Go Indians!

Friday night we went to the Indians game. It was a beautiful night and very crowded. They boys had lots of fun. We were able to find a spot out in right field right in front row. It was good for the boys because they were very close to the outfielders and were able to see some action. There was even a home run hit about 15 feet from us.

Daddy and the boys went back to play some catch for awhile and while they were gone Mommy and Cooper acquired a new T-Shirt. Since we were right up against the fence I grabbed Cooper and kind of pulled a "Michael Jackson" and Rowdy threw his last shirt to us. Nobody was there to see it but it was an amazing catch while holding the baby:)

After awhile the airplanes were way more exciting than the baseball game.

Bathtime Fun

Now that Cooper is a little bigger and older I have been bathing all the boys at the same time. It makes it so much easier. Once Cooper gets out the big boys fill up the tub more and play while I get Cooper dressed. Cooper doesn't get a bath as often as his brothers so when they are in the tub he usually stands outside it bouncing up and down wanting to get in. He loves bathtime.

So proud of their dino tattoos.

Before the big boys crash the tub, Cooper gets a little time to himself.

As you can see, Cooper loved having Carson push him around in the grocery cart. It's funny to see Carson doing this because this is what Camden use to do (and still does sometimes) to Carson. **By the way, if we aren't outside this is what Carson usually looks like. Once he goes potty his pants usually don't make it back on.**

Today we went to some trails nearby to ride bikes. Actually the boys rode and we walked with Cooper in the jogging stroller. Carson is doing so well on his new bike and had to tell everyone that walked by that he got a new bike for his birthday.

Favorite Summer Pastime

Oh, how I loved the Greentown Fair when I was growing up. And now we are able to pass the fun onto the boys. It hasn't changed much as Abby pointed out that her apple dumpling stand is still in the same place. Now I go to enjoy the food and watch the boys enjoy themselves on the rides.

A "snail's pace" is about the pace Carson likes his rides to go. His favorites were the ones where he didn't have to hold on for his life and there was a MAXIMUM height requirement. He is ultra relaxed on the dinosaur ride.

Camden on the other hand was bored on the little rides. He was wanting so badly to go on the bigger ones. He did go on the Scrambler and these swings with Andrew. Chris and I were the worried parents on the ground telling him to leave his seatbelt on and hold on. He didn't listen to the latter. If you look closely he is waving to us on the ground. The giant behind him is Andrew. Andrew reminds me Will Ferrell in the "Elf" especially next to Camden.

Even Cooper took a ride on the Carousel with Papaw. He was cracking up looking at himself in this mirror. He loves being apart of whatever his brothers are doing...already!You can't tell but Cooper is laughing and "biting" Carson and it is tickling him.

Carson's 3!

Finally...not finally that Carson turns 3 (it seems like yesterday my sister was coming up to stay the night with us to watch Camden while we went to the hospital), but finally for Carson that it is his turn to have a birthday. With Mommy, Daddy, and Camden all having birthdays within a month of each other it seems like an eternity to a little boy to have to wait for his birthday to come around in summertime. We had a great time celebrating his birthday dinosaur style. **All of the photos are in the web album**

Digging for Dinosaur eggs

They have so much fun together.

He loves this kite! He wanted so badly for it to fly but unfortunately there aren't many windy days in the middle of July. This started a meltdown that led to going to bed early.

He fell asleep reading books and getting ready for bed. This is what happens when you don't have a nap and celebrate your 3rd birthday in the same day.

Fireworks!!!

The boys were waiting for this moment all week long. I was just praying that the rain would stop enough to let the show go on (for the boys' sake of course). I never thought the day would come where I was hoping they wouldn't cancel the fireworks. Oh, the things you will do to put a smile on your kids' face. It was cold and still spitting rain but we were still able to see them. (Keep scrolling down to see pics from Nadia's birthday party)

It's not often that we have to dress in jeans and sweatshirts for the 4th of July.

