Back yard candids

There are lots of pictures in this post...  I can't help it but take the camera out when we spend so much time outside.  Summer is here and if you were a close by neighbor, you would know that by the screams, water sprays, splashes and giggles heard daily from our back yard.  Beware, if you come over you will probably get wet and bombarded with loudness! 

Brothers!

 What an honor it was for J to hold the hose.

 Splashes everywhere!

 Don't stand in his path or else you will get wet!

 Lucky for them, no one seems to mind a good splash.

 Running=tireness, Swimming=tireness, Running+Swimming=Extra Tired :)!

 Group shot, kind of!

 Did you notice the baby curl in the back... None of my other babies had that!

 This is the "I'm the baby and didn't do it" look.

 I love that little face!

 He even splashes himself!

 I wonder who he is out to get?  I hope it is not me!

 There is the "I am the baby and am alowed to do this" look.

 Arrrr, this the the Kyle trying to be mean look.

 He is ready for anything.

 Off he goes with the ball.

 He seems to know exactly how to play soccer!  Look at his little man body!

 He has a great soccer coach!

 "I'm not getting into my brother's things..."

 "Look Mom, I can get on and off the chair all by my self!".

 Humm, I wonder what he sees?!

 Relaxing in the sun with his smoothie :).

 Yum!

 The Kyle Smile (enhanced with smoothie marks :).

 I love those freckles!

 ALWAYS playing soccer.

 Carter is challenging daddy to a match.

 Kyle and his experiments!

Friday Fun-Day

Once apon a time about 5 or 6 years ago I met several other mothers in the neighborhood that each were first time moms just like myself.  We each sat on couches holding our first born baby until they were comfortable enough to go explore and play.  We drank coffee, talked about our babies, asked each other if certain things were normal and had "playdates".  These ladies became some of the best friends I have ever had and our kids have grown up together.  During those baby and toddler years, we would rotate houses to meet formally on Weds and have 'Friday Fun-days': sometime a birthday party, sometimes a field trip or sometimes an extra playdate...  Whatever it was, kids and adults alike looked forward to those days.  As the years went on, each of us had more kids (some of us having more than others :) and our group grew and grew (sadly it sometimes shrunk because a few of the families moved away).  Our playdates started to fade the busier we each got and offically stopped when the older kids started kindergarten.  Almost everyone from the group went off to a different school, but some how we all stayed in touch and met up occationally during the school year. Those tender early years of figuring out motherhood will forever bring a smile to my face and nothing quite compares to the simplier times of playdates and fun days. 

To kick off the summer, we met at the pool for a good old 'Friday-Fun Day'. 

And Eileen thought her baby days were over (as she hold 2 babies that are not hers)...

Like mother, like daughter... They both have a baby in their arms!

Another mother/daughter picture.

There are 3 of the original first borns... showing off that they are playing in the deep end of the pool of course!

There is another first born!

ADULT SWIM!!!!!  Time for snacks!

Can you picture what they will look like as teenagers?  I can!

At least the kiddie pool is open during adult swim...

Another first born... One of the only girls from the group, she is now the 'mommy helper'. 

2nd, 3rd and 4th borns!

Carter 15 months old

He is technically 16 months old already, but as I browse through my pictures from the past month I can't help but show you what a fun baby he is!  This is a great stage as he is transitioning from baby to toddler- talking, imitating, purposely doing silly things to make us laugh, running & watching his brothers (as though to store those ideas up to use at a later time ;).  Despite his happy easy going demeanor that he has thoughout the day, he has never been a good night time sleeper :(...  The last day of his 15th month, he gave me an extra special gift-  He slept for 9 hours straight!  Prior to that night he has waken up just about every 3 hours since he was born!!!  Yay for sleep! 

Smiley baby.

 When left alone, he is usually able to find something to entertain himself with.

 But, don't mess with him if he is eating, he takes that very seriously!

 Ice pops are a favorite around here, especially when you can sit at the big boy table with your brothers!

 Look at all those teeth!

 We have a peach tree hanging down into our yard and this year was a very fruitful year... Everytime we were outside, Carter managed to find or ask for us to pick a peach for him. 

 He likes to throw the peaches too!

 ...and then laugh about it!

 What a cutie :).

 More throwing practice, he is seriously rough and tumble... I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he has 3 crazy brothers?!

 When he gets in the zone, his play is very intense... He seems to know exactly what he is doing.

 We love you Cuda!