Nora's New Friends from Chicago

We were so lucky to have our friends Matt and Jennie come and visit us.  They were in town from Chicago for a family wedding.  Matt and I went to college with Matt at University of St. Thomas.  They got to meet Jackson and see how big Nora has gotten.  They brought Jackson the CUTEST bulldog outfits, which is so fitting since they have a English bulldog named Georgia.  We hung out outside and Nora ran around, Jackson slept!  They were naturals with taking care of our kids...it was nice to chill out while someone else was holding my baby!





We

SO Hot and Humid....

My parents came down to go to the Twins game.  They had 2 extra tickets but we couldn't find a babysitter so I just went with my mom and dad.  It was a crazy night of baseball with a HUGE rain delay-I don't even remember if we won, probably not. 

It is SO HOT AND HUMID that the camera lens steams up when you go outside.  The only thing that helps is our tiny pool....poor Nora!

1st Library Visit

We went to the library for the first time this weekend.  I fed Jackson and hoping he would fall asleep, we headed to the library in Chanhassen.  Nora LOVED it.  She loved looking at the books, she loved walking around and seeing ALL the computers, and she loved playing with the train. Jackson slept the whole time-awesome!

 

A magnet board to write 'Nora' on

The big train set they had set up....Matt is tired :)

Which book to choose..It was fun seeing Nora's face picking them up and putting them back.

Whose Bathtime is it?

Nora LOVES helping give Jackson a bath.  She thinks that it is her bathtime as well, she tries to get into the tub while he is in it.  DO YOU SEE HOW SMALL THAT WHALE TUB IS?  Jackson just smiles at her and is like "sure come on in sister"  This is a spot where I do NOT want to fight with her.  YES, is it a pain to get them both clean in a small tub.  YES, does she splash ALL over the carpet and it needs to be soaked up.  YES, does her diaper get soaked when she sits down DRESSED in the tub.  YES, does she love it though.  When she first wanted to get in the tub with him, I wouldn't let her....then I realized, this is where memories are made.  Yes I have to do extra laundry and mop up the wet carpet-but it is worth it to see her giggling face and Jackson's adoring smile.  So I am sure there will be MORE family tub photos in the future!!

Book Group Photo

We got together as a book group over the summer to see the families.  Here are most of us.

Such a Smiley Boy

I have not met a baby that is as smiley as Jackson.  Jackson has 2 sides....he is either SUPER happy OR SUPER sad and crying.  You can't even stay mad at him for crying because his smiles are contagious.  He is so fun to be around when he is happy and smiling and talking to his sister and laughing.  Here are a few photos of his smiles....the camera does NOT even do a smidge of justice to his smile :)    

Cousin Erika watching the Kids

Erika said she would watch our kids while Matt and I finally used our 'LivingSocial' coupon for a couples massage, WELL on the way to drop the kids off, the massage place AVA's called and cancelled on us. TOTAL BUMMER. We had a babysitter lined up so we ran errands--so romantic huh?!

Erika, Nora and Jackson on their way to the park

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Happy Fathers Day to a great dad & husband!

We spent the day relaxing and doing whatever Matt wanted to do. We ate lunch at Applebees and then stopped by Matt's parents house to say happy fathers day to his dad. We went for a walk after dinner and then all hit the hay. Hopefully Matt was happy with his day!

Siblings!!!

She really does love him! Sibling photo session to get some photos for photos for Father's Day.
How cute does she look in her little romper and him in his Twins gear!
Matt and I are so blessed beyond measure!!

This is what it is REALLY used for....

The potty is for sitting on. Normally without bottoms on, but we are making progress. She is sitting on the potty....had to give her a treat for the feat of sitting on the big girl chair!

Bath Time-Crazy Hair

After a long day of playing, this is what Nora looks like in the bath!

Pure Summer Joy

Summer Time Joy

who doesn't love watermelon?
who doesn't love little girls who smell like outside at the end of the day?
who doesn't love playing outside?
who doesn't love PURE JOY in your child's face!
who doesn't love that smile....
who doesn't love those blue eyes....
who doesn't love those pigtails....
who doesn't love that sweet girl!

Love love love

A Thumb Sucker???

Nora is a complete pacifier girl. Jackson will take a nuk but I found him in his crib like this! Awww

Nora our Little Catholic Girl??

Nora is all about digging in EVERYTHING. I was cleaning out clothes, finding stuff to donate since I knew there would be clothes that I will not fit into anymore with having 2 kids!! Nora was going through Matt's bedstand and found the rosary I bought for him at Notre Dame in Paris. She was carrying it around and kissing it and wearing it as a necklace. We go to a non-denominational church so this could be a problem....just kidding. She always puts her hands together to pray before we eat, although she normally stops praying halfway through the prayer(how many Hail Mary's do you have to say for that?) We have also started watching veggie tales and reading her 1st Bible at bedtime. She is a sweet girl who we can only pray will follow Him.Here is Nora wearing Matt's rosary from Notre Dame as a necklace.

Nora and Daddy

Getting ready for bed. Nora and Daddy

Nora's 'lovely smile' and daddy