Birthday Week

Our crazy Seth Rocco. Such a soft-spoken baby... such a loud toddler.  

 He spent at least 20-30 minutes playing with the bin and lid... rather than the toys that he and Ellie dumped out of it. 

Ellie and her still best bud, Tucker. 

One of the many rivers that formed around the property with all of last week's endless rain. 

Ellie was super excited about the party supplies while we were making preparations for her big day... just kept looking at them. 

Seth helped clean the beater from the buttercream icing... such helpful kids. 

Ellie was ultra excited on party morning to find so many presents waiting! 

"All deez pwesents por me!" 

Not the exact colors I had wanted, but it was still a cute horsey cake for our big 3 year-old. 

She chose mostly "My Little Pony" and some princess decor. 

Finally present time... she was SOOO into it.  

She even gave Seth a kiss after opening this horse-in-a-purse gift he got her. 

Can you tell he had just gotten up from a nap? 

Real cowgirl boots for our girl! 

A pretty dress which she held up to check out... the girl loves clothes! 

Oh, the excitement!!! 

A pink stick horse... and it makes noise... she automatically had to hug it... so cute! 

She was riding immediately.  

The boots are a little bog for now, but sooo adorable.  

It's no wonder she loves movies like Secretariat and Calamity Jane.

Taking Seth for a ride on the big horsey she got from Uncle Jake.... she will love you forever, Uncle Jakey. She is more than ready to have you home for a little while! 

Hats never last in this house.  

Ready for cake time! 

It took a few tries, but she did finally get them all in one breath! 

The cake was Seth-approved. 

Playing with her new dollhouse. 

One of Seth's favorite activities: climbing and sitting on little chairs and steps. 

Such a little goof.  

Adam snapped this one on Saturday while I was out running.  

And finally, it was time to lose the shag... his hair grows so fast. Must take after his dad.  

Handsome little man.  

From the other side.  

A tender (but not uncommon) moment with one of her much-loved horses. Ellie is truly a cowgirl at heart.

End of Summer

Life goes well. Adam started school last week... our last first day! Here's to senior years!

The kids are doing well. Ellie is looking more and more grown up as we approach birthday #3. She cracks us up on an hourly basis (minimum) and keeps us on our toes at all times. Seth causes more and more trouble, but also brings more and more smiles. He's a good hugger lately, and loves to worry us with his reckless climbing and playing styles.

Ellie and Tucker are still best buds... whether he likes it or not.  

He must at least kinda like it... look at that smile!

This was to show the cute braid G-ma did... just ignore the finger activities, please! 

"I eat BROCKEY!"  

 While sick with fever and such, Adam finally got the official diploma for his Masters Degree. Only 9 more months till the Doctorate! Bring it on!

 Yes, thanks to the style of handles we have, Seth can already open doors as he pleases.

A spoonful of cookie dough... always an acceptable treat.

The result of living on windy, country-type roads... mailboxes don't survive less-than-skilled drivers pulling trailers.  

Seth at a local horse show we took the kids too recently. We had to wake him from a nap in the car, but he was a good sport about it. 

Ellie was so into watching the riders jump, she wouldn't even look at the camera.  

It was fun to watch her see all this happening in real life. She LOVES horses.  

Along the ride home from the show, we came across some random history, and thought we should stop and record it. Crazy that so many of our Nation's founders were born and raised just miles from where we live.

Seth get hot easily, and apparently loves to cool off by sitting on the air vents.   

Looking like a big kid. 

Ellie's requested lunch a few days ago. Heart "sandwiches" (just bread and butter per her request), "brockey", and grapes! 

 Crazy that we even manage to make it happen, but here is a mini-high school reunion. 3 of my best friends from school in BOLIVIA! So glad I live here and got to see them and reminisce about our crazy, "naqver" past!

G-ma says Ellie just had to have this outfit at the store yesterday. Our girl loves pink! 

And Seth loves... being a goof! Time for another haircut!