Pool fun with cousins

While we were visiting, Erika and Brian had the whole gang over for a swim in the pool at their apartment complex. Todd (who opted not to get wet) became photographer for the afternoon and got some fun shots of all our favorite people.


Uncle Ben and Noah:




Aunt Heidi and Bethany:




Natalie:




Emma:




and our wonderful Host & Hostess:





One of the kids' favorite games was for Ben to pull them as they each held on to a foam tube making a long 'snake' or 'train' in the water. In this pic Noah had just let go, but you can still get the idea. Notice that Parker always wanted to be the 'tail' or 'caboose' - I think he figured out that's the person who moves the fastest.






Even after the girls decided to just ride on Daddy, the boys still wanted to be pulled. Thanks, Ben - you rock!









Brian got in on the fun - making a foam tube into a squirt gun by blowing water out of it. Here's a pic taken just before he 'fired' on an unsuspecting Parker and Noah:






At first, Lincoln wasn't too sure if he was excited about swimming:





But soon Parker got him laughing by sneaking up on him under the water and then popping out with a splash and a hug:





After a while, though, Lincoln discovered his FAVORITE activity of the day - climbing in and out of the pool over and over and over again... silly boy!












Finally, when we were all too tired and cold (Emma's lips were positively purple!) to swim any more, Brian and Erika took us all inside for a VERY YUMMY lunch - thanks, guys!!!!

Washington, DC

Our Memorial Day weekend in Virginia was a blast! Even though it was cold and drizzling the day we spent in DC, we enjoyed our sight-seeing adventure.









Lincoln's favorite part was running along the little wall that went all the way around the Washington Monument - especially with his big brother playing the "I'm gonna getcha!" game.








I am very glad that they are such good pals (despite the 5 1/2 year age difference).










We stopped for lunch near the Lincoln Memorial and bought a sweatshirt for OUR Lincoln (since we'd somehow forgotten his jacket - oops!). Parker's favorite part of lunch was feeding the birds.









In the Memorial, Parker read almost everything written on the walls out-loud to me... he is amazing! We also had a chance to talk a little about the Civil War and why President Lincoln had such an important role in American history. Our little Lincoln mostly just toddled around, but I managed to steal a quick kiss as he passed by.








On the way back to the car, Parker's legs were tired so he got to ride on my back. Lincoln was also tired and fell asleep on Todd's shoulder. It was a pretty great day with our really great boys.

Think Pink!

Yes, that's right! We are going to have our very own little GIRL in early October...

The ultrasound showed that she is healthy and everything looks like it should at 18 weeks gestation. Phew!

Parker is thrilled to be getting a sister this time - hope he still feels that way after she gets here!

We feel very blessed to have the privilege of raising a daughter as well as our fine sons.

Thank you all for your prayers!

Stroll around the stadium

Earlier this month, my niece Emma sent Parker a Flat Stanley. For those who haven't heard of this, he's a paper doll that comes in the mail to have a vacation at your house - so you take pictures doing interesting things with him and send it back so the child can show their class. Anyway, it gave us an excuse to take a walk around the stadium and pretend to be Gator fans.






Posing with the statue of UF mascots Al and Alberta:
(Lincoln's the only one dressed appropriately in orange & blue)





Parker "feeding" Flat Stanley to the alligator:





Todd and our little guys:



Parker was a bit upset because I clicked the camera just before he finished making "the gator sign" - I think he was going to hold up one finger like Al and Alberta to say "We're #1!"

Parker's First Year

Of course, going through Lincoln's baby pictures got me thinking about how Parker looked at each of those ages... so here's a picture re-cap of his first 12 months.


1 week old:




1 month old:




2 months:




3 months:




4 months:




5 months:




6 months:




7 months:




8 months:




9 months:




10 months:




11 months:




Birthday!