Everybody Loves Pippy

With Leila about to turn 5 (what?!) going on 13, and Nathan becoming more independent each day (read: opinionated), there are days we don't agree on much in this house...except for one little thing...how much we all adore our little Pippy!  Zoe is the smiliest baby ever (well except for the times she is tired, doesn't want to be set down, or trapped in her car seat too long...but the REST of the time...) and her biggest smiles she saves for her family.  Seriously, it melts my freakin' heart every time I watch her see Matt, Leila, or Nathan come into a room because she just lights up and grins from ear to ear, sometimes kicking her legs wildly and squealing with delight.  Talk about pure joy...for all of us!  It is the purest love that we all share with her and every smile shared between her and one of us makes me fall in love with her even more.

Another month of summer fun...

There have been lots of rainy afternoons.  Love this picture of Leila stomping in puddles.

The Three Muskateers

Putting everything in her mouth

Morning bottle...the bottle looks almost as big as her!

Safety Town graduates!

Fireman Natey

Gorgeous girl

Trying on mommy's wedding dress

 Happy Daddy on Father's Day with the three cutest kids I know

Ready for a day at the Morton Arboretum with Ama!

 We all had a blast (well, maybe not Zoe), but I wish I had a picture of how happy Ama, Leila, and Natey were after finally making it through the garden maze to the big tree house in the middle...it was priceless!

Always backing herself into a corner...

I love summer for lots of reasons, but hanging on the back porch is one of the best!

 Reunited with cousins!  Bubba and the princesses

No, that's not Bob.  But I think she thinks it is.

A treasured visit from the ice cream man!

Papa Chuck and Oma arrived for their summer visit and everyone was all smiles for the extra attention!

Trying out some kite flying...

The newborn days felt so long, but these days now are going too fast.  Love this little girl.

Outside bath 

Leila loves climbing trees these days.  

She pretends the trees in our yard are part of a big outdoor house she lives in.  Brings me back to my childhood!

This little pip is loving her highchair and sitting at the table with Leila and Nathan

Building a tower with Papa C

Sitting on her own and enjoying the back porch

Finished up summer camp and had a celebratory smoothie  

Back to the Arboretum!  

Leila remembered the way through the maze in no time and took Oma to the treehouse.

 First girls day with Oma.  We had lunch and went shopping at the mall.

Just hanging on the stairs.  Why does Leila look like she is more like 10 than almost 5??

The babes with their morning ba-bas

3rd of July, first fireworks show for the kids.  They loved it!  Leila saved her ice cream for about an hour just so she could eat it while watching the show.  Nathan oohed and aahed like a pro, and Zoe even stayed up to catch a few minutes before passing out mid show in Daddy's arms.  

4th of July

Post parade popsicles

Private party

Mini golfing!

Mommy and her girls

Upside down Zoe...love that chin!

 Happy Birthday to Papa!

Two year olds just chillin

And the 4 year olds, too cool for the "baby" table

Leila has been in swim lessons for the past couple of weeks, so Natey's normal routine is to sit on this big rock and eat snacks for a half hour every morning.

7 months

Watching her sibs while eating dinner in the garage...we are fancy.

We are having such a great summer!  I'm working on cherishing as many moments as I can before we get busy with the upcoming school year.  I can't help but feel like it is the end of an era as my baby girl will soon be in full day Kindergarten!  Lots of summer still ahead though, so I'll stifle my sappiness for now and look forward to making more summer memories...