Weekend in New Jersey.

We took advantage of the long Memorial Day weekend to take a road trip to New Jersey to visit Grandma Lori and Pa. It was an awesome weekend! Matt and I even had a date in NYC. We strolled through the city, did a little shopping, lots of people watching, had a great dinner, and saw a broadway show (Memphis). Can't wait to go back!

After a long 6+ hour drive (with veeeerrry awake kids), Gavin was able to stretch his legs and do a little pseudo-walking with daddy.

He's so proud of himself!

Pa's turn to help the little guy.

Meanwhile, Gma and Ky had a bike race.

Pa gave Gav a lesson on trees.

And gave him a leaf to hold.

Or throw.

Daddy showing Kylie how to ride a bike like a clown. Miss observant was obviously paying close attention because I saw her ride like this a few days later. Nice.

Gav with his Gma and Pa.

This is what Kylie did most of the weekend... climb trees! She loved it and she was really good and fearless!

Not to be outdone, daddy had to show off his tree climbing skills, too.

The weather was wonderful so we had a couple picnics.

Daddy washed the car... and Ky.

Gavin rode on Kylie's bike. He could do this all day long.

Daddy and Kylie just hanging out.

Bike ride with Pa.

Kylie found a caterpillar...

And spent a couple hours doing this...

Thanks for a wonderful visit mom and dad! Hope to be back soon!

14 months old.

The little guy is 14 months old today. I know I say it every month, but seriously!, where does the time go?!

Gavie is starting to really get a personality and every day is learning more and more about the world around him. It is so fun to watch these connections take place. Lots of pointing and mumbling. He knows what he is saying, we just don't understand yet!

He, like Kylie, is obsessed with dogs. He "awf awf"'s (barks) at everything. To him, all animals bark and sound exactly alike.

He is also an eating machine. I swear the kid does not have a shut-off valve. He could eat all.day.long if we let him. What will he be like at 16?!

He LOVES being outside. He loves it so much that he usually throws a mini tantrum every time we put him into the car because he thinks he is going outside to play instead.

Speaking of tantrums, he is learning how to throw a mighty good tantrum. Kylie, thankfully, never really acquired this skill. Gav is making up for it.

He is still a cuddle bug and loves giving kisses. We love it, too!

He is a boys boy. He thinks the little neighbor boys are HILARIOUS!

He has the best, toothy grin ever! And a laugh that is eerily similar to Ky's at this age.

He isn't walking yet. Loves to stand and can crawl with the best of 'em, but in no hurry to take off on two feet just yet.

He is our perfect little guy and we are so excited for the toddler age that seems to be inevitably upon us!

"Helping" mommy.

I had a couple little ones helping me plant my deck flowers the other day. They were supposed to be playing with the water table, but flowers and potting soil was way more fun (especially for Kylie).

This shot reminded me of another little squirt who had just as much fun playing in this table for the first time almost exactly 2 years ago. ...

I have a feeling this is what my summer (and his) is going to look like... this kid loves dirt! And getting dirty! I wish I loved doing laundry.

Needless to say, we had to make a pit stop at the kitchen sink before heading up to bed for naptime.

This is Gav's first sink bath... Ky's an old pro, even though she is running out of room!

Princess Ky Ky

It is no secret that Kylie isn't and has never been a real "girly-girl." We never chose to dress her in dresses and ruffles... it just never fit her personality. About a year ago, I got her a princess dress for dress-up, thinking she may eventually hit that phase. Well, time passed and she began to show more and more interest in digging in the dirt, looking for bugs, running, jumping, kicking balls, and riding her bike. Basically, if she was a Spice Girl she would be Sporty Spice.

However, a couple weeks ago grandma Pat brought her a crown. Ky immediately popped it onto her head and declared herself a "pincess"! I decided to pull out the princess dress and little miss sporty spice was thrilled. For about 3 days straight she wore it pretty much non-stop indoors (except to nap... I had to convince her that princesses don't nap in their gowns).

For being new to the princess world she seems to have nailed the princess pose.

This is how she gets whatever she wants from daddy!

Giving orders to her servant Carmen.

And, of course, what good is a dress if you can't twirl in it.

That's my kinda girl; looking so pretty and feminine in her dress but still sporting her athletic Puma socks.

Proof that she wore it all day long...

Donnie Downer.

It's really a shame how unhappy this little guy is...

I mean, I wish he would just smile every once in awhile.

Life is too short to be grumpy all of the time.

Would it kill ya to have a little fun?!?

Maybe laugh at yourself every now and then?

Ok, I understand, it's hard work being a 13-month-old.

But try to suck it up and make the best of it.

"Hey mom, am I sensing some sarcasm here?!?"

Me + My Babies.

Better late than never. Me and my beautiful babies on Mother's Day. We were about to head out the door for breakfast, hence the sleepy eyes!

I'm one blessed mama. :)

Explorer.

Apparently, that is his exploring face. It's a serious job.