Summer recap 2.0

So, there were too many pictures for one post.  So here is what we were up to in July.

These two just keep playing together more and more each day.  Here Evan's giving Alice a shot.  I think there may be some hidden meaning there...

We traveled to Nebraska and spent a day at the Omaha Zoo with Grandpa and Grandma S.  Both kids loved it.

Alice was staring longingly at Evan and Sophie in the pool on the deck at Grandpa and Grandma's.

Having a little ice cream cone at Grandma and Grandpa's

Evan and Sophie tearing up the driveway

This girl has mad ball skills,

but loves her baby too

Evan is always working on some project with his trucks.  Leaf clean up here.

Waiting to ride the Lake Harriet streetcar

So happy on the train, but so sad when it was over.  The 15 minute ride wasn't long enough for him

Alice converts her walker into a baby stroller - that poor baby

Alice then decides to sit in the walker. 

Evan and his buddy making the most of the driveway - a chalk city, bridges, cars, trucks,....

I'm not even sure what is going on here but it is representative of their relationship

Alice loves playing with her booster seat.  Here she's so proud because she got in and put the tray on by herself.

Alice went through a phase where she put her foot on the table or tray while eating.  Lovely.

We were in Portland Oregon for a few days to visit Aunt Toby.  Here Alice is walking with Grandpa Jay on the beach.

Evan loved the ocean, as you can imagine.

This was before take off on the way home.Too bad his sister didn't follow suit.

Evan and mommy checked out the Thomas exhibit at the Children's museum, sans Alice.  It was a great day.  Meeting Victor...

Petting a turtle,

And being a turtle.  A great day in all.

Summer recap

So my hope to go back and document each month we've missed in the blog is dwindling away.  If I don't start updating current events, I'll never catch up.  So here is a brief summary of our summer.

I (Adrienne) left my job this summer.  The field I'd been working in for over 13 years, since an internship in college.  It was the right move for our family and it allowed me to have a ton of free time with the kids this summer.  If things work out with my new job, I'll have most of my summers off and I think I'm going to love it.  Here is what we were up to while mommy was off!

June

We did a lot of eating outside - it's easier to not worry about what Alice throws on the ground, right?

Alice was walking with us but would freak out when we tried to let go.

We took a nice weekend trip to Grandpa and Grandma T's camper in northern Wisconsin.  Evan loved the beach.

Alice and Evan playing outside Paul Bunyan's in Minoqua

We started to both of them in the wagon - Evan watching out for Alice.  Happy to say that neither of them have fallen out of the wagon this summer.

In June we started taking both kids for bike rides with us.  Evan with his trail-behind and Alice in the seat with mommy.  They both love it!

Not sure about this helmet....

But loving the seat!

We all went to a St. Paul Saints game to celebrate father's day - our seats were nicely positioned with a concrete wall behind us that was covered in shrapnel from other people's sunflower seeds.  When we stood up, we each had sunflower seed parts on our shirts.  It was awesome.

It was tricky to keep Alice and Evan busy during the game.  Alice went back and forth between mommy and daddy and Evan watched the trains as they went past the stadium.  We made it through 6 innings.  The people around us were impressed.

Evan started watching "This Old House" on pbs and now requests it.  Score.

Alice started riding in the cozy coupe.

This was Alice's 1st birthday - she got a water table, that entertained for exactly 15 minutes but it entertained Evan for hours. 

She smeared frosting onto her tray for a few minutes before it made it into her mouth - then it was all over. 

I'm not sure if this picture is clear enough, but Alice got into the breast pump and figured she'd give it a go.  One of my friends said it looks like she's doing a keg stand.  Sort of....

And Alice got into everything.  Here she is trying to strangle herself with the cord to the vacuum.  I guess we can't vacuum anymore:)

Happy 4th Birthday Evan!

April brought Evan's 4th birthday!  It's been so fun to experience birthdays and holidays with him as he understands them more.  He was so excited for his birthday this year.  I mean, he had 3 different birthday cakes and parties so who wouldn't be excited, right?  Mommy and Daddy took the day off for his actual birthday, though mommy had a job interview that day so Evan and Alice got to spend part of the day with Daddy alone.  Evan loved it.  Riding the light rail, visiting the downtown library, then cupcakes?  His favorite day.

 

 

This was at the doctor's office, a week or so before his birthday - no shots, but I think he had a blood draw.  It was pretty traumatic for him but I got this smile from him shortly after.  Nothing a spider man sticker couldn't fix.

Birthday morning kisses from daddy - all with his birthday crown from daycare.

Best. Birthday. Present. Ever.  Mighty Machines, from Alice.  The girl knows what her brother loves. 

Birthday pancakes - may be a new tradition.  Alice doesn't look that excited about it, but she has since learned to love chocolate chip pancakes.