Fishing Music

 I have lived in Vegas for six years now and I haven't ever seen Dad's band play. I know, I'm an awesome DIL. So we had an opportunity to go listen to Aspen Ridge play at the fishing derby. 

 The weather was perfect and they sounded really good.

 Someone even caught fish. (I suppose that's a rarity at this event.)

 E was a bit shy at first but she was pretty excited to see Pa up there playing "oosic on tis itar." (music on his guitar.)

 Pa sang you are my sunshine for Ethnie and he started tearing up. Just thinking about it makes me start to cry. It's hard to describe the bond between Ethnie and her Pa. It's a little bit magical. I was that way with my G-pa and while I know we will see them again, it's hard moving her away from Gramma and Pa. 

 Ethnie is Gramma's girl friend. They are so cute and Gramma always has the funnest ways for getting her to do things that aren't so fun like eating. I hope I can take a few pages out of her book for the future. 

 Little man was just chilling. watching people stroll and Pa play. 

 I'm so glad that we finally got to see Dad play! It was a fun morning!

A New Favorite

 We have found a new park that has become a favorite. It has water, lots of slides and is great for little people to climb around on. Elmo really approves.

 Reach Gramma!!!!!

 ... or fall down, that works too. 

 Peanut is getting really good about climbing up and going down slides all by herself! She really has very limited fear when it comes to scaling things.

 This little man is perfectly content as long as you are right there beside him.

Peek!!! Such a fun game!

 Since we are usully th only people at the park (another reason to love it) Mom brought bubbles and a picnic. Gramma is so fun! 

 Poor Duke is never full. He has to lick to yogurt cup clean.

 Duke also has no fear of cold water. He was in there like a dirty shirt.

 I love days like these full of smiles, messy faces and fun at the park.

Tubba Bubba

 This boy loves to play int the water. Usually standing pulling all of the soaps and shampoo's into the tub. He has started standing on his own. Look Mama, no hands!!

This boy makes me smile. His laugh melts my heart.

Check out my teeth!!!! Duke has officially gotten two teeth now! He's growing up so fast!

New Do

I had been telling Mom for days that we needed to cut Duke Manfred's hair. It was starting to curl on the sides and it was time. This wuoldn't be his first hair cut (it's actually his 4th. This boy has a full head of hair!) but it was just one more thing that we never got around too. Then one day I come home from work and here's my little man all trimmed up.

He looks sooooo grown up. It's amazing what a little hair can do! He is such a hunk. I love this boy to pieces!

What Have We Been Up To?

 We've been sharing kisses....

 ... nice long, wet, loving kisses.

 We've been learning to kazoo. 

 Ethnie picked that up pretty quick. :)

 Playing their first duet. We're pretty musical around here. :)

 We've been playing barn animals...

 ... and zoo animals, not sure which one is the animal in this picture though :) ...

... dressing Ellie up in E's Elmo dress...

...  and living in the bathroom (poor guy may never know what a real room is like.)

We've been working... 

... and dressing up.

 Ethnie loves to wear heels. 

With all this fun we've been crashing too. We are loving having all of this time with Gramma and Pa. It's going to make living far away that much harder.

Apricots

Some little person {loves} goinf outside to pick apricots off of the tree. 

She really likes climbing the ladder.

Good gravy these are good. Ethnie will usually take a bite and then hold it out to us and say "pit out." She can't get enough of them. 

Tastes like summer!

Little Fish

We have been spending a lot of time at the pool. The weather is perfect and the pool feels splendid. Have I mentioned how much I love Vegas? Manfred is usually pretty content just hanging out in his boat. 

Ethnie likes to sit on the steps with a pool side snack.

She's usually pretty content but lately she's been getting brave.

She's started swimming with Gramma!! Let me tell you this is a BIG step for her. She has started to kick her feet and use her arms. Some days we can get her to blow bubbles but for the most part she isn't fond of getting water in her ears.

But she loves to play with Gramma. Gramma is her favorite pool friend.

The rest of us are just content to enjoy the sunshine and float. Hope you're summer is as sunny and warm as ours!