Our time at the lake,...

It's tradition to take family photos after service at Lakeside Chapel the Sunday Alan preaches. Past years we've had great luck of snapping super shots of each family unit and grandparents with grandkids. This year we were lucky to get photos of any of them - it was a crazy one!

All of our family is so special. This summer our family was especially beautiful in the way they loved and cared for us. Thank you everyone.

Ellis (2 1/2), Rowan (21 months), Reese (4 1/2). Yes, they are all related despite their appearance!
Aunt Jill with Evangeline (1 month)

Sisters (we too are 21 months apart)

Lolly looking on!
Mommy and baby
Pops and Lolly

Mommy and little man!

What a joy to have a little girl in our family. Evangeline has adjusted perfectly to coming home from the hospital. She is enjoying the kisses from her brother and Rowan loves holding her. Her Lolly (Karen), Pops (Louie), Memme(Phyllis), and Grandpa (Bob) have spent quality time with her.

Congratulations Leah Mulhearn!

Thank you to all for participating in the baby pool! It was very fun for us to check in each day who could possibly win if I gave birth that day.

My girlfriend Leah Mulhearn won with the guess of July 18, Girl, 7lbs 8oz. Leah will be receiving a special little something in the mail to mark this accomplishment. Cousin Sandy and girlfriend Stacy came in second and third with the same guess but with weights of 7.4 and 7.3 respectively. Bonus points to Stacy for guessing Evangeline's height correctly.

Honorable mention goes to Karen, Phyllis, Aunt Dottie, Pop Pop, and me for guessing July 17. I consider July 17 to be Evangeline's other birthday since I labored that day leading up to her quick arrival after the stroke of midnight.

Thanks for the fun. We'll do it again next time,..if there is one....

Evangeline

What a joy to have a little girl in our family. Evangeline has adjusted perfectly to coming home from the hospital. She is enjoying the kisses from her brother and Rowan loves holding her. Her Lolly (Karen), Pops (Louie), Memme (Phyllis), and Grandpa (Bob) have spent quality time with her. She is very excited to be a part of the blog and looks forward to many posts!!!

Evangeline Christine! Born July 18, 2009 at 1:55 a.m. 7 lbs 14oz, 20 3/4 inches.

Rowan is taking to summer well! His hair is now a shining shade of blonde, his skin has a healthy glow, and his blue eyes are popping out of his head with summer fun excitement. Yeah for a happy boy!

All things new baby!

We've made it past the sweet 37th week of pregnancy where the baby is considered full term. Now it's just a matter of keeping the baby in there as long as it wants to to strengthen those lungs, develop great digestion, and add fat under its skin. I wouldn't mind going a few days early if things get uncomfortable, which I'm sure they will, but am not very interested in being 2 weeks past! The official due date is July 19th. Rowan was three days past his due date but there is evidence to show that second babies have a gestation period 5 days less than the first. On this note I invite you all to enter your guesses (by comment or email), if you haven't already, for a little baby pool fun. Date, weight, and of course sex of the baby! The closest without going over will win something fun of course not to mention bragging rights!

I have pretty strong tidying up, cleaning, and organizing tendencies but nesting has truly clicked in. Thank you to Alan who cleaned out the bottom of the dishwasher last night! The nursery is almost read to be up and running. I am awaiting adding accessories and all things pink, like the old IKEA Rosali patterns I have, if it's a girl and will be interested in the 'Sweet Potato Domain' line at target if it's a boy. After we add some more haute pocket cloth diapers to the mix we should be all set! Bring on baby!

Rowan's Room

This little babe now has such a big kid room! How did my 20 month old grow up so fast? Didn't we just bring him home from the hospital, blog his first steps, and celebrate his 1st birthday? Don't get me wrong, he's still a little guy and as some of you know Alan frequently tells him jokingly not to act like such a baby. Well, trucks, toys, and all things boys are his favorites and I'm glad that he has a room of his own to be Rowan in. What a fortunate happy little boy!

I just couldn't keep Ridge from walking through these shots!New big boy bed calls for a new funny face.

Father's Day 2009

The rainy weather stayed south and we were able to enjoy the day outside at the lake house. Most little kids are lulled to sleep by the rocking of the boat, but not our Rowan. He doesn't sit still for a moment!

Even though it's still technically Spring Rowan has had a great start to his summer fun.

Swinging and anything that goes "weeee"!

Pool time in the backyard = crazy water fun.
"Helping" prepare the Lemonade!

Lolly picked up a new bike for the lake house. Rowan rides it while everyone else pushes. He'll get off and tell you how to push him if you don't do it like Daddy does. Even though Rowan calls it his bicycle don't worry Reese and Ellis it's for you two too!

A few weeks ago Rowan and Mommy went to a local Diary Farm with our MOMS Club to see new calves, pregnant cows, and cows being milked. At first Rowan was very intimidated by the loud mooing and maybe even the strong smell. He warmed up to the calves and even stepped in to help give one of them their bottle. Us Moms thought it was funny that the kids were just as excited (if not more) to be around the new litter of farm kittens. Afterward, the farm had a whole corn "sand box" for them to play in. What fun!