jumpin' in the rain puddles

We have long awaited for the super hot summer days to begin to cool off so that we can enjoy being outside again. What better way to "cool off" than by jumping in rain puddles that 2 days of rain brought us? So, we headed to Target, bought our first pair of rain boots, and spent the late afternoon jumpin' in the rain puddles. We had a blast!

Me & "Sissy"...ready to jump!

...easing my way in to my first puddle...

...and starting to make some splashes...

Then, I thought it would be fun to play in the water, too!

But, jumpin' in the puddles was more fun, so I started jumpin' again...

Then, Averie came to join me...

...we made some big splashes...and had some big laughs together!

Having some water fun!

"Sissy" liked making splashes, too...

...she made really big ones...even while I was watching the water go down the drain!

Then, we held hands and jumped together!

I also watched Averie make big splashes!

My Big "Sissy"

and me...a "big brother" come early February! So, for now, I am still the baby!

And, before we headed inside, we took the last few minutes to run puddle to puddle...laughing...and running again. It was so much fun!

Just my "Sissy" and me

Apple Pickin'

Welcome Fall!!

For some fall family fun, we went apple pickin' for the first time. We went with Poppy, Nana, Uncle Blair, Aunt Blip Blip, & McKinly, and we had a wonderful time. We drove up to Morganton and enjoyed a few hours there. Here is "Sissy" being a farmer...ready to pick some apples.

I am also ready...even if the sun is right in my eyes!

First, we took a wagon ride around the orchard. We loved looking at all the apple trees...and watching the tractor pull us!

Poppy & Nana with their 3 grandchildren...as of right now! 2 more grandchildren will be added in February and April!

Enjoying the tractor ride!

After the tractor ride, we took a few pictures...

...got in a wagon...

...and went on our way to pick some yummy apples!

I am ready to pick an apple...

Daddy (otherwise known as my "hero") picked me up and helped me find just the right apple. I had fun picking it...and later eating it!

My Daddy & Me

Then, it was "Sissy's" turn...she was excited about her apple choice!

Then, it was time to taste these yummy apples...

...and we loved them!

We loved sitting there...enjoying our freshly picked apples!

Our Family...having fun together!

Me...

...and Averie!

We sure had a wonderful time...and enjoyed eating lots of freshly picked apples for over a week!

18 weeks and counting...

Here is a picture of our Mommy...with our baby sibling! She is 18 weeks along, and she is feeling much better! (Mommy was pretty sick the first 16 weeks!) This past Friday, she & Daddy went to the doctor for the big ultrasound. And, they told us that the baby is going to be a...just kidding! They really didn't tell us...and they didn't find out either! But, they did find out that the baby is healthy...and right on schedule for his/her size! (I was the same way, but Brady was about 4 weeks ahead of schedule already at this appointment!) Daddy & Mommy were very thankful for such a good news...and we are super excited to meet our sibling sometime around Feb. 4. Until then, we kiss Mommy's belly every day...awaiting his/her arrival!

a new beginning...

Today was a big day (Tuesday, Sept. 7)...a new beginning for Mommy...both of her sweet children are in preschool. I (Averie) started TK, and Brady started preschool. We are at the same school, and we love that. I get to go 5 days a week now (big change from 3 days a week last year), and Brady goes for 2 days a week. We both love our teachers and are super excited about our school year!

Our picture in our "back to school" outfits...

Backpack on, lunch packed...I am all ready for school...

...and so is Brady Boy!

We are all smiles for our 1st day of school!

Mommy caught us looking at a very loud truck that went past us...I was holding Brady's hand so he wouldn't be scared!

And, one last picture before we got in the car...my brother and me!

We had a wonderful day...we both loved our teachers, loved the playground, and loved the fun we had in the classroom!

After Brady's nap, I decided to read him one of his favorite books, Dinosaur Roar!

We were laughing at some of the dinosaurs...

...and some of them were really funny!

We sure have a lot of fun together, my brother and me! What a great day!

just a fun family day...

A few Saturday's ago, Daddy & Mommy took us to Dan Nicholas Park for the day. We had so much fun! It was the biggest park we had ever been to, and it only took us about 40 minutes to get there! We got to ride a train & a merry-go-round, pet a few animals, look at bears, ride in a paddle boat, and play on the playground. What a fun family day.

Daddy & Brady on the train ride...choo choo!

Mommy & Me on the train!!

These cardboard animal cutouts made me laugh...

Daddy, Me, & Brady

Such a fun day...afterwards, we went to Oma's house for some swimming. Here is Brady...floating in the pool! I think he's really relaxed!!

Big smiles from one fish...

And, big smiles from the other fish!