Since March

This Spring and Summer have been packed with building memories. Though I haven't shared, our camera has been going nonstop to capture everyday moments to terrific outings. Sorting through to highlight the events, well that seems impossible. Maybe thats why I should try and make posts more regularly. Here are a few snapshots of our adventures. The kids are growing so fast, and we are hearing new phrases from them everyday. I think we could host a show on funny kid quotes with a very verbal Ava and Ainsley who is trying to repeat and hold her own. Lately Ainsley's favorite response is a drawn out, "Nope" with a cheesey smile attatched. "Ains, did you go stinky?.... Nnnope" Truth seems to escape her in some of those moments! Ava is a data base of facts that you may or may not have wanted her to remember. Her latest embarassing repeat to a neighbor. "Ainsley bit me twice. Mommy says if she does it again, mommy will bite her so she knows what it feels like." Meanwhile Ainsley is standing at Ava's side nodding in agreement with a wide grin. Ava usually gets her facts straight.

On to the pictures that I promised!

In June we celebrated Ainsley's 2nd Birthday.

Hanging out in Grandpa and Grandma's pool for the 4th.

The girls love to help bake, or eat any ingredient that I allow while I bake.

Caleb enjoyed the sweet treats celebrating his 1st birthday July 30th. He did not enjoy the empty plate.

Chad, Brian and I took a trip to the zoo with the older cousins. We had a wonderful time and love watching the cousins bond. Chase raced the cheetah with incredible speed! Ava and Ains were cute in their attempts, but not so quick!






Phil gave me this delightful chocolate raspberry cheesecake for my birthday. It is not even store bought. On a totally unrelated note, Phil has a new office assistant who loves to bake! And I love her!! (Caleb's cheesecake compliments of Meg as well :))

Ainsley enjoying floating in Grandma's other pool. She is very independent and not afraid to be unique!

Sunny Days and Wandering Thoughts

We have enjoyed going to the park on these sunny days. The girls have so much fun together and are beginning to be more outgoing towards the other park goers. Meech just chills. He is so laid back and content just watching all the action from the stroller. Currently, he is working on cutting his fifth tooth. This past week, Ava walked across the street with our neighbor and was chatting her ear off. I watched from my garage thinking surely Ava is not that big. They are all growing too fast. Ainsley said the longest sentence I have understood from her today - fourteen words in a row. (it was a joke that Phil tells her and Ava everyday when he gets home from work. He was talking on the phone and she tried to tell him.) Really though... they are all growing so fast. Every day, even though they are full of challenges, I am so thankful God has allowed me to stay home to watch my children learn and grow. They are each such a beautiful blessing.

Caleb's Debut

We really did have a son. Finally 6 months later, there are pictures to prove!
Caleb is the most calm baby we've had. He is affectionately called, "Meech" after Phil's grandpa Dimitri Kostaroff. Ava and Ainsley adore him, kind of obsessively. Our little man is getting big so fast! I have shared pics through facebook, but here are a couple of more recent ones for the blog!

Phil was gone on a church retreat this past weekend, so I had look for different activities to pass the time. Saturday we headed to Victory Farms to see our vegetables in the ground and a couple cousins! We called Lana on the way and she and Kyle met up with us at the farm. The girls LOVED Kyle as you can see (he couldn't say no to holding them). Ava had a blast working with Leslie harvesting. Thanks for giving up your time to help our girls experience the farm Leslie, Lana and Kyle!

Sisters

I don't know what it's like to have a sister, but I can already tell it's a pretty awesome bond! These two girls amaze me with their love for each other. Ainsley is always eager to give Ava a hug and snuggle up to her. Ava is ready with open arms and with a few kisses to add of her own. This morning Ava requested to feed Ainsley and has been sharing bite for bite her English muffin and then notifying me that Ainsley needs more. Her words, "Actually, Ains is still hungry. And actually I want more too."

Ava's infatuation with books has rubbed off on little sister too. They are now found in the book cabinet often just flipping through! This could be VERY good as baby #3 is so close. Any safe, contained activity is strongly encouraged!

Ainsley's 1st Birthday!

Great Grandma and Grandpa Cummings came to party with Ainsley!

Great Grandma Tina and Grandpa Jerry reading the book they gave her.

Ainsley chowing on her cake.

A happy party girl!

Pictures to Please

Easter Egg hunt at Grandpa and Grandma Kostaroff's house. Ava had a great time and made sure to promptly eat any treat tucked inside before anyone could suggest otherwise.

Ava and Phil with the toy galimoto Uncle Jim and Aunt Suzie gave her. The little guy pedals his bike as you push him along. Aunt Suzie helps out at a Fair Trade store in Michigan and is always giving the girls one of a kind gifts!

Ava pulling toy behind her. Worth mentioning why she has chosen to put toys between her legs and dance around... Phil has taught her that when she scores a goal in hockey she is to ride the stick around the room. Great. Thank you Phil.

Phil got new hockey socks that were small for him but obviously just the right size for Ave. No, she will not be playing hockey. As she is obsessed with her daddy, she has taken to his sports as well!

For A Brief Moment

Today, I must make a note of Ava's response when Phil asked who her best friend in the whole wide world was... "My momma, mommy, her (pointing to me)". Too soon, I am sure, I will be far from that! For the moment the whining, stubbornness, and stinky diapers were erased from my memory as I soaked in her loving words.