happy birthday!

We went to Michigan to celebrate Trevor's 2nd birthday with a "Thomas the Train" party (Erin and Adam also celebrated their 25th and 22nd birthdays - the theme was really for them.) Trevor wore his conductor hat and special ribbon while opening a wooden "choo choo" set and eating his special train cake. Other highlights of the trip included picking apples at Crane's Orchard and seeing a sunset on Lake Michigan.

traffic jam

Here is Trevor creating a traffic jam - one of his favorite activities. Perhaps, he will be the engineer to help Aunt Erin by fixing L.A.'s freeways.

spaghetti

Trevor enjoys eating "noodles."

rubba-dub-dub

Joel's smiling in the tub!

vacation

We've returned from a week of vacation with the Nelson family. The entire clan stayed at a cottage in Nashville, Indiana. Despite the heat wave, we checked out the town, went to the Brown County State Park, took-in a butterfly garden, and "judged" the 4-H animals at the fairground. Trevor had fun playing with his Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, and Uncles. Joel was his smiley self, and he enjoyed looking at his toy butterfly. Here are some pics of: "special" Joel, Trevor playing piano with Tara and Troy, Trevor donning shades at the butterfly garden, and Trevor with "happy hands" at the fairground.

horse

Talking to a horse all day can be exhausting so Joel needed some R & R.

cupcakes

Trevor "helped" frost and sprinkle cupcakes for a church function.

tweet, tweet, quack, quack

Last week, I took the boys on the train to Michigan to see Oma, Papa, and Uncle Bud. Highlights for Trevor included: feeding the birds at the zoo, practicing lacrosse skills (and seeing a game), swimming, and feeding ducks. Highlights for Joel included: sleeping on the porch swing and flashing the occasional grin.

independence day

Happy fourth of July! Trevor went to his friend Evie's birthday party/ barbecue where he swam, ate cake, and pushed a stroller - all while donning a swim diaper and patriotic hat. Later, he went to see fireworks with Todd while I put Joel to bed.

filling out

Joel with oh-so-squeezable cheeks!

ready, set, slide

Trevor loves playing on his swingset, especially the slide. He has taken to calling anything with an angle a "slide."

smile

Yeah! Joel can smile and not just in his sleep! He is being less fussy during his awake periods, which lessens the noisiness that is our house :)

Trevor and Baby Ju

So, Trevor finally said "Joel" and it comes out as "Ju." Until now, Trevor has been referring to Joel as "Baby." He was very excited to hold Baby Ju for the first time yesterday and decided to give him a hug.

tractor

We visited the Lubberts Farm this week, and Trevor had a great time looking at the ducks and sheep. However, his highlight was sitting on the tractor and going for a ride.

concert

Grandpa and Grandma (Nelson) came for a visit to meet Joel and to play with Trevor. They attended a concert in the park, played with Thomas the Train, read books, took walks, and played outside.

park

Trevor had fun going down the slide and using the swing at the park; later, we played in his turtle sandbox.

one month

Today, Joel turns one month. So far, his favorite activities include: eating, sleeping, fussing, and spending time with his bro.

boo boo

Trevor fell on the cement and skinned his knees. Here he is before the accident playing outside and afterwards cleaning his knees in the bathroom. Instead of letting me put the Clifford band-aid on his boo boo, he insisted that it go on his shirt.

mommy's monster

The shirt says it all... he sure can roar!

my couch

Trevor was cool with allowing Joel to sit on his Sesame Street couch until Joel's foot ventured onto Trevor's half of the seat.