My sunshine

A visit it from BB and Papa

We had a super week with BB and Papa visiting. There was lots of bike riding and playing and all kinds of other fun. Thanks making the long trek north to come see us. The boys loved seeing you!

Photos by Avery

Here is a sampling of Avery's most recent work.

Sunflower (planted by Daddy and Avery)

Green on Green
(we forgot this in the grass and a squirrel got it, one of two peppers from our garden)

Dragon Train (with broccoli and cucumber)

Tree

A day a the beach

Last Sunday we spent the morning at a park near Lake Minnetonka with a man made, sandy bottom, chlorinated, swimming pond. Okay, not exactly like being at the ocean, but at least the kids got to splash around and play in the sand. In Jake's case, that would be eat the sand, so maybe its better we didn't make it to the real beach this summer.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone!! We celebrated this morning by attending a the 4th of July parade in Edina with our neighbors.

Avery decked out in his 4th of July garb

Mommy and Jake (self portrait)

Avery and his friend Reese meeting RT Rybeck, the mayor of Minneapolis

Avery waving to the fire trucks

Minneapolis police bag pipe band

cool army trucks

Funny marching bands

Some clowns

Things I love about Jake

Okay - its Wednesday afternoon before the 4th of July and I can't stand to work anymore. So I thought I would make a list of all of my favorite things about baby Jake. I'm always blogging about Avery because he is so good and bad and funny all at the same time, but Jake is pretty special in his own right - so here goes.

1. His eyes! My favorite thing, probably everyone's favorite thing ishis big bright eyes and long eyelashes. Everyone, especially the ladies, comment about his eyes. They are so big and shiny and his eyelashes are about a mile long, just like his dads'. We're not sure if they will be brown or hazel yet, there sort of some where in between.

2. His big belly laughs! He laughs a lot, whether its at his brother jumping on the couch or the rocket ship mobile over Avery's bed, or his dad tickling him, or just a silly toy. Its got to be the sweetest sound in the world, I wish I could bottle it and pull it out whenever I am feeling down.

3. The way he goes to sleep! Jake doesn't fuss about much, so its easy to tell when he is tired. He knows the bedtime routine and as soon as we go into his room I hand him is giraffe luvy and he wrestles it down, sticks his finger in his mouth and snuggles in to go to sleep.

4. The way he wakes up! Although its usually early in the morning, its such a treat to get him out of bed. He is always so excited to see you when you come to get him. He's got the biggest, gummmiest smile and he kicks his legs on the matress with delight.

5. Feeding him! This kid loves to eat, and he will eat just about anything. Its fun to try new foods with him. His favorite food of all time is bananas and often I give him piece of whole banana in one of those mesh holders. He sucks on it and bites it and after it slimes all over him and the high chair he likes to take the holder and bang it on the tray. He'll bang it over and over again just to hear himself make the sound. He's so impressed. We're trying some new finger foods too. But like Avery he still does not have any teeth in sight, so it could take a while.