S'more!

I think in August we tried to fit in as much summer fun as we could. Haven't updated the BLOG lately, so this one has a lot in it...

After our weekend vacation, Asher has been into all things trains. Here he wants to add some more toys to make the longest train he can in the living room.



Asher is still into all things musical. Thank you to Mark Perkins and family for the wonderful gift of a "real piano keyboard" and "real microphone." Here is Asher singing. Which is followed by him asking or sometimes declaring, "One more time?!"



Asher and his dad tried camping out, which lasted about 5 minutes after reading the bedtime book. But hey he had fun in the tent while out there, and we had our first family fire in the backyard. Earlier in the night grandma and grandpa came over for dinner. Unfortunately, the day we decided to roast hot dogs was a real hot one! But Asher was "just so excited!!!"



Of course, we had to introduce Asher to S'mores. Can't believe he'd never had one before! He was very excited, and a few days later we headed over to grandpa and grandma's house for another fire and more treats.



Ezra rolled over on purpose on the 7th of August and hasn't stopped going from his back to belly since. Now, he actually wants some more tummy time. Here is a picture of him on his way over with proof that he still needs some more jammies (his arms and legs just keep getting too long).



After his four month check up, Ezra started on cereal. Here is picture of what didn't make it into his belly the first time eating solids.



He likes to sit, stand, and jump a lot too. Went out and got Ezra a jumping exersaucer toy. He really likes the beads, twirling frog, and mirror. But most of all he just wants to jump some more.





And who doesn't want some more water fun on a hot summer day?




Looking forward to fall, Holly got out the monkey costume for Asher. It may not be Halloween yet, but that doesn't stop Asher from asking to play monkey some more.



And from my perspective... Who could ask for more?!

Cuddle time with Ezra:


Asher wanting mommy to lay with him, and being silly together:


The daycare gang having cake for my birthday:


Leaving for dinner with Al, minus kids:

All The Cousins

Finally got a picture of the kids together. Here is Mark with the crew...



I think this was post-pizza and you'll notice Asher and Chase are being silly sticking their tongues out. So great to have gotten the family together for some summer fun.

Can't believe in a month Ezra will be 5 months already, and we will be celebrating birthdays again! Chase will be 2, Asher 3, and Katelyn's 4th birthday is almost here.

Can't Stop Smiling

Love seeing Ezra smile! Here are a few pictures of him flashing his smile...




I think Asher is excited that the baby does something now. Ezra loves to watch Asher sing and laughs when brother does "getcha, getcha, gooo." Asher has started showing brother toys and playing more with him.



Ezra and I...

The Farm & Old Family Friends

Erica is a family friend that we have known since birth. My dad went to their farm as a kid, and now we are excited to take the kids to see Erica and a real farm...



Holly and I brought the kids. And mom came too.



Erica got to meet Ezra for the first time.



We talked. Erica and Chase tossed the ball around. Asher found the piano.



Then it was off to see the various animals around the farm.

new jammies

Well the boys just keep growing bigger and bigger. As much as we go to garage sales, sometimes you have to go to the mall. Got some new PJs for the boys... yellow dot clearance of course ;)

Asher was excited because he and brother were "matching." Although the jammies weren't exactly the same, Asher noticed that he and Ezra had the same characters.

Here they are after Ezra got some new dinosaur PJs:

I just love seeing Ezra smile now when Asher gives him a hug!

And here are Ezra and Asher in their new jungle animal jammies:

Can't believe how big they are getting!

throwing candy

Asher has been enjoying watching parades this summer, but for Heritage Days he decided he wanted to throw candy. So, we decorated the red wagon and joined some other moms and kids from play group to walk in the parade. We walked with the Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPs) group, and Asher had a great time throwing candy in the parade.


He was so cute waving and smiling. I guess the parade was really long... good news for Asher. He got the best of both worlds: throwing candy and then sitting with grandpa to watch the last 1/2 of the parade and gather his own candy too.

they really do love each other

Who had fun on vacation?

When taking Ezra's monthly picture, Asher wanted mom to take one of him and brother...

...it's so great to see that they enjoy each other already. Ezra has started looking for Asher when he hears his voice. The latest fun moment has been hearing Ezra laugh when we play with him.

two choo choos!

We all had a great time getting away for a long weekend. I think Asher liked every part of the vacation. He always gets really excited to sleep in his own "big bed" at a hotel. Here he is riding on the luggage cart:

Realizing we've rarely had a picture of all of us together, since Ezra was born, I had someone at the hotel take our picture:

We started out in NE at the zoo in Omaha. Asher was really excited to see all the animals, especially since we rode a train to get to the far side of the zoo:

His favorite animal changes daily from the penguins to the white alligator. Grandpa gave Asher some fun money to pick out a treat. In addition to a cute Emperor Penguin stuffed animal, Asher picked out the biggest sucker he could find:

Later we went to Boone, IA to ride a real steam engine. It was a big train and Asher loved it. He talked about it daily before we left, and I think he enjoyed every aspect of the museum and the train ride. Here he is at the museum and exploring trains outside the museum:


Al and Asher seemed to love the high bridge. They said it was really cool how the steam from the engine made a rainbow under the trestle. I didn't care to look out the open window, being sooo far above the river. I think we all thought it was cool when we got to see the engine drive past the passenger cars, when switching to the other end to go back to the station:

Al got a great picture of Asher looking out the train window:

After we were done, Asher informed us that it was "a little bit loud, but not too loud" when the train tooted the horn. When I tell people that we went on vacation to ride a train, Asher makes sure they know we rode "two trains!" one at the zoo and one in Boone. It's fun to see the kids' enthusiasm. Asher had just as much fun visiting Val and Larry and playing at a park in Ames. Ezra, of course, doesn't do much, but he seemed to enjoy himself too:

making stars

Tried to get a picture of the boys before, and after, the parade. Couldn't get them both to be awake and happy at the same time, so here are separate pics...


Asher had fun at the parade, aside from covering his ears when the firetrucks went by. We didn't watch fireworks at SR because they'll be shooting them off for Heritage Days in Waverly. We plan on waking Asher and watching together from his bedroom window. Asher did have his first experience with sparklers though. He loved it!

Asher says, "It's like making stars!"

Growing Up So Fast

Seems like a big deal that baby Ezra joined us at the table for supper tonight. He didn't always like the bouncy seat on the floor. So, we pulled him up with us, and Ezra smiled and "talked" while we all ate together.

At first he wasn't so sure about the high chair...


Sooo big! (Can't believe Ezra is going to be 3 months already next week!)


Yes, he thinks the new high chair is a great idea...


Big achievement for Asher today too. He took an interest again in the "vintage" Radio Flier tricycle. And today Asher decided to finally pedal. He just pedaled and pedaled and pedaled. Yeah! Wonder if he'll want to get the bicycle out again soon.