Lots to Celebrate

On Friday, LL was 8 months old...hard to believe that in just half that time we'll be celebrating her first birthday! As you can see in the picture, she enjoyed some time in the swing in our front yard...a nice shady spot which offers enough privacy for an 8 month old to skip the clothing (at least on an afternoon when the temperature was close to 100!). Saturday afternoon we went to the Dell Diamond for Trey's company party. The girls enjoyed sitting side-by-side in high chairs (one of LL's first times in one!), though AG's menu was quite a bit more interesting than LL's, and after dinner we went out to sit on the hillside and watch some baseball (the Round Rock Express were playing the New Orleans Zephyrs). Here's a picture of Trey with the girls, which brings me to the next big event of the weekend...Father's Day! All four of us send out Father's Day hugs and kisses to Trey's Dad, Bob (aka Grandpa) and my Daddy, Jim (aka PopPop) and to Trey's grandfather, PawPaw. Today we've had a good time honoring the "Daddy" in our house...the girls are showing him in their own ways how much they love him (which is nothing out of the ordinary!): AG colored a picture for him and has started showering him with "I lovou Daddy!" repeatedly, and LL flashes her dimples at him and grabs his nose and glasses with a little extra gusto! I am thankful to have such a great husband to share this parenting adventure with.

Pool Party

Last weekend found Trey chillin' in the pool with his girls, or at least two of them...as I was hanging out poolside so that all the fun could be captured on "film," and also because there just wasn't alot of wiggle room left! AG discovered she could get a good reaction from her Daddy by suddenly pouring cold water on him, and this soon progressed to a fun "waterfall" game with AG repeatedly dumping a bowl of water over Trey's head (and LL's, since at the time she was on Trey's lap). LL seemed a little tentative at first but soon got warmed up, to the water and the little rubber ducky AG shared with her. She was soon sitting up in the pool by herself and even put her whole face in the water a few times, trying to get to the colorful designs on the bottom.

A Memorable Memorial Day

We all enjoyed some fun activities over Memorial Day weekend. Monday morning we went to a local park that has a water-play area for kids, and while we waited for the water to come on AG and LL got to swing side-by-side for the first time! We waited, and waited, and...LL had fun playing on a blanket, as you can see...and AG asked, "Where's the water?" at least 100 times, and the water never started. A little disappointed but not ready to give up the idea of getting soaked, we went home and created our own water-playplace in our front yard with the sprinkler, squirt bottles, and pool! Later AG got reenergized by a "movie" (aka smoothie) and we went to a pet store to see lots of neat animals.

Our Little Kipper

Last night AG finished up her "Kipper" swimming lessons. She's had fun learning to kick, blow bubbles, and especially climb out and jump into the pool.

The Accessory Sharing Begins...

AG decided to see how her favorite hat looks on LL.

Water Fun!

"Sippy cup or drippy cup?"


LL has been discovering that water has more uses than just during bathtime...yesterday she took her first dip in the little pool in our yard with her Daddy and AG. AG, still in her first session of swim lessons, encouraged her to "Splash!" LL's other new water activity is....drinking from a cup! Or more like learning to make water come out of a cup at this point...but I'm sure some drinking will occur by accident sometime. All that spillage on the tummy after a meal washes off the wayward veggies nicely, though!

AG holds LL's hand through most of her first ride in the new car seat...just one of her big-sisterly duties!

Catching the Wave...

Well, we're officially in the blog game now! After starting one months ago, leaving it totally alone til today, deciding to scratch it and start afresh...here we go! I hope this will serve as a way for many of our family and friends far away to keep up with what's going on, especially with the girls (AG and LL). Of course it won't replace phone calls, email, letters (Yes, some of us are still putting pen to paper! At least occasionally...) and best of all actual visits face to face, but (you already knew that, didn't you?) maybe it will offer a chance for you to check in and see a new picture or read about one of our daily experiences that would have otherwise gone unshared.

In a nutshell (because it's getting late!) we are enjoying life with our two little ones...and oh how the weeks are flying by! AG turned 2 in April and has entered into a whole new realm of independence, which keeps us on our toes! Her favorite phrases now are "I do it" and "Nope, don't want to." Figuring out how to respond to that one in any number of circumstances is a work in progress! (Suggestions are welcomed!) LL is now 7 months and is enjoying the view from her new carseat (see picture), exersaucer, double jog stroller seat, and pretty much anywhere she can sit up and grab anything within reach. Her menu is expanding every few days, with the latest addition being yogurt (AG is having to take sharing to a whole new level!). AG stands by with "napkins" ready to "tean up" her baby sister should Mommy miss her mouth, which of course almost never happens ;)! As you can see from the picture of LL's first ride in her new seat, AG is there to lend a hand in many ways, and thankfully, so far LL is all for it.