HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA JIM!

Happy Birthday Dad! Love you more than words can say. Looking forward to seeing you guys tomorrow!

He'd doing it!

He's off and running - not literally yet, but soon enough I'm sure! We had dinner at Zac & Kristen's the other night and he was more than happy to show off for them, when he hadn't wanted to walk all day for me! Well, it looks like he's liking this walking thing more and more. Check it out!

Baby Steps

Luke's taking some unassisted steps lately. Will post some video when he makes it easier to take. The funniest thing is it almost seems like it's not all that hard for him. He can stop himself and then start up again if he wants, but that's just it, I don't think he wants to. True to his personality thus far he is not pushing the envelope. It'll happen when it happens - no rush. We really have to work to get him enticed enough to actually take these steps we are so excited about. Love this kid!

Gems

To give you an idea of what Ella is saying these days:

As she climbs up to sit next to me on the couch after we've been wrestling on the floor - "Are you just tired? Tired of doing everything I wanted?" :)

Luke and Ella were coming through the kitchen on their train (Ella riding, Luke pushing), and Ella says, "You best watch out. The kids are here, and we are the super ones." Really, where does this come from?

Ella and I were sharing a frozen yogurt from Costco and she was whining every time I took it for a bite. I told her that she wasn't getting it back until she stopped asking in a whiney voice. Cue Ella saying in a very pleasant voice, "more ice cream, please." And then, "does that help Mom?" Why yes it does.

Luke will be walking any day now.....it's what we've been saying for weeks. He cruises around the house, will walk while holding on to one of our fingers, and uses different toys to help him get around (see for yourself in the video). We're still holding out for the unassisted steps.

This video is actually a little dated. I had trouble with this blasted blogger, loading it for some reason. So now he's quick-stepping with the train around the house - not so careful anymore!

Our little fish

Ella LOVES to be in the water, especially under the water. Her favorite thing to do in the pool is "bobs", where she holds her breath and goes underwater for a second. She'll do it over and over again. As you can now watch for yourself.

Birthday season

So I mentioned Jameson's birthday, but his was one of many in the last couple weeks. Jameson shares the 20th of July with Grandma Margaret, and Seth's birthday is the 17th. And just last night we were at Tom and Ruth's for a get together for Kristen's birthday. I know it's not the same as an individual shout out on the blog, but here's a big group "Happy Birthday" to all of those we love with birthdays this month.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!