Daddy's Days and Almost One!

So, visits to the real deal photographers are a challenge nowadays to say the least, and we aren't  hopping over there quite as regularly as I did when Ellie was a baby, but I did want to be sure to make it there before Aurie turns one next month so that I have her second portrait for the hallway, like I do for Ellie and Lia. I was disappointed that they don't have online sharing like they used to so I could post it here, so I took pictures of my display frame so you could see them. I chose Aurie's serious pose for the hall because it's just so authentically her, though I do love the chubby cheeked smile. Surprisingly, she was the most difficult and was pretty upset about the whole ordeal. I was shocked we got what we did. And guess who took the prize for the sweetest girl.....? (Now here's a shocker for you!) Lia! My goodness, I wondered if Bill spiked her cereal! :) She was so loving, and so patient, and did as she was directed. Just blew me away. It's self preservation I think ;) Keeping mommy loving her sweetness...

 On Father's Day, we took advantage of the beautifully clean patio and backyard to enjoy the bearable early morning weather. Aurie wasn't too thrilled with the picky grass, and too cooperative for a group shot, but I love this one of Lia...it looks so grown up! Bill said in the last week, he sees her 'baby'ness in her face, going away....sniff...

 (Lia's showing us her ballerina moves...she transforms when she gets her dressy dresses on...the other day, Bill reported that she was in the bathroom, on the step, checking herself out in the mirror! :) 

(Like the little pony? Wait til you see double, below!)

 Then, daddy had a second special day, his birthday, and we surprised him with dinner out, and a hockey cake :) Here the gang's 'helping' put together one of his presents...Pirates of the Caribbean lego set "Fountain of Youth" (HAHAHA...mommy had a good laugh over that one! :)

And here are the cuties on daddy's real birthday, before embarking on our grand adventure...the mall, and Car Show 2 at the movie theater.....(just had to catch Aurie in those pigtails!)

More Water Fun!

Our time of being spoiled with reasonable temperatures is over, so we're back to finding ways to beat the heat. Yesterday morning, we headed up to an old favorite spot at some play fountains with some new friends. Everybody had a great time, and after Aurie warmed up to the idea, she was crawling around herself and poking her little hand into even the bigger spouts. I knew she's love it...the girls all did :)

 (Notice how we went from mommy holding me while I feel the fountain, to this tiny spout by myself :) and then, not too long before- look out gang, I'm comin' through! (below :)

 Awww....had fun taking out this sweet bathing suit given to Lia for her 1st birthday...

 Now can I take off this darn hat?

 All three monkeys

 (This is Aurie's little smirky face when she's having a good time, and determined about something :)

 Silly Ellie

Zonked!

Polka-Dot Sweetness

 So, this little darlin' was hanging onto the side of our vegetable basket on the kitchen floor yesterday morning, and I couldn't resist trying to catch those sweet chubby legs in action. I missed out on that, but was able to get some sweet looks...

 (You can see the squeezeable parts there, on those baby legs!)

 Got the little pointy finger out just like another sister used to do... :)

Guess who...?

So here's the funny girl, way ahead of the gang in abilities...coloring on our aquadoodle mat (and also taking a little suck of the water open here and there!)

Poolside

So we tried out the new suits from Nana today...what do you think?

 And though they're hard to catch when splashin' around at their new favorite place, I caught them in a pose here...couldn't you just take a nibble? ;)

 Aurie tuckered herself right out with all that sun and splashin'...

 And then enjoyed some lounging...