July Extras

In July:

* Michael set up a tent in the living room for the kids to sleep in. He slept with them the first night and we talked them into sleeping in it alone the second night. Since it is as close as we will get to actual camping we decided to document the night.
* Vanessa got a new haircut, the kids enjoyed photobombing all the pictures.
* Vanessa's Mom and Dad came for a visit.
* Luckily, the visit coincided with Trevor and Robyn moving out here. Our kids enjoyed some time with cousins.
* We enjoyed Sunday walks.

the farm

It feels like the summer is getting away from us. We hadn't been to the farm in three months, so we decided to go one morning before it got too hot. It was the first time Levi got out and really saw the animals. He absolutely loved it. Miriam and Simon had fun showing him all the animals. We always love a trip to the farm.

Dolphin Beach

The last day my parents were here visiting we drove down to Trevor and Robyn's new house to spend some time together. Since they didn't have any furniture yet (waiting for it to be delivered) we had to find something to do outside. They live by a small lake that has a little beach. The kids had fun building a sandcastle, playing in the water and sand, and playing with cousins. We are so excited to have Trevor and Robyn live so close to us. It is going to be a fun couple of years.

Swim Classes

This month we decided it was time for Miriam and Simon to learn how to swim. We are taking a family vacation to the beach this year, so we thought it would be good if they were both more comfortable in the water. We are happy with how well they have done.

First day of class:

After one month Miriam moved on to the next level:

A few pictures I took one month after they started:

Here is a combination of the video clips I have taken during their classes.

thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen months

I guess I never posted pictures for Levi the past couple of months. I will catch up now with his 13, 14, and 15 month pictures.

Thirteen:

Fourteen:

Fifteen:

We also visited the doctor for his fifteen month check-up. Levi weighs 20 lbs. 15 oz. (50%) and is 31 1/2 inches long (85%). Levi has thinned out and gotten taller the past couple of months. He is turning out to be built like his Daddy.

Lately Levi started noticing when Miriam and Simon had lollipops. He wanted in on the treat action. One day he ended up with two lollipops. I think he snatched it from his brother.

Summer Rain

July 4th, also known as Vanessa's Birthday

First of all let me just preface this post by saying I am a terrible documenter/photographer. We were so excited to have my parents here to visit for my birthday. However, I didn't get very many pictures of them. I guess we were just so busy having fun that I forgot? Anyway, I need to do better taking pictures... on to the post...

We got some sparklers for the kids for the Fourth of July. I am not sure how excited and into it they were. I was hoping to get some cute pictures, oh well. Maybe we will skip it next year.

Michael made me a tres leches cake for my birthday. It was yummy as usual. The kids thought it was funny that I only had one candle... thirty-five would have just been too many! Michael and the kids got me a gift certificate to go get a manicure and pedicure.

This year we decided to go back to Leesburg to view the fireworks. The kids were excited to stay up late and see them. We got a pretty good view of them, but it was so muggy that a lot of the smoke hung around without a breeze to blow it away. It was kind of crazy. I don't know how, but Levi fell asleep at the end of the fireworks. It was a great day spent with family.