Go Fly a Kite!

The weather has been beautiful this week, and Josh has had an unusual stretch of time off- well, sort of. He had a day off on Thursday and then worked 13 hours Friday followed by short Saturdays and Sundays ("short" meaning he only worked 7 hours each day), and then off again on Monday. Liam saw Special Agent Oso- his new favorite cartoon character- fly a kite on one episode, and I just happened to have one in the closet that I found for $.067 on clearance at Target. I had a lot to get done, so Josh took Liam to try out the kite. He had so much fun! Here is the picture I was sent: We've been to this park twice since that day, and both times Liam has mentioned flying kites.

Apple Orchard!

We have been to the apple orchard twice now. Once with medical partners, a group that I am in for all of the spouses of residents, and once with Josh on a day off. It's a great little orchard with a tractor that takes you out to the far away trees (through a creek, which Liam LOVED!), and REALLY good apple turnovers. You can also try the varieties that are ripe inside the barn, so that you know what you're getting before you pick. Here are some photos of our time with Medical Partners- we were too busy having fun with Daddy when Josh was with us!

London after her trip to the orchard

Liam sampling the wares and carrying the bucket. The apple he was eating was given to him- he's not eating before we paid for the ones we picked!

Liam and his friend Jack on the tractor. Jack is only about two weeks older than Liam.

What Happens when you play Duck Duck Goose with a bunch of 2 year olds

Liam started soccer this week. I use the term soccer loosely. It's kind of an excuse to kick a ball around with a bunch of other kids- exactly what I was expecting, but i thought it would be good to get him involved since he always talks about playing sports. Here is a picture of him kicking the ball, and a video of the end of practice- when the instructor decided to play duck duck goose :) He loves it and asked to go back today. You might want to turn the sound off for the video- it was a really windy day.

Hey Look! It's Josh!

Josh has had a few days off this month- he has the scheduled 4 per month that are standard, but his senior surprised him with the day off that we went to the zoo in St. Louis, and then he got out really early on Labor Day, and has been getting off before noon on weekend. We've been trying to take advantage of the weather as much as possible- it's been GEORGEOUS here! Here are a few photos of a hike around Coralville Lake. The kids had such a good time, and Liam walked the whole way by himself, with the exception of 1 hill at the very end that he just couldn't muster the energy to climb! We hiked over 3 miles total, so I thought he did great! Throwing Rocks in the water from the bridge- this has to be one of his favorite things to do- with or without a bridge.

Liam leading the way

London LOVES the backpack! WIsh I could have gotten her smile here too!

London Update!

A lot has been happening in the world of London. She can now roll over both ways, although back to front still takes a great deal of effort. She has not one but TWO teeth, and she is now eating solid foods- sort of. We just started those today, and I'm pretty sure that after three meals she has yet to swallow any. Watch the video and you be the judge.
First time in the high-chair, prior to any food. She looks like she really thinks she's going to enjoy this...

Looks like she was wrong. The next two meals didn't go any better. I guess practice makes perfect, right!

Trip Home

The following posts are all out of order, but the first few center around my trip home over labor day weekend with the kids. In addition to the specific things mentioned in the posts, we went to the fair with Liam and the SIU home opener football game- they new stadium is great! They had a HUGE fighter plane fly over the stadium, and Liam mentions it every day. He says "Airplane. Big Un." As for the fair, he rode rides, went down a giant slide, and got a giant inflatable hammer. All he remembers about the fair is that his Balloon flew away, and that Macy might get it. Macy is his friend in Michigan :)

Zoo!

I was supposed to meet Josh's family on Sunday morning for breakfast before heading back to Iowa, but Josh called and said that his senior had let him off for the day, because there was a really light patient load. This NEVER happens, so we took advantage of the day off and Josh met us all in St. Louis for lunch and a quick trip to the zoo. If you have never been to the St. Louis zoo, GO! I LOVE it. It was too crowded on Labor Day weekend to enjoy much, but Liam still loved the Eff-fa-fants and the Pippos. When he saw the hippo, he said "Yikes. It's Big". His favorite part was the train that went through tunnels. Here are some pics of the kids at the zoo (yeah, I didn't get any of the animals :) ) :

Liam liked his red snow cone!

Do you see this string of Drool? CONSTANT

London loves her Daddy.

Pee-Paw's tractor

Liam calls my dad Pee-Paw. He came up with it himself. I like it. Here is a pic of Liam riding Pee-Paw's tractor while I was home for my reunion trip.

10 Year High School Reunion

Well, I'm officially getting old. Has it really been 10 years?? I was happy to make a trip home to see some of my old friends from high school. I didn't take enough pictures. In fact, I only got one. This one :) These are my very good friends from not only high school, but grade school. Kassie and I went to school together from Kindergarten through high school, and Kelly joined the class a little later, but while I was still at Giant City. Love these girls!

They were even worth driving the 6.5 hours with a potty training two year old and an almost 6 month old by myself. Actually, the drive wasn't too bad at all. We only had to stop 3 times to "potty" and he did great the whole way. I didn't hear a peep out of London either, except when she was laughing at the way Liam was dancing to his veggie tales video that he was watching over and over and over again. Anyone need to know the lyrics to any of the songs from Rack, Shack and Benny? I've got you covered.

Friends

Here is a picture of Liam with his new friend Lily. Lily's dad is a first year neurology resident too. I hang out with her mom quite often, so we have forced Liam and Lily to be best buddies. Liam resisted at first- he doesn't really like kids this age- any of them, not just Lily. But he's getting MUCH better about being nice to her. Every time we go out with them he says on the way "No push". and then when he is nice, he gets in the car and says "Good Job. No Push. I be Nice". Now, when we go somewhere with other kids and Lily is not involved, he always cries and asks for her. She's always the first one he says "Thanks" for during his prayers at night too!

Cake!

It's been a while since I've made a cake, so I thought I would see if I could even still do the roses. I made this one for my friend Colleen's birthday. It's not the best, but it was nice to know that it's like riding a bike...you never REALLY forget. (I think it's been about a year since I've made a cake!)

Giggles

I LOVE a good baby laugh. especially the big belly laughs. Nobody can make London laugh like her big brother, no matter how much we try.

Cousins!

Josh's mom, grandma, and sister came to visit in August. They brought Taylor, Liam and London's only cousin to date. Here is the only picture we could snap of them together- it took WAY too much time to get this one!


Doesn't Liam look thrilled? And London just finished chewing on her dress, which is why it is up in the air. They liked having someone else to play with, but Taylor is of an age that Liam likes to pick on. He's getting better about sharing and being nice though.

Summer!!

We've been trying to spend as much time outside as is possible with two kids this summer. London spends a lot of time in the grass on a blanket or in her bumbo seat, or being toted around in the baby carrier. Luckily she doesn't mind! Here a couple of pics of the kids playing in the yard!

Jumping!

We borrowed a jumperoo from my friend Molly. London LOVES it! Here is a video of the first time she was in it at home (she tried it out at their house first). She jumps much faster and with more excitement now!