Summertime

We have had a busy, busy summer...doing what?  I'm not quite sure!!  There's rarely a spare moment, but most days I can't account for anything but housework, grocery shopping, feeding Carter, and maybe squeezing in a walk/letting Reid play at the park before it's too hot.  But tucked in there a couple times a week, we've enjoyed play dates with friends.  Several Mondays, we've gone to a friend's pool with our playgroup friends.  Not too relaxing when toting along a 4 month old, but I want Reid to be able to play with his friends, too.  Another sweet friend we've played with is sweet thing, Violet.  You might remember her as Reid's very first play date ever!  They are best buds and we are devastated that they might be moving soon :(  But for now, we're just enjoying their company!  Lacy (Violet's mommy, my school's Art teacher) and I decided to return to the spash pad they'd played in when they were little. 

 

She is a wonderful photographer, too, and took some great pics of the kids.  As much as I'd love to claim these as mine, the next four were taken by her.  She's going to give me the low down on my 'fancy' camera the next time we play!

It was actually cloudy and quite chilly that day, oddly enough.  When the kids ran up shivering, we decided to re-dress and head to another park to play since the weather was unseasonably cool.
 

Carter even cooperated most of the day.  He loved Violet, who kept getting him to smile.  

We were excited to have Daddy home for an extra day for the Fourth of July.  We didn't do much, but it was great to have an extra family day!  On a whim, I snapped a few patriotic pics of Carter, and this one ended up being one of my favorite ones of him yet.

 

 We had a MUCH anticipated visit from Aunt Lala, Ben, and Alex this month, too!  They were supposed to come on a Monday, but poor Alex woke up throwing up.  I'm not sure if Laura and I or the boys were more disappointed!  Reid kept asking me questions every five minutes such as, "Is Alex still throwing up?  Can they come anyway?  Why is he sick?  Is he okay?"  Fortunately, it must've been a short-lived stomach bug and he was good to go the next morning, so they could still come.  Ben was so sweet meeting his new cousin for the first time.  He was very patient and concerned any time Carter would cry, but so careful and sweet...

...even when Carter decided he was hungry and got a little cranky, Ben didn't lose his cool!

Alex enjoying meeting Carter, too, but when Carter wasn't too interactive, he decided the Bumbo was more fun.  It cracks me up because Reid has been doing the same thing...but who knew an almost first grader could still fit?  :)  Reid has also had just as much fun with all the baby toys lately.  Probably more than Carter!

What trip is complete without the traditional bathtub pic??  We didn't figure Carter was quite old enough yet, and with these growing boys and their long legs, there sure wasn't room for a baby tub!

We had a fun time playing at the pool, a neat park, splash pad, and some quiet time at home.

 One hot afternoon, we went to Kid Mania which is a cool indoor playground.  The kids had a blast!

They tired out of playing in the nets and tunnels and were begging to play in the money pit (I mean...*arcade*).  Laura appeased them by a trip to the photo booth.  It was hilarious to listen and watch!

 

We deliberated on sleeping arrangements and decided all the big boys could sleep in Reid's "new" room.  The first night, it didn't work so well at first.  Too much fun ;)  The second night, we split them up after a crazy book reading time (Reid was a maniac and playing the whole time, as you can see) and they were so tired that they all went right to sleep.

We did have to get a picture of all the Shepherd side cousins together.  No one was really wanting to cooperate at first...

But we finally got a good one of everyone!

Another cute one...  Alex held Carter just long enough for a pic, then quipped something to the effect of, "Can you take him now so he won't spit up on me?"  After the boys had seen how much and how often Carter spits up, I was honestly surprised they let us pose them with him at all, but they were good sports!

We had so much fun!!  It's always hard to say goodbye, but how wonderful to know we'll be traveling south that first week of August to see them again :)  Yay!