Auntie/Cousin Mandy's Night of Babysitting

We had a great time playing tonight... Eva went from playing, to kissing, to climbing on top of the walker... with Margaret IN IT! Margaret really does hold her own these days though- She has caught up with moving around, so she can either get away or get her revenge!

We had some dinner- then took a bath (messy, MESSY dinner!) They played for a long time in the tubby- we get out EVERY toy, EVERY time! (there's about 50 toys in the basket!)

Then the girls played with the Leap Frog table- What fun!

And as you can see that was the last picture... both girls wanted a bottle... at the same time, of course! And Eva was very jealous- I figured that since she was older, she could hold her own bottle and I would hold Margaret. As you can guess- that didn't go over well- and somehow I ended up holding both of them (at the SAME TIME!) and feeding them their bottles! I don't know how Libby does it every day!! I didn't mind babysitting at all- it was only a few hours. I could even do a whole day I think- but TWINS... holy crap! Anyway-- all is well that ends well- I love those girls so much. I'm so glad they have each other! And I'm so glad I get to be the Auntie/Cousin! 

Eva & Her Fan Club

Jazzy and Guy Have their new favorite friend... at least it's whoever is in the highchair at the time! They're lovin' this whole "baby thing" we've got going in the family now!!! (Not that they don't get spoiled enough by Daddy!) 

Lunch With the Sawkins'

We met Grandma Jan Jan, Kim and the kids (Sebastian & Anya) for lunch before BJ and Collin went to visit Nana & Papa in Florida. Collin and Anya were a little obnoxious, of course... such a cute couple! BJ finished every bite of his adult portion lunch, and Eva and Sebastian shared cherry puffs until their lunches came. Sebastian usually drinks milk, but he needed apple juice like Eva. They're cute too... they just stare at each other and steal and replace each other's pacifiers! The adults tried not to go insane with all the kids so excited to see each other- next time we might need to pick a less public place to let them run wild! The little older ladies sitting next to us got a kick out of the whole thing- I apologized for the kids being so loud and they just giggled and said that it was okay. Of course, everyone always says how cute they all are (especially Eva's hair! I get so many comments about that!) Anyway- we had a nice lunch... we always say we'll get together... and we actually did this time!! Let's do it again soon!!
 

Finally... a TOOTH Picture!

It took about fifteen tries- but we finally got a good view of THE TOOTH! (thanks to Daddy's fun peek-a-boo game!) She got her first tooth July 5th- and her second August 13th (the 2nd one doesn't really show very much yet). She sure does eat like she has a mouth full of them though!!! 

Long Time Friends

Long time friends are the best- aren't they?! I never realized when Jenn and I were in middle school, that someday we'd be visiting each other and playing together with our babies!! The girls were so cute together- they took cues from each other and followed each other around. Eva and McKenna are very close to the same height, as you can tell from the photos- and they both enjoyed climbing up and down the two steps to the playroom! Sorry we didn't get to play with Nolan very much- he was napping for most of our visit. But hopefully we'll get to see you upstate next weekend!!
 

The Long Island Gang

We had such a great time with the family in Long Island- the boys played, the women chatted and everyone ate, of course!! Katie and Kerrin (and everyone else) loved on the baby and Eva wanted every part of it!! 

Hair-Do in the Tubby

Mommy was practicing for pig tails whle Eva was playing in the tub! Her hair is getting pretty long now... soon we'll be able to do all the hair-dos. I'd better get some lessons-- Maybe Aunt Patti and Sami can help?! 

Bowman State Park

It was such a beautiful day for a birthday picnic at the park! The Sawkins' have been enjoying this gorgeous state park for many years now- so it was only fitting for Papa John to want his birthday celebration here! We had to set the timer for a family photo... notice my goofball husband and his "paci"... he says he didn't even realize he did that. He took it out of Eva's mouth so she could smile... good thinkin' Daddy! 

Papa and Eva

Papa is so funny! Especially with those glasses! Eva enjoyed the attention from everyone! 

