Grocery shopping as a family

We kind of got out of the habit of shopping as a family the last couple of months but this month we got back on track. It is much easier for me and I think a fun family outing. We used to let the kids ride in the fun TV carts that play Dora and Thomas but the kids didn't want to share and would fight over who could drive. So this time we went with the regular carts and for a short moment Adeline wanted to ride like Andrew instead of walk.

One day a week....

...each seat of my van is filled with sweet faces.

One BIG reason why it would be hard to leave this house...

I remember having a wall just like this in my house growing up and how hard it was for my mom after seventeen years to leave. I love looking at this wall every day being reminded of my children and how much they have grown. I guess if we ever do move I'll just have to tear a part the wall.

We can see some grass!!!!

Lunch under the table

Today we all ate lunch under the table. The kids love to hide under here or play throughout the day. We just had to make sure that all of the chairs were pulled in and then we could eat.

Addy's Jumping Jacks.....

Just in case you needed a lesson....

Keeping Daddy company at his haircut...

Adeline loves to go with Daddy while he gets his hair cut. We pack her bag with fun toys and treats to keep her busy. All the ladies love her. She talks their ears off if you can imagine that. Maybe someday Andrew will get to come too. He'll have to grow out of his destructive stage before that can happen....I can just see him cutting his own hair before anyone could get to him.

A belated post....

I have been waiting to post this because I needed to get the pictures off of Adeline's camera. So when I finally got around to it somehow all of the pictures were deleted. I promise I didn't do it, it was actually James that was pulling off the pictures so maybe after reading this post you might decide he did this on purpose. This makes me really sad, and here is the reason why. Some (few) of you have had the wonderful opportunity to see some of the pictures Adeline took. There were a couple that were my absolute favorites and I was given James permission to post them. I was so excited. You might be asking what were these pictures? When Adeline got this camera from her Great Uncle Steve for Christmas she was so excited and would take it everywhere. While she was holding on to it she would be pushing the camera button not really knowing what she was taking pictures of. One night James and I decided to take a look at the pictures she had taken, what we saw made us laugh so hard we cried.
You see, our bathroom door is always open in our house. (when there aren't any guests that is). So apparently during one of these open door moments Adeline was in while her Daddy was going #2. James covered himself in the appropriate places but Adeline must have been pressing the picture button constantly because it took shot by shot of James grabbing the toilet paper, wiping, and putting the toilet paper into the toilet. Absolutely hilarious. I am SO sad that they are no more.
So anyways here are some pictures that I took with my camera while Adeline and I went around the house with our camera's on a picture adventure. Unfortunately there are no pictures with her camera to show. We will soon have another picture adventure and I will make sure they don't get deleted.

Visiting Nana

We went to visit Nana and bring her a frozen meal for Papa to make sometime. Adeline knows all too well about surgeries (with Mommy) and being very gentle and loving during this time. As soon as she saw Nana she didn't stop talking and I think that was just the medicine Nana needed. Nana asked Adeline if she was in 2nd grade, and Papa chimed in thinking that she should be teaching 2nd grade. But Adeline informed them that she was only in preschool and would soon be going to kindergarten.
Andrew came in to give some super sweet kisses. You should kiss him sometime, his lips are so soft and warm. I think that was some good medicine too.

We also got to see some fun contraptions Papa made for Nana. The above is so that she can lift her leg. And the bottom is her walker with a cute pink basket attached. What a good husband.

We love you Nana and are praying daily for you and a speedy recovery.

Sunday morning/afternoon..

Sunday we went to church in Olivet. We have many friends that attend this church and it was nice to see them all. Here Adeline is able to get to know Ali who is around eight months older. They hit it off right away. Adeline was in an EXTRA positive mood which made her all the more lovable.

Here is the last picture I have taken of the girls back in 2007. Adeline kept attacking Ali so Ali stayed on the couch for most of our visit. I am glad that our latest interaction went much better. I think they could be best friends.

I was able to meet and hold my great friend Rebecca's baby Aveya. She is about a month and a half and weighs 7.11 pounds. My baby is 32.5 pounds and two years old. I felt like I could run miles holding Aveya. Funny how my back didn't have any aches and pains while holding her.

Rebecca and Aveya came back to the Bean house for lunch and Adeline just loved on Aveya. While the kids napped Rebecca and I were able to catch up. It was great to have that time together.

Aunt Erin watched the kids for us.....

Aunt Erin watched the kids while I went to see my Grandmother. It actually worked out pretty well, I didn't want to overwhelm Erin so I tried to work it out that I would leave once the kids were asleep. Erin stepped into action so that I could run (very important), and then once I was done I got the kids lunch and then took a shower. After my shower I put both kids down and then left to see my Grandma. My hope was that both kids would sleep while I was gone and Erin wouldn't have much to do. Unfortunately Andrew only slept for 45 minutes but Addy did take a good nap. When I got home I heard a lot of commotion coming from the piano and came in to see this sweet sight.

I think the choice of song is perfect! Thanks Erin for loving our kids and for giving up a Saturday to watch them.

Packing, donuts, and cuddles....

We went to Olivet this weekend. My mom had hip replacement surgery and my grandmother had knee replacement surgery a day a part. So this weekend we decided to go back home and while James went to the UofM vs. MSU game I would go and visit my grandmother and Mom. Erin so graciously came up to watch the kids for us. I made it to see my Grandmother who slept the whole time. She looked so peaceful and apparently had a rough night the night before so I wasn't going to wake her up. We decided to go and see my Mom on our way out Sunday night so that the kids could see her and James could be there.

I set out the suitcase to pack for our trip and when I opened it this is what I found. Apparently Andrew had already packed the essentials.....blanket, buzz, and the pacifier.
Adeline went on an adventure Saturday morning for donuts.
This is how Adeline eats her donuts.....frosting first and then the rest of the donut just doesn't seem to taste as good once the frosting is gone.

Andrew slept in until 10:30 but woke up in time for donuts. He was very happy with his sisters choice of blue donut.

Both kids with their Grandma and Grandpa Bean.

Hide-N-Seek

Today we had quite the fun playing hide-n-seek.. First the kids would hide and then I would hide. At one point I hid in the bathroom closet and the kids could not find me so I pretended to sneeze. After that each time Adeline hid she would sneeze so that I could find her. It was also cute because after Andrew's birthday party Adeline played hide-n-seek with her Grandpa Forte and his special hiding place was the bathtub so of course this time Adeline hid in the shower just like her Grandpa. And when it was Andrew's turn to count he would put his hands over his eyes and count un, du, du....... (one, two.....).