Part 3...

It was a gorgeous evening so we went outside to play and get some pictures

Alex's silly face
Abby's flying

Playing with pinecones on Neena and Pop-Pop's front porch

Alex smelling the flowers on the front porch

Visit to Neena & Pop-Pop's, part 2...

On July 4th we went to visit Montaluce winery where my Dad works. It is a gorgeous winery and as you drive in you feel like you are entering the Tuscany countryside. It is obvious no expense was spared with the architecture and materials used in the buildings. It was a gorgeous day and we had a nice relaxing time with a bottle of wine and fresh baked baked bread outside on the stone covered patio. The boys enjoyed playing in the bucket of ice the wine came in and Abby was happy crawling around.

The view from the patio of the vineyards

The boys playing in the bucket of ice

Neena & Pop-Pop

Pop-Pop with the boys

We tried several times to get a good picture of the three cousins in their matching shirts, here are a couple of the photos

Our trip to Neena and Pop-Pop's (part 1)...

On Friday, July 3rd we took the LONG car ride to Neena and Pop-Pop's, just me and the kids (JB had to work). It was a long trip and the kids did okay, until the last hour. Abby was not happy being in her car seat for 8+ hours and Alex was ready to get some of his toddler energy out, but we made it and had a good time while we were there.

Alex and Cooper showing off the goggles

Cooper and Jennifer Alex and Cooper fueling up (eating cupcakes) after spending time at the pool
Alex and Abby sharing cheerios

Fun around the house...

JB jack hammered up the patio and Alex helped every step of the way. Below are pictures of him and Daddy raking the dirt before they planted grass.Meanwhile, Abby had a great time hanging out inside checking out every nook and cranny. She is so quick at crawling and is starting to stand for long periods of time on her own, soon she will be taking her first steps.
Abby's new funny face

Happy Father's Day...

Happy Father's Day, J.B.!! You are a wonderful father and a great husband, thank you. To celebrate, we went to the Louisville Bats game Sunday evening with Mamaw and Papaw and had a great time. Alex enjoyed clapping and cheering for the Bats and Abby was content just watching everything that was going on. It was a hot day, but after a little bit of ice cream we all cooled off. I'm sure we will go again soon.

Papaw and Daddy

Alex enjoying the game

Abby and Daddy

Abby loves her Daddy

Abby's first ride on the Merry-go-round, she enjoyed it

Mamaw and Alex rode the carousel with us, Alex loved it

JB and Barry played in a golf tournament on Friday and Saturday and won their flight...congratulations!!! On Saturday evening we celebrated at the awards dinner and left the kids with a babysitter (for the first time). All went well, Alex's toddler room daycare teacher came to watch the kids, so we knew they were in good hands, and she said they were good, hopefully she will be willing to do it again if the need arises.

Enjoying the night together without the kids

The hot days of summer...

Abby - 10 months old

Alex LOVES to color with his markers (yes, they are washable), he was so proud of himself when he put the caps of his markers on each finger.

Last weekend we went to the pool for the first time this year and had a blast. It was Abby's first time going to the big pool and she enjoyed the baby pool and wasn't scared of it at all. The water was cold to me, but she sat right down and didn't seem to mind.

You What ?!?...

Our conversation yesterday when I picked up Alex from daycare:

Alex: I wiped poop on my friends

Me: What??

Alex: I wiped poop on my friends

Me (to the teacher): is he serious??

Teacher: Yes (trying to hold back the laugh), he reached into his diaper and wiped poop on his friends

Me to Alex: (trying not to laugh) That is disgusting, you should NEVER wipe poop on your friends

Oh, kids will be kids...and boys will be boys (or so I am told).

On a side note (since it relates to this post), we have tried getting Alex to go on the potty and he has no interest. Obviously he knows what he is doing so when I go part-time we are going to really work on him getting potty trained!

This pictures is a little dark but it shows Alex's new 'do (he got his hair cut). The older he gets the more I think he looks like my nephew, Luke. The hair that has recently grown in is curly, it is too cute!

Alex has his very own kids sized shovel and rake, he enjoys digging in the yard with Daddy

Abby having a good time at the park

It's Official...

After July 4th I'm going to start working part-time. This was something I have wanted to do since we have had kids and now it is becoming reality. All the pieces of the puzzle came together perfectly, I will be staying with the current company I am with and will job share with another lady and work Thursday's and Friday's. The kids will stay at their current daycare for those two days as well, so it is going to be great all around. I'm excited to be able to spend more time with Alex & Abby, time sees to just fly by faster and faster each day, so hopefully this will slow me down and allow me to appreciate them and experience each milestone as it arrives.

Summer Fun...

It has been a beautiful weekend! JB went with his buddies to see the Cubs/Reds game in Cincinnati so the kids and I have been keeping busy. We walked to the park, then I set up the teeny tiny pool that I had bought last year and then gave Clyde a much needed bath, and now they are both zonked out for their 2nd naps of the day. Alex typically only takes one nap a day, but he wanted to go "night-night" so I put him to bed. I think he is playing in there, I hear a lot of noise, I guess he just wanted to relax, which is fine with me!

Abby 9 months, Alex 2 1/2 years old

Alex LOVES water. He had a great time filling up his pool and then jumping in then pouring all the water out with the cups. Abby stole my water and starting drinking it, she is getting so big!

Abby first bathing suit pictureOn our way to the park

Having fun with the play kitchen in the play house

Alex is all smiles in this picture, I love it!

We saw these horses on the side of the road and Alex loves to see "horsies running", these horses weren't running but he had a good time petting them.

On a side note...I made a $2 across the board bet on "Summer Bird" in the Belmont and won...woo hoo, I won $40