Day at the beach

Let me start this by saying two things: 1) I didn't want to bring a big camera to the beach, so these awful pictures are all from my phone and more importantly 2) we are not beach people. And yet, we live SO close to the beach, we felt we must not deprive the children of the beach experience, so we went for JUST the morning last Sunday. There was a nice ocean breeze and it was still morning, so a very hot day, was actually really pleasant. The kids had a great time. Gianna loved the sand and the surf. She did not like tasting the water, but didn't freak out too much when it happened a few times. We had a great time playing in the waves with her. It was fun to see the ocean for the first time through her eyes. (Isn't it hilarious that at 3.5 years old, she has put her feet in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and has even crossed the Atlantic, but has never been in the Atlantic Ocean?) Mark did not really enjoy the water. I think it was a little chilly for him.  It was cold for Doug and me too, but I actually got used to it really fast. But Mark LOVED the sand. He loved digging in it, building with it, and pouring it on himself. Unfortunately, they must be their parents children because the moment we were off the beach and I mean one step from the sand, they both wanted every speck to be off of them. The showers did a decent enough job of getting it off before we got to the car, but we were all happy to get thoroughly clean when we got home!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great day, made even better by an amazing lunch at a mexican restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. They had homemade chips and guacamole that would warrant another trip to the beach for even non-beach-goers like ourselves!

New toy

While we were at the lake with Uncle Randy (Mark's godfather) last weekend, he told us he really wanted to get Mark a new toy, this plasma car. It arrived yesterday and both kids love it. Mark's a little too small to use it quite right, but he still likes to ride. Thanks Uncle Randy and Aunt Mary!

Day at the lake

We went to Doug's Uncle Randy and Aunt Mary's lake house last weekend. They go every year with their 6(!) kids (ages 10 - 21) and the last 2 years we've been able to join them for a day. This year we met Doug's brother's family there too, so it was extra fun. We had a blast!

Gianna and Doug in the pedal boat

Mark playing ball

Hanging out while Nick, Bella, and Julia ride the tube and Gianna and Doug watch from the boat

Chair climbing

We're so  proud of Gianna for being independent in the water for the first time. She loved that little float! And Rocco was a super fun playmate!

Gianna and Bella being pulled by Rocco in the little raft. They had SO much fun!

Rolling on the ball. Mark loves the water too, but couldn't really wade in it. So he had fun being taken in by me or his cousins.

Mostly he loved playing with his Julia! This picture is priceless! Thanks Randy and Mary for an awesome time!

Funny boy

Mark had a cold last week and was waking up really early. So early, that he couldn't make it through lunch without falling asleep. I always wondered who these kids were that fell asleep while eating; Gianna NEVER even came close. I guess now I know!

But when he wasn't sleepy he was his usual cheerful self. Sitting in doll strollers (doesn't this make him look like a giant baby? Cracks me up.)

Loving on his sister. So cute I can't stand it!

Tiny dancer

Gianna took a four-week dance class this summer. The first week, she freaked out because, well because of a lot of things, but since then she has loved it! I think she'll be really sad after this last week. She looks so cute in her outfit with her hair up. We've met some other sweet little girls there too, it's been a lot of fun. Hopefully she can get over the sadness of no dance class with the promise of swim lessons in the fall.

Not sure what she was mad about here, but she's still cute. 

We made coffee-filter butterflies last week and she played with them forever. They were super fun and easy to make. I'm sure we'll do it again soon!

Family Reunion

A couple weekends ago we headed to Doug's family reunion. We go almost every year and it's great to see a lot of relatives that we don't see that often. And the kids had a wonderful time playing on the playground, playing by the lake, rough-housing with Nonna and Pop-pop, and playing with their cousins Bella and Jack (we stayed at their house too). Oh, and I forgot my camera, so these are courtesy of my sister-in-law Elizabeth. Thank you!!!

Mark loves his Pop-pop

The girls love their Aunt Jenny

And they love pedal boats with their daddies

The family reunion was on Bella's 4th birthday. It was so fun to celebrate with her! Can't believe our sweet niece is 4 and that our own little girl is soon to follow! Here's the 4 kiddos enjoying some birthday cake. So cute!

Mark loves Bella! He wants to give her hugs every time she stands still long enough for him to catch her :)

The day after the reunion, we went to a wurst festival on our way home. Nonna and Pop-pop met us there. I'm not sure the girls were happy to see them. :)

Mark really enjoyed the music!

Busy weekend

These pictures are in the wrong order, but in any case. On Saturday, we went to a local farm that was having a blueberry festival. We didn't really do any of the blueberry event, but they had pony rides, so that's why we went. The kids both loved seeing all the animals. In the afternoon, my friend Jill and I went to get fancy haircuts. It's a special cut for curly hair. I would post pictures, but I haven't perfected a styling technique yet and it probably wouldn't look that different to you all anyway :) I do like it though. After our haircuts, Jill and I joined our husbands and children at their house for dinner. Gianna and Henry love each other's company. Here they are watching a movie. I swear it looks like they're on a date. Too cute!

That's Gianna on the white pony.

Swinging with Daddy