Tree Climbing...

I found this picture that Goose must have taken...

I miss my tree climbing, fun loving little boy! I know he is having a great time staying with O'ma and Pop.

Picture Time...

Posing with their Momma...

Now let's add Aunt Suzan(Debra's sister)...

Just the Ladies...

Beautiful Mother and Daughter...

OUTTAKES...

The boys were being a little difficult...

Brothers...whatcha gonna do?!?!

Their best football "think necks" pose...

They think they are so funny!!

Ok, so it was a little funny. 

I hope I don't get into trouble for sharing the outtakes...I just thought they were too funny not to share!

Who Knew...

Eating fruit could be so much fun?!?!?!

Cherry Chipmunk Cheeks!!!

Watermelon...yummy!!!

The first watermelon from our garden!!! Syd was happy to pose with it...

A juicy red...

I don't know about you, but I think watermelon with seeds taste better! Sure they are a little more work, but well worth it!

After we had our fill, I removed the seeds and put the rest of the watermelon in the fridge to chill, so it would be ready to eat later.

My mouth is watering...I think I'll go have some cold watermelon

Stansell Family Bash...

A couple of weeks back Esther organized a Stansell Family Bash at the Snyder swimming pool. It was a blast. Esther commented that she didn't know who had more fun, the kids or adults and that was the truth. With a huge water slide, a diving board, and a beach entrance there was fun for everyone. I think we are all hoping we make this an annual thing.

Madi spent most of her time being held...

She did eventually get in the water. She liked it ok, I think we waited to long to get her in...the water was getting kind of cold.

I think I she enjoyed swimming, even if it was a little cold...

Syd wasn't sure about the pool at first...holding on for dear life... 

The beach entrance was more up her alley. 

She had so much fun she didn't even need anyone to play with her, she was content just walking in and out of the water. A couple of times she drifted too close to the water slide and that scared her(it's really loud beside the slide) but other than that she did great.

I was pleasantly surprised when Miles jumped off the diving board...

Of course he didn't do much more than jump off, but that's ok he has plenty of time to learn some of his Daddy's skills.

The slide was by far his favorite...I lost track of how many times he went down it...

Ten even liked the diving board...first she tried just jumping straight in...

Then she tried diving...it needs a little more work, since she basically did a belly flop.

Then she got a little adventurous...

She loved the slide as well...

I sure do love my goofballs...

They even loved going down the slide together...

Even Goose enjoyed the pool...

He looked pretty good...

showing off with his

one and a half front flip...

Our wonderful spectators enjoying some watermelon...

Again it was so much fun! 

Feeding the Ducks...

Sometimes it's nice to "unplug" and just be a family. That is just what we did last Saturday. We turned off the computer, put the phones up and didn't answer calls or texts, we didn't turn the TV on. We just spent time together as a family. I hope the kids and Goose enjoyed it as much as I did...it was wonderful!!

After supper we decided to drive to town and feed the duck, something I'm a little embarrassed to say I don't think we have ever done with our kids. I can remember my Mom taking us to feed the ducks when I was a kid, I don't think we did it often, but I always enjoyed it when we did.

Goose called these the welfare ducks. As soon as we pulled up(literally, the kids were still in the car as I took this picture) they came running towards us(with their hands out, so to speak). 

 These ducks were well trained! Trying to get the bread out fast enough should be an Olympic sport.

Madi wanted to throw some bread too...

 She couldn't get to the bread fast enough...

 Oops, she didn't want to feed the ducks...she wanted to eat it herself!

 I was a little surprised that Syd wasn't scared. I thought she would get out there and the ducks would freak her out. But they didn't. She was actually chasing them trying to give them the bread. I told her to stand still and they would come to her.

 Madi seemed to enjoy the ducks too, it probably helped that Daddy had her lifted way above their heads...

Whole story...After I snapped this pic Syd started pouting. I asked her what was wrong and she simple replied, "he stole me bed(Syd speak for bread)". Caught in the act...This little bread thief stole the whole bun right out of Syd's hand! I didn't realize I got this pic until we got home(I was focused on her).

 Apparently when you don't feed the ducks fast enough...they start hissing at you. Did you know that ducks could hiss? I sure didn't...honestly it was a little creepy.

 Miles liked being right there on their level...

 One on my happy little duck feeders...

 Who knew feeding ducks required so much concentration?

 We all enjoyed feeding the ducks, I think we will definitely do this again!

Our family day was wonderful!! Especially nice to just focus on us...time passes so fast, I want to enjoy the time we have with them as little kids as much as possible.

6 Months

Hard to believe...6 months! This month is a mile marker for me. It means that my baby is on the down hill side of turning 1. Halfway to not being baby anymore...ok I better stop, or I'll be crying.

She has out grown the Nap Nanny...little stinker. She started sitting up shortly after turning 5 months and now is a pro at sitting up all by herself.

She now weights 13lbs 12ozs and she's 27 inches long. Such a big girl! When she got her shots she cried while they stuck her, but as soon as I picked her up she immediately stopped crying...I was so proud of my tough girl.

So excited to be 6 months old!

"These photo shoots are so stressful"

Since she has outgrown the Nap Nanny we have transitioned to the crib. I laid her in her crib for a nap with no problem, so that night I put her in the crib again...she has been sleeping in it ever since.

She is such a happy baby. Seriously I think the only time she fusses is when she is hungry. Other than that she is all smiles...

We have started on solids. We tried Rice cereal first...let's just say, she was NOT a fan. So we moved on. I'm happy to say so far she likes avocado, squash, apples, apricots, and oatmeal.
She will not take a bottle! I tried everything, I warmed the milk up, had Goose try to give it to her, bought the fancy bottles that all babies are supposed to love, I even put juice in it...NOPE. So I've decided we are just going to get a jump start on sip cups. It's all about picking your battles...right?!?!

She is mobile!! She will crawl on all fours, but in general she will drop down and army crawl(because she is faster this way). There is no stopping her, if she wants it, she gets to it! Which now means I will be vacuuming a couple of times a day at least.

Stretching out!

I can't deny it, so there is no use in trying. Madi has become a little bit of a Mama's girl. Aren't most babies if they have a stay at home Mom? I'm the person who is always there. I feed her, change her, love on her, give kisses, bathe her, I'm there all the time! So please don't get frustrated with her, it doesn't mean she doesn't love you, and she will out grow this stage all too soon. For right now though, I'm her "person".

Those beautiful blue eyes! She is still babbling, but I haven't made out a distinctive "Mama" or "Dada". She loves watching the kids and gets really excited when they come close to play. She loves to giggle and play.

Still no teeth...this only bothers me because I'm afraid she is going to get them all at once...poor baby!!

"You want me to what?!?!" I love this precious expression!

"Mama, can we be done? I'm hungry and ready for a nap."

We love you sweet girl! As Sydbo would say, "I love you so bery much!"