Seth's visit

We get excited when my big brother comes to town!  Probably because we so rarely see him.  (Hint, hint: come visit more often!) ;)  Anyway, we always have a great time when we see him.  

Meeting his newest nephew! 

Watching LuLu swimming 

My girl LOVES her uncles! 

Ava made a house. Lucy promptly moved in. 

I got to spend my birthday with my family! Breakfast and lunch with my little family, dinner and presents with my siblings and mom! 

It's kind of a tradition to go hiking when Seth's in town.  I opted out this time since I wasn't sure I was quite up to it, post c-section.  Lucy wanted to go, so we talked about how she'd have to walk a long way, and be so cheerful.  Yeah...then it rained...buckets.  But if you ask her, she'll tell you "My a good hiker!"  -- Y'all, she made it to the trailhead and asked to be carried.  We have some work to do. ha! 

Naturally, she's between rain coats right now.  she's wearing one of Ava's hats underneath her hood, then her hood, then Uncle Brian's rain hat. 

Uncle Seth carried my girl the whole way there and back. 

"Yep, there's the waterfall. Let's hike back out"

 We had one last family dinner with everyone before Seth had to head home:

Malcolm had a serious blowout, so it was easier to pop him in the sink than waste half a pack of wipes cleaning him up!
Clearly he draws a crowd! 

Playing Bananagrams

Nana and her little super guy! 

Mario Kart

This is what happens when we try to take a nice picture with Seth...
And yes, I am aware of the irony of holding a new Nintendo wheel while wearing this t-shirt... 

Happy HALF birthday, Dear Lucy

When your birthday falls three days before Christmas, it tends to get rather overshadowed.  To remedy this, we decided to start the tradition of celebrating Lucy's half birthday each year, instead of her "real" birthday.  We'll do something with her, just the four of us, on her actual day each year, but wanted to start the tradition of having family celebrate her in summer each year!  Plus, aren't summer birthdays just the BEST?!

Lucy had been asking for a birthday (a burr-day) for weeks, so it was kind of awesome that we got to give her one! She was SO excited!  Coming through a month of so many birthdays (seriously, May, you've hit your maximum), it was fun to have a little celebration mid-June.

Happy HALF birthday, sweet girl! 

This is Two and a Half

Since we live in a condo complex with a pool, we thought there was no better way to celebrate than to take full advantage and have a POOL PARTY!  Thank you to all the cousins and friends and family that came out to make our girl feel special!

My fearless girl swimming

Oh, Amelia Q. You are the best. 

Lucy and one of her FAVORITE people: Sophia

Most of the littles! 

The higher, the better! 

Girl's got STYLE! 

Cousins. 

What party would be complete without a cake and a song? We sang "Happy Half-Birthday". She loved it!

Since we had lots of gluten-free cousins attending, we made a giant rice crispy cake. I highly recommend it! :) 

Malcolm and his GG Nancy

Bubbles and a backpack: heavenly! 

When you're the birthday girl, you are the last to finish your treat... 

7 weeks and 2.5 years

Spraying her bubbles, of course. 

Happy 2.5, LuLu Bear!