Summer, Here We Come!!!

Last weekend officially kicked off our summer - we headed up North to Higgins Lake and enjoyed a great weekend outside with all of the cousins. It was so fun to see how much Paige had grown up since last year - she's definitely turning into a "big" kid! Will enjoyed his first boat ride and the fresh air....We're so excited for summer to finally be here and have the chance to spend so much time as a family.

I know, can you even handle those cheeks???

Paige and Jack - her buddy - she had so much fun playing with him and the rest of the cousins!

Will's first boat ride

Family picture - at least we're all looking at the camera!!!

Two other note worthy things:

1) I think we've finally figured out how to tame Paige's crazy hair.  PIGTAILS!!  She seems to be sporting these most of the time these days and it seems to be working to keep all of those baby hairs out of the way:)  Not to mention we think they're pretty cute on her.

2)  Will's turned another corner in the past few days.  He's now eating baby food and has begun eating every 4 hours and is sleeping consistently from 8 PM - 6 PM.  I'm not sure we could've asked for a more easy going baby - he has just captured our hearts!  

Five and Twenty-Three Months

Will is the happiest, easiest 5 month old around and an absolute charmer....look out ladies because Will has definitely mastered the art of flirting;)  He's doing great and growing more and more each day.  From what I can tell, he weighs about 16 pounds and loves being on his tummy.  He's starting to "swim" on the floor, occasionally pop up on his knees and scoot backwards.  Who knows, crawling may be in our near future!!!  We're loving his constant smile, coos and knew found passion for blowing raspberries. 

As for Paige, this picture says it all - she's a complete ham!!!  She is making us laugh every day with her new words, phrases and gestures.  She's almost 2 and is very much embracing that age!!!  We're learning lots about exploring our independence while learning how to obey.  Needless to say, she pretty much needs to be watched constantly because she is a very curious child!!!  :)  She is also becoming mommy's little helper, which is fun for me.  From "helping" feed Will his bottle or feed the dog, it's a riot to watch her operate like a little mom - she is at such a fun age!!  

Will's 3 month pictures

At the end of March, we had Will's 3 month pictures taken.  Paige is going through a phase where she refuses to smile for pictures so these were the best we could get:) I can't believe how much my little boy has grown and changed even in the past month and half! 

Here are a few of our favorites.....





These were taken by Dan and Beth Maas (www.maasphotography.com)  They also photographed our wedding and Paige's 3 month pictures...it's been fun to have them document our growing family throughout the years - they are wonderful people and do such a great job!! 

Favorite Things!

Now that the weather is finally nice, Paige is obsessed with being outside (or "side" as she calls it).  We can't keep her away from the chalk, big wheel, but especially her car.  I do believe it is her absolute favorite thing right now....

Ben's favorite thing?? Putting together all of Paige's new outside toys - they always seem to be more involved than anticipated so we are having some good laughs about that!

 

Will's favorite thing at the moment is definitely his cereal. The first time I gave it to him, it was like he was saying, "Hello, I've been wanting this for months!!"  He gobbles it right up and I do believe it's helped in him starting to consistently sleep until 6:30 A.M. every day (so that's my favorite thing too!!!)