Introducing... Mr. & Mrs. Collin Fipps!

Collin and Anya "pretended" all weekend that they were married! (they're not REALLY cousins!) Anya was in charge of the planning, of course! They did get in one argument- but Anya didn't want to talk about it!! They got over it in no time- and continued to chase each other around and hang out together! 

Beach Fun!

Collin and Anya are such buddies!






















Big brother Collin posing for a picture with Eva!






















BJ, Collin, Anya and Eva playin' in the sand!

First Time in Sand!

As you can see the reaction was pretty funny! Eva went in a hurry toward the water and came to a screeching halt when she got to the edge of the blanket and hit sand! She didn't really want to touch it with her feet and knees at first- but the water was calling her!! She backed down the beach to the water's edge... then, of couse, she was fine. She's such a water girl! She tasted the water, and the sand, and some rocks... she only has that one tooth- so the sand didn't really grind in her teeth! Actually later in the day we discovered that her other bottom tooth finally came in! (more than a month later!) Eva also enjoyed knocking sand castles over and checkin' out the sand toys! She was upset when we left the beach- but the breeze was a little chilly! 

Picnic at the Sawkins'

"Nana and her Shadow!"

Eva and Sebastian got along great! As you can see they spent some time wrestling around...and playing on the blanket. Sebastian doesn't like grass very much, but we think Eva inspired him to venture out and actually WALK IN GRASS (by his own choice!) Eva was also introduced to the ever popular Doritos! Mommy had to change her clothes when the Doritos were gone- love the orange stains! Eva REALLY loves Doritos!

Sweet & Innocent... for now!

Isn't she a beautiful baby! She's gonna hate this one when she's older- but it's such an innocent look. This is in Jill's front yard too... don't tell Daddy, he'd have a fit!! Eva had just finished swimming- and refused to stay in the towel- so I let her be "free" for a few minutes! 

More Pool Pictures!

Eva and Margaret have such a good time together- They both had "firsts" today... Margaret got her first (and second) tooth, and Eva blew Margaret a kiss. They seem to do new things when they're together. They love each other! 

Eva in her Stroller

Eva was a little bored at the baseball picnic- she enjoyed watching Daddy and Chris play horseshoes though. 

The End of Baseball

We went to the baseball picnic today- and the boys got their trophies! Here's BJ and his partner in crime, Griffin!
These are the before and after pictures of our temper tantrum child... Collin wanted to go in the dunk tank (the disgusting, muddy, kids have been in and out of all day- dunk tank!)... as you can see he got his way. So did BJ. I'm not really one of those parents that won't let their kids do things that the other kids are doing, because they might get dirty- I don't mind dirt- I don't even mind obnoxious and loud... it was just REALLY GROSS! After a bit of arguing, I guess I decided it wasn't worth the battle... choose your battles, they say... so I figured they should get in, get out, and get on with the day. They had a big slide thing, too. It was a beautiful day and the kids had fun (including Brian and Chris with their horseshoes). 

Swimmin' With Grama!

We spent a little time with Grama Colleen, Grammer Carol, and Dozer (Grandpa Cooper!) today... mostly in the pool, of course! 

Eva Loves Daddy!

This was our last night of baseball until next year... (except for the picnic, of course) Eva was getting a little tired!

Water Babies!

The heat is worth it when you see these babies lovin' the pool! Jill reminded me that this is the same pool the boys played in when we lived with them at Jeremy's old house...oh how time flies and things change! It has already been over four years, since we came back home. 

Eva & Margaret Play!

The girls love each other SOOO MUCH! Sometimes a little too much on Eva's part- she's a little aggresive with her "love"- and just plows Margaret over! Poor Margaret- but she's just about big enough to fend for herself. The face at the bottom is the result of us having to remove Margaret from Eva's grip. They don't stay upset for more than a couple seconds- then they're back to playing! Then, every time they have to leave each other they wave good-bye... it's so cute!!