Playing Around Town

Last week we took the boys to an evening Cardinals game. 

Jack has decided to make funny faces/gestures for the camera.

We left the game a little early, but it was still pretty late.  We all had fun, though, and the kids did great for being up so late.

Another baby has been added to my side of the family.  My cousin Leo and his wife Anna welcomed baby Asher last week.  On Saturday, Jim rode his bike with the boys in the trailer to their house (while I drove) to meet him.  Afterward, we went to a playground for a picnic lunch.  Here's sweet Asher (he is baby Ryan's first cousin):

The new family of FOUR:

We got the game Elefun and the boys sure have been having a heck of a fun time playing it.  :)

The weather has been pretty nice the past few days.  Yesterday, the boys and I met Joslyn, Nick, and Zora at a playground for fun and a picnic lunch.  Since most kids are back in school by now we practically had the place to ourselves.  It was nice and relaxing!

 "Cheese!"

A good time was had by all.

Jack had a "great idea" for a picture.   He wanted me to take a picture of Patrick on one side of the bench and him on the other.  Too funny!

The Past Eight Days

We have been busy lately, and therefore I have a lot of pictures to post.  Last week, Jack attended a Messy Art Camp at his preschool for 2 hours in the morning.  Patrick and I were able to spend some time together.  One morning, we met some friends at a playground.  Patrick enjoyed the swings (and I appreciated that the playground was shaded).

Lucy likes swinging, too.

Patrick's buddy William came out to play, also.

On Saturday, Jim and I went away for the night!  In February, my cousin Erin told me about a deal on a cabin at the Hidden Lake Winery in Illinois.  She volunteered to watch our kids for the night while we went!  I couldn't pass that up!  Our friends Jennifer and Shawn said they were interested in coming, too.  When Jennifer and I were picking a date, I told her it would have to be before September since I was due in September.  She couldn't believe that I had booked a stay at a winery knowing I was pregnant.  I told her I didn't care where we were going; I was going to enjoy a night out and a morning to sleep in!  Thanks to Erin, we were able to do just that!

Inside our cabin:

 Vineyards:

The lake wasn't very well hidden.  We found it without a problem.

Jennifer and Shawn:

We were excited to learn the winery was having "Winestock" that night.  From 6:00 until 11:00, two bands alternated playing each hour.  The weather was great and we sat outside, drank wine (water for me), and listened to music. 

On Sunday, we went to Jim's softball game and I took pictures of my friend's 1-year-old daughter, Anna.  She was very cute, but not too excited to stay still.  We still got some really good pictures, though.

On Monday, the boys and I went to meet their new second cousin, Ryan.  Colleen had her baby late on Friday night and was home from the hospital Sunday morning.  I was anxious to meet the little guy and to hold him.  You quickly forget just how little a newborn is until you hold one in your arms.

He's wrapped in a towel his Mommy made for him.

The family of FIVE:

Yesterday, I took an all-day photography class.  It was really good!  There were things I knew from previous photography classes, but I learned a lot of new things, too.  Here are some pictures from the class.  I am anxious to practice some of the new techniques I learned again soon!

I had to get fairly close to this bee, and the wasp in the next picture, but luckily I came out unharmed.

One of the instructors took this picture of me as he was demonstrating a lighting technique.



Senior Pictures

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking senior pictures of my friend's niece, Marie.  We were under an excessive heat warning, but Marie and her Mom were ready to brave the heat.  They were both very laid-back and up for anything.  There were so many good pictures; it was hard to choose which to post.  Here are a few:

We were able to get a couple mother-daughter pictures as well.  I think they look more like sisters, though.

Counting

The other night when I was counting something, I realized Patrick was counting, too!  Patrick has very few words so far, so the fact that he was saying numbers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10) was pretty amazing to me.  If I say one and two, he will say 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, then I say 8 and he says 9 and 10.  It was hard to get him to "perform" for the camera.  We took several videos, and I think this one was the best.  You can hear Jack singing in the bathtub in the background. :)  Before playing the video, you should pause the music on the right side of the blog page so you can hear Patrick.

Jambeque 2011

On Saturday, Jim and Jeff hosted the second annual Jambeque.  Last year we had it in October, but this year there are four babies due in September and October, so we thought we should have it earlier.  Unfortunately it is pretty hot in St. Louis at the end of July.  Compared to the days surrounding the Jambeque, we lucked out on weather.  There was no excessive heat warning, and it only rained a little at the very beginning.  We had a few tents set up just in case.  Needless to say, I think next year's Jambeque will be back in the fall.

Jack and his friend Andrew played with the bands.

This year's set up was under a tent in case it rained.

There were lots of toy instruments for the kiddos.

Ben shows us a new way to play the harmonica.

Patrick liked to go up on "stage" by Daddy.

Liam rocked out while his Mommy and Daddy performed.

Ella got up and played with the band.

Jim and I during a musical break:

Jim's brother, Paul, and his wife Margaret:

Erin and Kim were excited that they live so close now and could easily stop by.  We were excited, too!

Katie and Isaiah sounded great together.

Jim, Ella, and Jason:

Keary sang a few of his favorites:

The kids kept cool playing with the ice in the drink buckets.  Once we emptied them, the kids decided they would use them to "chill" themselves.

Another great Jambeque, Jeff and Jim!