Colorado... We love it here!

We left for Colorado on Saturday. I ended up sitting in between these two to put out the recurring fires. Lainey, our content one, was happy to just do whatever. She was easy. Walker was under the impression that once we reached the airport in Dallas (DFW) we would automatically be in Colorado and see Emmy and Tuck. So, as you can imagine, every step until we actually arrived was a bit challenging. He is not patient and not content to do whatever. ;) Anyway, here's a shot of the two of them just before takeoff! :)

In the airport, Lainey spotted two military men. She immediately said to me, "Mom! Look! It's two Ghostbusters!" I think - at that moment - I experienced failure as a parent. We need to do some educating...about our soldiers...and the amazing sacrifices they make for our country.

Walker is washing the jeep with his water bottle...good luck, Buddy. :) 

Big wheels rock. Period.

And yes...helmets. These kids go fast and far. Helmets are necessary!

Tuck invented a bungee-cord system of taking them up the hill. It worked well!

Walker helped draw the finish line. The rule goes, as soon as you cross the finish line, you have to put on your brakes (feet down). Lainey even drew stick figures to help define boundaries. If you touched a stick figure, you lost. It actually was helpful because these kids went SO fast...we were afraid they were gonna roll down the hill! 

the hill

Walker considered each trip down the hill a race. 

And a couple of videos for your viewing pleasure...

Updates from my iPhone

Walker calls these shoes his "super-fast shoes." That's their whole name and their only name. And he can run super fast. His goal would be to beat Lainey in a race. Truly. He strives to do that every single time he runs. Even if she's not around. He's a determined one!

One day, shortly before we moved (end of May), Jessica and Kelley took the kids for the morning so I could pack! Thank you to my sweet friends!

Walker and his friends...Clayton, Connor, and Jake.

And, I took this picture last week from the comfort of our covered patio. A major thunderstorm rolled in...and it was so nice to experience it without getting wet. :) 

And that's all...next post: Colorado!

A Successful Tuesday

Walker had his first visit to the dentist yesterday! Look at him! He's not crying!!! No tears. I'm still a bit shocked. It helped tremendously that Dr. Ty has LOTS of trains in the waiting room. It's wonderful! Both kids got good dental reports (whew) and I'm just glad that experience is over and done with. :)

 As a reward, we went to the pet store. Lainey's holding a little hamster here. And Walker's holding his Suddery Station. As usual, he has a train or a train accessory in his possession at ALL times. 

Lainey would have liked to have taken this dog home. We also saw a snake attack a rat and eat it. Being fascinated by that type of thing, I watched most of the process! Lainey and Walker watched, too, but they were just as fascinated with the live crickets in the aquarium next door. ;)

I always wonder what they talk about when I'm not around. Who knows. I also think Walker is totally naked in this picture and Lainey just has on her undies. Pretty shortly after this picture was taken, I looked outside to see them jumping on the trampoline. Without a stitch of clothing on their bodies. I am sure our neighbors are super happy that we've made ourselves at home here! :)

Here's an example of the random things that Walker puts into his boxcars. Tiny rolls of tape, a bunch of googly eyes, a few foam stickers shaped like frog heads, and a leaf or two. He loves having his boxcars carry "code" (coal) and it cracks me up when he tries to say coal because it always has a "d" at the end! 

Father's Day Pictures

I don't think I ever posted these pictures! For Father's Day, I took a series of pictures with the kids holding the letters D-A-D. I framed the pictures and gave them to Ben for Father's Day. As you can see, I didn't plan out their outfits or fix their hair. This is a true representation of our days...not a lot of hair fixing and/or outfit planning! Especially during the summer. Shoes optional. And sometimes shorts optional (for Walker). 

Queen Lainey, holding the "D"

playing tug-of-war with the "A"

I think Walker is winning.

I had a hard time getting Mr. Grumpy to hold the letter. 

Cram a few Sour Patch Kids candies into his mouth...and you have a little cooperation and a strained smile. :)

Fourth of July Festivities

We started out at the lake. A "moms and kids" vacation at the Loredo's lake house. It was SO fun and those kids wore themselves out completely. We only stayed Tuesday and Wednesday, but we managed to pack in a lot of fun before heading back to Plano. :) Thanks, Kelley, for being a fabulous hostess (as always)!

This is a GREAT hill for rolling. Itchy itchy itchy!

Lainey (if you can't tell)

Brayden, Kaitlyn, Lainey, Walker (from left to right)

Ainsley would jump over Lainey all the way down. Amazing they didn't smack into one another. :-/

This picture was taken the following morning. Isn't the view from the back porch gorgeous!?!?

Brayden and Walker on the boat. They are holding hands, their fingers laced together. So sweet. :) 

AND, on July 4th, we went over to the Baughman's house to swim and eat lots of food! :) 

Her eyes hurt. Hence the forced smile.

Flippers can make you swim SO fast. So fun!

Mr. Cutie Cameron :)

cute picture of the two main men in my life

my favorites :)

The kids threw lots of ice into the pool. (Walker has great form, as you can see...) That game kept them entertained for a good 30 minutes or so. Surprisingly, the pools aren't too hot yet this summer. It's July 6th and I'm not sure that we've even hit 100 degrees yet. If we have, it hasn't happened very often. So, as a result, the pools are still freezing and while it doesn't seem to bother the kids too much (they can go for a while before they start to really get cold), it bothers the adults! :) I was happy to have the kids throw ice into the pool if it allowed me to sit on the side and not get into the water.

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy 4th!

Walker's "Cannonball" (Sorta)

The boy enjoys the pool! Especially doing his "cannonballs" which I think are not quite cannonballs. :) And in case you can't tell, he says, "Cannonball, coming through!" in a really deep voice. He uses this voice when he's playing, pretending, or singing. Too funny.