Good Times Roll

We inherited this super fun gator from our neighbors. Daddy came home today with a battery to get the thing running. (Rather than spending $70 on the 12 Volt battery that is made for the gator, he bought a $20 12 volt battery at Rural King...worked like a charm! --Well except that it doesn't completely fit in the little space on the front.) As you can imagine, Owen was super excited!

And after a little practice, he got pretty good at steering, for a 2 year old. :)

This is serious business, watch out!

Bath for 2

Beautiful Summer Night

for a bike ride. Owen has got the hang of pedaling and loves to ride his bike!

We went down the road a little ways to visit our neighbors cows. Lilly thought they were pretty cool.

I tried hard to get Owen to sit next to his sis, but he thought he had better things to do. So this is the best I could get.

What better way to end the evening than with a smoothie pop?! YUM!!

Then inside for baths, and bedtime!

Snip, Snip, Snip

It's been a long debate as to when to cut O's hair...but the time has come. Here's he is all set and ready to go...sitting up high on a bar stool, watching some Elmo, ready to sit still for the big event...haha, who am I kidding? Sit still? I don't think so.

BEFORE

DURING

And, tada!!
AFTER
Still longer per Daddy's request, but no more raggedy ends per Mommy's request.

Owen's first big boy haircut @ 2 yrs and 3 month old!

A running start...

Owen's newest favorite pool game (that he came up with on his own) is to get a running start and jump into the pool.

Here's what Lilly thinks of the game:

8 months old and growing up WAY to fast!

It seems like Lilly is learning how to do new things everyday! She is more and more quick about getting around. Trying new foods and loving them at just about every meal. Babbling ALOT! Interested in tagging along with her brother (and cheering him on as he runs around) and ADORING him more than he currently appreciates.

She's starting to walk around with the lion now, too!

Engineer

This past week Owen has developed quite the fascination with building train track around the house. Practically the second we get in the door from being gone, he wants to play "choo choo track" or "play Thomas." It's been pretty fun to watch his little 2 year old brain work and put different tracks together. I have seriously never seen this child focus on one thing for such great lengths of time as this!

It started in the corner, like this.

Pretty soon, he was making Thomas travel over little hills using anything and everything as support for the hill.

Then he started to get even more adventurous with the steepness of the hills.

Pretty soon, Thomas was trekking over some pretty daring terrain.

Then Mommy and Daddy decided to splurge and buy Owen more track pieces to build with....so NOW, the track building adventure has taken over our living room and is continuing to get more and more elaborate.