Back to Back

Father's Day and Rich's birthday were back to back this year so we made an entire long weekend out of it to celebrate.

We kicked off the celebration on Saturday night by hanging out at Waterway square for the concert with friends.  We always have such a good time at these as they are low key but plenty of entertainment for the kids and the adults.

 Great buddies!

 It was a beautiful (but warm) night!

On Sunday, Father's Day, the day began with a homemade delicious breakfast by Joseph and Mama and then we headed to church.  After church, lunch and naps we decided to just take it easy at home and played in the backyard, worked on the garden and I made Pop's spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. For my first time making it I have to say it turned out great!  Look at all of these onions for it!  Joseph ate 3 meatballs and I think Rich had 6 so I'd say it was a success!   

 Cute kiddos all bundled up after baths.  Happy Father's Day Daddy!

We had to get a picture of Daddy and Joseph and the card that he made for him.

 Rich's 39th birthday was on Monday.  He had to work but we were ready to celebrate when he got home.  During the day we painted a card for him. We weren't using fingerpaints but ended up that way.  

 Nothing like a little pantless painting!

 Joseph wanted to make him a Superman card!

 And Ella just rolled around while we painted.

 When Daddy came home Joseph helped him (well, actually just opened!) his presents for him.  He was  super excited about their matching shirts.

 We made chicken cordon bleu along with peanut butter cheesecake (both his favorites) for dinner and dessert but unfortunately the cheesecake crust got a little burnt...still edible but not quite the birthday dessert I was hoping for.  There's always next year!

I love Rich's face in this picture.  He was pretending to have trouble blowing out the candles to let Joseph do it by himself.  Such a good Daddy!  

Happy Father's Day and Birthday!  We hope that you had a great long weekend and look forward to the upcoming year!

Camping

Daddy and Joseph went on their first camping trip on June 15th all the way in our backyard!  They had been talking about going camping for quite some time now and decided to make Father's Day weekend their first trip together and hopefully to make it an annual tradition (in hopes that one year they venture out a little further!)

Daddy, like in all aspects of his life, went above and beyond on this adventure.  I was given a list of things to pick up from the store and that was all that I had to do with it.  On Friday afternoon after packing their backpacks they were ready to go.  

Joseph packing his backpack-he wanted to carry the camping cup!

 

They started off their camping trip with a hike. The hike started the weekend off with a bang as they saw a snake on it!  And not only did they see a snake but the snake was eating a fish!  That made for a pretty excited 2 1/2 year old!  

 

They returned from the hike and didn't even come inside-went straight to the backyard to set up camp and to get dinner ready.  

They cooked hot dogs and baked beans over open flames (Daddy said using the grill was cheating!) and even made s'mores for dessert.

 

 After dinner they did come inside to go to the bathroom and to give Joseph a bath since he was filthy from the hike and playing outside!  Then they made their way to the tent for the night.  Joseph did great and slept the entire night.  Daddy, on the other hand, came inside the house around 1:00 a.m. to get the fan because he was too hot!  After setting it up with the extension cord he said it was much better and both slept until the sun came up!  

They are both looking forward to many more camping trips in their futures.

Grow Garden Grow

We have been wanting to start a garden in our backyard and after our Memorial Day weekend fun and talking with the Byers family we were finally motivated, inspired and educated enough to get started on it.  And when I say "we" I really should say "Joseph and Rich" because they have done all of the hard work...well, really just Rich!

On June 2nd they started buidling the garden box.

 Ella hung out and supervised the building of the garden.

 Then the following weekend we went to Home Deport and Lowe's to pick out the seeds and plants for the garden.  We have pumpkins, watermelons, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, basil, pineapple and carrots.  Quite the spread!

Ella helped pick out fruits and vegetables for the garden, too!

June 9th-planted the seeds and the plants after many, many bags of soil

We did cheat a little bit and didn't do all seeds since we are already into the summer so we needed a head start. 

And here the garden is on June 21st.  It is growing so well!

We can't wait to watch our garden grow!

Summer Fun

Summer is officially here!  It is hot and humid here in Texas but we are making the most of it and having a blast trying to stay cool!  I know I mentioned this last year but The Woodlands has amazing pools-there are 14 this year (a new one less than a mile from our home opened up) and for $52.00 we are able to go to any of them as often as we want.  It's a great deal and it is a great way to spend the hot days here.  Each of the pools has a toddler/baby section and we've been hanging out there.  Joseph is just in heaven every time we go.  I was a little nervous the first time I took both kids by myself but it really has been easy (knock on wood!) and thankfully I am always surrounded by our great group of friends who are more than willing to help out.  Thanks girls!  Here are some pictures of the first few weeks at the pool this summer-

Little daredevil (and not a rule follower) going down head first!

Joseph and Trace will be in the same preschool class in the fall.  Most of the time they are best buddies but they both have strong and determined little personalities and have been known to get in the occasional fist fight with one another!  Hoping next year they just stay best buddies!  

 

The crew one day at the pool

And with the moms

Ella enjoying the pool, too!

 She enjoyed it a little bit too much!

Part of the new pool close to our home

 We've also set up the little pool in our backyard and Joseph has a blast playing out here as well!