Jack and I took a lap around Home Depot while Darren and Lilly worked on her craft.
Here is Jack working on his superman impression!
These curls. I can't even. People literally stop us in stores to look at Jack and tell us how handsome he is. I think the curls are the first thing they notice, then his eyes and then his super adorable smile! I am afraid to cut his hair!
Lilly had an incredible week at VBS! She was so excited to sing in worship on Sunday. She focused so much on the words to all the songs, but she wasn't interested in the movements at all, lol!
We got a new ice cream maker from Pampered Chef. Can you tell she was a little excited to try it??
We had a blast at Jared and Carissa's pool! Jack loved riding on the float and Lilly was practicing her swimming.
Of course I think his favorite time was snack time!
Aunt Carissa let him play piano :-)
We hosted a 4th of July party at our house. We decided not to deal with the traffic to go to the fireworks so we just lit sparklers and a few small fireworks ourselves. The kids LOVED it (and the men loved setting things on fire of course)
We let Lilly stay up WAY past her bedtime! She and Kristin were the last kids standing and completely transfixed by Moana (Ryan is passed out under the quilt)
We were very excited to make the trip to New York to see our families!!! The trip up wasn't too tough and the kids did great in the car! The weather was perfect and we had the BEST time!
The kids loved the playground in Hamilton and getting to play with their cousins.
Lilly met a friend who had some playdoh at the playground and they sat and played together.
Jack and Nikki loved getting into the toys together.
Uncle Dan and Caity read books to Mikey and Lilly. They have such a great way with the kids. I am so glad we got to spend so much time with them!
Nick and Anthony were good sports playing with the little ones :-)
Cousins!!! Missing Brianna!
Jack LOVED being outside! I think he was shocked at how soft the grass was ;-)
Lilly loved showing Uncle Dan how great she is at puzzles
Awwww! Traveling is tiring!
We loved visiting Roger's Conservation Center! Lilly's favorite part was definitely feeding the fish.
Two of my friends from high school opened their own amazing BBQ place in a neighboring town where we grew up. The kids had fun playing outside while we waited for our table :-)
We went to story time at the library. It was super cool to see the library now and how much it has changed since I was young. I also ran into a high school friend.
We were so grateful that we got to spend so much time with our family!!! Lilly had the best time with her cousins! We also learned how to play Monopoly Jr. My favorite time was when Uncle Dan and Caity played with Lilly. I left them for a few minutes to put Jack down for a nap and when I came back, Dan looked at me somewhat panicked and said with a big smile, "It's not going that well." I noticed that Lilly had hardly any money left and Dan and Caity didn't want her to lose. Lol! I told them we are teaching her to win AND to lose with grace, so it was ok, but I think they felt bad! I loved how much they cared about her feelings and how much they wanted her to win! It was adorable.
Father and son... <3
Grandma knows how to make the babies happy...the tupperware cabinet!!!
I think Jack looks a lot like Dan did when he was a baby.
Concert time!
After Hamilton, we drove up to Tupper Lake to visit Darren's family. You can't visit the Adirondacks and not sit in an authentic Adirondack chair! ;-)
Fun at the library!
It was a little cold and rainy, but we had some great beer and burgers at the Raquette River Brewery.
There was a special presentation at the library about safety. A state trooper presented to the kids. I was proud of Lilly for trying to tell him that her Grandpa is a police officer, but some of the other kids were talking so it was hard to hear her.
I love this picture of Jack!
We had to visit Skyline, the BEST ice cream place ever. It has black raspberry soft serve that I literally dream about. The kids had fun with the cute props they have on the lawn as well.
This was very special. Darren's great grandmother built this doll house herself (all of it!) It is incredibly beautiful and meaningful to our family. Lilly loved looked at it last time we were there, but THIS time Grandma Barb let Lilly play with it! Lilly sat for a very long time playing with the doll house and she was so super careful! I sat and played with her several times and was so impressed by her creativity and attention to detail.
We loved the Wild Center!! It's such an awesome destination in Tupper Lake. The kids loved the different exhibits, seeing the otters and Lilly even got to paint! It was extra special this time because my parents came to Tupper to visit and meet Darren's parents for the first time. I know that sounds crazy, but yes, after 8 years of marriage, our parents finally met! I was a little nervous about it at first, but our parents got along great and it was just a perfect visit!
