Day Trip to Durham

On July 12, we had to get up super early for dentist appointments in Durham.... While we were there Eli, Emmett and I stopped by the Eno and saw Karen and looked at all the fun animals in the park office. Then Andrea, the boys and Doc went to a playground while I was at the dentist. After our checkups we had Eli's nap time at Andrea's parents and then spent the evening with Jon, Laura and Emma!! They fixed an awesome meal and we had a blast playing with the kids!

Eli and his night time friends,
rudely woken up for a car ride!

As you can see they all don't really fit into a car seat.

Jon, Emma and Eli reading books.

We all had a fun time with the night time cow!! Unfortunately Emma wouldn't dance for the camera, but she can shake her booty!!

Emmett Dancin' & Talkin'

This video is of the boys playing on the play mat. It is hard to get video of just Emmett on the mat when Eli is awake, he loves his brother! Emmett will talk while he is on the mat, but when you pick up the camera he doesn't make much noise... We now think he may become as much of a talker as Eli is!

Red, White & Blue

On July Fourth Grandma Mutti and Grandpa Vati came for a visit. I, of course, was working but we enjoyed their visit.

Emmett in his favorite position, hanging over your shoulder.

Grandparents and two of their grandchildren,
in their Red, White and Blue!

Eli being sweet with his brother!

Eli and Emmett!

Fun at the 'Frows

For Andrea's birthday weekend we went to the Renfrow's house. We had a fun time playing around the house, celebrated at Olive Garden, and played at the pool. Unfortunately, we only took two pictures!

Claire, Eli and Wyatt zoned out in front of
the TV eating ice cream cones!

In the zone!

Frogs & Toads

On June 22 and 23 I went to the Troutman Library (as part of work) and presented two programs for their summer reading program. I showed the kids all about frogs and toads. The programs were a lot of fun and I brought home the frogs and toads before I let them go.

Eli really liked them.

You will notice there is a green sponge in one of the aquariums. Eli looked at the frogs and toads for about 20 minutes for the one day. About a month and a half after this day I took a green sponge out of the cabinet to clean up a mess and Eli pointed at it and said "That for frogs". The kid blows me away!!!!!

Smiley guy on his pillow.

Morning at the Lake

On June 21, we went down to the swim beach at the park to enjoy the sand and water as a family. We had a good time and Eli enjoyed both the water and the sand. Emmett, of course, slept through most of it!

Our setup.

Sacked out #1.

Eli and Mama in the water.

Dada and Eli in the water.

Sacked out #2.

Emmett at One Month

Of course, June 19 was also Emmett's one month birthday! He slept through the raptors at the swim beach but I think he had a fun day!

Hanging out in his chair.

Cute profile.

Keeping a good eye on the action.

Raptors

On June 19, the Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) came out to the park. This was one of three times they will come out this year. I was able to get a grant from the Friends of State Parks and secure the visits as part of our celebration of the year of birds!

The CRC brought a red-tailed hawk (right)
and a barred owl (left).

People checking out the birds.

Eli checking out the birds.

Eli and the red-tailed hawk.

The CRC is a rescue and education organization
andyou can visit their site in Mecklenburg County,
it's pretty neat!

Crocodile

At the end of May a new library opened in Troutman. This has been such a blessing because Andrea likes going to the library but wouldn't go very often because they were both at least 30 minutes away. Now we have one less than 6 miles away!!! The staff is great and I am doing some programs for them as part of the summer reading program too! On June 16, Andrea, Eli and Emmett went to the summer reading kick off and had a blast! There were starfish, and a crocodile, which Eli got to touch!!!

The Croc Eli got to touch.

Eli checking out the saltwater fish tank.

Grandparents Meet Emmett

On June 8 my mom, dad and Pops came to NC to meet their newest grandson/great grandson! It was a quick trip but good to have them, as always!

Grandma and Emmett

Grandpa and Emmett

Dada's Hat

Here are some more pics of Eli playing with the water table. His head is so big I was able to fit one of my hats to his head!!!

Eli pourin'.

Eli cheesin'

Eli wondering why I am taking so many pictures!

Box Turtle

One evening while everyone was over it was drizzling and we saw an Eastern Box Turtle out by the end of the driveway. Of course, I had to go grab it and introduce the kids to it!!!

Dada and the Box Turtle

Claire meeting the turtle.

We were able to get Eli and Claire to touch the turtle, but Wyatt wanted nothing to do with it!

Granted we had to tell Eli to tap it like a drum, but he was gentle!!

It was really fun meeting the turtle.

Here is a video of the kids meeting the turtle!

Picnic at Morrow Mountain

On June 2nd we took a trip to Morrow Mountain on a reconnaissance mission for a possible Superintendent position. Mutti was staying with us for the week to help us out, and it was AWESOME! The five of us met Alison and her kids there and we enjoyed a picnic at the summit. We were cut short by a thunderstorm but we had a good time. This is also where we camped last fall. After we toured the park Alison the kids and Lucy all came back to the house and stayed for a couple of days.

Picnicing at one of the CCC shelters.

We noticed that there was a Brown Thrasher nest right next to the picnic shelter. Here you can see some of the chicks calling for food.

From where we were eating we could watch both parents catching insects and worms in the picnic area and then take them back to the nest to feed the babies.

The whole gang... Lucy's nose is barely visible behind Andrea's back, but she is included :-)

Auntie Alison, baby Emmett and Claire.

Other Late May Pics

These are just some fun pictures of life around the house.

A Mourning Cloak that landed on one of the supports for the deck.

Eli in the big swing.

Emmett swaddled up.

A stretch that's almost as big as the newborn shorts he is wearing :-)

Dada and the boys. I played with the facial hair while I had two weeks off, but it didn't last long once I got back to work.

Snack time in the blue chair.

We think that brown is his color!

Emmett really likes to just hang out over your shoulder.

Playing on the playmat.

Ahh brothers :-)