Beautiful Day for the Zoo!

It was such a gorgeous day outside today, we decided to head to the zoo!  We had a great day walking around seeing all the animals.  We also went to see the new Dinosaur exhibit there...and as you can tell from some of the pictures, one of the kids was a little less excited about the lifelike robotic moving dinosaurs!!  I thought they were awesome!!!  We also got to see a baby antelope that was just two weeks old.  We had a great time, as usual!  

Handy Natey

Nate has been obsessed with this Handy Manny Toolbox for years.  Henry has one and every time we go over there, he is in love with it.  Last Christmas, my mom tried to buy him one, only to find out that they were discontinued a few years ago!  And...they were on eBay for over 100.00!!!!  Sorry Nate, not happening.  I've been keeping my eye out for this toy for a while now and the price has come down to a reasonable 30.00...so I surprised Nate by ordering him a gently used toolbox.  This kid never asks for anything, he never wants a ton of stuff...but he was beside himself when I opened the box (and cloroxed it)  He has been playing with it non stop for days.  He even slept with Filippe (the phillips screwdriver) last night.  I love seeing him so happy.  

Sprinkler Fun

Today, after camp, we decided to have some fun in the sprinkler!  It's such a beautiful day outside and the lawn needed watering...killing two birds with one stone :)  

Nathan

The past few posts were a little "Charlotte-focused," but Nate's still here and his usual happy self!  Here are some shots of him helping Grandpa water the flowers on Father's Day.  

Paging the Tooth Fairy!

Today, Charlotte lost her second tooth.  That thing has been hanging by a string since last night.  I finally couldn't take it anymore, I grabbed a tissue, told her I wanted to wiggle it and yanked it. It is now tucked safely in her tooth pillow awaiting the tooth fairy this evening.  She's growing up too fast!!!

Daddy and Charlotte checking out the tooth before bed...it didn't go down the drain this time!!!

 Baby tooth!

 Getting ready to go to bed..Greta gave her this nightgown.  It was her favorite before she outgrew it...now it's Charlotte's favorite!  I have to wash it constantly...she wants to wear it all the time!  

 Putting it in her pillow

 One day...one day...they will appreciate all of these pictures I take of them, just not now.  

 Nate making sure everything is okay in Charlotte's room

 Can you even spot the tooth pillow amongst the Hello Kitty explosion?  

20/20

In preparation for Kindergarten in the fall, we are getting all our ducks in a row...like the eye exam.  Today, both Charlotte and I went for eye exams and we both passed with flying colors.  She was a little nervous, but she did great!  I took the last two pics while my eyes were dilated, so you'll have to excuse the fact that they are a tad out of focus, lol!

Meeting Jack

Charlotte and Nathan got a chance to meet Baby Jack yesterday!  We went over for a quick visit and dinner.  Charlotte loved holding her new cousin, Nate was more interested in playing with Henry :)  

Cousin Sleepover

A few days before Jack was born, Jon and Tracey had a wedding to go to and so Henry came over for a sleepover (well, they picked him up at midnight, but as far as the kids were concerned, it was a sleepover).  They were so excited for Henry to come and play.  Charlotte happily gave up her room so Henry could sleep in there and she slept in the guest bedroom.  If only the weather had been better, it was pouring for most of the day..  

Nate and Henry sitting in Daddy's chair with their sippys playing "Cheers"  They would clink their cups and say "cheers," take a big slug of their juice and then laugh hysterically.  

 Cousin...Buddies

Charlotte couldn't take the guy bonding time for long, she wanted in on that action!

 Cousin snuggles

 We went out to the kids favorite place for dinner...Portillos.

 Charlotte was trying to be as helpful as possible, so cute!

 She is such a great big sister and older cousin

Cousins, Cousins Everywhere!!!

Well, what an exciting few weeks for us!  My niece/nephew count has tripled in size!!!  On May 22nd, Colleen and Andy welcomed Annabelle Grace.  She was a month early and weighed in at 4 lbs, 10oz...but she is perfect!  We were all shocked to get the text that Annabelle's birth was imminent!  And...for the record...Aunt Gina was positive she was going to be a girl (not that I am bragging or anything).  I went to see her the night she was born and she was just a little bundle of perfection!  Nathan got to meet Annabelle a week after she was born, but Charlotte didn't get to meet her until today.   

Aunt Gina and her favorite niece!!!  Get ready to get spoiled, little girl!!!!  

 Baby Annabelle

 Nathan with Ron and Grandma.  He just keep "petting" Annabelle's head. He was totally smitten and curious about her.  I think that little stinker is trying to convince me he would be a good big brother, lol!  

Charlotte and Nate with Annabelle.  I wasn't able to go to Grandma's today...so Kevin was the photographer (which he begrudgingly does when I text him to take pics..he really hates taking pics) Clearly his Android camera totally distorted Charlotte's face.  Kevin said that Nate was scared to hold Annabelle..you can tell he looks slightly terrified here :(

 Charlotte holding her cousin!

And then, on June 3rd, Tracey and Jon welcomed Baby Jackson "Jack" Murphy.  He didn't come into the world with quite the shocking arrival of Annabelle, but he was a perfect little handsome man!!  I went to see him the day after he was born and I got to spend a good hour with him and his mommy and daddy.  It was so great to snuggle yet another nephew.  There is no doubt that this is Jon's baby...he is the spitting image of his dad!  And...Aunt Gina was convinced Jack was a girl, so I am not that good at gender picking, lol!  Jack is just a perfect little man, just like his big brother Henry.  We hope the kids will be able to meet Jack this week!  So, I went from the aunt of one to the aunt of three in just a few weeks time!  We are so very thankful for healthy babies and moms and for new cousins for Charlotte and Nathan.  They are so very excited!  The already love Henry so much, it's nice to have a few more to spread the cousin love around!  

Grandma Mary holding her newest Grandson!

 Big Brother Henry

Jack!