Cooper was sleeping but after a few bursts of loud fireworks he was up to watch the show. He liked the lights but wasn't so sure of the noise.

Nadia's 3rd Birthday

We had the rain to thank for spoiling the outdoor fun at Nadia's Tinkerbell birthday party. But that didn't stop the kids from having lots of fun inside. Instead they played dress-up and danced...and in an all girl household that means you dress-up in princess costumes even if you are a boy. Now I have to say that my boys LOVE dressing up in princess costumes (and I'm okay with it for now:) Nadia and Carson were having so much fun dancing together.

I suppose if he has to dress-up in little girl costumes I have to give him credit for picking out one that goes with his tan.

Camden found the Tinker Toys to be much more fun than dressing up. Maybe this is a sign he is getting older because he typically would be right there in the mix dressed up with the rest of them.

ahhh...don't they look so cute!

Even Bennett wanted to join in on the dress-up party. He didn't want to feel left out.

Fruit Puffs...they melt in your mouth

Well even though Cooper doesn't have any teeth he chews fruit puffs like he has a mouth full of them. Below is a video of the boys feeding Cooper some puffs. He decided (all of a sudden) that he doesn't like any vegetable baby food. The other night for dinner I was eating green beans and he was getting so mad because I wouldn't give him any. I decided that I would try to give him a little bite and he loved it which is good because that is the one vegetable that he never ate as baby food. Now he thinks he can eat anything that I am eating.

Carson apparently thought Cooper needed more toys to play with. He took every toy in Cooper's basket out and put it next to him.

Run, Swim, Eat Cake

Saturday we headed up to Kokomo to celebrate my Dad's birthday and it turned out to be a jammed packed day full of fun. We started off downtown at the Haynes Apperson Sports Festival. Camden and Carson first watched Memaw finished 2nd in her age group (way to go Memaw!) in the 3-mile walk and then they particpated in the Kiddie track and field events which were the 25-yard dash and the standing long jump. Camden did both events getting 2nd in the run and 4th in the long jump. Carson scratched the jump (clamming up at the last minute) but shined in the run getting first and also getting his picture in the paper with Uncle Drew (Andrew was also in the paper at about this age for the same event). We then headed to the pool to cool down before heading back to celebrate Papaw's birthday.

1st place in the 25-yard dash...Uncle Drew you can't take credit for this one.

The look of determination...or better yet the fear of losing. I have never seen him try so hard. He DID NOT want to lose. It was a close finish and he thought it was a tie. Thankfully at this age it is all about getting a ribbon and he was happy when they gave him his.

Check out the form...he must take after his mommy:)

Carson doing one of many belly flops off the diving board.

The babies even enjoyed the day at the pool. Abby's blog has some cute pictures of day as well.

Such brotherly love.Happy Birthday Papaw! (Cooper was worn out from the day)

Red, White, and Blueberries

Last week we went to a berry farm nearby to pick some fruit. They are best known for their strawberries but strawberry season was over. So we picked blueberries and black rasberries. We all had lots of fun finding the ripe ones (and even eating a few right off the bush). The boys learned a lot about how the berries grow and couldn't wait to take them home to eat some with their lunch.

Cooper enjoyed his view and trip to the farm as well.

Notice the blueberries on the ground...we had just finished picking blueberries and were getting ready to head over to the black rasberries when Carson decided to dump them out. He didn't have a container to put the rasberries in.

Backyard Fun...

Now that the rain as been gone for awhile and the extreme heat has decided to stay we have been taking advantage of being outdoors. A lot of the outdoor time has been spent in the water in order to stay cool.

Camden was taking Carson on a ride up and down the sidewalk on our neighbor's bike.

We had to get a new pool this year. Our other one bit the dust (after 3 years) and I went ahead and got a little one for Cooper to play in too. The big boys abandoned theirs to come play with Cooper.

Monkey see, Monkey do!

Here's what Cooper looks like after a biter biscuit. There seriously needs to be warnings printed on the box saying that these are extremely messy and to strip the baby naked and give only before a bath is needed.