It's Been Awhile

Wow I think this is the longest break I've ever taken from blogging! I got so far behind I felt overwhelmed! But I'm going to try to get back into it.  We have had two birthdays and a baptism, so lots to catch up on! 

 

Just some random pics this post- here is my awesome colorer!  I LOVE that he loves to color, because his big brother Cooper HATES to color.  Jackson is really into it and does this cute little thing with his tongue when he colors. :)

 

 He colors very elaborately and uses tons of different colors- love it!

 We have turned Claire into a TV addict as well-but only to Mickey Mouse.  It sure helps when I need to make dinner or take a shower! :)

 Just a cutie pie!

 Cooper has been obsessively practicing climbing the wall-he loves to climb to the top.

 More smiley Claire.  Things are going so well with her.  It just feels totally natural with her now, just like with the boys.  It's amazing.  She is so comfortable with us too and has even stayed with Grandma and my sister a few times with no problems!  We need to try it at night-still haven't done that yet.  Ryan and I are needing  date night! :)

 Her little "cheese."  Love it!

Seeing Friends

Look at this cutie pie!!  This was a few weeks ago. 

 She was having fun playing with her tea set-she loves to play tea!

 We made a tent one morning.  Here are the boys!!  Yes, they're still here. :)  They just aren't around me as much as my little model Claire is.  So she gets a lot more photos taken of her!

 In her first tent!

 and here's a (not so great) picture of Jackson in the tent!

 We were finally able to get together with our friends we met in China!  It took the girls a little while to become reacquainted, but they became fast friends and actually shared toys a bit.

 Here are the moms.

 Here are the dads.

 We got the girls in pjs before they left and they had fun jumping around in the crib a bit.

 What sweet girls.  I hope we can stay good friends with them, it'll be nice for Claire to have a friend from China like her!

Visit to Kansas

Over the 4th of July we went to Kansas to visit Ryan's parents.  Claire was able to meet her Aunts and Uncles for the first time! We were worried how she would react with all the new people and with sleeping at a new place but we have now realized Claire is a champ!  She really was so comfortable with everyone-still wanted to be with me at all times-but wasn't scared of meeting new people.  We were so thankful. 

 

There's this cute little park in KS where we like to play.  They have these little Wizard of Oz cut-outs and we especially liked them this year because we just finished reading The Wizard of Oz!  (Random fact- in the book Dorothy's red slippers are actually silver!!)

 

This was also especially fun because we now have Dorothy!!

 

 plus this adorable Tin Man...

 and scarecrow!!

 This was also Claire's first time on the carousal!

 We also went on a train ride!

 Of course we had to pose for a few pictures.

The kids also love to play outside at Grandma and Grandpa's.

 Fireworks are always a hit in KS!!

 We always take a family photo!

 This was a very fast trip but we were able to see a few friends while we were there.  Here's Ryan and his good friend Justin with all of the kids! 

 Claire also got to meet her Great-Grandma and Grandpa!  (Along with Great Aunt/Uncles)  Bad picture but I should have downloaded a better one-there are much better ones where you can see Claire!

 We also got to see Maya and Nolan! Too quick as usual but it was so fun to see them.

Claire actually slept fairly well the entire time which was such a relief.  I was worried about how she would do.  After this trip we were home a week and then headed up to my parents' cabin!  Busy busy summer! :)

A Little Photo-Shoot

 

It's probably been a month and a half since we took these pictures so Claire has changed so much already! 

 

She looks happy here but at first she was so scared of the grass and didn't want to get down.  Luckily she got over that quickly.

 My three cute kids!

 LOVE this dress!!  My friend made it and I think it's just so adorable.

 Claire's first time on the slide!

 Cooper is the monkey bar master.

 I don't have great pictures of Jackson but he loved this balance beam!

 Claire has this completely adorable tutu and she refused to wear it so I told Cooper to put it on instead.  :)

 Then of course Jackson had to try it!

Love these kiddos!