Because these pictures come from two cameras, they are not in very good order, time-wise. But here's a little catch-up from our summer.
The kids and I visit downtown Lexington all the time for library trips, parks, and free kids' movies. Here, Lightning McQueen was taking a swim in a courtyard fountain to cool off.
Sometimes we then wander over to Dad's work and take him to the river for lunch.
The storms this summer have done a number on the trails.
Ellie and Seth love playing with colorful weights and medicine balls at Dad's work.
They also have frequent races up and down the clinic hall.
Dr. Daddy (officially done with internships and school as of this week). He's really a Physical Therapist now! Hurray for no more school.... and more hurray for an actual salary! Felt like this day would never come... but we are so proud of all that this man has done!
Merry-go-round on the 4th of July.
We do picnics on days I feel ready to brave the heat and humidity.
Goofy boy.
Waiting for Dad to come out of work.
Another cool park here called Boxerwood. Created as a place for kids to get dirty and explore. It's pretty awesome. There's digging areas with bones, tree houses, tunnels, creeks, mud-kitchens, and lots of other craziness to enjoy.
Collecting rocks to throw in the water.
Daddy taking a break.
Working in the mud-kitchen.
Who knew treadmills were for gymnastics?
Seth likes to race his dump truck in the backyard.
Ellie likes to play ball and race.
Enjoying a lazy morning, watching a movie together.
This friendly cat is often on our front porch, and the kids like saying hi. Ellie is very sweet with her.
Seth just squats down to look her in the face and jabber at her.
Down by the river on a Friday night. :)
Ellie likes to pretend she is at a real beach and collects the tiny shells.
Seth just loves being in the water.
And Dad of course just starts splashing fights.
Such a little man. He pushes his chair up to the table, climbs on it, and props his feet up anytime he enjoys a movie.
Ellie asks to have her picture taken regularly when she gets ready to go somewhere. She is such a silly little showgirl.
DC temple trip.
The kids are always happy that we still see Pa and G-mom very regularly.
And I think Pa and G-mom are okay with it too.
Another playground to explore nearby with lots of cool slides and tunnels.
Ellie even went down this super long one.
Seth just climbed on everything.
Then we checked out the little mini-waterfall nearby.
Always fun to try and pose with kids at this age.
The belly is much bigger now than it was then, but see? I do have one.
The showgirl being a princess-cowgirl.
Ellie would go the the Fields at SVU every night to run and play sports if she had the choice.
Fancy backwards kick.
And finally taking the shot! GOLASO!!
Seth preferred to stay on the sidelines and hydrate. It was pretty hot.
Running strides with Dad to help him finish his workout.
My view looking down over my pregnant belly for most of this trip. Like I said, it was hot.
Again, hot.
Another day at Boxerwood in the water.
Seth tries to throw the biggest rocks possible.
I'm sure she meant only the best, G-mom, but this was supposed to be your face that she made on her pancake on day. Notice the stylish syrup-hair and peanut butter-cheeks.
I think we must have been watching Calamity Jane this night. So Ellie went around the house killing bad guys.
Within minutes of Uncle Jake being here for a visit, Ellie just curled up on the couch with him.
And Seth was more than happy to have some G-mom time.
Seth has always been a drink addict. Pretty much any drink he can get... even G-mom's watered-down Diet Coke.
Ellie learned about wound care at the track after crashing with Daddy during a race. She comes crying to me across the field, and after I keep asking her about her scrapes, all she can say through her tears is, "Now I'm never going to win the race!" Talk about competitive.
But after a pep-talk and some cold water on her leg, she was ready for some sprint races, which she always wins... just ask her.
Hawaiian-Princess-Cowgirl?
We discovered this summer that Seth LOVES Cool Ranch Doritos. Like... he devours them.
Ellie does a treadmill workout most every day after I finish... sometimes even wearing my size 10.5 shoes.
For once, Ellie napped and Seth didn't. And he couldn't take it. He kept poking and trying to tickle her to wake her up. He likes having her to play with.
The kids were excited when Dad inherited Pa's old Droid and try to take over every time he attempts to use it.
More effective working with kids around.
Finally, Seth's 2nd birthday. As per Ellie's instructions, there were LOTS of balloons.
He's such a cute guy.
I made him a Lightning McQueen cake and made sure there were some big letters he could read.
Ellie enjoyed the fact that Seth wasn't sure what to do about opening presents. She was a very willing helper.
But moving on to the subsequent presents got more and more difficult, as he just wanted to stare at or play with each new one he opened.
ABC book-heaven for our little letter boy.
FANCY shoes from Uncle Jake of course, who has the adult-sized, matching pair.
A Lightning McQueen backpack from Ellie... her idea. She loves to give gifts. Such a sweetie.
Of course, she got a few things too. It is G-mom's house after all!
And Seth's super cool new train/car table. He LOVES it.
Getting pumped for cake.
Dad was nice enough to help with the candles.
He's never had the best eating techniques...
But he got all the frosting off his multiple pieces of cake.
Watching the trains go by. I think it's safe to say his birthday was a success. I still need to get the other pics from G-mom and Pa... but that's it for now.
Then back home again, Seth helped me make some peanut butter cookies.
And the kids recovered on the couch in various positions.
And played Angry Birds with Dad.
Cooling off?
More poses from our funny girl.
