Summer~ The Second Half

I'm not sure where summer went, but this year was a whirlwind!  I think adding a baby to the family apparently does that to a girl.  I'm getting ready to head back to work tomorrow, so I am madly working through my to-do list!  

In the middle of June, we headed to Breckenridge, CO with the 5 of us.  We left at 3:00 in the morning going out in hopes that we could make it a fair amount of the way before the natives woke up.  Rowan and Maryn were rockstars to say the least. Isla was a monster.  We thought that was how it would go, so at least we were prepared.  The important part is that we made it;-)

We visited the Denver Aquarium on the first day.  It was amazing,  and the kids loved it!

Smile, Isla!

Look, Mom!  

They sort of like each other~

 The next day we went to the Denver Zoo.  It is also a great family friendly activity in Denver.  The weather was in the low 90s and sunny.  It was gorgeous.

Cheese~

Pioneer Kids~

Where did he go?

We loved the carousel!

Dippin Dots

Yummo!

 The next day, we made the two hour trip up to Breckenridge.  It was beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing.  We had no plans but to spend the next 6 days together enjoying the beautiful scenery.  We did just that, and I am forever thankful for the time away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Rowan helping Isla with her pole~

This girl loves to fish~

Smile~

 We swam every single day, and the kids loved it!  The pool was half inside and half outside.  You could see the mountains from the deck, and it was heated too!

Making Friends~

Isla the fish~

Swim!

Bitty and I spent a lot of time watching~

Daddy swam with the big kids!

Jump in!

You too!

Sweet~

 We rode a gondola up the mountain to a fun park.  Rowan wasn't so sure about it.  Can you tell in his eyes?

Are you sure this is safe, Mom?

Panning for rocks~

Serious business~

Snow pile~

We aren't in Kansas anymore~

Jump, Row!

So stinking cute~

Uphill climb~

What a view!

Love them~

 The fourth of July came and went as well.  We stayed in our neighborhood and had a yummy BBQ.  Then the kids shot fireworks off that night.  Bitty did not like the fireworks one tiny bit.  I spent my evening inside with her, but Alex assured me everyone had a great time!

It was a little sunny~

Pretty girl~

Slippin Slide Action~

Hi, Bitty...

Oh, the drool on the chin~

 We spent many hours out on the trampoline this summer too.  We figured out that you can put the sprinkler underneath it, and it shoots up through it.  What fun!!

She beats to her own drum~

Brother/Sister Love~

July Goal Update~

1. Pay off Alex's undergraduate loan by October 1, 2015

We had 100% of the loan to go on January 1.  As of right now, we are down to  64% 50%of the loan left.  Some progress was made.  This is still doable, but we are going to have to be vigilant about it.

2. Establish a will

No progress on this one.   

3. Read the Bible in 2 years

Fail, fail, fail.  In fact, I read 1 book all summer, and it was on vacation. I love to read, but in this phase of life, it isn't happening.  We are starting a new series in our Bible Study group.  We will end up reading the Bible when we conclude the program, so this may be my new goal.     

4. Go on 1 family vacation

It was amazing, and we survived.  I have pictures I'm working on editing as we speak!  Post will be up soon!

5. Have a baby

Maryn Grace arrived March 14, 2015 at 1:52 a.m.  She's amazing!

Maryn~4 Months

Just a smidge late;-)

Weight: 13 pounds
Length: 22.5 inches

Sleep: She goes down around 8:00 p.m.  On a good night, she will sleep until around 6.  Good nights are fewer than typical nights for her, though.  She usually still gets up at some point in the night for a feeding.  She and I can be found rocking between 2 and 4 a.m. most nights!  She does go right back to sleep, though, which is a blessing!  

Talking: We have found the ability to blow bubbles.  She blows lots of bubbles and makes funny sounds.

Siblings: Big Brother and Sister are doing great with Maryn.  Isla loves to tickle her, be in her space, and put as many toys up close and personal as possible.  Rowan enjoys bopping her nose and talking to her.  They are both super helpful for me when I need them!  

Dislikes: We are doing better in the Dad department now.  Maryn seems to have eased out of the stranger danger.  She doesn't enjoy her pants being dirty in the least.  Needless to say, we go through lots of diapers with her.  

Firsts: We are rolling over now, which consequently means she is sleeping on her tummy now.  Last week was rough as we figured out this new trick.  Now that she has gotten used to sleeping on her tummy, she is doing much better.  We have also moved to sitting in the high chair during our family meals.  She was so cranky in her little rock and play during dinner, but now that we have moved her up to the table where she can see us, she is much happier!  She's getting big so fast!

Summer~ The First Half

True Colors~

Summer is half over.  We are making our way through the summer days, and I do love staying home with the kids, but it is exhausting.  I have finally gotten pictures downloading from the camera and edited.  I love the new camera, but it is so easy to get 1000 pictures with it in no time.  It has definitely added to my need to edit!  Here's a glimpse in our first few weeks of summer!

Buddies~

Ropes Course~

Isla's Goofy Face~

Chilaxin~

Sweet Boy~

She's a Builder~

How does this work?

Babies~

Maryn and I painted too~

So Intent~

Racing~

Concentrate~

So Innocent~

Go~

Weee~

At the end of May we finished soccer with both kids.  It was Isla's first year, and she did great!  Rowan had a great team, and he showed some miraculous improvement throughout the season!

Soccer~

Sweet face~

So much work~

Get it, Isla~

Throwing it over our head~

Throwing in Bounds~

Isla's Team~

Run, Rowan~

Rowan and his friend were on opposite teams~

Goalie~

Get it Rowan~

Rowan's Silly Team Picture~

Oh, Isla~

Every Moment is a Surprise~

Porch Sitting~

In June, we also did 2 weeks of swimming lessons with the kids.  They continue to improve in swimming, and I truly believe this is one of the best gifts I can give them!  Rowan is almost what I would call a proficient swimmer.  Isla was a bit manipulative with the cute high school boy and got him to hold her the entire time!  She has some skills, though, but she has a ways to go~  They had fun too!

Diving~

Rowan Loved Swimming Lessons~

Hi Sweet Boy~

Isla's Turn~

Floating~

Swim, Isla~

Pretty Girl~

Momma and Maryn~

And somewhere in there we baptized Maryn!  She did great!

This is as good as it gets~

My momma~

Pastor Maria baptizing sweet Maryn~