Nine (Months) is Nice!

Evelyn celebrated turning 9 months old with a trip to the zoo (she found the monkeys to be very amusing) and a visit to the doctor's office (where we all enjoyed the fact that there are NO SHOTS at the 9-month appointment). Here are the photos from her 9-month-old photo shoot:

Sunshine, Smiles, and Sophie

Our little lady

Sophie photobombs the picture

Nine (Months)!

So interested in whatever big brother is doing

Ready for my close-up

Eli and his camera, always Mommy's big helper!

Music, Eats, and Lovely Summer Evenings

The all-too-brief season of Concerts on the Square has come to an end once again, and we were lucky to be able to attend most of the concerts this summer. The performances were excellent, as usual, and we enjoyed picnicking and spending time together relaxing. Eli was our big helper each week, often wanting to push our overloaded stroller back to the parking lot (Daddy helped navigate the sidewalks and crosswalks). Sad to see one of our summer traditions come to an end for the year, but I suppose that is part of what makes it such a special event to attend.

Ready to picnic

Kiddos and Mommy

Evelyn's first Concerts on the Square - she is ready!

Ben and Eli check out the dinner options

4th of July week

Sometimes all the fun was a bit overwhelming

Eli found a cozy seat for dinner

Happy lady

A Day at the Beach

What to do on these muggy, hot summer days? Head to the beach! Eli loved playing in the sand and splashing in the water, while Evelyn enjoyed watching him (and dipping her toes in too).

Evelyn explains the importance of sunscreen

Really, Evelyn was having more fun than this expression suggests

Busy worker; big project in progress

Kids (Just Bein' Kids)

While every day is a new adventure around here in some way, shape, or form, often the sweetest moments happen when we are just hanging out at home.

Future so bright, I gotta wear shades

Walk confidently in shades and no pants

So sweet - they are just starting to play together. Eli definitely directs the situation, but I'm just thrilled that he is including Evelyn (clearly Evelyn is thrilled, too!)

Okay, so this one is not at home. And it is a little blurry. But I couldn't resist sharing a photo of my smiley little boy, post wading-turned-into-swimming-while-fully-clothed-at-a-city-beach. Really Mommy should have brought a swimsuit or change of clothes or at least some sandals, but it seems more like summer fun this way.

Eli's Birthday Week

Turning three proved to be an exciting, fun, exhausting time! Eli enjoyed celebrating with Mommy, Daddy, Evelyn, Mimi, and Pa on his real birthday weekend, and then this weekend, more family and friends joined in the celebration at a tool-themed birthday party.

On his actual birthday, Eli visited the farmers' market for all his favorite tasty treats, played with Mimi and Pa, spent the afternoon at the pool, and then, after a late-afternoon nap on the couch, was woken up just in time for birthday cake before bed! As you can imagine, he was equal parts excited and exhausted, and we all had a bit of a birthday hangover the next day!

This weekend, Eli donned his toolbelt and shined up his tools to get ready for a tool-themed birthday party. We felt blessed that our family members made the trip to town to celebrate our creative, sweet, energetic little boy!

Dinner out with Mimi and Pa the night before the big birthday

Happy Birthday, Eli!

What could it be? (Daddy had fun wrapping this gift)

Big boy bike

Opening presents (with his screwdriver, of course!)

Farmers market trip (he picked out his shoes and hat)

 

Icy pop at the pool for the birthday boy...

 ...And for Daddy (Evelyn wonders where hers is)

Tool-themed cake

 

Birthday boy fast asleep on the couch

 Up again and ready to blow out his candles and eat cake!

 

Time for a birthday party!

Thanks to Aunt C for lending her artistic talents to cookie decorating!

A little boy's dream come true

Treats for Eli's guests

Way more useful than flowers

Mimi's yummy snack

Decorating a tool belt

Ready for a project

Cousin Isaac is ready for a project, too

Ben and Eli work with sand tools

Mimi and the kiddos

Opening presents (Evelyn looks pretty excited, too!)

Papa and Evelyn put in some serious play time

Blowing out the candles on his blue screwdriver cookie

Pa blow kisses to Cousin K

Cousins sharing hugs

Everyone in one shot - amazing!

 Attempted photo with great-grandparents

Just chillin' with my godfather

Miss K, lovely and on the move

 You know it is a good toddler birthday when you end the day nearly naked and still fixing with tools!