I've had lots of great blog entries floating in my head these past few months, but they never seem to actually make it to my blog.  So, I've been relying on photos of my kiddos to fill the space until my wit & time return.  Hope you've been enjoying them.  They are just as delightful (& way louder) in real life.

First Day of School

Jack started JK this year.  I can't believe how big this kid is.  

He loves school so much.  

Jack & his best buddy Grayson are in the same class.  

I think they might cause some trouble together.

Another Favorite Meal

Apples!

Annie loves, loves, loves apples.

Go Cardinals!

Bowling!

We all went bowling the other evening & had a blast.  Jack was surprisingly good, although I guess the bumpers didn't hurt!  He loved the shoes.  When he put them on he started dancing & said they were tap-tap shoes.  Even Annie had a great time hanging out.

Photo Shoot!

One Last Birthday Pic

Jack's favorite birthday present from the Maynor family. 

Our house is so small that he has to walk sideways.

I love this picture so much.

Birthday Season in Pictures

July is birthday season at our house.  Poor Annie is the odd-baby out.  She doesn't get to share her birthday with us, just with Jesus...

Jack's 1st birthday party on his actual birthday.  

Don't look too close.  

You might get blinded by the terribly ugly cake I baked.

Very excited by the Batmobile we gave him.  

Can you tell the kid loves superheroes?

My friend Emily greeted me on the morning of my birthday with 11 tasty dounuts.  Yum.

Happy 33rd to John!  I made him a yummy Oreo cake.  It was gone in about 2 days.

Jack's Birthday Party Cake

My mom & I made all of the kids capes with their names on the back.  

(Really, my MOM made the capes, I ironed on the letters...)

At the end of the party we were treated to a concert by a swim-suit clad bunch.

We turn 10 today!

TEETH!

Can you see Annie's first little tooth poking through?  This picture was taken 6 days ago & already there is a second little tooth right next to the first.  The sure are cute, but strike fear in my heart every time she eats!  I haven't been bitten yet...

Happy Birthday Dear John!

(photo courtesy of Jack)

Happy Birthday dear one.  You will always be my favorite.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Four years ago today, we met this little boy.

I had no idea how much he would turn our lives upside down.  I also had no idea how rich & full he would make our lives.  And, I certainly had no idea how much I would love him.

This year I've had the privilege of watching him grow into an incredible big brother.  Annie will soon discover how lucky she is to have been given such an amazing big brother.  I can't count the number of times I've seen him comfort her when she cries.  He pats her & says, "Aw baby.  It's okay, brother's here."  It melts my heart every single time.  

He's an amazingly kind & sensitive little boy.  We are so thankful he is in our lives.

Happy 4th birthday baby boy.  

6 Months & 4 Years!

Annie turned 6 months old last week.  I took her for her 6 month check-up & Jack for his 4 year check-up on Monday.  Annie weighed in at just over 16 pounds & is in the 50th percentile for weight & 75th for height.  Her noggin remains in the massive 92nd percentile.  

Jack is a lightweight at 32 pounds & 40 inches tall.  He's in the 20th percentile for weight & 50th for height.  

They are both hitting all of their milestones & healthy.  4 shots later, here are some pics for you!

This pic is courtesy of Jack.

Annie eating sweet potatoes.  

We started solids a few days ago.  She isn't loving it yet.  

I'm already ready to move on to food she can pick up & eat herself.  

She's much more interested in the sandwich on my plate 

than the sweet potatoes than on her spoon.

Visitors!

Our dear, dear friends Kevin & Laura (aka Kbo & Lola) came to visit this week from Jersey City.  Their son, Linus, was born 11 days before Annie (and due 4 weeks AFTER her...) & we had yet to meet him & they had yet to meet Annie.  We had a fun filled visit & it made us miss then even more than we usually do.  The babies loved each other.  The were full of smiles & touches & coos for each other.  It was very sweet.  We've already decided that Annie & Linus are getting married one day.  

Smiling babies.

Tired babes & mamas.

Jack & Lola

Jack had a serious crush on Lola & in this photo he is soaking wet, trying to get her all wet.

Summer Fun

We've gone to the Tower Grove wading pools a few times this summer & it's turned into one of our favorite places.  Extra bonus is that I don't have to wear a swimsuit...

Happy Father's Day John!

I am so thankful to have married a man that's not only a wonderful husband, but also a wonderful father.

Some questions I asked Jack this morning (ripped directly off my friend Melanie's blog...)

What's your favorite thing to do with daddy?  (I asked this several times & got different answers.)

-Playing Candyland.

-Playing Spiderman.

-Playing the racing game.

-Having piggyback rides.

What don't you like about daddy?

-When he hits me.  To which I replied- "Daddy doesn't hit you!"  and Jack said, "Sometimes he does when we play!"  Whew.

-When he does crazy faces & scares me.

What do you call daddy?

-Stinky head.

How does daddy make you happy?

-He hugs me & kisses me & tickles me & does his chores.

Photo Shoot!

Cookie cutter kiddos.

Puddle Walk

Jack, enjoying the aftermath of a torrential downpour.

And, what was Annie doing, you ask?  Just hanging out.