Splashing around

It is finally cooling down a bit here. We braved the heat of the morning and went to the Splash Pad by our house. This was the first time I let Critter crawl around in the water. Luckily there were not too many kids around to step on him! He LOVED it. I think he was more adventurous than his sister. I had to keep on grabbing him out of the big fountains of water. So, since the kids were having so much fun, I decided to have fun and just take pictures of them. It was just what we all needed. The light at the end of the heat tunnel is visible! Thank goodness :)

Pumpkin was not expecting this piece to spray water while she was in it. She likes to get wet, just only on her terms!

A little extra TV lately

There has been a little extra TV watching going on in our home for the past two weeks. We have been having our fill of the "Fulympics" (the Olympics in non-Pumpkin speak!). We have all really enjoyed watching all the athletes and the different sports. Pumpkin's favorites were swimming and gymnastics. We happened to be going to an awesome Olympian Gymnastics Training Gym right after the women started competing on TV. They have an open gym time once a week for those under 5. It is an actual training gym with high bars, vaults, horses, trampolines, foam pits, the springy floor, and more stuff that I can not remember. It was quite an experience. Critter wanted to get in on the action, but was a little too small. I just tried to keep him fairly contained and out of harms way! :) Pumpkin had the greatest time. Every time she would go to do something new, she would stand there and take a deep breath and then lift her arms up. I think she was imitating those she saw perform on TV. She keeps telling people that she went to the "Fulympics". I just love it. I love the fact that I am able to expose my kids to so many neat experiences. They will be able to grow up and learn from all these things. I can not wait to take them back!

Getting ready to jump on these bars and then into a huge foam pit.
A safe place for Critter for a moment....
Until his sister came over! :)
This is her determined look. She was taking swinging VERY seriously. Who knows it might get into the Olympics in a few years! :)
Action shot jumping into a huge foam pit.

Our mini vacation

We had wanted to take a nice family vacation this summer...but traveling any distance just was not in the cards. So...when my parents said they had a vacation planned for August, we took the opportunity to take a mini-vacation to their house. They have a beautiful house, a pool, and are an hour closer to up north where the weather is cooler. Plus, with Critter's age a long car trip just was not going to work. We had a great time up there. Our days were filled with lots of swimming and just playing. Hubby had a few days off so we were actually able to spend some time together. He has been working a ton lately, and the kids have really missed him. There are a ton of pictures, but we did so much I could not decide which to post. It was a really nice time. We already have major vacation plans for the spring and next summer, but this was great for now.

Lot's of time in bathing suits and in the pool. Man, they are getting so big!
This little man in crawling EVERYWHERE! Pumpkin did not crawl for very long before she started walking, so this crawling thing is a little new to me. Critter has gotten so many bruises from falling into things! We try to keep him on carpet, but that does not really work. If he is not crawling, he is standing trying to figure how to walk, or trying to get out of wherever he is! This will be a fun few months for us!
I have quite a few pictures of this face. This is the "Don't take my picture" face. I personally think it is rather adorable!
Then we have the adorable face! This is one of my favorite pictures of her....
Pumpkin tried swimming without her floaties AND noodles! She went under the water a few times, but really enjoyed it. We just had to remind her that she needed to let us know when she was going to swim to us if she did not have her floaties. Pumpkin sure is little miss adventure!
We took a day trip up north. It was my crazy idea to ride the Sky Ride at the Ski Park with two kids! I wore Critter in the Baby Bjiorn and Pumpkin sat between us. She kept trying to look over the edge. Hubby and I both had a VERY tight grip on her. She loved it! It was a cloudy day, but otherwise beautiful. Luckily we got off the mountain just in time. We sat down (at the table where we took this picture) to have lunch after going up and back down, and it started to hail and then rain. Luck was on our side that day since we were not still on the mountain or the lift!
This deer was out to say hello on our way up!
She was loving it up there

Critter just had to get out of the carrier and stand a bit before the ride back down.
Just a beautiful day!
We stopped at my Brother and Sister in Law's house for dinner since we don't get to see them much. Pumpkin was putting on quite a show for them. She was LOVING running and playing in the woods and outside. It was so nice to escape the heat, even if it was only for a day.
Yes, I put a picture of the four of us in here. Just don't tell Hubby! :)
These beautiful flowers were all over the place up there. Luckily some had popped up in my Sister in laws yard, otherwise I was going to make Hubby pull over so I could take a picture. The yellow was just calling to me!

A great day in the park, back in the heat!
I forgot his hat at the house, luckily I had one of Pumpkin's. Butterfly's are not too girly...are they?
Fun, Fun Fun!
A little cuddle time outside
What better way to end a mini-vacation than with Smores on a firepit. It was a great time away. Thanks mom and dad for letting us invade your house. It is pretty much in the same condition as when we got there...I think! :)

Our big man

I can not believe that Critter is 8 months old. I know I have been saying that every month for awhile now, but each month goes by quicker than the last. He is doing SO much now. He started finally crawling forward two weeks ago. Two days before that, he started pulling himself up. Now, he is standing as much as he can. He will pull himself up and hold onto the couch and then try to "walk" along the couch. He is really wobbly, but very proud of himself. When he stands up and looks at you, he gets a big ole grin and giggle! It is adorable. He has also discovered the joy of blowing raspberries! Now, anytime we are in the car he is sitting back there just blowing away. He gets such a kick out of it. Yes, it soaks his shirt with drool...but who cares! The babbling has also started. He is still saying mama, but has added the r's, b's and I think I heard him say DA once. I was going to post a whole bunch of pictures of him, but it is still such a headache with the two computers. So...here is some video of him. He loves his little rocking horse, as do I! I love what each day brings with him. I love seeing the world through both the kids eyes. It helps bring everything into perspective! Happy 8 months my big man. I love you and am excited about what tomorrow will bring!

Kids Accents

The way kids speak is quite cute. It is funny how they pick up different inflections of words from people in their lives. I grew up in the Midwest and east coast, yet do not have a strong accent. My mom grew up in the Boston area and even though she has been gone for quite awhile still has an accent. Pumpkin spends a lot of time with my mom and apparently absorbed a little bit of the Bostonian accent. I just noticed it a few weeks ago even though Hubby noticed it quite awhile ago. Instead of saying "GARBAGE" she says "GABAGE". She leaves out the R and extends the second A. This is one of the last words that she does not say "appropriately". I know it will not last for much longer. I makes me realize how quick they grow up and lose their baby ways. I just wonder what Critter will pick up! I guess we will have to wait and see! :)