Summer Snapshot

We've been enjoying some time at  the pool, or pools, this summer.

 Avalyn is a big fan and doesn't seem to mind when water gets splashed in her face.  We already knew Elliana to be a fan.  Max gets concerned that she's a little too much of a fan.  We'll probably have to take up swim lessons next year to have her better prepared for pool time.  She does well at obeying, though.  We've been hitting up the local public pool recently as it has a zero-grade entry that slowly transitions into 1 to 1 1/2 ft depth.  It's just right for Elliana to stay upright, and Avalyn gets to lounge in her baby float. 

My mom came for a visit mid-June, and we had fun hanging out with her.  Our neighbor, Terri, had us over a for a tea party.  It was fake tea but real cupcakes, raspberries, and chocolate.  Mom was able to be a part of that girly adventure.  The week my mom came up we discovered that we have foxes in our back yard somewhere!  We thought for awhile that we had 2 but have since realized there are 3!  They seem rather playful with each other, but the dead rabbit that was left on our sidewalk for a time might have a different opinion of the "playful" foxes!

Tea Time!

Max and our neighbor, Terri, were so excited at the sight of foxes!

More Randomness

I hope her enjoyment of broccoli continues.  However, since she is willing to eat dirt at this age, I guess the fact that she willingly eats broccoli isn't saying a whole lot, is it?!

Elliana loves pretending.  Right now, she's re-enacting our stroller walk.  Now it is her turn to push her babies in the "stroller."

A comparison of how the girls enjoy their spaghetti sauce meals.  This one is Avalyn...

....and this one is Elliana at about the same age.

This is what happens when you leave a pile of mateless socks in the reach of a 3 1/2 year old little girl.  She uses her imagination and turns them into a bicycle that she is now pedaling. 

Elliana doing a good job of sharing her toys.

This is how Avalyn likes to carry things at times.

Our blue-eyed bath baby

Twins!  Kind of...

Since I posted a pic of Avalyn in this swing in the last post, I thought I'd reminisce with a pic of Elliana at about the same age.

9 months old already!

 Is it possible that our baby is 9 months old already?  That means she's been out of the womb as long as she was in it!  In some ways, it seems like we were just bringing her home from the hospital, and in other ways, it seems like she's always been with us.  I'll try to post more recent pics of the girls together here soon, but I thought I'd share Avalyn's little 9-month photo shoot.  It happened while Elliana was sleeping, which is part of the reason she's not in any photos.  Once it seemed like she'd had enough, we headed to the swing for some play time.  Mommy didn't miss that photo opp, though.  She's a joy to have in our little family.  She's crawling all over the place and would crawl right off of beds and couches if we'd let her.  She is pulling up all the time as well and taking a
couple of steps at a time while holding on.  She
can clap and just started using her clapping to sign

 for "more" at the dinner table.  She seems to love music and wants to sing along at times.  She lights up when she sees her sister. 
The other day, while Avalyn was napping, Elliana and I got on the topic of baby Moses and how his mommy protected him from a mean Pharoah.  Elliana asked questions and then wanted to play
with baby Moses in the basket.  Later, once Avalyn woke up and was ready to play, Elliana was either still playing with baby Moses or had resumed her pretending.  In all seriousness, she asked me, "Mommy, can you keep baby Moses safe from Pharoah Avalyn?"  The Pharoah Avalyn was so funny to me, I had to share.  Does this sweet little face
look like any pharoah you've read about or seen?!

Can't miss an opportunity to chew on something!

I'm loving the cocked-head pose recently.  She's been laying her head on my shoulder like that when she seems to be getting shy around others.

She has 4 more on the bottom to match.  If you don't believe me, try sticking your finger in there!

Typical Avalyn, showing no discrimination in what she puts in her mouth.

Catching up with the kiddos

Gran visiting for Elliana's 3rd birthday

 Well, I won't offer any excuses as to why I haven't blogged since Christmas time.  I'll just let you enjoy the pictures of our growing girls.  It's been a joy to watch them grow as little girls and as sisters. Oh, and by the way, I dedicate this post to my little friend, Natalie, who has eagerly been awaiting some new pictures of her friend.

Avalyn sleeping with her great grandma, who I call Mamaw.  We met halfway in KY so that they could meet Avalyn.

So glad both girls love bath time!

Chilling in the cold weather, tolerating Mommy's new photo idea

Big Blue Eyes

1st matching dresses, worn on Easter Sunday

Oh, the days when she would actually stay in this position instead of crawling to find grass to eat.

Any wonder why Mommy had trouble getting full cooperation?  Eating toes and clothes was much more appealing than cooperating with Mommy.

Is she really only 3?

Visiting with Papa John

Snuggles with Grandma, who was fighting a sinus headache.

Parent/baby dedication with Pastor Devon on Mother's Day

Our good friends, Charlie, Kristin, Charles Joey, and Logan

No worries...Avalyn is being held by a hidden daddy

Sure, sis, I'll help you put the puzzle together.

What they don't tell you a teething biscuit will do to your child