My Big Helper

Cole has proven to be the best big brother and very best helper ever! Ever since we brought Lily Kate home from the hospital he has loved helping us with her. He takes dirty diapers to the trash, he helps fold her laundry, he makes her laugh, he hands her toys and her pacifier without being asked...he is amazing with her. The newest thing he enjoys doing is feeding her. She thinks it is so funny when he does it! Typically most of the food ends up on her face because she is laughing so much. He is so proud of himself and feels so big when he helps us. It cracks me up because I thought he would lose interest in her after awhile but his love for her continues to grow each and every day. And she adores him as well! He can barely reach her when she is in her high chair but he tries his very best to help her eat her food. I really could not have asked for a better big brother for her!

Slip 'N Slide!

We have been having some super hot weather around here and all we can do to keep cool is swim, eat popsickles and play in the water. Rhonald and I had been talking about the fun things we did in the summer as kids and the one thing he said he loved was playing on the Slip 'N Slide. Sunday after church Rhonald said he had to run out for a minute and guess what? He came home with a Slip 'N Slide! A much, much cooler one that we ever played with that's for sure! Lily Kate had a blast watching the boys from the infant pool. She would laugh and laugh at them sliding around. Cole could not really get the hang of running and sliding so he would lay on the tarp and Rhonald would give him a big push to help him slide down. There are no words to describe how much he loved it! And Rhonald too! I had filled up the kiddie pool during nap time so the boys would slide down the tarp into the very cold Slip 'N Slide pool and then run over and jump in the somewhat warm kiddie pool. It was a blast! Poor Rhonald, he is not as young as he once was and he was pretty sore the next morning...and a little bruised up...but I don't think he would trade the memories of that afternoon with Cole for anything!

A Girl And Her Bath

Um...Have you ever seen a cuter booty in all of your life?

I tried to get a picture of both kids in their pj's...this was the best I could do. Lily is seriously a wiggle worm these days!

Lily Kate is in love with all things that have to do with water...especially her bath...especially when Cole is in there with her! Oh my word! Talk about fun times at our house! Those two crack me up when they are playing together in the tub these days. It is always a race to see who can get in the tub first - Cole always wins because dressing and undressing Lily is like wrestling a wet pig! Then they play with the bath toys and splash around forever. She is learning how to splash him and when she gets him it sends her into a fir of the cutest giggles you have ever heard! I always get her out first so Cole can play longer (and, of course, I would never leave her in there alone) and as soon as she is dressed...seriously, the second her clothes are on, she takes off for the bathroom to see Cole once again. She does love to check herself out in the mirror as well. It is so much fun to be apart of their lives...and what a fun and entertaining way to end the day!

Future Fly Fisherman

Ever since Cole was a baby, before he could even walk, he loved looking at all of Rhonald's fly fishing gear. That interest has not changed a bit. He loves to tie flies with his daddy, help Rhonald pack his fishing bags, read books and magazines about fly fishing. He even loves to watch it on TV. Rhonald has never pushed it on Cole but I know he loves the fact that Cole is so interested in it. For Father's Day Lily Kate and Cole bought Rhonald a bunch of new fishing gear and Cole was beside himself. He loved being at the fly shop with me and hanging out with all of the guys. In fact, as he was helping one guy pick out some new flies for Rhonald he said, "When I get big like you guys I am going to work here and drive a cool car." Oh Cole, you are precious!

Blueberries Anyone?

Happy Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day to the world's very best daddy! We love you more than you will ever know!

Splish, Splash!

Lily Kate and her buddy, Ethan, keeping an eye on their big brothers (yes, we have the same stroller)
Cole and Jackson

Ben and Cole taking a break

Holiday and Cole (Cole thinks Holiday is so super cool because she is 4)

Ben and Cole

First let me say that the new splash park is AWESOME (we have been about 3 times already and love it) but it is the hardest place to take pictures. There are kids running everywhere!!! What a difference a year makes! Last year Cole would have run the other way when he saw this place and this year he is all about it. We have not done anything outside in the past 2 weeks that isn't water related...it is too hot! This is a great place to stop by and cool off and have a bunch of fun with friends. I love the idea of it and Cole loves that he can have some freedom to run around and get wet without floaties and his mama watching every move he makes. On this particular day we met a group of friends which made it even more fun than usual! I look forward to many more hot summer days spent at the splash park ... and I really can't wait until next summer when Lily Kate is running around with the rest of the kids!