Rock Pictures

 It's a rare occasion when Caden actually asks me to get the camera and take a picture, so of course I had to take advantage.  He wanted to set it up so he and Abigail were sitting on the rock together, but of course at least one kid has to be uncooperative.

 I think Abby might have been in this picture, but I wasn't quick enough.  Still a good one of Caden at least.

It's funny to look at these last 4 and see Caden walking down the hill.  Abby loves her too big, bright blue hat that Caden gave to her.

Busy Morning

Today the kids and I:

- had a picnic of croutons (in the living room)

- took a hike (around the downstairs)

- went spelunking and accidentally knocked down a stalagmite (in the computer room)

- and dug up some dinosaur bones (also in the computer room)

all within about an hour and half's time.  I really feel like I got a lot done :) 

Pretend Camera

(please overlook the messy counter/sink!)

This picture has a cute story to go along with it.  Caden has been playing with an old flashlight that doesn't even have batteries in it.  So, this day he decided it was a camera.  He had me sit on the floor with Abby next to me and say "cheese".  Then the next thing I know, he put it on the stand next to the refrigerator, pushed the button, and came running over to me to sit on my lap so that the 3 of us could sit there and say "cheese" and pretend that he set the timer on the camera.  I had Jason take a real picture to help me remember this little story.  I think Abby is telling Caden what a real camera looks like.

Corn Huskers

Old Friend, New Friend

 Goodbye old friend that I was the sole driver of because it was standard...

(2004 Jeep Liberty)

hello new friend that I have to share since it's automatic :)

(2013 Ford Escape)

Abigail Says

Here are just a few things I want to remember that Abigail has been saying lately:

1.  She calls Caden "De-Da".  She has trouble with the "k or c" sound and usually uses the "d" sound instead.

2.  She calls a belly a "bella".

3.  Lately she's been answering "2 minutes" for everything.  If Caden is calling for her, she'll answer, "2 minutes!"

4.  She will walk away from me, turn around and say, "Be right back" while holding up her pointer finger...like I do.   

5. If she drops something, she'll say, "Oh man!" 

6.  She calls M&M's "LMNs".

Too Small Trophy

We missed the end of the year picnic for tee ball, but our friends picked up Caden's trophy for him.  His first reaction?  "It's so small. I thought it would be bigger!"  I think it's nice...

Day Trip to Baltimore

Why not start the new blog off the right way...with a really long post full of pictures?  We took a day trip to Baltimore, MD as our family vacation this year on Aug. 17th.  Our day started off with the National Aquarium (of course) and ended with the Port Discovery Children's Museum.  The cost of the museum is usually $14 a piece, but we went on the 3rd Friday of the month, so we all got in for $2 a piece...good deal!

 

 Daddy pointing something out to the kids.

 Abby kept telling this eel "out" meaning come out of your hiding spot.

 The sea horses were one of my favorites to see.

 Not sure what he's saying here, but he looks pretty excited doesn't he?

 These fish were pretty neat, they just blended in with the rocks.  Camouflage at its best! 

 Again...pretty excited about something!

 Jason told them to smile with their teeth...and this was the result.  Apparently spreading your fingers helps you smile.

 This was part of the view from the lookout area of the aquarium.

 Abigail the Butterfly

 Getting ready for the dolphin show.

 They were "keeping an eye out" for the dolphins.

 This was just a display hanging from the ceiling outside the jellyfish section, but I really like it.

 The jellyfish were my absolute favorite part.

 There was a children's section where they were able to touch a horseshoe crab and a shell.  I was surprised that Caden actually got his hand in there.  Abby did too.

 We ate lunch at the Hardrock Cafe

 One of Elvis' cars...so we were told.

 Abigail took a much needed hour nap after lunch.

 Inside the Ripley's Believe it or Not.

 The kids had a great time here.  We spent around 2 hours there.

 Caden jumped right in and played soccer even though the other kids were bigger than him :)

 I was surprised they actually posed for this one.

 This was Abigail's most favorite part of the day.  It was called Tot Trails, and it was a room just for kids 0-3.  She LOVED this little section with the little steps and slopes.  She played there at least half an hour.

 This was another part of the tot room that she really liked.

 We ended the evening with frozen yogurt for supper.

A long and tiring day...