Time with Friends

For John's 30th birthday, we all got together for the weekend (the Halls, Baileys, and Mitchells). Friday night, the adults went out without kids and played games back at our place. The guys went golfing Saturday and us girls had a playdate at our house. Sunday we continued hanging out together and went to a park to play for a while.

Lauren loves the exersaucer too!

A playdate at Sarah's house.

One of Lauren's birthday birthday gifts was water paints She did a great job painting for about 1/2 hour with Jason! (notice she's left handed :-))

Lauren's Answers to Life's Questions

I got this idea from my friend Pam's blog and decided to do it with our family too. We thought would be fun to ask Lauren some questions each year on her birthday (and sibling(s) on each of their birthdays), to see how the answers change. We didn't prompt her with any answers, we just asked the question and waited (or asked again) until she answered. Here's her answers as a two-year-old!

What's your favorite store? "Store? Store, store, store..."
What's your favorite thing to do for fun? "Blow some bubbles"
Where is your favorite place to go? "Blow some bubbles"
What is your favorite food? "Eat colors" (she wanted to draw during this question)
What do you want to be when you grow up? "Blow some bubbles" (I think someone is into bubbles!)
Where do you want to live? "Party"
What do you like to do with Mommy? "A party"
What do you like to do with Daddy? "Daddy"
What do you like to do with Carter? "Put the hat on him" (She had fun putting a birthday hat on him earlier that day)
If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? "Monkey taking a nap"
If Mommy could be an animal, what would she be? "Monkey"
If Daddy could be an animal, what would he be? "Monkey"
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? "Daddy"
How old is Mommy? "2 Mommy"
How old is Daddy? "Daddy!!!!! 2"
What do you know about Jesus? "He's King" (What a cool answer!!!! I was happily surprised when she said this. I realized a bit later, we listen to a lot of praise songs while we drive, and one of the chorus' for "Amazing Love", says "You are my King, Jesus You are my King".)

Lauren's Second Birthday!

Lauren's birthday was so fun. A bunch of close friends came over for lunch, playing, and fellowship. Our friend Mandy and Shawn let us borrow their rocking horse for the party. Lauren LOVED riding it!

Bubbles??!!

Opening gifts.

This is how Lauren ate her cake-she wouldn't pick it up, she'd bend over to it!

Jason and I were in the house and didn't notice Lauren had gotten in the pool fully clothed! She had a few followers too!

Playing in the sandbox while it drizzled out.

It was raining, so the picnic on the ground needed to be in the kitchen.

Lauren wanted Carter to join in the fun too!

He's almost crawling! He put one hand in front of him today!

The Week of July 18

Lauren after a late afternoon swim.

Lauren, Richie and Alex taking a swimming break.

We went with our friends Melissa and Rob to a Festival-the kids had fun playing some games and picking from the prize box.

Family "fishing"

Kitty relaxing in the rain gutter.

Jason's reaction to a bee sting-Yikes!

The kids and I took a trip to OH to meet up with Kelsey and her family (visiting from China), Ginger and her family (visiting from China also), and Rachel, Andrew, and Jack.

We had a fun get together at Dan and Bernie's

We got to play with Kelsey's two girls. Jeff watched the kids during nap-time so Kelsey and I could go get some lunch--Jeff said he got 7 minutes total to himself, as there was always someone up (crying much of the time).

A sight I thought I'd never see!!! (seeing as Jason is "deathly" allergic to cats.)

The Week Of July 11th

I'm sure we won't keep this up each week, but might as well keep going while I'm on a roll!!
Last evening, our church had "Dottie P'Poole's Annual Pool Party". It was probably in the low 60's (in mid July!!!), but lots of people braved the water. It was warm in the water, but lots of shivers and purple lips when out of it.

We had a cat adopt us this week. Lauren loves "Kitty" and the kitty follows her a lot. We hope to find its owner, but are enjoying it's visit for now.

Lauren trying out Carter's new farm exersaucer.

Note to self-don't schedule two small kids' doctors' appointments (with shots) at the same time. It took 1 1/2 hours to be seen (which by then, they were spent) and an hour of the appointment, shots, and checking out. Needless to say, I had two SCREAMING kids on my hands.

Lauren likes to help Mommy give Carter his nighttime rice cereal bottle.

Summer Fun Continues

Lauren loves when Daddy comes home!


Some friends and I went to the zoo. We saw tons of animals.

Our sweet neighbors, Steve and Phyllis, lent us their pool for the summer. Lauren LOVES it!!!

Steve and Phyllis also let Lauren have a carrot from the garden when we see them! She gets really excited about that.

Chick Fil-A

Our local Chick-Fil-A had customer appreciation week. So Friday, we went and Lauren got to take her first pony riding and pet animals in a petting zoo. They also dressed up as cows, which earned them each a free meal (which Mommy and Daddy enjoyed greatly!)

5th of July Celebration

The 4th was rained out, so Zionsville's festival was the 5th. This was the third year we went. It was a lot of fun.



Before we go visit someone, we talk about sharing, being kind, and keeping your hands to yourself. Each time we get to that part, Lauren folds her hands infront of her and keeps them way for the drive and even walking into the person's house. It's sooo cute!

Children's Museum

It ended up raining for the 4th of July, so rather than go to the park, we used our Children's Museum membership to give us a day at the museum. It was a lot of fun. They have a Star Wars exhibit and Darth Vader and some of the people from Star Wars were walking around. It was pretty cool.

Lauren riding the "Sphynx" (or however it's spelled) :-)



I was actually a little scared going up to Darth Vader to ask if we could have our picture taken with him. He was breathing like Darth Vader and just looked at me so spooky when I was near him.

Eating Rice Cereal

Carter started eating rice cereal--Daddy and Mommy got to give him his first bites. He wasn't the biggest fan and still isn't, but I'm sure it will come over time.



I think I've had enough!