CATCH UP

It has been a few weeks since I have posted so I will do a quick catch up post.
The Guinther's came to play again a few weeks ago. Max gets cuter every time I see him. He didn't cry hardly at all this time so that was good.

We celebrated July 4th with Shane's family. We swam and ate and watched Shane's Firework Extravaganza (He bought his own fireworks this year!) It was a great display. Great job Shane.

We also went to my parents this past weekend for the annual pool party. Again we swam and ate. It was great to see everyone. Doug's entire family came, including baby Addison. She is only 7weeks old and born to John and Terra Wonsettler. I didn't get a picture of her but she is adorable. My cousin Ryan also surprised everyone by coming to the party. It was a wonderful surprise and great to see him!

Caleb is eating solids these days. I have been giving him just rice cereal for a while because he has been taking a long time learning how to actually swallow without thrusting his tongue forward. Just on Sunday he started vegetables. I started him with peas and he seems to like them. Next will be green beans. He is quite the talker these days. He is starting to repeat sounds and really using his voice. Payton loves when he is vocal....she thinks that it is so funny!

Payton has been wonderful as usual. This past week we had a playdate with Lexi Ditz. The girls swam, watered the driveway, used sidewalk chalk, and went down the slide. They had a great time. Payton plays with all her toys and is often using her imagination. For example, the other day she made a pile of bead necklaces and put two bracelets on top. She started singing "Happy Birthday" and then asked me to make a wish. She said that her necklaces were cake. Isn't she cute? Here are some pictures of our recent events.


I took this today. P is not mad, she is actually saying "cheese." Except when she says it, it doesn't make her smile. =)


Poppy gave the kids tractor rides toward the end of the day. They thought that was great!


Daddy was swimming with Caleb when Payton said, "My turn." So they all swam together.


The girls in matching Fourth of July outfits. Keira, Lexi, and Payton.


Payton and I spent a lot of time in Nay-Nay's swimming pool.


Max was very interested in what Caleb was doing.


Payton and Lexi Ditz were helping to fill up the pool. Aren't they cute?

Pool Day with the girls

Every week, my friends from school all get together with our kids and go swimming. It is a lot of fun and the girls all love to play together. Today was the first time we got together this summer. What a difference from last year. Maddie and Olivia are swimming on their own. Emma and Payton loved going where the water was deep. Payton even went under the water. This year we have a new addition to the group, baby Ali. My friend Heidi had her a week after Caleb was born. Here are some pictures of our playdate.


Baby Ali was resting in her stroller.


Chloe was striking a pose for the camera.


Maddie and Olivia were ready to go home after all that swimming.


Let us out!!!


Emma and Payton had a good time splashing from the side of the pool!

Lots going on

Let's see, I have included a few pictures of Shane and Payton eating salad. Why you ask? Any time Shane makes a salad for himself, she immediately crawls up into his lap and starts digging through his salad looking for things to eat. Her favorites are olives, croutons, tomatoes, and beets. She is like a little rabbit when it comes to salad.

Caleb has started cereal. Dr. Hagen said that we could start anytime between now and six months so I decided it was time. He has started to wake up around 4:30-5am to eat so I am hoping this will help him get over that hump and stay asleep until 6:30-7am. Here are a few pics from his first cereal experience.





Lastly, we celebrated Father's Day on Sunday. We spent the day together as a family and that was nice. We went to Applebee's for lunch and then went to Dick's and Lowe's. After the kids went to bed, Shane and I made a fire in our new firepit and sat in the backyard for a while. It was a calm, relaxing day. Happy Father's Day Shane. This is the best picture I could get. Got to love a 2 year old's personality sometimes. :)

Is this what the future holds?

If so I can not wait!!

A trip to the zoo

My girlfriend from college, Wendi, and I went to the zoo the other day with the kids. We had a great morning. The weather was perfect and the kids had a wonderful time. Wendi is expecting her second baby in less than three weeks so we did a lot of walking to "get things going." This is a picture of Payton and Danny before lunch. I tried to get others during the day but capturing 2 two year olds is quite a science and I was unsuccessful in my attempts.

Caleb is 4 months old!!

Hard to believe that four months have gone by already. Caleb is growing and changing everyday. At his doctor's appointment today he weighed in at 14lbs 11.5oz (50%). He is 25.25 inches tall(75%). His latest things include rolling over from his belly to his back. This usually occurs in the middle of the night and requires me to get out of bed and roll him back over because he is stuck like a turtle on his back. He is talking a lot. He will try to make the same sound you make. He has found his feet. Many times you have to pry his hands off his feet in order to change his diaper. He is a great sleeper. He is in bed between 6-7pm and is usually up at 6:30am. He is taking two naps a day and is happy and content when he is not sleeping. He loves to play in the jumpy and really reaches for objects that are in front of him. Here is two pictures of my big boy!!

First pedicure

Last weekend, Shane and I had a wedding to go to. Since it is summertime and I would be wearing sandals, I decided to buy new nailpolish at the store for the occasion. When I got home, I thought it would be fun to paint Payton's little piggies. So she got her first pedicure. She looks so cute and every time she looks at her feet she says, "Look, pink toenails!" Here is a pic of her feet and of Shane and I before the wedding.