Tuesday Cuteness

More random cute shots.....


Evie reads with Grandpa Vic:

Evie in a new outfit from Grandma:

Evie and Gavin both show off their tummies:

Goodbye Saturn, Hello Minivan

For those of you who have not yet heard, my 1996 Saturn died 10 days ago. I have had that car for 129K miles and 14 years, since before Francis and I were married. We knew that this summer we'd trade it in - but it decided to conk out first.

I used to say I would never drive a minivan...that was before having twins. Francis and I had done some preliminary research and narrowed it down to two models. The day after the Saturn died, Grandpa and Grandma Cordes came over to watch the kids so we could go out for test drives. The decision was remarkably easy - a red 2011 Toyota Sienna!

We went to say goodbye to the Saturn. It was on the back lot of the Saturn dealer since it was not driveable.

Then we were off to the Toyota dealer. Here is our salesman, Mike, giving Gavin a fist bump. Francis was a little late with the shot but it's still cute.

Waiting to get the financing going:

Gavin and I find it very easy to spend Daddy's money!

It's a done deal! (The rest of us aren't in this shot because the kids had HAD it by that point and I took them home.)

I am already totally used to driving it. I am surprised at how much I enjoy it! It's nice to be sitting up higher than other cars, it's great to put the kids in their carseats in a car that is higher up (no more making sure I don't wrench my back bending down while holding them, or bump their heads against the frame trying to get them in) and I love the power doors. Here's to (I hope) 14 years with this car!

Thursday Cuteness

Here are some random photos from last week:

Evie and Daddy share a few quiet moments:






Gavin stretches out on his new handmade blanket from Nana's cousin Kathy:



Gavin buries himself in pillows:

Just Chillin'

Evie and Gavin were hanging out in the garage on one of the hot days last week. Francis got them some new toddler "adirondack" chairs - just add sippy cups with ice water and they were happy!



Gavin brought some cars out to play with:




Evie sitting in the "jump seat," as I call it - the back seat of our sit-n-stand stroller:

Stormy Friday

On Friday afternoon, some strong thunderstorms passed through our area. We decided to sit in the garage and watch them. It was all fine until we heard one particularly loud crack of thunder, and Gavin got scared.




After the rain tapered off and Gavin calmed down, he was very busy collecting rainwater from the gutter spout and using it to "wash" the car. Here he is holding a plastic cup by the gutter:



Collecting rainwater is very "green." Gavin is such a caring little boy; he even cares about the environment and he doesn't even know what that is!

Evie, Small But Strong

Here is Evie modeling a new outfit from Grandma Cordes. You may have seen the top before, but it was finally warm enough to pair it with the matching shorts. Also, I had to make the effort to not put her in a skirt. I just LOVE her in skirts!



Later, Evie helped unpack the groceries when Francis got back from the store:

Rainy Saturday

On Saturday morning, Evie and Gavin wanted to get out their old toy rockers. Uncle David came over and showed them videos on his iPhone...






...and read them stories, while they rocked the whole time. It was good exercise for Evie!



And of course, there was silliness involving the squeaky ears on Evie's giraffe rocker:




It poured buckets of rain that morning, and Uncle David held Evie whenever there was a clap of thunder:




But by the afternoon, Evie and Gavin had decided that the thunder was funny. Gavin even held the umbrella for Nana:

Playdate!

Last week we had a playdate with my friend Christin and her son, Lance. He was born just a few weeks after Evie and Gavin. Lance was really interested in Gavin's cars, and watching Gavin run around the house with his lawnmower.




Evie and Gavin took the opportunity of having new guests as the perfect time to initiate their first ever spitting-and-burping contest. With each other! (Gavin did the spitting and Evie did the burping.) They have never done this before and I was really trying not to laugh as they egged each other on. I suppose I should have been more grossed out, but I was just so happy to see them laughing together that I didn't mind.

Water Toys

Last weekend, Francis set up all the kids' water toys: the splash table, frog kiddie pool, and splash mat that squirts water up in the air. Evie wasn't in the mood for any of it, but she enjoyed watching Gavin play.

Gavin decided to wash his car...if he's anything like Francis, this is how he will spend many afternoons when he is a teenager!

Watering the flowers...

...and himself, too!

When Gavin was done playing in the water, everyone stayed outside and Nana read stories. What a fun afternoon!

Memorial Day

It rained pretty hard on Memorial Day, but we were able to squeeze in an hour at the park before the downpour started. Gavin wanted to stay in this swing for quite a while...luckily, there was hardly anone else there.




Evie just wanted to sit and watch everything:

After naps, we went over to Grandpa and Grandma Cordes' house for a cookout. The kids wore their new red, white, and blue outfits (from Grandma, of course)!

Evie and Grandma:

Gavin decided this rocker was too hard:

...and this one was just right!

Saturday, Part 2

On Saturday afternoon, we went to our cousin Berni's annual summer bash. As soon as Evie saw that Uncle David had his iPhone, she practically lunged for him.



Gavin brought both of his lawnmowers to Berni's house. That turned out to be a smart move, because he and his cousin Robbie had a blast racing around the house.




Throw in some crashes, and you have two little boys having the time of their lives.

"No, we didn't crash into any of the furniture - just each other..."

Evie and Grandma Cordes:

Evie hung out with the guys- Uncle Brad, Uncle Kevin, and Daddy:

Gavin had encountered puddle of muddy water near Berni's house, so since only his feet were dirty and we had gotten home late, I just washed his feet in the sink: