Happy Saturday!

The family and I decided to venture out this Saturday and head to the Farm and Art Market in Old Town.  Before shopping, though, we needed to fill our bellies with sugar.  So off we went to Squeeks Donut Shop on Webb road!  Erick takes the kids here often before taking them to the baby sitter, so they are used to the cheerful lady that works there.  I was in for a treat!  We walked in the door and I heard a tiny (but not quiet), happy voice say, "Happy Saturdaaaaay!"  She talked about how cute Ava and Brecken were and gave Ava free donut holes (which happens EVERY time they go, apparently).  Every customer that walked in the door received a "Happy Saturdaaaaay!"  And I watched every customer smile and say it back.  If you are ever in a bad mood, go here!  It will make you happy! 

Yummy sugar twist!

Brecken is just chillin' while we fill our bellies.

It was the last weekend for the Farm and Art Market this year.  There weren't a ton of booths, but it was a beautiful day and very fun to walk around with the kiddos.  We bought a coconut oatmeal pie for a family gathering on Sunday and the littles got a caricature done.  Erick got a taco that he said was wonderful and we all tried some cinnamon rice milk.  It was good, but very rich! 
Love my little family so much!  It was such a happy Saturday! 

Ava is checking out the band and wanting to dance!

This is where the kids got their pics drawn. 

Erick getting his beloved taco.

Ava's face after trying the cinnamon rice milk.

My happy boy!

Ava and Daddy

Brecken loves to smile!

Tried to get a good pic of the kids and I.

Tried again.

And again.

And then a stranger took our family picture!  Love it!

A First for Brecken

We took a family trip to the zoo on Saturday--it was Brecken's first time there!  He didn't really care too much, of course, but it was still fun!  We even got a family picture!  It's so nice having a zoo membership when you have small kids because if we don't see everything, it's okay.  We stayed for two hours and it was super hot, but we let Ava decide where she wanted to go.  First, she wanted to see the tigers, then he gorillas.  We brought our own lunch, but ate in the cool air-conditioned Beastro.  Then we went to the petting zoo and we were done!  I think that's the last time we'll go until is gets a little cooler.

 

Cuties

After giving Brecken a bath the other night, I got him dressed in this little green outfit.  Ava was helping me and I told her, "You wore this same outfit when you were a baby."  I then remembered that I actually had a picture of her wearing the outfit, so I decided to take one of Brecken too.  Here are the pictures.  Think they have any similarities?

Ava at a little over five months

Brecken at just under four months

Saturday Evening Fun

We sat outside a couple of Saturdays ago and let Ava ride her little four wheeler around.  It was SO hot, but she had fun and Mommy and Daddy had margaritas to keep cool!  Brecken was just a spectator.  By the end of our time, Ava had out both of her four wheelers, a stroller and her car! 

Back to Work

So I am officially back to work and I must say it feels good.  I do miss my kiddos, but it feels great to talk to adults, get dressed and ready for the day, be productive, etc.  Since I am back to work and the kids haven't started with their regular sitter yet, we've had to call out some favors.  Well, not really "favors" since our kids are so wonderful that people are just waiting in line to babysit them, but we did have to have a lot of different sitters.  Erick's parents babysat last Tuesday, my nieces on Thursday, my nieces on Monday, Kelly on Tuesday, Erick's parents on Wednesday and my mom today.  Whew!  The munchkins have been shuffled around a bit but they have had fun!  Thank goodness we have such wonderful family members and friends!  My mom took a few pictures while she was with them today.  So here is a day with Nanny:

Couple Time at the vM Ranch

Mommy and Daddy had some alone time at the ranch last week!  All by ourselves!  Can you believe it?  The kiddos stayed in Marion at my parents house and were only supposed to stay one night, but Erick just needed one more night, so they stayed two at Nanny and Papa's and we stayed two lovely nights at the ranch.  What did we do, you ask?  Um, let me think.  Oh, right.  Nothing.  That's what we did--nothing!  And it was fabulous!  I guess we did ride the four wheeler a bit, got some sun, read a book, ate, napped, etc.  It was great!  Thanks so my parents for watching the kids and for Erick's parents for letting us stay in their beautiful house!  

This is all we needed!

Happy couple!

This is where we camped out.

Happy 85th Birthday, Grandpa Walt!

Laughing at Nanny

Cousins

Grandpa & Grandkids

Grandpa & Erick

Feeding the fish

Summer Playdates

The summer is almost over, but we have had some great playdates!  Quite a few of them have been with a sorority sister that I have gotten back in touch with and her kiddos.  I am so thankful that Lesley and I decided to meet up because it has been such a great outlet for us!  Oh, ya, and our kids had fun too! :)
We went to Eastborough Park and the girls (Ava and Maddie) played on the equipment and checked out the ducks while the boys (Brecken and Parker) just chilled.

Lesley and I also took Maddie and Ava to Cinderella at the Wichita Children's Theatre.

Kids Day Out

Ava enjoyed going to Kids Day Out at Eastminster this summer!  It was once a week for six weeks, 9:30-1pm.  She played, made crafts and did other fun activities.  Some days even had themes--like Pajama Day, Red, White & Blue day, Funny Hat Day, etc.  Next summer, she and Brecken will both get to go and Mommy can have a half day all to herself!  Yay!
Here is a picture of Ava and her teachers:

Reading

One thing that happens every night at bedtime in our house (without fail) is that we read books.  Sometimes just two.  Sometimes eight.  It just depends on the mood of the adults in the house. :)  One of us sits on Ava's bed with her and we read.  We have been reading to her every night before bed for as long as I can remember--it's just a routine we wanted to start with her at a young age.  She LOVES books!  When we kiss her goodnight and leave her room, she will continue to read the books to her baby dolls in bed.  It is so wonderful to listen to her!  I hope she continues to love reading as much as I did when I was younger.  
The other night was the first night Brecken got in on the action.  Erick, Ava and Brecken all laid down on the floor in B's room and they read.  I thought it was cute so I took a couple of pictures.
Here's to many more nights of good books with our kiddos!