Mr. Steve's Firetruck

Ethan was so excited this week to go back to family friend, Steve's fire station, and see the truck up close! We took good friends K and G with us and the boys were in heaven! Last year Ethan really loved the truck from afar, but getting inside was a bit scary and he needed mom and dad. This time he said, "down mama and shut the door". We even got to ride around the block, him in the front seat with "Mr. Steve". The other firemen were great and really got a kick out of how amazed the boys were. Every day since he has asked me to go back!

This look says it all - one happy boy

look how tiny he looks

learning how to handle the hose

G and his doggie looking at a hat inside the truck

Jillian wasn't so sure about the inside of the truck, but during the drive was fine.

Washing the fire truck!

Riding up front around the block

E loved being inside the front of the ambulance (we didn't go in the back of course).

The whole gang and a playdate to remember!

4th of July Weekend

What a great, relaxing weekend we had! Many firsts happened this weekend as Ethan learned how to fish and play putt putt golf. Jillian has taken to her jumperoo and loves the flashing lights and bouncing! We were able to spend some time with good friends and family and Jen's friend from 5th grade (and up) moved to FishHawk with her husband and adorable son (see our friends links to the side (Adventures with our bearcub). We can't wait for more playdates in the future!

Hard to see Ethan's flag tshirt, but they were both decked out for the holiday!

Jillian laughing with Poppy and her butterfly that goes everywhere with us!

Ethan hits the ball-yes he has more than one!

every time he hits the ball into the hole he yells "In the hole!" with excitement.

As Mia says, "bouncy, bouncy baby" and the kids crack up!

Learning to fish with daddy & our friends Mr. Rob and Robbie

Poppy found Aunt Elyse's old fishing pole for kids and is it too cute or what?

Really holding the pole and reeling the line in with those adorable little hands.

I had to include this from last week's playdate with Macie. The kids were in the water before we could even get suits on them, so I grabbed Ethan's shorts and then ran for the suits!

Great Explorations

My mom found this great little children's museum in St. Pete called Great Explorations so we went for a visit while daddy was on a business trip earlier this week. Ethan had a blast running around and didn't even get to see everything, so a future trip back will be fun, too!

Mia found these glasses in her playroom-Mafia baby ready for museum.

Ethan ran straight to this firetruck-no surprise there.

He kept saying "put water on the fire"-potential halloween custome idea....

Jillian decided to be a vet for the day-can you find her in there?

Ethan loves pretend play lately and made a pizza with Mia

Taking it off the "hot" oven.

He thought the ball drop was very cool

He was very at home shopping in the "publix" kids store.

One happy camper headed to McDonalds on the way home!

Recent Happenings

Summer is in full swing and we hope that all the dad's out there we love had a great Father's Day! Eric and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on the 21st! Jillian had her first swim this week and rolled over, we had a great play date with Michaela at her house and the park and Ethan/Jillian went to a new music class right in our neighborhood. Here are some photos from all the fun.

A quick hug after running around and playing "tag"!

So stubborn-they both had to sit facing their "own way"!

First Bikini

Jillian loved feeling the shake of the maracas at music class

Ethan loved the cymbals most and drums second-I predict noise in our future

multi tasking: reading and tummy time together

The king of chocolate donuts-for real the boy eats 2 at a time!

Bumbo and First Rice Cereal

Last night Jillian got to try out her Bumbo for the first time and she really likes it! She recently went from putting herself to sleep and waking one time during the night to waking every 2 hours and wanting to eat again like a newborn! SO....the doctor said to start her on cereal as she sounded hungry! I wouldn't say she loves it, but she definitely doesn't mind it and already opens her mouth when she sees the spoon coming.

Just enjoying Bumbo Time

First Bite

Messy, but not grossed out face

After watching us Ethan decided he would like to try to feed Baby J-with success!

Where I found Ethan tonight when he yelled "mama, what is Ethan doing?"

All Caught Up

With this blog I am caught up to date! These pictures are all from the house because we have been too sick as a family to go out and do anything fun for a full week. But, some cute things nonetheless. Ethan is all over Piper lately wanting to play all the time. He is looking forward to many play dates this summer with friends moving to FishHawk soon and our new neighbors next door both having little boys close to his age. Jillian is all smiles and it looks like she does not have an allergy to milk or soy so we are all very happy about that. She is already holding small toys and loves to "talk" especially to the characters on the tv!

Always smiling

Look at those chunky legs-too cute how she props them up like that.

Lately, Ethan tells us he wants to ride every truck known to man, but he's settled for trying to ride Piper for now...

Thank goodness she is so good with both kids

He really does love her so much. Chased her for 2 days straight!

Happy Birthday daddy! Ethan insisted on the blue icing and sprinkles as his contribution-hard to see the words b/c blue on chocolate doesn't show up real well!

Daddy's little girl-she smiles the second he walks in the door! Poor daddy was a trooper, but got sick right after this.

My lounge Lizards

The kids loved the bean bag chairs at their cousin's house and I couldn't resist a photo opportunity~note to self when we have a play room to buy bean bags!

Our handsome boy!

Our pretty girl

Jillian's Baptism Ceremony

Jillian's baptism was such a special day. We were honored that Uncle Chris could perform the ceremony and thank him and Aunt Nicole for opening up their house to us for the weekend. Jillian was baptized at St. Luke's Episcopal church in Birmingham, Alabama. Yes, Ethan is wearing his red Lightning McQueen shoes as always. He promised for a week that he would wear his new loafers like daddy's but the day of changed his mind emphatically!

The kids playing before the ceremony

During the ceremony

Being baptized

Trying to rest between photos!

a shot with all of her grandparents

Jillian with mom, dad and godparents Aunt Shannon and Uncle Steve

A big thank you to the whole family for making the long trip!