Is it the end of summer already??

 It's hard to believe that school is starting up again in just a week and a half! Too bad the lazy days of summer can't keep going ... :) It's been such a blessing to have Matt home earlier each evening and all day on Fridays. We'd keep Daddy home with us every day if we could! We thank God for the fun that we've been able to have together as a family this summer, and we'll just have to be more creative about finding family time throughout the school year!

Here are some of the things we've been up to since getting home from Billings a couple of weeks ago, in no real order ...

Right when we got home, we received a really cool package from Kim's cousin Marcie. She included supplies and directions for various fun activities Kim and Ian could do together! Isn't that super thoughtful and creative?? We haven't done all of the activities yet, but here are a couple that we have ...

Ian thought it was really fun to be able to spray the window with water and then attach foam shapes. When he was done, he asked if I thought the shapes would still be hanging there the next morning. I said that I didn't know, but he could try it and see. The first thing he wanted to do after waking up the next morning was look at the window. "They're still there!" he excitedly exclaimed, even though about half of them had fallen to the windowsill.

Another fun activity was stringing Fruit Loops onto yarn. Watch Ian's technique in the video ... hilarious! :)

One night, Matt noticed that there were two frogs just outside our back door. Ian had just gone to bed, and since he was still awake, we asked if he wanted to see some frogs. Of course, he agreed! He kept saying, "Frog! Frog! Frog!" and giggling as they jumped around and out of his hand.

On one car ride, Ian fell asleep while on his "computer." So cute!

Ian has been very excited lately about painting. Here, he was experimenting with putting various things in and through the paint ... paper towel rolls, trucks, cars, and a roller.

Ryan loves his Daddy!

One morning during Ryan's nap, Kim and Ian had fun playing with water in the backyard.

Ian got to make his first banana split. He loved it (as if we had any doubt).

Last Thursday, our family went to the downtown Houston Children's Museum. They have free family night each Thursday from 5-8 PM. Since Ian is too young to appreciate many of the exhibits, we thought it would be nice to go while it was free instead of paying $9 per person. Apparently everyone else in Houston also thought it would be a good night to go to the museum. It was CRAZY busy! Nevertheless, we were still able to have a good time (though we plan to ONLY go to free family nights DURING the school year from now on!) :)

Ian loved the water exhibits!

(random side note ... thanks for the cute shorts, Amaloo ... and the cute shirt, Jenn!)

Daddy and Ian enjoyed their silly reflections in the funky mirrors.

Ian thought the obstacle course was pretty cool.

Probably Ian's most favorite activity, though, was this musical-instrument-sort-of-thing where the dropping balls hit chimes that created melodies.

Kim found a kindred spirit at the museum. After laughing about our matching nursing covers, we had a great time chatting!

Ian raced his Lego car down the ramp (which was MUCH too steep for any vehicle to actually stay on the track). He didn't seem to mind picking his car up off the floor each time.

"shopping" at HEB

checking out at the cash register

Vet Ian

Ryan is getting a little more tolerant of tummy and back time on the floor. Here he is laying on a beautiful quilt that Kim's Aunt Jeanene and cousin Marcie made. The back has really cute puppies that Ian loves. :)

Our friend, Lauren, and her baby Lillie (two months older than Ryan) at church.

Lauren and Kim with Melissa and her baby Cate (born one month after Ryan)

Ian enjoyed using some fun new stampers.

As always, Ian loves helping in the kitchen. He was thrilled to be able to be in charge of the cookie scooper and actually did a pretty good job with it!

One afternoon, Ian got to experiment with shaving cream. Boy, was this ever fun!

Can you guess what activity we tried right after the shaving cream?? Hint: It involved a HOSE!! :)

Our small group decided to commemorate the Olympics (which we've been having a blast watching each night! Have you?) by having our own small group Olympics.

penny toss in the pool

Daddy carry-all-your-offspring-and-hula-hoop race (Matt F. and Riley, Tim and Christopher/Mackenzie)

Zach/Zane and Kyle/Caleb

a video of Matt and Ian racing Jonathan/Nate/Anna


This was Ian's first running race (are you proud of his form, Uncle Andrew?? :)) We had to explain to the kids which direction to run and how a "race" worked. Ha ha! None of them was interested in who won. They all just wanted to touch the crepe paper finish line and kept asking to do it again and again. Who needs fancy games when just plain running is just as fun?

baby Lillie takes a dip in the pool

Ryan got a medal for his participation in the Olympics

so did Caleb and Ian

Ian is still attached to this party favor we got at Zane's party almost two months ago. Ryan thinks it's pretty cool, too. (Ian still loves to "participate" during tummy time. This time, Ian chose a beautiful afghan that Kim's Aunt Mary and cousin Brielle crocheted. Isn't it lovely?)

We had our friends Eric, Carrie, and Melissa over for dinner. Melissa was very sweet with Ryan and did a good job holding him!

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