Summer Olympics

Any chance Greg and I have to dress up and act like fools we are in. our good friends Mary and John hosted a Olympic opening ceremony party where the attire was wear your most patriotic outfit. We were lucky enough to score some fun USA jackets at a Thrift store to go along with our outfits. We competed in backyard Olympics that involved water balloon toss, thumb wrestling, archery, pong toss, and ladder golf. The night was complete with a torch lighting and medal ceremony. Even though Greg and I did not medal we still had a great time. Go USA!!!

Summertime Fun

We just got back from a perfect week long vacation in Chanute visiting my parents and it is totally sinking in that my summer days off are slowly coming to a end.  We decided to head to Chanute for a extended stay to soak up the pool, relax, and spend some one on one time with Papa and Doe Doe.  Our kids think that Chanute is about as good as it gets for fun and they did not lack fun on our trip this time.  With the temperature at a all time high we tried to get out in the mornings and then spent most of our afternoons in the pool.  Harper loves the water and Briggs is slowly getting the hang of the kicking and arm movements.  I loved being able to spend some good quality time with my parents and it is so nice to be away from your own home and daily chores for awhile.  Thanks Doe Doe and Papa for putting up with us for a whole week and helping out with the kids so much.  Briggs and Harper will always have such great memories of their fun times in Chanute.  We are down to about 2 weeks till school starts and trying not to think about reality and not being with the kids all day everyday.  We both feel so lucky that we have had such a wonderful summer with our kids and have been able to really watch our kids grow up so much over the past few months.  There are a ton of pictures but there were too many cute ones I did not want to leave out. 

 Out of about 10 shots trying to get a family pic this is as close as we got.

 Harper loved picking berried (cherry tomatoes) with Doe Doe in the garden.

 Feeding the ducks at SantaFe park.  Harper would have rode them if they would have let her.

 Love those baby blues!

 Throwing rocks in the lake.  A favorite Tomlinson past time.

 Sitting on the caboose at the library.

 Swinging with Papa, she almost always falls asleep when she swings.

 Haircuts for everyone from our favorite beautician Bridget.  I think it helps she has unlimited lollipops and farm animals to see.

 After 25 haircuts he finally sits still.

 Fearless Harper feeding the cows and horses. 

 Lots of time spent at the pool.  Harper likes to splash in the baby pool right outside the pool.

My main man taking a ride in the pool.

Family moped rides, these are the same mopeds by Grandma and Grandpa had when I was growing up.  They are not quite as sturdy as they used to be but the kids adore riding them.

Walking along the train tracks.  A train came by right as we got there, how lucky are we. 



Zoo Time

Despite the scorching weather we finally had a chance to make it to the Kansas City Zoo this summer.  I was so excited that this year Harper would actually know what was going on and be able to take in the animals.  She was in heaven and squealed when she saw some of the animals.   Here are a few pictures of our day. 

 Morning time at the Tomlinsons, she is in love with her Briggs.

 Nikita is always a fan favorite.  Harper clapped and screamed as if she could not believe she was actually seeing a polar bear. 

 Harper loved seeing and petting the sheep until it all went south.  I think the sheep got a little tired of Harper and she was kind of in his personal space too.  The sheep lifted his head and clocked her in the chin.  She flew back and landed in the black bucket of hay.  I am not sure if she was more hurt, sad, or pissed.  I was kind of scared for her until I realized she was not hurt and then it became pretty funny.  I am pretty sure she could have taken the sheep if she tried.

 We loved the carousel and ended up riding it 4 times.  The kids loved to dance while riding.  Of course we rode the train a few times as well.

This is called a restaurant with a view.  Notice our diners were not seated much.

Greg was brave enough to take both kids on the sky safari.  I was too much of a chicken, I know my daughter too well, sitting still is not her speciality. 

We had a great time as we always do at the zoo.  Every time we have a outing like this I have a new appreciation for my parents and all the zoo trips and amusement park outings that they endured with strollers in the heat.  It is a lot of work but so worth it when you see your sweet little babies smile and laugh.  Here is hoping this heat wave ends soon, my outdoor kids are dying!   

