Hot.

It has been hot. Like really hot. It's even hot at the pool. And there are a lot of little bugs there. Mommy isn't sure if this is due to the heat or not but they are annoying. It is already a full time job making sure Lexa doesn't drown. Add in a few bugs and she is really a handful. She has probably ingested between 20 and 40 bugs as of late. It's really not too big of a deal but kind of gross to see legs and wings hanging out of her pretty little mouth.

Moving on.....

Since it has been so hot the majority of Jace and Lexa's time has been spent swimming. There was actually a recent rainy day so the children's museum was the destination and there was a night spent dining at Bluff Lake with Nana and Papa.

Well hello world......




Peeking at the ducks at Bluff Lake.


Mommy really could have done a better job of taking pictures at Bluff Lake but Jace came down with some devastating illness a quarter of the way through eating. This devastating illness is also commonly referred to as a runny nose.

Jacer and his buddy Lauren staying cool in her pool.



Wanna know how to eat an ear of corn? This is how it's done people.



Catching a fish at the children's museum.



Exploring a spooky cave. Jace even found a snake. He waited until getting home to ask if it was just a toy.



Eating in China. Jace dressed up in traditional Chinese clothing at this exhibit but opted out of the photograph Mommy so desperately wanted to take.



That's all for now folks!

Family Camping 2011

Family Camping 2011 was a smashing success. It was hot. It was dirty. There were owies..primarily on Jace. But it was a great time! Jace and Lexa were even able to spend a few extra days at Grandma and Grandpa's after the official camping had ended. 'A few days' proved to be plenty as they were more than ready to return home yesterday.

The pictures are in no particular order because if you read right, Mommy just returned from a hot camping trip and subsequent few days out of town with the wee ones. She is not taking the time to put them in order. Enjoy nonetheless.

Little Miss showing off her leopard print at the pond.



Having a chat with Fabulous Aunt Kay...perhaps about how HOT is was!



Lexa and Bampa eating ice cream.


Lexa and Courtney outside the cabins.



Bean got to catch up with her main squeeze Cameron. They did a little swimming and ate some popsicles. Ah, young love.



T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Enough said.



Eating an early morning snack. Chocolate. His mama taught him right.



Water Fight!



Running through the sprinkler at Grandma and Grandpa's house.



That is one bunch of bad dudes.



Isn't he sweet in his little pink life jacket?



Floating with Grandpa.



Going fishing with the boys.



Fishing at the pond with Daddy.



Ladder Ball masters.



That is a lot of cousins in one pool. Looks like there may be an extra space for one more kid. Who is gonna fill that spot?? Not It!



Happy Keegan!



Catching snails at the pond. Lovely. They can join the collection of sticks, rocks, and dead ants Jace has accumulated in the car this summer.

Week in review (ok a week and a few days).

What in the world?! Mommy thought she would have more time to blog when she wasn't working. Turns out it is a full time job trying to keep two kids entertained. And let Mommy tell you, she works HARD to keep them (and herself) entertained. Staying home just doesn't cut it. Mommy ends up wanting to pull her hair out and jump up and down screaming. So she, Jacer, and Lexa have been trying to do something in the morning and something in the afternoon each day. It may be just going to the store or it may be meeting friends for lunch or at the park. There have been lots of picnics and lots of pool time. So without further ado....some pictures chronicling these activities.

Bean in her 4th of July best.



Lexa's 'model pose'. Would you guess Mommy used natural wind to achieve this look.



This. This would be the look Mommy and Daddy are given no less than 25 times per day. It either states, 'I'm going to do something bad' OR 'You look stupid, what should I do next'.



Jace and his buddy Joshua hanging out at the new inflatable park.




4th of July pedicure. If there is something Lexa likes more than brushing her teeth it's getting her nails painted.



Relaxing in her swing. The life of a 15 month old can be very hectic and stressful you know.



Popsicle after the pool.



She loves him so. He thinks she is not bad either.



Inflatables at the fireworks celebration. Can you find the Jacer??



It was inevitable that Lexa would see a giant slide and want to go down it. Mommy kept telling her no because it was clearly stated you had to be 3. But then a nice young lady told Mommy SHE could take Lexa down on her lap. Great. You may not be able to see the look of terror on Mommy's face at this angle. Lexa, of course, came down laughing.



Picnic!



He has been wanting goggles and Mommy decided to get him some in the hopes of continuing to improve his water habits. Problem: he treats them like sunglasses and has been wearing them everywhere. So going in Walmart, Jace has his goggles on and Lexa has her baby nose sucker. Ah, it's a sight.


P.S. He is Spiderman in this picture. As if you couldn't tell right?

Catching lightning bugs. He was actually rather good at it. Turns out the lightning bugs are slow in these parts.



Can I have a car? Oh you laugh but Mommy can see this very soon.



She has an obsession with brushing her teeth. Unfortunately even a stool doesn't allow her to reach.



And that would be THE END! No worries, Mommy goes back to work in a month and half. She will have more time to blog then!

Run Like the Wind!

This weekend was full of summer fun in Jace and Lexa's town. Complete with music and food in the park, family visiting, swimming, and races.

To begin...the race. Mommy and Fabulous Aunt Kay once again kicked some butt in their 5k. On Sunday Mommy placed 2nd in her age division and 23rd overall out of 358 female runners. Fabulous Aunt Kay placed 3rd in her age division and 47th overall out of 358 females! Not too shabby!

Jace ran in the kid's race and if you ask him....he won. He participated in the 3-5 year old division and did an excellent job of running all the way to the finish. Mommy had been a little concerned he would start talking to his buddy and forget to run. Because of this, she told him to just put his head down and run. After seeing him demonstrating this, everyone was a little concerned with him obtaining a concussion so took back the part about putting his head down. In the end it all worked out and he was a happy camper with his finisher's medal!

The runners. Note the medals Mommy and Aunt Kay are sporting. Just another day....



At the finish line.



Showing Jace proper stretching technique.




Jacer gearing up before the race. Mommy thought he looked so cute with his little number on.



Jace and Gaige giving it all they got!



Proud finishers.



Eating some grub and listening to some tunes at the park.



Cousins. Don't you love Keegan's shirt? No idea where that came from.



He is such a stud.



Lexa and Keegan chillaxin'



Mommy almost forgot...there was a parade! A parade with a lot of cars. Just driving. As you can see Jace was thrilled.



Saturday night everyone went to the Fabulous Kay and Doug's hotel to swim and enjoy pizza and cake (for Uncle Doug's birthday).

Mommy's little fish. Lexa probably would actually prefer to jump in with nobody catching her.



Getting in with Fabulous Uncle Doug.



Practicing his skillzzzz.



The rest of the pictures are a little random but Mommy wanted to share. There is a new inflatable bounce house place that just opened near the mall. Mommy was ecstatic when she heard this and had to check it out right away. It was a hit!

And she's off!!



What else would you do in a bouncy house but wrestle?



Oh Missy and her cheesy smiles.



You just can't beat cheese like that so Mommy must now conclude this post.