Waiting for Charlee

Seems there has been a turn of events around these parts lately and we are starting to get more offspring that are girls.  This is the Blassie Family, they are anxiously awaiting their Baby Girl who is expected in August.  Charlotte (Charlee) is going to be one lucky little girl as she is joining a most awesome family that I have known for many many years.  Her Aunt is already stocking up on all things pink and her Grandma has been busy making all sorts of things for her.  I know for a fact she will not have a lack of monogrammed items in her life!  Congrats Rachael and Ryan we are so excited for you guys and can not wait to meet the newest princess.

This next picture was a selfish one on my part.  We are throwing Rachael a shower and I needed this picture for part of the decor.  But it also just so happens that strawberries have been somewhat of a craving of Rachaels so I guess there could be some double meaning there.  That also means I'm a genius (so triple meaning I guess).

For the below picture I told Ryan "look at Rachael like she is the most amazing thing you have ever seen"…obviously I need new commands!

Father's Day

It has almost become a tradition that we spend Father's Day in the pool.  It comes at a time of year when it's just getting hot enough to actually get in the freezing cold water so we did just that.  After we showered Chad with gifts and kind words in the morning, we headed over to his parent's house for some pool day fun.  In all honesty going over to Chad's parent's house on Sundays to go swimming is actually MY favorite activity so we will just pretend that this was for Mother's Day too (as I'm sure you noticed there was no Mother's Day post…because there was nothing to post.  Dog House = Chad).  I went ahead an hopped in a few pictures too, you know since we were sharing the day and all.

Here is my attempt at getting in pictures with the kids.  Bennett avoids the camera and Nolan's head graces the bottom of the photo.  I think it's a framer, yes?

Oh wait, Nolan decided to throw me a bone.  And that is the ONLY reason I am on this blog in a swimsuit (does this make you happy Stephanie)!

And here is Chad making bad choices.  He decided to push our nephew Reid in the pool.  You will see by Reid's facial expression he was NONE TOO HAPPY!  That is until Chad let them get a little revenge…

Ahhh, much better.

  

Big Boots to Fill

We welcomed a sweet baby girl into our little group of friends about two weeks ago.  Quinn Marie is just as precious as can be, but I tell you what…she has got some BIG boots to fill.  You see, Ms.Quinn has an older brother that has his ENTIRE family wrapped around his little finger...and rightfully so.  He's a little charmer with a smile that you can't help but return.  Good luck Quinn, you have your work cut out for you!

I was asked to come take some family pictures of this new little family of four, and was happy to do so. I was also secretly happy that I was in charge of the family session and not the individual newborn session.  Jessie called in the big guns, her cousin (uh hum…a real photographer), to take those ones as she has A LOT more patience than this girl.  I heard it was quite the production and again thanked Jessie for giving me the more relaxing of the photo sessions!  Jessie never does anything small so you knew there would be multiple sessions for this new bundle of joy!  I'm making it sound like Jessie is some sort of diva, when in all actuality Michelle and I probably forced ourselves on her more than anything.  Nonetheless Jessie should have plenty of memories of Quinn's first week of life!  

I asked Connor to tickle Quinn for this next picture, check out this devilish look…

This one kind of looks like Connor is eating her head, but I think it's adorable that they have basically the same looks on their little faces.  These two are going to be T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

And I'll leave you with some pouty lips and a sweet smirk because they are adorable!

Ohhhh, I thought you didn't know how to spell

So my lovely sister-in-law asked if we wanted to join them one Friday for one of their fun summer time adventures.  She's crazy and does something fun EVERY SINGLE DAY of the summer, and on this day we had the honor of accompanying them.  She asked if I had any suggestions, and I said actually I do I wanted to try "Myseum"…she was like "City Museum?"  I said no…"Myseum" as in www.stlmyseum.com.  Her response…"Ohhh I thought you didn't know how to spell".  She thinks I'm a real brainiac…obviously.  Truth is, I did in fact know how to spell, and we did in fact visit "Myseum" and let me tell you it was a huge hit with the kids and the Moms.  So I'm sharing this secret with you so that you all go and hit it up soon, because if not I fear it will go under and quick.  There were only like 2 other families there, which while incredibly awesome for us, I can't imagine it will be enough to keep this place in business very long.  But, I really hope I'm wrong (for once in my life) because it might be my new favorite place.  There are a few restrictions on the little kids but Bennett LOVED it and he was able to run around pretty freely and throw things (including a tantrum) so he was a happy camper.

Here is a glimpse at our day.  There were a lot of other exhibits as well but you'll have to go check it out for yourselves (and no, I am not getting paid by them but perhaps I should ask because they obviously need some marketing help)!

 First they had a "Seaweed Swamp", a maze made out of a bunch of pool noodles.  Genius yes?  

We had the chance to dig up some old fossils...

Do some barbecuing, though he couldn't give up his archaeologist digs just yet...

That's right still wearing them!  I even hopped in a picture with him because I read some blog and the chick ALWAYS talks about how you should get in more pictures with your kids blah blah blah…so I did.  Rylie was the photographer for me, remind me that I need to teach her to step back a bit (helps with the double chin situation I swear).  Anyway, this picture is for you Bennett so one day you'll remember that I took you to do amazing things and dressed you up all awesome like.

And here is Bennett with his mentor Reid.  If you don't read my sister-in-law's blog…you should.  And then you will realize that I'm in for it…like no kidding, in for it.

Here is Rylie in her true element.  If she's not a veterinarian someday I will be SHOCKED.  Looks like Bennett is a natural too…paging Dr.Bennett (sounds great, yes?).

At one point the kids put Bennett in the cage at the Veterinary Clinic.  He didn't seem to mind, and yes it gave me some ideas.  (Chill, Division of Family Services…that was only a joke).

Another cage resembling area for B...

A little bouncy house Volleyball...

For this exhibit you were supposed to pull back on the rope and when you let it go air bursts out the other end and knocks over the display of cups...

Unless you are 4/5 year old boys, then you just use it to blow air in each other's faces...

This is Wyatt, and I have no idea how to explain this exhibit he is demonstrating except to say that you hold up a noodle and the crystals on the screen will not go below it.  Sounds scientific right?  No wonder Stephanie thinks I'm an idiot.

And finally there was a big magnet wall with pipes that you could move around and make a maze.  The object was to then put a ball in and the ball would go from the top to the bottom.  Unless you are Bennett and in that case you just climb the ladder to throw the ball.  Both equally as entertaining to a 1 year old.

Simon - Newborn

I've mentioned before that Chad has a lot of cousins, well most all of them are younger than us and haven't quite gotten into the fun of "family life".  Well, things they are a changing!  We are gaining a few babies every now and again and we recently got a fresh one.  Meet Simon, he is seriously one of the prettiest (sorry I know he's a boy, but it's true) newborns that I've ever seen.  He didn't so much want to sleep for our little session, but I'll forgive him because he's so cute!

Pinkies up!

The previous child in the house, their dog Peanut, was very curious about this new creature.  He wanted to check out what he was doing at all times…