Jump around.

After a super fun week in Hilton Head, Kylie woke up on our last day with a horrible sore throat. She is usually such a tough cookie when she is sick, so with her constant crying and moaning we knew that she was hurting pretty badly. Seeing how we had a long drive home ahead of us, we hit the road early Saturday morning. We decided that it would be best for all of us if we came straight home rather than stopping halfway to sleep like we did on our way down. It was a rough ride at times, as poor Ky just wanted to be held, but we finally made it. And, shockingly enough, both kids even slept!! No crazy long naps, but a little 20-30 minute nap here and there made for some nice peace and quiet (something we aren't used to hearing in our car).

Kylie is still a sick puppy. She is fighting off strep throat with some help from antibiotics. Hopefully she will be better in a day or two so we can enjoy this beautiful Ohio weather!

Until then, I had to share some photos of my sweet little girl. These were taken about a month ago and I just realized that I never shared them.

Ky found a lollipop in my photography stash and insisted on taking pictures! I happily obliged!

I love her hand-over-the-mouth giggle!

lollipop...lollipop...

After a little posing, it was time for her to show me her jumping abilities!

I love the tongue-out concentration!

Playing in the Rain.

The weather this summer has been uh-mazing! It has been so nice to get the kids outside playing (aka burning off lots of energy which equals sleeping well!) every day.

The other night, though, the sun and blue skies were replaced with a few rain showers. No biggie! We welcomed the change and the kiddies ran out onto the deck for a little wet playtime. They, obviously, had a ball!

Ok, so he doesn't looked thrilled, but trust me, he was enjoying himself.

Throwing water on his sister... always the pesky little brother.

And then he turned his attention to me. At this point I retreated inside.

After getting their fill, they came inside and wrapped up in warm, straight-outta-the-dryer towels! Ky insisted on holding Gav "like a baby." :)

Sprinkler with Syd.

Syd and Ky beat the heat one evening this week with a little sprinkler fun!

Our visitors.

A couple photos from grandma Lori's last visit of the summer. She made lots of trips across PA this summer... to Ohio and back to NJ over and over.

We all loved having you, gram!

Ky was beyond thrilled to have Syd spend the night a few nights, too. She loves hanging with Syd!

Just one...

'cause it's cute.

Butterly observing 101.

Makin' Pizza.

While daddy was in North Carolina last week for work, the kids and I decided to make pizzas.

Ky loaded hers up with mushrooms (her fave!) and even some pepperoni and green peppers (even though she always picks them off her pizza).

She devoured her pizza! Go figure. Maybe I should have her make her own dinner every night.

Gavin, the sous chef, giving us his two cents.

Matt's Bike Race.

Matt participated in his first stage race a few weekends ago called Tour of the Valley. The race had three stages, one on Friday night, one on Saturday morning and one on Sunday morning.

He had a fan club for the Sunday morning race in downtown Youngstown (Tim and Pat, me, my mom, Uncle Tom, and Ky and Gav).

Waiting for the race to start...

I like the enthusiasm, Lor!

Here they come! Obviously it is impossible to tell, but they were flying! I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest just watching them ride so fast and so close together!

(I used an arrow in some photos to make him easier to spot... although he is usually pretty noticeable because he is a good head taller than all of the riders!).

Matt and one of his teammates behind him...

He did great and finished in the front half!

Daddy and one of his biggest fans!

Gav was SO proud and excited to see his daddy after the race. It was adorable!

Grandpa Tim and the Gavs.