Father's Day in Peoria

Amelia loved meeting Bailey.

Alex did too.  The have matching eyes!

Trying to convince EE to go swimming with him.

Asking Aunt Sara how the baby in her belly is doing.

Cookies and bikinis don't mix Amelia.

The best picture we've taken recently of Grandma with her grandkids.

We were pretending to be spaghetti in a boiling pot of water.

For the 3rd year in a row we've gone to Peoria to meet up with the Kershaw's to celebrate Father's Day.  I think it's kind of funny we do that since Steve isn't even a big fan of swimming, but the kids still have fun.  Alex and Amelia were pretty much fearless when it came to jumping into the water.  They both had a blast, but Evalee was a little hesitant.  After much coaxing and bossing from the sidelines she finally decided to join in the fun.  We also welcomed a new family member this time, Uncle Trevor and Aunt Ashley just got a new puppy named Bailey.  The kids absolutely loved meeting her, playing with her, and getting in her cage.

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!  We can't imagine our life without you!  You are so patient and kind and work really hard both at home and at work.  Unfortunately getting a picture of both of the kids together was an extreme fail!!

Father's Day in Greene Co.

I have no idea.  I think Alex may have been
saying he had big boy undies on.

Talking on her cell phone.

Nana , the nail lady.

Trying to get Stella, the cat.

Gabbi played dress up in Nana's closet
while the other kids took a bath.

Today we headed to Nana & Papa's house to celebrate Father's Day with Papa and Uncle Thomas.  Daddy couldn't come with us because he was helping coach an All-Star football game in Springfield.  We didn't get the memo that we were supposed to bring work clothes to help cut down tree branches, so Mommy and Amelia stayed inside with the girls while the boys handled the outside work.  Alex and Thomas were big helpers using their chain saw and Thomas' gator to haul tree limbs.  It was too hot for me to really go out and take pictures, or so I thought.  It ended up being pretty nice after the sun started to go down, so we ate dinner outside.  Somehow I didn't manage to get one picture of my dad or brother.  Oops!

Side Note:  Alex pooped in the potty twice today so we stopped and bought him the weed eater we promised him.  This evening at Nana and Papa's house he took the nastiest poop in his pants.  Thank God Nana helped with that.  I was at a loss on what to do.  He's doing really good with peeing though. Baby Steps.

Let the Training Commence

So today marks the official first day of us saying good bye to diapers.  Daddy has purchased little matchbox police/ambulance/digger vehicles and Alex will be bribed to pee in the potty.  Every time he goes potty he will get to choose one vehicle.  Ten of them were purchased and as the supply runs low I will pick them up off the floor and return them to bowl of new toys to choose from!!  Good Luck Daddy!!!  I know I'll be on detail this weekend.  Fingers crossed.

Jackpot!

Of course we had to bring something home for the kids from Vegas, but I really wanted it to be something that was Vegas worthy.  What could be better than an M&M slot machine.  The kids loved eating the candy and Alex kept yelling "jackpot" when the M&Ms came flying out!  It was so cute to see their excitement!!  We're glad to be back home with them.  Sounds like they had a good time at Grandma & Papa Kershaw's house.  They went to Hillsboro and swam at Fusions with Great Grandma Furness and even went and visited Ma at the nursing home.

Vegas Baby!!

Ready to head to the airport!!!

Just got to Vegas. . . it's 1 am (3 am our time) and I'm sleepy!!

We took a limo everywhere!!  We were stylin!!

Coldest pool every!!! 

With our awesome waitress. . .  Marcy!!!

Liz, Molly, and CJ

Adam and Molly

Dr. Liz Kunz--the reason for our trip!!

Molly and Aaron


Brad, Adam, Mitch, Trevor, and  Aaron

Ashley and Kacey

Liz was honored at the Piano Bar for getting her Pharmacy degree!!!

Adam, Ashley, Kacey, and Molly

The World Series of Poker was at our hotel.
Adam and I knocked the deck of cards backwards,
hence my laughter!!

Poolside on my birthday!!!


Self Portrait

Tracy, Molly, and Liz


It's my Birthday!!!!

At Club Hyde at the Bellagio
Molly, Tracy, Jenn, CJ, Julie, Mary, & Liz

Welcome to Vegas!!!

Our last night in Vegas.

The whole Vegas crew!

Old Vegas--Freemont Street

We headed to Vegas as a celebration of our friend, Liz, graduating with her degree in Pharmacy.  It also just happened to be the weekend of my 33rd birthday!!  Adam and I were the only ones who had never been to Vegas before.  Needless to say we had a great time!!  We laid by the pool pretty much all day everyday, except for part of Sunday.  Adam and I headed down to the strip to check out all the sights and sounds.  We had an amazing brunch that day at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill at Ceaser's Palace, Adam bet $25 that the Bears win the Super Bowl and we bought a gift for the kids. 

Each night we headed out on the town and had an amazing time.  I even got to meet up with one of my best friends from  high school, Kacey and his wife Ashley on Friday night.  They live in Colorado Springs and were in Vegas for their 5 year wedding anniversary.  After parting ways with them at the piano bar at New York New York we headed back to our hotel, the Rio, to go the nightclub.  Talk about a spectacular view of the Vegas strip at night.  It was breathtaking!!!

On Saturday, the girls and I went to get our make-up done at the MAC counter in the mall.  As we were walking in I noticed a really cute dress in a store window.  I said I liked it, but kept walking.  On the way out feeling really cute in my just done make-up and fake eyelashes I looked at the dress again.  Liz said I should go try it on, so I did.  Loved it and wore it out of the store.  What a great little birthday treat.  I felt like I was in the movies!!  That night the boys and girls split up to go do our own things and then all ended up at Club Hyde at the Bellagio.  We had table service and I fell in love with Grey Goose and cranberry.  It may be my new drink of choice, sorry Captain Morgan!!!

Sunday night we ended our last night by going to Old Vegas for dinner at the Golden Nugget and to see the light show on Freemont Street.  Other than seeing a show, I think we had a wonderful first Vegas experience.  

Yearly Stats

Today Daddy took both kids to the Doctor for their yearly check-ups.  Unfortunately, we've made more than just our yearly visit.  Those darn ears get us every time!  Anyway, both babes are healthy and happy!!

Alex weighed in at 39 lbs (94%) and is 40" tall (96%).  He is in the 83rd percentile for his BMI.  He was excited that he didn't have to get any shots today!!  He was able to answer all the questions they had for him as far as recognizing shapes, colors, big vs little, etc.  He has great verbal skills and is pretty much a perfect little boy!

Amelia weighed in at 22 lbs (86%) and is 29 1/2" tall (58%).  Her head circumference is in the 77th percentile.  She had to get a couple shots, but Daddy said she just cried for a minute.  What was not so fun was having to go down to the lab to get blood drawn.  She has to be tested for lead since we live in a home built before 1970 something.  Daddy had to hold her down while they looked around for a vein and then they decided to try the other arm.  She screamed, kicked, and cried.  I can't say I blame her one bit.  Daddy said it was a terrible experience and he said it's a good thing Mommy wasn't there.  I'm more than thankful that I wasn't!!

Anyway, we're blessed with two growing kids!!!  Alex technically doesn't have to go back until his 4 year old check-up and Amelia goes back for a 15 month check up.  Let's hope we can steer clear until then!!