Mimi and Poppa's House!

I have to say that it is so nice to blog from my parents house! It's one of my favorite places to go and one of the only places I can truly relax... although I realize the definition of true relaxation has changed since having 2 kids of my own under 2 years old! Still, it's a great sanctuary and I'm glad that the kids and I will have a chance to spend a few weeks here before my maternity leave is over and we head back to the heat of the Scottsdale summer.

Braden is having a blast and did more in the first 2 days here then he had done in 2-weeks at home (and we don't sit around doing nothing either!). He's explored, planted, played, walked, built fires with Poppa, explored more and had an exciting new game/project/toy to play with with Mimi each day. It's cool to see him playing with toys that my brother and I played with as kids. He's pretty much always happy when Mimi and Poppa are around!


Both Braden and Hunter did a great job on the flight!

On the porch swing with Poppa.

This is Braden's "checking it out" position. He generally gets in this position whenever a bug or other sort of animal is in the vicinity. He's checking out some worms Mimi dug up this go around.

Helping Mimi plant flowers.

Helping Poppa get the fire ready.

We tried to do S'mores the first night, but there were too many mosquitoes. The downside of the pretty, lush greenness all around are the bugs that come with it... can't say that I miss those!

Playing the piano for Hunter and Mimi. And yes, he is wearing a tiara!

Daddy finding a toad (notice that Braden is in "his position").

The toad.

Hunter is having a great time!

And is relaxing, too. People always talk about how second children have so many fewer pictures taken of them. I think there is some truth to the fact that the first kid gets more because they are first. But I think another aspect is you realize how hard it is to take cute pictures of newborns and you're more discriminating on what you keep!

We took a drive to Amish Country (the largest population of Amish are near my hometown in Holmes County, Ohio). Braden saw some miniature donkeys, ate a good Amish meal and saw some horse and buggies.

Glad that Daddy was able to come for a few days before heading home!

Visiting with Gigi. We are glad that she was able to meet her new great-grandson!

It was chilly enough the second night to do S'mores!

Yummy!

Hunter got to check out the S'more making, too!


Playing t-ball at open gym! I guess one of the high school football coaches was trying to recruit him already... for defense of course!

Trying S'mores for the first time.


The "frog" toad.