Nothing new to report, really. Mark and I got to get out on Saturday for a party and a movie. Grandma and Grandpa stayed with the boys. Boy was I ready to see them by the time I got home. I had to sneak into their rooms and watch them in their cribs. Other than that, Mark and I just stayed home and hung out with the kiddos.

Thanks for stopping in to look at the boys.

Just a few new pics

Nolan

Nolan

Grandpa having a visit with Colvin and Nolan

Colvin climbed up on his rocking horse all by himself.

Nolan can't quite get on by himself yet. Colvin also likes to play under the horse. Looks painful.

Naked baby on the loose.

Colvin enjoying his blocks and not wearing a diaper.

Nolan playing with the blocks.

We might be famous!

Hello All. Today my parents and I took the boys down to our splash pad to play in the water. Because the pad is owned by the builder of the development I live in, it is for residents' use only. It's quite fabulous. Anyway, a TV show was down there taping this morning, doing a feature on our development and stuff. Maybe the boys will show up on the show. I don't know yet when it will air, but you can bet that I'll be watching when it does. I just hope that I didn't accidentally wonder in front of the camera. Yikes. My parents took a bunch of pictures while we were there so if they send me some I will add them to the post. Right now I must go check on Colvin. He doesn't normally cry after I put him down for a nap but he's bumming about something right now. I'll go check it out.

Train wreck

I had to share a funny little story from today. I needed to go downtown to pick up a library book so I thought I'd stop by my old office and say hi to everyone while I was in the neighborhood. So in I go. I'm trying to get my huge double stroller in a big heavy door that closes by itself and I back into a glass-topped table that is just inside the door and stacked with broshures. Boom, clang, clang, boom!!!!! The glass and broshures fall down, but thank God the glass didn't break. I was just waiting for Randy to rush from his office and yell at me to get out and never come back. He wouldn't - he's too nice for that. But he might think it. :) And although I was looking forward to seeing my old boss, I was very greatful to find out that he's out of town. :) Especially with what happened next. We let the boys out of the stroller and they went into the conference room and locked themselves inside. I didn't panic at first, but then we couldn't find a key and I realized the damage they could/would do when they noticed the computer cords and all those tax files. I'm starting to have a heart attack watching the boys through the glass door as they head for the files. Vicky called maintenance to bring a key, but we finally found one before they could get there. The gals got busy for a second with client calls so I put the boys back in the stroller and Colvin had a meltdown. He started screaming so I high-tailed it out of there before we could cause any more damage. Sometimes I think it's just better to stay home.

Happy Father's Day

Here's a big Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there. I'm trying to put together some very kind thoughts and words, but Mark keeps talking to me. I need silence! I need to concentrate! Okay, he's sufficiently busy feeding breakfast to the boys that I should be able to complete a thought. Maybe. Nope. I guess I'll come back later and edit this post. I need to add pics of Colvin too - he was napping when I took these. More later....

Okay, I did manage to snap this picture of Mark and the boys. I was a total dufus and didn't get one of my dad with them when my parents were here earlier. We had a low-key day just ordering pizza and hanging out. So here's my kind words and thoughts. I've always had the most incredible parents. They are kind and gentle, loving and caring. They are generous of themselves and their hearts. We have never wanted for anything from my parents. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for being the best parents I could ever imagine. I love you both so much. Happy Father's Day, Dad. As for Mark, he is the best father I could have ever hoped for for my children. He loves them like crazy, plays with them even when he's dead tired, jumps right in and does whatever needs to be done to help take care of them after he's had a long day at work. He's a sweet soul and a terrific dad. Happy Father's Day, Honey. I love you. Our boys are so lucky to have you for their dad.

Mark, Colvin and Nolan on Father's Day

Mark and Nolan

Nolan loves to read - he just loves books.

Nolan

I just had to go in the other room and see what was going on since Colvin was complaining about something. He had climbed into and was sitting in the walker all by himself. Since he got into it by himself I let him figure out how to get back out. He complained alot but he eventually figured it out.

We also want to wish a big Happy Birthday to Grandpa Ed. We hope you have a great day and we wish you were here so we could wish you happy birthday properly.

"Help! I'm stuck. I got in and I can't get out."

"Yeah! I did it. I got out all by myself."

A Tidbit

At some point while the cousins were here they put a bunch of those plastic D rings in the storage place under the seat of one of the little ride-along planes that my boys have. I noticed Nolan playing with them for a long time yesterday, taking them out and putting them back in. Last night I put every one that I could find in there as I was picking up the toys. I thought it was interesting just now that Nolan went to one of the planes, sat down and looked under the seat. He didn't find the rings so he got up and went and sat down at the other plane and looked under that seat too. Now he's in there playing with those rings again. I'm just continually amazed at how fast they are growing and learning.

