Legoland and Sea Life {Father's Day Weekend in KC}

For Father's Day weekend, we got stuck going to an ortho conference in KC.  I took the kids to the Legoland Discovery Center and the SeaLife Aquarium on Friday.  

They're both neat, but for anyone reading who's interesting in going -- MAKE SURE YOU TAKE SOCKS FOR THE KIDS if you want to be able to play on anything!  We went on the day 500+ summer program kids were there, and the limited socks they do have were sold out.  It was pretty well a waste, because all of the lego pits and giant play equipment require socks, and they watch you like a hawk!  The aquarium was okay, but Tulsa's is a thousand times cooler!  A baby shark or two in KC, but dozens in Tulsa!

Our hotel room on the plaza was anything but "large," so when Aiden went to sleep, we had to hang out in the bathroom :)

 Saturday night, I got the chance to go out to dinner (ALONE!!!) with my BFF!!!!

 "hello.. nana?"

I know I'm fashionably late with this post, but I still want to thank James for being the most absolute BEST dad to these kids.  We love you infinity times infinity and thank you for everything you do for our family!  I have the best dad and grandpa's, and I'm so glad our kids have you!!!

look familiar?

...and baby makes 5

{t-ball} 2013

as you might have guessed.. this is a really special time for me as a mom.

i actually cried when i took ava to buy her very own, very first bat bag.

i yelled at her when she dove into a teammate trying to field a ball.

i cheered for her when she hit the ball passed everyone.

i have been very confused by her hitting from the right side.

i tried to talk her out of a pink bat.

i rubbed down her glove, and wrapped it up to break it in.  just like my dad.

 she runs bases like me.  oops.

she talks a little smack.  oops.

to be continued...

Hi, I'm Wendy. {nice to meet you}

 Yep.  I'm Wendy.  I'm a 6 week old yellow lab/yellow german shepard mix, but I look like a golden retriever!  I am very calm and I like to be held.  I am excited to join my new family and meet all of you soon!

Day Out with Thomas {2013}

On Saturday, we ventured out to Baldwin City, KS and the Midland Railway to Day Out with Thomas.. aka... one of the best days of Ava's life.

We got a 30 minute train ride (in the car behind Thomas, which is Clarabelle) and they had a bunch of fun activities for kids.  Ava was in hooooog heaven!!

be sure and check out the post after this.. the delayed bday post!

Happy 1st Birthday {Aiden James}

 Dearest Aiden,

Your first year went by too fast.  You were such a tiny baby on May 28, 2012 and you're changing over to a toddler now.  We have so many favorite memories with you in your first year.  Introducing you to your big sister, taking you to your first Chiefs game, going on your first airplane to Arizona, your first snow, your first bite of real food, the first time you rolled over.. too many to name.  I hope if a digital backup of this blog exists someday you will see how happy you have made our family.  People say you look exactly like your dad.  Yes, for the most part, but I see some of me in you also.  Thankfully, you got my big blue eyes that you can break a few hearts with someday :)  At one year old, you are "pushing" toys and walking, but don't walk unassisted.  You are such a fast crawler, why bother!?  You have SIX teeth and your favorite foods are mashed potatoes, bananas, and yogurt.  Ava loves to carry you around, and we constantly tell her "he is not a doll!" even though you look exactly like a little boy baby doll!  (and sometimes an old man baby doll!)  You wear a size 12-18 months and are growing like a weed.  You make this scrunchy face by crinkling your nose and snorting that makes everyone laugh.  You have been such a happy and content baby since the day you were born.  You are just now starting to get mad if a toy gets taken from you or if it rolls under the couch :)  Ava started calling you buddy boo bear when you were an infant, so we call you buddy.  In just one short year, you have made a profound impact on so many lives.  There are SO many people that love you!  We thank God every day that he gave us you.  You have been such a beautiful, funny, smart, amazing blessing in our lives and we love you very much.

All our love,

Mommy and Daddy