Apples!!!

When we moved into our new house 2 years ago, Kyle and I planted 7 trees we found on clearance at a nursery up the street from our house. We are happy to say they are all alive and doing great. In the 7 were 2 apple trees, we thought it might be fun to see how they would do. 2 years later we have apples, we were surprised to see fruit so early and even more suprised to see how large the apples have grown over the summer. We have no clue about when to actually pick the apples (we've picked 2 already that weren't ready) and we can't remember at all what kind they are. Today we let Gavin pick the largest apple on the tree in the backyard and sure enough it was perfectly ripe and tasted great. There are about 5 apples left on both trees and we look forward to tasting them (hopefully at the right time)! I am hoping by next year I can make a few apple pies!

The apples on the tree in the front yard have all, but one, decided to grow on the same limb. The poor limb doesn't look like it can take much more, but the apples don't look quite ready to pick.

We also have several rose plants and here are a few pictures of the flowers this year.

Before you know it...

they are off to school. It's crazy how fast they grow. Last Friday Gavin had his first day of pre-school. He was so excited he could hardley contain himself. He is attending preschool 3 days a week in the afternoon at a church near our house. Learning new things couldn't be more exciting to Gavin right now, he is loving every minute of it. We are looking forward to a wonderful year!

Gavin is ready to go to school!

At his first school.

The Best Daddy!

WE LOVE OUR DADDY!!!

Cambria finds her feet!

These pictures are a little late- Kyle accidently left the camera at work after dropping Gavin off at his first day of school. I guess better late than never. Last week Cambria found her feet, it was so cute she was so excited. It's hard to believe it took her over 7 months to find her feet, but good to see some development progress!

All for a Train Ride!

These are actually from a few weeks ago when we took the kids to the zoo for member appreciation day. We decided to brave all the people for a free train ride! Well, I am glad to say it was worth it and everyone enjoyed the afternoon. I obviously brought the camera, but forgot the memory card at home so I had to use the memory on my camera (leaving me with only 19 pictures). I was finally able to barrow a cord that could connect my camera to my computer- I had to get one from my mom in Texas- so that is why it has taken me so long (now if I could only find my cord). Enjoy the pictures!

The kids on the carousel! Avalyn wasn't crazy about rides last year and she loved it. It was so much fun to see so much excitement. We did the zoo a little differently this time and let them ride the carousel, go to the petting zoo, and ride the train. It was a nice change and the kids enjoyed every minute of it!

Waiting in line for the train!

A family picture!

The kids loved the train ride through the zoo. Even Cambria enjoyed it- she doesn't like being in the sitting position too long, but for some reason she sat on Kyle's lap, with her head against his chest the whole time. So much fun, we look forward to doing it again- probably next year when it is free again!

Air Show!

My attempt at a picture with the Thunderbirds

Hanging out under the wing of the C5 watching the air show.

Avalyn in the pink Barbie plane- so exciting!

One of Gavin's favorite parts of the day- riding in his own little plane!

We braved all the people and headed to the air show Sat. It was a nice day, good weather, lot's of planes, the "Unther" Birds (Gavin talks very well, but for some reason Thunder Birds was not an easy one), and 2 very excited kids! Gavin was thrilled about all the planes and did well despite being very tired. The funniest part of the day came shortly after we arrived when Gavin got off the first plane he was able to go into. Kyle got him out of the plane and a complete melt down followed, we were a little confused- at 4 these are rare. He was so upset because he wanted to fly the airplane- I wish I had the meltdown on video, he was so sad and confused. 4 is such a fun age, he is so passionate about what he loves and has such a wonderful imagination. When I told him about the air show last week he was jumping up and down, he loves fighter planes and couldn't wait to see the Thunderbirds and then the comment came that he wanted to see a fighter plane shoot at a bad plane- I thought that's pretty sad and then I asked him if there are people in the bad planes and he of course said no (I then told him there were no bad planes at the Air show). Avalyn has been terrified of loud planes- "scarey airplanes" as she calls them. We live near base so there are frequently extremely low loud large planes flying over our house (and of course they have to come back around when they are so low, sometimes more than one time), they have brought her to tears many times. She did just fine at the air show, of course there was some screaming and ear covering when it got loud but she was okay and kept telling me (trying to reasure herself I'm sure) that they weren't scarey. Cambria did great, she slept most of the time- with a blanket around her ears in the car seat. Overall a good day, of course it is always good to be out with the family!

GO USA and A nod to Beijing!

We are huge Olympic fans around here- Kyle and I watch Everything! The kids have definantly been having fun with it. Hearing loud chanting anytime of the day is quite frequent- USA! USA! Go USA!!! My mom went on a mission trip to China and brought the kids back real Chinese outfits, they were so excited! She also brought back an official Olympic hat!

Cambria

Here are a few recent pictures of Cambria. She is doing well, but in quite a bit of pain with the top 4 front teeth coming in at the same time (yuck). She started rolling over from her back to stomach last week and is doing it all the time now. She had her first home meeting with the early intervention specialist from the school system this week. The vision specialist and lead teacher came to meet her and begin the process of setting up a program to help in her development delays. She is several months behind, still not responding to things or faces regularly, not reaching for toys unless directly in front of her, she does not transfer things from one hand to another, she does not sit, she doesn't repeat sounds, she doesn't grab crumbs or cheerios, and many other things that are on the 6 month development chart (she will be 7 months old on the 19th). This all seems a little grim, but it is mainly visual and with time and surgury we should see improvement. Right now one of my concerns is her movement sensitivity, she had a lot before she got the glasses (I coundn't carry her facing forward at all and any quick movement causes her to tense up and scream as if she is in pain) but after she got her glasses her sensitivity was a lot better. She has loved being worn in the carrier, which is good because she keeps her glasses on when she is in it and it is recommended for babies who are blind or have bad vision. Now the sensitivity is back, even with the glasses, it isn't quite as bad but she tenses up and screams at any sudden movement or when I carry her facing forward. I am still wearing her in the carrier, she still likes it but has begun tensing up and pushing her feet tight against me but doesn't cry unless I make a sudden movement. It is important that she keeps the glasses on as much as possible and wearing her is the best way. Her nickname around here is our little Angel, she is such a sweet heart and puts a smile on your face everytime you see her. Thanks for all your prayers!

In her favorite spot- the jumparoo, and with her favorite Big Brother!

More time on her play mat- I was trying to get her rolling over, but she was just ready for a nap and wouldn't do it.

Her new best friend. She took a little nap with her in the swing today.

Dress up time!

Avalyn had a wonderful time the other day playing dress up with Mommy! I even let her wear make-up and painted her nails. Of course this was all an attempt by mommy to get her to keep a pony tail in her hair- it didn't work if your wondering, right after the pictures were taken the hair was down. It was still fun and she of course was so happy- I do love having girls!

Gavin and the frog

We have had many of these little frogs in are yard this summer and Gavin and his friends have enjoyed playing with them. I am sure joy hasn't been on the mind of the poor little frogs as they have been handled by little 4 year old boys, but so far we have been able to free all of them. Today we had some friends over and I finally decided to get a picture of Gavin and the frog when I saw him putting it on his face.