Girls Weekend

Kinzie is getting married!!!  While we usually use any reason to celebrate and party with the girls I can not think of a better reason than to celebrate my best friend getting hitched.  We gathered 14 girls and headed to Tablerock lake for three days of relaxing, sun, fun, laughter, and girl time.  We had a absolute blast and I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard.  What a fabulous group of girls to spend a weekend away from it all.  I am so excited for Kinzie and love that I get to be a part of all the fun before the big day. 

Leo James

We want to welcome the newest member to the Herron clan Leo James Herron.  We was born on Tuesday July 10th weighing in at a whoping 7 pds 2oz.  We are so excited to have another little boy in the family and our first nephew.  Briggs is excited to have someone to show the ropes and teach all the ends ands outs of trains and cars.  Leo is such a sweet little thing and if he is anything like his namesake he will be one great man someday.  We love you Leo and are so happy that you are part of our family.

Heat Wave

We are still going strong this summer trying to get as much fun in as possible while we can.  It has been ungodly hot so far this summer so we try to get out first thing in the morning as to beat the heat somewhat.  The kids don't seem to mind the heat so much but it is Greg and I who are usually carrying two children, a stroller, diaper bag, and water in this heat that mind.  Poor little Harper girl with her pale complexion, as soon as she is outside for a few minutes her little cheeks are bright red. 

We have really been taking advantage of all the fun things KC has to offer for kids, so many of them right in our backyard!  I have not been great about taking pictures, so many things have not been documented but I have to say it is a little liberating not lugging my camera everywhere and actually seeing the moments for myself.  I love how simple our kids are, we could take them to Disney World or the park down the street and they would be equally happy.  I hope that they always keep that simplistic attitude.  I love that we still have 5 weeks of summer left, so much fun yet to have!

Pictures of a recent trip to Ernie Miller Nature Park.  We hiked, saw a deer and owl, threw rocks in the water, and dug in the dirt.  We love the great outdoors!

Briggs and his Best Bud Issiah.  We got to have Issiah come over and play for a day.  The boys were such goof balls and had so much fun together. 

Sweet Harper Girl

I was at the park the other day watching a mom carrying a newborn baby while trying to wrangle a toddler and I was having flashbacks to my summer last year.  I can hardly believe that last year at this time we had a little bitty new baby here at our house.  To look at Harper now it seems impossible that she was ever immobile or not speaking or squeeling at the top of her lungs.  I am amazed everyday at what a awesome little lady we have.  To say that she has a mind of her own is a bit of an understatement, she is her own person for sure.  Thought I should summarize our little lady at her 14 month mark:

Favorite book: Any animal book of lift the flap book

Favorite food: The girl will eat anything.  Loves pasta and fruit.  Just learned to eat with a fork and is very proud of herself.

Favorite tv show: Baby Einstein movies

 

Best Friends: Hadley and Briggs

 

New Words: Ouch, uh-oh, thank you, look, more, mama, dada, choo-choo (shocking), wow, and various animal sounds.

Favorite Toys: Babies and books

Favorite pastime: She loves doing anything that Briggs is doing, including knocking down any newly built train tracks,  loves reading, and playing outside

Favorite song: Loves to dance to anything fast.  Is into "wheels on the bus" and "if your happy and you know it":

Favorite Animal: cats and dogs.  Loves our kitty Hazel will actually lay on top of her to show her love.  I am not sure that  Hazel has the same feelings towards her. 

Nicknames: Harps, Harper Girl, pumpkin, Sweetie Pie (Briggs' name for her), and Sissy girl.

Personality: The perfect combination of sweet and sassy, probably more towards the sassy side most days.  She is such a love bug and loves to give kisses and hugs.  She has a mind of her own and will let you know what she wants without saying a word.   

Great Traits: Super onery and she knows it.  She gets a little grin on her face and you know she is up to something.  Very curious about everything.  Will climb on anything and eat almost anything, literally anything (rolly-pollys, dirt, sticks, she has tried them all). Most of all sweet as can be!

Weight: 24 lbs.

Shoe size: 5

 

clothes size: 18-24 month

 

Perfect Harper picture, always doing something she should not but she is so cute while doing it you can't get mad at her!