The Fighter's

We ventured down to Columbus this weekend to catch up with family and friends and had a blast! Friday night we arrived at Grammy's , had a nice dinner, relaxed, played with bubbles and ate watermelon. Saturday we woke up, had breakfast and headed over to Easton to the Cheesecake factory to eat lunch with some of our favorite people ( Tancredi's & Santell's ) and to shop a bit. After this...naps all around back at Grammy's ! That night we drove over to our old neighborhood for a cookout with our neighbors. The kids had a blast playing in the backyard, jumping on the trampoline and running around the playroom. They all played so well and were up way past their bed time! We saw our old house...it was kind of strange. We felt like we should be able to just walk right in, but if we did that...we would have probably been arrested. I was sort of sad...doesn't look like they've been running the sprinklers...and no flowers. I hope they take care of it...that house

When you have packing peanuts!

Hard to believe that just 6 years ago today Doug and I were walking down the aisle. In some ways it seems like just yesterday...in other ways...6 years seems about right! We've survived buying our first home, locking ourselves out of that home the first week we lived there, selling it then buying another one; a full fledged move; 2 kids with 1 on the way; 4 career moves between the 2 of us; a 1 year stint of nursing school for me; numerous home improvement projects; traveling (mostly for work, some for pleasure); mass family get togethers (which we actually both enjoy!) and a golden doodle named millhouse. We have a lot more ahead of us...but I am so thankful I will get to share all of life's ups and downs with the guy I married 6 years ago today! "We love, because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

One of my absolute things about Kate is her hair. No matter how nicely or smoothly I brush it after her bath or in the morning, 5 minutes later it's full of crazy and free curls. Love it! Ava actually pointed her hair out today and I had to take a pic...it was extra crazy. I especially like the middle picture. She's like...come on mom...seriously? Sorry Kate...your mom just thinks you're just too cute.

My good friend Allison turned 30 today! We surprised her at PF Changs and had a fun girls night out. Excellent food, great cake, fun times making her stand out with balloons, some singing, a crown...and great times with some of the best company in town! Happy Birthday Al!!! Hope your day was super and that this year brings loads of blessings your way. :-)

We have been working with Ava & Kate on sharing lately. It seems that whatever one is playing with...the other one wants. And let me tell you...the girls have some pretty powerful vocal chords (high pitched squeals) when they don't get their way. So needless to say...we've been "cracking down", working on mitigating the arguments (and high pitched squeals). So on days like today when Ava, the big sis, seems to display some sense of maturity and involve her sister in her play activities, sharing along the way...it makes me so happy! I know we'll always have battles, but we're working to develop a relationship in the girls of love, kindness, thoughtfulness and friendship towards each other. Here is a shot of them sharing...Ava gave Kate one of her Thomas slippers and they were both walking around playing with one Thomas slipper on all morning. They alternated between Little People, Trains, dress up and coloring. Thank God for peaceful mornings! After naps,

I am loving summer. Pregnant and all. Warm weather, cooking out, sun...and now the pool! Ava started swim lessons last week and LOVES them. They're learning how to kick, paddle, float...also working on going under water and just becoming more comfortable in the pool. She is my ever cautious child but has been stepping out of her shell to try some new moves, and it's so fun to watch. She is so proud of herself! I'm proud of her too:-) Today we took advantage of the warm weather and hung out at the pool. Kate (my ever daring child who would jump of the high dive if I let her) found her new favorite thing to do...pour. She would stand on the side of the baby pool and pour all day if we let her! Ava spent the day throwing rings and finding them. I also braved it out and took them over to the "big" pool where they took turns jumping in...having a ball (and waring mommy out:-)).

We spent lots of time playing inside on this rainy day. And my favorite thing...the girls were so sweet to each other and played so well together today! They shared, said thank-you, played side by side without fighting...which was all music to my ears and heart (all days aren't as smooth as this...trust me!). My favorite...Ava would help Kate or give her something and Kate would reply "Thank you Ava" and Ava would say "No Problem". :-) It's just such a nice breather to have days like this, and so fun to watch their little friendship bloom. I pray that we have more days like this in the future than not!

Uncle Pat came into town this weekend for a visit. Saturday night the guys decided to have a rib cook off...each conjuring their own sauce and cooking with different techniques. They were hilarious...talking smack all day to each other about ribs. All concoctions were Delicious with a capital D, each having their own flavor and zing. For this first cook off though...Uncle Pat was the winner. We documented his victory in the record books. Here's to summer, cookouts, family and our guys...especially when they cook for us!

We took advantage of the sunny weather and hit up the zoo & park...and then made cupcakes (because mommy was craving them:-)). Highlight of the zoo...train ride of course! Morning and picnic at one of our favorite parks... Cupcakes (with sprinkles!)! Little People on the Deck!

Can't forget Baby Fighter...the girls and I trekked to my 24 week appointment today and got to hear his/her heartbeat! It was strong and perfect!! Yay ! Although this little one likes to move as soon as the Doppler hears the heartbeat...stage fright? Ava was enamored by the whooshing sound and Kate just sort of sat there, unimpressed:-) So far, outside of a few minor aches and pains this pregnancy has been good. My BP was 116/58...no swelling...and on track as far as measurements. And my energy has been up lately so I'm praying this continues ( although we'll see how "cheery" I am 8.5 months pregnant, in the middle of August. All about the attitude...right??)!! And let me just tell you how funny it is to take a 3 year old to the OB office...Ava is going through a "why" and "what's that" phase and it definitely added some comedy to the doctors, nurses and my day:-) So excited for Baby Fighter's arrival!!

The weather here this week has been sort of rainy during the day (and chilly). So we've been trying to find some fun inside stuff to do. Yesterday we made pizza for lunch, did some artsy stuff and went to the rec center. The girls had a blast making the pizza and were so proud as we ate the pizza that they made (especially Ava!). Today we set up a Little People Village and the girls had a blast. I love watching them play and use their little imaginations. I love Ava's little voices she makes up for the people and my favorite today was her singing the "I Know You" song from Sleeping Beauty as she was playing with her prince, princess and castle. Kate gets so intent on what she's playing with too...repeating the same process over and over again (baby going down the slide...putting the apples in the tree, etc.). In between Little People they played Thomas the Train and raced them across the kitchen floor. Ava can be a little bossy...always telling Kate what to do, wh