Darren took out the "good" camera and captured some beautiful moments with the kiddos!
I love this picture of Jack! He seems like he's got his Italian/New Yorker accent and saying, "Hey! Fugettabout it!"
After a couple days of rain and yucky weather, we were blessed with the MOST BEAUTIFUL weather! It was sunny, mid 70s and gorgeous out!! We knew it was the perfect day to get out on the boat! Grandma Barb offered to take Jack for a little while so we could take my parents and Lilly out on the boat without having to wrangle ;-) Darren had the good camera again and captured some beautiful photos!
There is an awesome playground in Tupper where the kids had a great time! Lilly loved climbing to the top of this big rock, sliding down the "fast" slide and jumping from log to log. It was so nice to be outside in the summer and not sweat to death!
We went back to the Wild Center to explore the outdoor area with my parents. This is one of the coolest attractions in the Adirondacks and it was awesome to share it with the family. We loved the "bird's nest" which gave us an awesome view of some of the mountains!
We took another boat ride that afternoon, this time with Jack Jack. We brought his high chair and snacks to try to keep him occupied (and contained!) for a little while. The best part of this ride? Lilly got to drive the boat! Grandpa John was so awesome and he took time to show Lilly how to actually drive, turn the wheel appropriately, pay attention to the water and her surroundings. She was on cloud nine and LOVED it! She even got to drive between the buoys (which was a huge accomplishment for her!) It was an amazing ride and such a perfect way to end this wonderful visit!
This picture doesn't do this justice, but it was hilarious to watch Lilly feeding Jack snacks in the van. His little tiny hand would just reach out of his seat and she would put the snack in his hand. It was a HUGE help on the long drive home! Snacks are the BEST distraction!
This big boy still loves sitting in hi Bumbo seat!
Lilly had a playdate with Lauren and Grace and the girls wanted to have a dance party! It was adorable! I am so glad I caught some of it on video :-)
Sometimes going to the regular pool is a LOT of work and a lot of hoop-la! We got this great kiddie pool for Jack's birthday, so we decided to take it out and have a pool party in the yard! Jack and Lilly had an absolute blast!
We were over at Erika and Michael's house for Friday night pizza and friend time. We tried to get Jack to go to sleep, but he was NOT interested! Erika tried reading him books, I cuddled him, we brought in a fan...and nothing worked. But I managed to snag this adorable picture of Erika reading to Jack <3
This summer, I was determined to teach Lilly how to swim. When Kristin started swimming, I was hoping that might add a little motivation (Lilly is a little competitive!) Apparently that, plus the encouragement of Aunt Michelle and a pair of goggles was all it took! Lilly started gaining confidence and started going under water and swimming! We are SO proud of her!
These two little girls always have a blast together. I could not stop laughing at their little song and dance!
Jack got his first experience with play-doh! He loved it! I thought he would just try to eat it the entire time, but he really didn't! Lilly loved showing him how to do things as well :-)
This little boy is so incredibly happy! Oh, he has his moments, don't get me wrong, but he is a happy boy! And those blond curls are just like a little halo around his sweet little face :-)
Lilly and Kristin went to "Frozen" dance camp for a week this summer together. They LOVED it! We signed the girls up for dance class this fall together as well :-)
My view when I am feeding Jack before bed...bliss!
Jack loves taking rides in the baby doll stroller.
The girls dressed up to meet Elsa on the last day of dance camp!
The girls did two dances, one with Elsa and one on their own. This was making snow angels!
Here is Lilly REALLY swimming! She is completely doing this on her own now and is LOVING swimming!
Jack loves playing with the bubble wand we got from Disney World. He had the biggest smile on his face and was waving it around and running through the bubbles. So sweet!
Lilly got in on the fun too!
Jack Jack was cooking up some yummy snacks in the kitchen :-) It looks like I will have two helpers in the kitchen soon!
This little girl LOVES to dance! She loves dancing with the stars, and she loves the song "Shut Up and Dance With Me" especially. I love her energy and spirit!
