Grandma and Grandpa at the Lake

A few days after my dad came to visit in August my mom headed up.  She had been teaching, and school finally let out for the semester.  It was a lot of fun to have both my parents up here for about 5 days.  

We decided to spend part of the time they were here at the lake.  Charlie was thrilled that the car was so full both Grandma and Grandpa were going to sit in the back of the van with him.  I think he gets a little lonely back there sometimes!

Zach teaching Mom the jet ski

It is an almost 3 hour drive to the lake if you count stopping for gas/bathroom break part way.  We made it a little longer by grabbing dinner.  It was a terrific weekend, though, and well worth the drive!

Charlie had some awesome cannonballs!

The kids played with Grandpa and Grandma in the pool a bit.  Then we got both my parents out on jet skis.  

Anna stepped in the pool while yelling cannonball

Her one and only attempt at jumping in!

Much of the time was spent right off our back porch, though.  The kids had their water table and blow up pool that they just love.  The spent a long time practicing their cannonballs into the little pool, which was hysterical to watch.  Anna even spent some time chasing Charlie around with the hose, which made them laugh like crazy. 

Kiddos

Beautiful Kids

My sweet Zoe

Our own Batman!

Over 100 degrees, but Anna loves wearing a coat

Miss Zoe never stops smiling

Baby kisses

Baptism invite picture

Charlie wearing his shirt in honor of Jeff and Beth being in London

See, she really never stops smiling!

Happy Birthday Mom

I want to wish a very happy birthday to the most wonderful woman I know - my mom!  

 

Water Slide!

A neighbor of ours was selling a water slide he had bought his kids because they got too big to use it.  They were selling it super cheap because they couldn't use it anymore, and Zach thought it looked like a lot of fun so he got it for the kids.

Charlie loves going down it!  The slide hooks up to a fairly loud motor, which scares Anna so she refuses to use it.  Charlie, on the other hand, loves this slide.  He has been so excited every time we hook it up.

His cousin Kenny was in town after we got it, so he was able to use it, too.  The boys were so much fun to watch the boys flying down the slide.  It was some of the most fun Charlie had all summer.

Anna's New Bed

This is easy to get out of!

Anna has been close to getting out of her crib for months but never really minded being in it.  She actually likes going down for naps and bed, so we did not have a problem until during my dad's visit.  All the sudden one nap time we heard a big thud and then lots of laughing!

Baby gate at the door to keep her in her room

We went upstairs and there she was a her door.  We put her back in the crib, and she showed us how she could hook her foot over the side and gently lower herself down.  Time for the big girl bed.

We had bought a cute white toddler bed for her a little while back, and it was waiting for her in the middle of her room.  Her first bed time in the bed was a little challenge.  She kept getting up and playing.  Thanks to the iBaby app on our phones we could watch and take pictures of her!  Finally daddy had to go lay down with her around midnight (normal bed time 7:30) to get her down.

Thanks Daddy for sleeping with me!

Thankfully after just a few days of not liking the bed, Anna has gotten used to it and doesn't mind sleeping in it.  She's such a good girl!

Success!

Grandpa's Here

My dad and I have the same birthday.  I have always loved sharing that day with him.  It used to be so much fun to celebrate together, but as we get older life gets in the way of that.  This year, though, my dad decided to come up for a visit for 9 days and planned it to arrive on our birthday.

The kids just love having company, especially if it is Grandpa!  They were thrilled to come to the airport and greet him.  Zach then surprised us with a fun cake that had our pictures on it.  We capped off the evening with an adult-only dinner.  It was a great birthday!

Zach got us this awesome cake!

Birthday dinner with Dad