So Andrea and I have been talking about taking photos of the kids for a long time but haven’t ever gotten around to it. Today I didn’t have very many church meetings so I set up the backdrop and started taking some photos. I did a little Lightroom editing but really only to make the background fade to a dark black and do some little retouching to scrapes and stuff. Here’s what we came up with and maybe you’ll agree that we need to make more time to do this in the future because we have really cute kids (IMHO).
We spent the fourth of July holiday at the Taylor cabin in Oklahoma. It is so nice to get away sometimes, so we love that they have a place just a few hours away with lots of fun things to do. With a nursing newborn, I have felt a little cooped up in the house, so it was a nice change of scenery for me:)
Little Boat Driver
Swimming Machine
Mommy and Addie
Addie’s First Waterski
This was Addie’s first time to waterski! She was a great sport and tried it two times, although falling was a little traumatic for her. After that she just swam, but maybe next time she’ll try again. She did a great job and we were all so proud of her!
We also got to see our newest cousin Kaiden. Jessi and Erik drove out from Florida to be with us this weekend, and it was cute to see Kaiden and Nolan together. They are so close in age, they could be twins! Except there is a huge difference in how a 3 month old interacts (laughing and smiling all the time – Kaiden) and a 7 week old (maybe a hint of a smile now and then – Nolan).
Addie LOVED spending time with her cousins, as always, and learned how to roast her own marshmallows and make a smore. Grandma is a master marshmallow maker, so we got to have them a few nights in a row:)
Addie and Daddy
Cousins Roasting Marshmallows
S’mores are Messy
Nolan’s Starting to Smile
Adelyn’s Eyes
Nolan and Kaiden
Happy Fourth of July
Addie and Grandpa on the Boat
We didn’t take the kids to a real fireworks show, but we did get some firecrackers and set them off in the fire pit outside the house. I love the reaction the kids had. They were all worried about how loud it was going to be, so they all covered their ears. Check out the expression on the 2 year olds faces as the firecrackers go off. So funny!
Addie and I went to the Dallas Mavericks Celebration parade on Thursday. It was a lot of fun. It was hot and there were lots of people 200,000+ but Addie was very well behaved and we had a great time seeing our World Champion Dallas Mavericks! Here are some photos of our day.
On Monday I wore my Dirk jersy to work
Addie wanted to cool off in the fountain
Eating snacks before the parade
Go MAVS!
The Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy is pretty big
This was my birthday weekend, which might make you think that that is the reason for the blog title, but no. Tonight my Dallas Mavericks won the NBA finals. The Mavs took their talents to South Beach, and won the NBA title. GO MAVS!
Celebrating with Nolan
2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks!
Honestly the rest of the weekend was great! We went to my parents cabin for Friday night and Saturday. We had a nice time just relaxing and spending time together, which is my language of love… (FYI). Here are some photos of my weekend.
Out Little Model
All Smiles
Addie found the "Power of the Holy Ghost"
Addie loved playing in, on and around Grandpa’s new (’53 Ford) truck. At one point she opened a little tray on the floorboard of the truck cab and found the battery. She looked at me and said “this is the power Daddy, the power of the Holy Ghost.” I looked at my Dad and we both started laughing. I don’t know if I was more amazed at how she guessed the battery gives the car power, or the Holy Ghost reference. Apparently Addie listens in nursery. She helped Grandpa pull the fenders off and after all the work Grandpa had time to take Nolan for his first four wheeler ride. We even went for a little canoe ride in the river. This was a great weekend, a great birthday, caped by an amazing victory by my Dallas Mavericks!
We are still patiently awaiting the arrival of Baby Brother but have been doing lots of things to try and stay busy and invite him to leave Andrea’s tummy. I am typically a very doting husband, but lately I have been a real jerk, making Andrea do lots of work so she will have this baby.
We have been going on really long walks to help encourage Andrea into labor. So far it hasn’t worked, but we are still walking. One walk was so long I rigged this system to pull Addie’s bike behind me so she could work on her bike riding skills.
Going for long walks
On Monday we went to the Texas Rangers game to see Juli sing the National Anthem. She did a GREAT job, and yes, I made Andrea walk down the 50 ramps to get down from our seats. It was Addie’s first baseball game and she did great (Thank you peanuts).
At the Rangers Game
Today I took some photos of Andrea so we could remember her belly. She is getting really big, but it is all right out front. If you look at her from behind you would have no idea she is pregnant. As always Andrea looks beautiful, but it is obvious she is miserable and ready to have this baby.
Andrea at 9 Months
Keep checking the blog, hopefully we have good news soon. She isn’t due until May 18, but she is dilated and going the right direction so fingers crossed it happens soon.
