Meat Smoking Party!

Last Sunday we had a meat-smoking party. It was really just an excuse to get a lot of my teacher friends together before we start work again next week. Nate used his new smoker to make a huge beef brisket for everyone.It was a beautiful summer night, not too hot and humid like it has been the past few days. Below are a few pictures from our fun summer party.

Parker pushing Alaina in her swing. So cute.

Parker and Paul

Lots of food and friends. Perfect.

Having a snack with Papou

Table for the husbands.

Getting late, but still having fun in the backyard...

Family photo after the party.

Do you think someone looks a little sleepy in this picture?

I'm sad that summer is quickly coming to an end. I have really enjoyed my time with Alaina. I'm learning that starting the school year is so much harder when you have children of your own. Sometimes I wish I was a stay at home mom. Other times I think working full-time makes me a better mom. HA! Guess I'll never be content... Hope you enjoy these last few days of summer.

Alaina is Walking!

That's right, Alaina is walking independently! She has been walking short distances for a few weeks now- from one piece of furniture to another. She was always looking for something to grab on to. Then last week she took off walking on her own! She's a little unsteady at times, but can get around pretty well on her own. She often sticks her arms out for balance which is so cute. Alaina is such a big girl! She is 15 months old today. At her doctor's appointment this morning, she weighed 20 pounds and is 31 inches. That puts her in the 20th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height. Alaina continues to be a long and lean girl!

Below is a short video to show off Alaina's walking skills. She's still a little wobbly, but she can walk pretty fast. She loves to carry things around the house when she walks.

New Toys!

Alaina got two great new toys recently. I found 75 cent xylophones at a garage sale a few weeks ago. I bought two of them, one for Alaina and one for my music center at preschool. Alaina loves to play the xylophone. She likes to make her own songs and I love watching her play! It's so cute how she smiles and laughs while banging away on the xylophone. Take a look:

We also bought Alaina a magnetic farm set for our refrigerator. It's hard getting things done in the kitchen when Alaina wants to play. To solve this problem, Nate and I decided to get something special for her to play with in the kitchen. The magnetic farm seemed perfect. It stays on the bottom half of our refrigerator. It even plays farm songs! Alaina starts dancing whenever she hears the farm music. I knew it would only be a matter of time before Alaina's toys made their way into every room in the house. Here's a cute video of her playing with the farm first thing in the morning- she's still in her pajamas!

More Pool Time!

We have been enjoying the hot days of summer by spending more time at the pool! Yesterday Alaina and I went to a pool party at my friend Gina's house. Many of my teacher friends were there with their children. Alaina liked playing with the older kids, but she was a little unsure about the pool. She's used to the heated pool at the YMCA, so it was a little cold for her. She was happy just being outside and watching the other children play.

Alaina spent most of the time sitting on the deck and watching the other kids in the pool. Gina brought her kitty out for Alaina to see. Of course she kept calling the kitty "Zoe."

Alaina was obsessed with this Dora chair that she found on Gina's deck.

Saying goodbye to Aidan after a fun afternoon.

Today was another very hot day! It is now 9:00PM and we are still under a heat advisory! It was a perfect day for Magic Waters. This was Alaina's first visit to Magic Waters. We had such a fun day with some of my teacher friends and their children. It was so hot that Alaina loved the water and did not want to get out! She had a great time splashing around with her friends.

The Magic Waters group:

Kalli and Alaina, Anna and Parker, Denise, Maddy, Blaine, Jill and Aidan

Swim Class

Today was Alaina's last day of swim class for the summer. We have been going to swim lessons at the YMCA every Tuesday for the past 5 weeks. My teacher friend also signed up for the swim class with her son, Aidan. Alaina and Aidan loved swimming with eachother in the pool. Eventhough the swim lessons are finished, I plan on taking Alaina to the pool every once in awhile so she doesn't forget all her great swimming skills!

All ready for swim class and playing with Mommy's keys!

Swimming with our friends Jill and Aidan.

Check out Alaina's front float!

Alaina loves the pool!

Celebrating the 4th of July!

It's hard to believe that the 4th of July is here already! Summer is going by way too fast. It was hot, humid, and rainy here today but I shouldn't complain because last year we were all wearing sweatshirts on the 4th of July! Eventhough it was raining we still went to watch the parade downtown. We got a little wet, but it was still alot of fun. I thought the loud noises from the motorcycles and firetrucks might scare Alaina, but she did really well. She was entertained by all the sights and sounds and did not seem scared at all! We met up with some of my teacher friends and their children at the parade. Below are some pictures from the parade. I love how curly Alaina's hair gets when it's humid! Hope everyone had a Happy 4th!

Papou and Yiayia with Alaina

Alaina with all her friends: Olivia, Maddy, Aidan, and Blaine

All the mommies: Kalli, Kelli, Denise, Jill
Olivia and Alaina watching the parade

Day At The Children's Farm

My parents and I took Alaina to the children's farm at Lockwood Park this afternoon. Alaina enjoyed looking at all the different farm animals. We saw some goats, rabbits, pigs, cows, and horses. Alaina called all the animals "Zoe". She does not recognize the difference between our dog, Zoe, and other animals. How cute! The goats were Alaina's favorite animal. She loved watching Papou feed them. Below are some pictures from our fun afternoon!