Sick Boys

Well, you can't really tell from these pictures, but the boys are sick again. They both came down with colds over the past couple of days. Colvin missed swim class last night and they both missed tonight. Nolan has just the runny nose and an occasional dry cough. Colvin is the one we have to worry about since colds trigger some kind of asthma reaction. The last cold he had got so bad that I wanted to make sure we didn't let it get to that point this time. I called his allergist and the pediatrition and got the scoop on what meds to put him back on. I'd weened him off of everything against doc's orders. So it's back to Flo*vent and Albuter*ol breathing treatments and another oral drug that is an antihistamine. I just hate having to give him all that stuff, but he gets super panicky when he can't breathe. So do I. It got me to really feeling for people that don't have a doctor to call or the money to pay for care when it's needed. Oh how very fortunate we are! I am happy to say that, so far, Colvin is doing much better this time with his breathing than he did last time.

Mark had to work really late tonight so my mom came over and hung out with me and the boys. They were actually in really great moods. I've never seen them be so silly and giggly like they were today and tonight. Little kids just don't let stuff get them down. I can't tell you how much I love those boys. They are growing and changing so fast. Today Nolan sat on one of his little toys that is meant for them to sit and push themselves along on. I'm sure he did that after watching his cousins do it when they were here. Colvin is definitely saying ball (sounds like boll with a hard o sound) when he picks up a ball. Tonight he even went and got one when I asked him to. Well, I better quick yacking at you and get to bed. I hope we all get more sleep tonight. I don't know about Mark since he just started working and it's already 9:30pm. Poor guy.

How many babies does it take to crush a plastic tote?

Colvin

A Fabulous Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend. You already know about the great day we had on Friday. On Saturday, after I got back from the stamp class, Mark and I took the boys to the splash pad. The weather has been so gorgeous - very un-June-like. We had a great time playing with the boys and having the pad to ourselves.

Look at my three pots of gold.

Nolan and Mark


On Sunday we got to spend part of the day with Mark's sister, Cindy, her husband, Steve, and their three boys, Denin, Ian and Luke. It was the first time they had met the boys. Mark's brother, Jeff and his wife Steph also came over for the day. Jeff and Steph live in town but Cindy and her family live in Dal*las. It was so cute how all the boys played together. Cindy's boys must really like babies because they kept giving my boys hugs and knew their names really fast. Colvin even went right over to Steve and sat on his lap and stayed there for a long time. Nolan was shy at first but he eventually warmed up. We didn't have too long on Sunday before my boys had to take their nap and Cindy and crew had to leave to visit some old friends.

Ian and Colvin

Ian, Luke and Colvin

Cindy, Steve and Colvin

Nolan, Luke, Jeff, Colvin and Steph. Leave it to Jeff to have the attention of just about every kid in the room. :)

After Cindy and crew left, Jeff & Steph and me and Mark and the boys went to the splash pad for some fun. It was so beautiful and Mark and Jeff - I mean Colvin and Nolan - were having so much fun that we stayed there way past the boys' usual dinner time.

On Monday we had the same crew less Steve and Mark. As soon everyone got here we took off for the splash pad again. Everybody had a great time. It was so cute to see how well the boys played together, as well as with the other kids that were already there. We hung out until Jeff had to leave for work and then it was time to head back to the house for PB&J and left over pizza.

Jeff, Colvin and Ian

Denin

Colvin

Denin

Us gals and all the kiddos hung out for the rest of the day and just enjoyed letting the kids play together. After Mark got home from work he and Cindy took her boys back over to the playground so that Mark - I mean the boys - could play on the climbing wall and slides. :) Today the house seems so quiet. I think my guys are a little worn out and missing their cousins. We sure wish that Cindy and her family lived here so that we could all get together much more often. I guess we'll have to bite the traveling-with-kids bullet and make a trip to Tex*as sooner than later. For now, it's time to get my wee bittens down for their nap. As for me, I think I'll go upstairs and practice some of the new techniques I learned at the stamp class. Or maybe I'll read. Either way, I won't be doing anything too strenuous. Oh, speaking of that. I think I might do a half marathon with my friend Kathi in Michigan this October. I'm sure I'll walk it, but I have to get in shape even to do that. This morning, after many moons of not having a regular workout schedule, I got up, actually put on tennis shoes instead of Birken*stocks, and went for a long walk with the boys. My goal is to do that everyday so I can work on getting in much better shape. Who knows, maybe I'll actually run part of it. Okay, off for now. Hugs to all who take the time to check out my wordy blog. Oh - and here's a little Hello to Monica now that I know you're checking in with us sometimes too. We can't wait to see you later this summer too. :)

More pics from the weekend

Luke

Luke - is this picture adorable or what?!

Colvin aka The Peanut

Steph and Luke

Cindy, Luke and Colvin

Nolan

Denin holding Colvin, Ian in the red chair and Luke in the front.

Denin, Colvin and Ian

Denin, Colvin and Ian in the back and Nolan in front.

Denin and Colvin. I just thought this was cute with Colvin eating the monster truck.

Denin holding Nolan and Ian in the red chair.

Luke and Colvin

Cindy, Colvin, Nolan and Luke playing with monster trucks.

Nolie Bub aka Nolie Polie aka Pumpkin

Colvin and Luke