Fun at the Mall

Does this look familiar? It should. Let me give you a hint: Grandpa and Grammy. When they were out here a couple of months ago, someone (Grandpa!) dipped Noah's little feet in this fountain as if it were a refreshing swimming pool. This little display fountain has become quite the attraction for Noah during EVERY mall visit.

My dad's advice: If reprimanded, play dumb.

On to the playground. This little and OLDER girl took a liking to Noah. He doesn't seem to mind, does he?

Roller coasters

Noah loves playing with Jay's model roller coaster.

OH NOah!!

So we're at the car dealership today. There is a big pirate ship for kids to play on (smart!). Noah is having the time of his life running around squealing with all the other kids. Jay is talking to the sales person and I am nursing Nate. Jay and I are taking turns checking on Noah. We're both next to it but can't actually see the kids through the jungle of leaves. Anyway, I gesture to Jay (since I can't get up) to check on Noah. Jay comes back to report to me that he's fine. I see what looks to me like Noah's shorts dangling from Jay's pocket. "Are those Noah's shorts?" "Yes. They were sitting on the stairs of the pirate ship." "Does that mean our son is not wearing pants?" "Yes."

He wouldn't keep them on. After a few attempts, we gave up despite looking like... whatever one would look like if their son didn't have pants on.
Anyway, we swore we would never do it. We swore we would never be the proud owners of a minivan but guess what...we are. Yes, proud. We thought we could get away with a small suv but when we take road trips, there is no room for comfort and there is also no room for anyone else. The last time my dad and Pam were out visiting we had to take two separate cars everywhere. Not fun.
Out with the old:

In with the new:

AND we went with white. We ALWAYS choose black but told the salesman to just bring a white one to the front. We didn't want to walk the lot and see a black one and fall in love. Anyway, we absolutely love it. I am an official minivan driver.

Fun at the Mall

A little fun at the "indoor playground" as Noah likes to call it.

Fun at the Mall

Back to the mall to enjoy the carousel. This was a treat for having excellent behavior during our entire outing.It seems like Nate and I are always on the sidelines, aren't we? Nobody takes a picture like us!

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Jay and Noah making Mimi's favorite homemade ice cream - banana!


Noah taking the banana peels to the garbage. This is also one of his chores to earn stickers on his chart.


Nate celebrating.

Noah had to be all up in the candle-blowing action.

He loved it so much, he made us sing again and relight the candles so he could blow them out (for a second time). Whose birthday is it again?

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful mom anyone could ever ask for. I love you more than you'll ever know!

On Our Way

We were on our way to a neighbor's to swim. Jay was testing the camera batteries. Check.

Noah notices he's not in the picture. Time for a photo shoot.


He loves being in pictures as long as he can view himself afterward.
Check out this cute thing. Tell me, could he be any cuter????

Answer: No.

Love him to teeny tiny pieces!

Happy Birthday Giana!

Giana had a face painter at her 4th birthday party today. Noah was not for any cheek-action but was willing to let her use her talent on his bulging bicep. I can't believe he requested a robot instead of a train.

Happy Birthday Aunt Dana!

Happy Birthday Aunt Dana! We hope you have a great day celebrating with Aunt Jenna!

Gifts to himself

Noah hasn't spent all of his birthday money yet. We've tried to spread it out so he gets something new when he really wants something rather than getting a whole bunch of stuff and not caring about any of it the next day. Anyway, we went to Toys R Us tonight where he got this parking garage and also a Thomas Lego set. This is him dragging it into the house...

My Little Loves

After another night of swimming, we cooled off with a cone.

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July! My mom's church went all out with dunk tanks, watermelon and pie eating contests, slip and slides, the whole nine yards.
Here's Noah giving it his best at the dunk tank. He's got quite the arm.


Him and Ezra then found some machinery. Boys..

They had a blast with the water guns and slip and slides.

I had to take a picture of this girl in the bucket. A few moments earlier, her three brothers (I think they were her brothers - at least I hope so) all stood around her and were shooting water at her at point-blank range. She seemed to like it or maybe she was just used to it.

Here's Noah on the "playground". That's what he was calling it.

Nate joining in on the fun.

Noah loved this huge sandbox.


Fireworks!! After the first five or so, Noah was ready to move on. Hey, at least he wasn't scared.

Happy 4th of July!