Boone Babies!

Once upon a time, I was back in college, with little responsibilities and lots of good friends who wanted to be teachers, Then, we all went our separate ways and spent a season of our lives attending each other's weddings, followed up with baby showers, and now we have lots of little ones running (walking, crawling, rolling, sitting) around!

While a few of our friends were in North Carolina, we tried to get together, and ended up with most of the babies attending as well! We were only missing baby Dylan, who wasn't quite two weeks old. He decided that he would rather eat and nap at home.

Meet Adelaide and Knox, approximately the same weight yet about four months apart.

Sharing, at its best. I think the ball pit may need to be cloroxed soon.

Anna preferred to color like a big girl. This was helpful in distracting her from the babies all dousing her toys in their drool.

To the left is Wade (Elyse's), Anna, Knox (Julie's), and Adelaide (Jackie's).

I mean, could they BE any cuter?

And just in case you thought that magical photos of four babes with no tears came easily...

The dogs (Pignoli seen here) could not understand why they weren't allowed.

Wade: Hey, Mom.

Anna: Knox, don't touch me.

Knox: Hey, I like your arm, Anna.

Julie: Knox, stop touching Anna.

Adelaide: I'd like to crawl off the couch, please.

Wade: Hey, Mom.

Anna: I know how to get off the couch. Like this, guys. Let's bail!

Knox: But I just wanted to grab her arm!

Wade: Hey, Mom.

Anna: But I don't WANT to take a picture on the couch.

Knox: I'd like to scare you and try to jump off now.

Adelaide: Why am I being restrained? I just want to jump off the couch!

Taylorsville Visit!

Last week, Anna and I decided to take a trip up to Taylorsville to visit her great Grandparents. It had been a little while since we had visited (where does summer go?!) and we were excited to spend some time in the foothills.

I was really impressed with the social skills Anna showed in our time in Taylorsville. She has really grown in leaps and bounds in how she now trusts and loves on the people she recognizes that love her back. For example- she just marched right into Grandma Marshall's house and made herself at home with her toys, and then later, at Nanny and Paw's, when Nanny went to get something out of the freezer and I was helping clean the kitchen she took Paw's hand and said, "come on, Paw, let's go play". These are big milestones for the little one, as she has always taken her time to warming up especially in places she doesn't frequent weekly.

I took my nice camera, and had all the intentions of taking good pictures of Anna with her Greats, but Anna had other ideas about such specific photos, so here is the best I have! Thank you for such a fun day, Grandma, Nanny, and Paw! We love you!

A sunny day! (Anna is really into telling me the weather lately, and if it is a "sunny day" she needs her sunglasses!) We headed out to see Grandma's bird feeders!

This would be when I told Anna to go stand with Grandma so I could take a pretty picture./

This one could have been super cute if I just could have gotten a smile out of the little one :)

Nanny and Paw have a pool at their house, and Anna was more than happy to head in for a swim!

Swimming like a big girl to get her ball!

It's hard being two. Also, it is hard to hold on to the soccer ball in the water when you have on a puddle jumper.

Happy Fourth of July!

Usually on the Fourth, we travel somewhere. In years past we have ended up at the lake several times, in Michigan, and at the beach. This year, after all of our recent travels, we decided to stay home. We ended up not doing much of anything, and getting things done around the house which was a nice change of pace considering Mark's hours are limited at home and we usually don't prefer to spend them working.

We did manage to squeeze in plenty of festivities, even if they were mostly spent between the three of us!

On Friday (Mark got off the 3rd since the 4th was a Saturday), we watched the weather and stayed inside most of the day since it kept calling for "100%" chances of rain. We finally ended up grilling some filet and showing Anna her first sparklers... in daylight. We tried to catch local fireworks, but the rain caused us to decide to go home and cut our losses before we sat around in the rain and didn't get to see fireworks. Turns out, it dried out and they were shot off, but Anna was snug in her bed instead.

A little unsure at first..

Well, this might be okay...

Cool!!

On Saturday, while Mark stayed home and enjoyed some peace and quiet, we headed to Aunt Lisa and Uncle Ben's pool followed by a festival in the shopping center in front of their neighborhood. The highlight of the entire event was the firetrucks spraying water. Anna is super excited about transportation these days (mainly firetrucks and school buses) so she was stoked to see one up close. She also became Uncle Ben's girl and spent the better part of the festival on his shoulders! We also took Anna to see local fireworks on the lake, which ended up being a terrible show, which Anna was not interested in (she closed her eyes) and it took us forever to get home. Oh well, next year!

This picture screams 'America'!

Anna and her buddy checking out the fire truck!

A picture with Mommy!

This picture makes me giggle... Anna driving a fire truck!

Our crew!

Also love this one! Uncle Ben helping Anna get a good splash in the puddles!