Kayaks and Loose Teeth

I am a marathon coach now and we attended a family social with the coaches on my team.   We all enjoyed exploring the land that was full of kittens, chickens, bunnies, ducks and deer.  We all went Kayaking too!  It was a great time.   The girls had a blast and keep asking when we can go back!

Daddy & Sophia cruise the lake

Mom eyes up the paddle and prays to stay dry

Mom gets a turn to paddle!

The tooth fell out at the running social!

It's Not All Bubbles and Lemonade

August has been filled with many fun activities for the girls.  They went out to their favorite restaurant Cracker Barrel, had lots of play dates with friends, trips to the 1$ movies, a lemonade stand/ craft show and bubble action. We also had the tooth fairy visit at the start of the month!  I love Isabella's little toothless smile.  Most of all this month, I love being able to spend time with my daughters.

Daddy daughter stroll to dinner

Awesome sign for sale at cracker barrel

Sophia & Adele at the movies

Becca & Bella at the movies

Looks like the tooth fairy is coming!

Bubble magic!

Overflowing with bubbles!

Silly Isabella

Where are Sophia's hands?

Craft / lemonade stand

The lemonade stand was the girls idea.  Isabella also wanted to have her first craft show. We combined the two ideas for an afternoon lemonade stand / craft show. Isabella made rings on her rubber band loom and sold a few!  The girls earned a Girl Scout fun patch in the process! Fun, Fun!

Bella & Becca

Isabella loves her best buddy Becca and was excited to have her first sleepover last week.  Isabella spent all day asking if it was time to head to Becca's yet as she was very excited!  The sleepover was going well and I received a text that the girls asked to go to be at 9:30pm. However, once the lights went out in the bedroom Isabella yelled "Let the slumber party begin!"  The girls had a blast and were up till 11:30pm!  It was a wonderful first sleepover experience for Isabella.  The following day Isabella was exhausted and tried to nap at the pool.  She ended up going to bed that night so tired that she slept till 10am the next day.
I would say the first sleepover was a 100% success!

Best Buddies, Bella and Becca at camp talent show

Ready to head to Becca's

Let the slumber party begin!

We are lucky that Isabella's best buddy lives in our neighborhood.  They are like two peas in a pod.  This summer they enjoyed camp and even did a dance together in the camp talent show.  Its been a good summer!

Pool Jumps

These girls love the water!  Isabella went off the diving board (it was her 3rd attempt this summer).  I guess third time is the charm, huh.  To set the scene for you, it was a Friday night at the pool and Will said he would go off the high dive if Isabella would go off the low dive at the same time.  Isabella approaches the board slow but before I had a chance to take a photo Isabella has dashed of the board like the horse out of the gate.  Below is the photo of her proud smile getting out of the pool after her first jump off the diving board.  The next day she wanted to go back to the pool and go off the high dive...and she did it! Isabella loves running off of the boards.

Both of the girls love to jump in from the side of the pool. It warms my heart to see Isabella and Sophia play together at the pool.  They have lots of friends at the pool which is great.  In fact, at the swim team banquet the Coaches gave Isabella and her friend Becca  matching friendship bracelets since the coaches never saw the girls apart! Ha!  It has been a wonderful summer at the pool.

Proud after the first time off the diving board

Isabella's High Dive Action

Happy Water Babes

Isabella says "Jump to me Sophia"

Action Jump Shot

Isabella and her swim team medal

Sometimes we are a bit too excited to get to the pool.  Last week Sophia was eager to get to the pool and fell while running to the car.  Sweet baby skinned both of her knees, one elbow, one hand and her hip!  After some TLC, Sophia wanted me to take a photo of her boo-boo's.  Despite her scrapes she still wanted to go to the pool and dip her toes in!  Sophia is a water baby!

Boo to boo-boo's

Sophia floating around

 dollar dog night - float night

Sophia Loves Summer

Our sweet little Sophia is enjoying her last summer as a 4 year old.  She loves to play with her big sister and is sad when Isabella is not around.  Its cute to see how much my girls love each other.  Sophia is loving being home with her family and is not at all eager for school to start.  She said she wants to stay home with Mommy forever.  FiFi even asked if I could be her teacher at home so she did not have to leave me.  Some of the best mornings are the ones where we don't need to rush out the door and Sophia wants to snuggle. Her favorite summer activity is the pool! Sophia can now swim freestyle and backstroke!!!  When asked if she would like to join swim team next year her reply is NO, I want to do swim team with my Momma!  She loves her family and we sure do love her!!!!

Pretty in pink for the grocery store

Chillen' with our kitty

My little make-up artist

Pre-dinner nap after a fun afternoon at the pool!

Baby O

22 hours old.  That was precisely the age of my niece when I introduced myself to her.  Quickly she was asleep in my arms and my heart was full of love for this little bundle of joy. Sweet baby Olivia Kirsten entered this world on Thursday July 24th at 6:01pm weighing 8lbs and 3oz.   The girls and I made a quick trip to visit Olivia and I did a little photo session too!  Here are photos from our visit...

Olivia snuggled up in the blanket I made for her

Mom and babe

Sleeping Beauty

Family Shot

A view of Baltimore from the hospital window

Close up of baby O

Proud Aunt

Awe, she was even cute when crying!

Proud Grammie

Congrats Gillian & Chris!