Benj, Melinda, Jason, Kaitlin, and Samantha

Camping

Last week we got to go camping at Cape Lookout. We have an amazing tent that fit two port-a- cribs, a mattress for Jason, and a king size blow up mattress for Benj and I and despite it being really cold everyone slept really well! Jason loved playing in the water and sand. Thank goodness Grandma Lloyd was there because she was the only one willing to brave the water with him.

Jason really wanted his picture taken on this log. As soon as he got on top he discovered there was a big hole in the middle. Benj teased him and told him it was a raccoon house. He was so scared! This the best smile I could get out of him after that.

Sitting Up

Check up

Our girls are 6 months! Time is going by so fast and I can't believe how fast my tiny little babies have grown into rolling and scooting, chubby little girls. Here are their stats and some fun tid bits about them.

Samantha is full of energy, loves to play with her toys. She will give you the sweetest open mouth crinkled nose smile if you just look at her. Her favorite thing to do right now is to lay on her back and push herself backwards. She scoots all over the house looking backwards at where she is headed. She can roll from her belly to her back and from her back to her belly and is getting better and better at sitting up on her own. She has quite the war cry scream. She doesn't do it when she is mad, but instead when she is just playing or just wants someone to look at her. She will not fall asleep unless she is swaddled or at least holding onto her blanket, but is good at falling asleep on her own. She loves her parents and gives great hugs and snuggles and especially loves to rub faces with you. She weighs 17lbs 6oz and is 27.5 inches long.

Kaitlin is mellow and quieter than her sister, but lately thanks to some teeth coming in has definitely found her voice for sure! She loves to watch her brother and will giggle and giggle at him being silly. She also loves when her daddy or brother play peek a boo with her. She is great at rolling from all positions and tries really really hard to sit up by herself while laying on her back. She is going to have the strongest core from all her palliate moves. Kaitlin loves to give kisses and will grab your face and pull it towards her mouth for a slimy one. One of her favorite things to do is jump in her Johnny Jumper. She loves being cuddled in a blanket as well and will fall asleep really fast in her bed if I just rub her face for a minute or so to get her sleepy. We think she is going to be a dancer because she is always wiggling and bouncing. She weighs 17lbs 6 oz and is 27 inches long.

And, they are both loving this real food thing! We try really hard to stay clean, but it is hard when you are negotiating two mouths and four hands trying to grab the spoons and the food!

We love our little precious girls and are so thankful for them in our family!

(Kaitlin is on the left, Samantha is on the right)

They are just following in their big brothers footsteps!

It's hot today!

Vacation

We decided to make a fast trip to Utah for the 4th of July. Benj's family was all going to be there and we had his brother and sister-in-law's baby Clair and my brand new nephew Davis who was just born a week and a half ago to meet. We also got to see my parents in the Tri-cities along the way and my grandparents in SLC. I was VERY nervous about how everyone would do in the car, but our kids were wonderful thanks so some books on CD, Where's Waldo books, and naps. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we did get to hit at least some highlights while in Utah like going up the canyon, watching the parade in Provo, eating at Cafe Rio, and seeing all of the new buildings at BYU.

And, after traveling for 14 hours last Tuesday to get home Jason said "that was not too long!"

On the way home we stopped at Multnoma Falls to stretch our legs.

My nephews Isaac and Micah holding their new tiny and cute brother Davis.

Watching the parade.

Sleeping at the park.

Cute cousin Eliza.

Cousin Clair with my girls.

Summer has begun!

With the record amount of rain we have been having here the sunshine today was wonderful! We spent the afternoon outside. Jason played in the water, the girls lounged in their stroller watching kids play, and I got to spend the day with Benj who is officially free for the summer. It was a good afternoon.

Happy Father's Day to me

I’m the luckiest dad in the world and I’ve spent the last couple of days with my family waiting on me hand and foot. Check out my father’s day gift. Melinda let me go to Home Depot early Saturday morning and pick up some supplies and then watched all the kids for 4 or 5 hours while I built myself a workbench out in the garage. My wife is amazing, I mean, check out that garage real estate, that could have been shelving or something but she wanted me to have a little work area. I think I’ll stay up late tonight just to relish the last few hours of what has been a wonderful father’s day.