The ba-zoo!!!

Aunt Betsey had been wanting to take Adeline to the zoo for a while now. Since we were having our Mommy and Addy day we decided to stay in Olivet that night and go to the zoo the next day. I always talked to Adeline and said THE ZOO but for some reason she calls it BA-ZOO. Aunt Betsey loved on Adeline and Adeline loved on Aunt Betsey. For the most part I tried to step back and let them have their time while Grandma and I carried Andrew but there were a few moments that the three year old in her came out. One for instance was when she didn't want to hold any one's hand and I told her that we couldn't move until she held someones hand. So what did she do? She grabbed her own hand and started walking. Naughty but funny. Another time was when she was adamant about pushing around the stroller with Aunt Betsey's water bottle in it pretending the water bottle was a baby. It took a little convincing to get her back in the stroller so we could walk faster. She is just too funny.

We were all very exhausted when we left but agreed it was a great day! Thank you Grandma for paying our way and thank you both (Aunt Betsey and Grandma) for spending the day with us. We loved it.

Addy and Mommy Day!

I have been wanting to be more intentional with my time with Adeline. Ever since Andrew has been doing more things and becoming much more active I have noticed a change in Adeline's attitude. So....we had an Addy and Mommy day just the two of us. We drove down to Hastings and dropped Andrew off with Nana and the two of us went to the beach for a few hours. We swam, played in the sand, ate lunch (thanks Nana for making it), and just enjoyed each others company. Then we went back to Nana's but stayed outside. We rode around in the golf cart, and took the paddle boat around the pond. After that we went inside because Papa was home and Adeline wanted to see him. We continued to do some fun crafty things that she got for her birthday in the kitchen while Nana and Papa stayed with Andrew. For dinner Papa made us sweet potato pancakes and we devoured them all up. Sorry Papa for not leaving you any :-( We had a wonderful day...I look forward to our next one.

On the beach together

Cool new floaties from Aunt Betsey and Aunt Erin

The whole time she was in the water she was yelling out "Look at me I'm swimming"

She would not take off the Dora floatie

Driving the golf cart..not really..the parking break is on

Nana's pond

Those are fake kids at the end of the dock

Our pretty bracelets

Dressing up our first doll for her Crafty fashion show

You can't really see her but she turned out beautiful

I think Nana forgot how to change boys (you must remember to cover up their you know what). She was tickling him right before she took off the diaper and as soon as she did a fountain appeared. It was pretty funny.

Thank you Nana and Papa! We all had a wonderful day!

Sunday afternoon nap

Big SIster...Little Brother

These pictures were actually pretty difficult to take. With an uncooperative daughter and a son who can't sit up for long, let's just say we settled without a very smiley picture.

The Bean Aunts stay an extra day

Someone is pretty excited to be between both her Aunts

Aunt Betsey and Aunt Erin got this super fun Dora tent for Addy for her birthday. She loves it. We read stories in it all day.
Andrew and Aunt Betsey hanging out
Addy, Aunt Erin, and Curious George

What do you think Brooke?

After seeing Brooke's pictures with long hair we decided to give it a try. What do you think?

Adeline turns 3

Hard to believe that it has been three years since our little Adeline Kay was born. She is quite the extrovert (like her Daddy) and loved everyone being at her party just for her. I watched her birth video (something I do every July 25) and was once again reminded of how miraculous the birthing process is, and how special your first baby being born is. I love this little girl. She brings me so much joy (a little frustration at times) but mostly joy. She loves to learn new things, loves to help, loves to laugh, loves to play, and loves to love. My most memorable times with Addy are little moments when she comes to give me a kiss for no reason or tells me she loves me or holds my legs while I'm sitting on the toilet and says "don't worry Mommy I got you, you won't fall in". I asked her if I could freeze her just the way she is so she can't grow up but she told me "no Mommy I'm getting bigger and bigger". The truth of that statement makes me sad.





We had a special Dora and Diego party for her where many of her friends and family came out to celebrate. It was a beautiful day and the party turned out to be a lot of fun. As you can see someone was very happy when we were singing Happy Birthday to her. I think she realized all eyes were on her and that this was her day.

Happy birthday Addy! We love you!

Special Guests

Friday night before Adeline's party Aunt Aleisha, cousin Michael, and cousin Aliyah came to stay. We had tons of fun. Adeline and Michael really enjoy each others company. They always play so well together and only had a few brother/sister moments. My most favorite part about their visit was when Adeline woke up and Aunt Aleisha started singing "Happy Birthday" to Adeline. We all joined in but when we were done Michael just broke out in tears. It was so cute because he wanted the attention so....I sang "Happy Birthday" to him and all was well with the world.

We took the kids for a walk and Aliyah got to try out the Moby.
Is he really almost 6 months? He looks a lot more grown up to me.

She can do it all:-)

Silly kids
Aunt Aleisha says I need to post more pictures of him sitting up.

James mowing the rest of our yard. Yup, that is our yard. (Adeline and I called it the jungle)

Aunt Aleisha adjusting the swings so the kids don't fight over who gets to swing first.

Michael and Adeline helped make little hamburger cookies for the party

Can you tell they are saying "CHEESE"

A visit with Grandpa and Grandma Forte

After finding out Sunday night that my Grandfather was in the hospital we shifted things around and made a trip back home on Monday. Thankfully as soon as we got there Grandpa was being discharged, he had been there since Friday. Grandma was very worn out and had just had hand surgery two weeks before so she was very quick to let me drive them back when I offered. It was nice to visit at their house rather than the hospital. My Grandma and Grandpa both play a very special role in my life....I can't imagine life without them.

Adeline is VERY afraid of dogs, but loves cats...especially Ralph.

A couple of hours in Olivet

We drove to Olivet after we visited Grandma and Grandpa Forte and hung out for the rest of the evening. When Andrew was first born he held onto some color for awhile but after seeing him next to Aunt Betsy (who just got back from Florida), I think he is as white as his sister.

Grandpa and his Grand kids