Last week, we had the pleasure of our family friend Kelly coming to visit.  I had taken the kids over to Nana and Papa's to welcome her before Anthony had gotten home from work, and we couldn't figure out why it was taking so long for him to come over.  Everyone was pretty surprised when Darth Vader showed up instead! (In this picture, Connor is running as fast as he can to find something, ANYTHING, to lightsaber fight with him.)










Kelly sprung into action when Connor cut his ankle.  As an ER nurse in downtown Detroit, I think she's managed a few more serious cases.




We've been spending most of our free time at our neighborhood pool.  I would really like to have both kids swimming independently by the end of the summer to save a lot of stress next year!  I think my skin is the darkest its ever been, which is a total waste of a good tan, considering my wardrobe is not the most stylish/flattering at the moment.




For years now, Alaina has been talking to my toes like they're little people.  All I need to do is wiggle them in response and she's entertained.  Thank heaven for easy children!




Noodle fight!













Love the bumcrack!




It was great to be able to catch up with Kelly (it's been 2 years for the kids and Anthony, and 5 for me!).  I love being around people who are so laid back that it's relaxing to be in their presence.







Sometimes I complain that our neighborhood pool is busy, but the definition of "busy" was redefined after a trip to the City Park Pool.  I took this photo before another hundred or so people piled in.  It seriously got to a point where all you could do in the pool was jump up and down.  The things we do for our children! (I'm sure you're laughing at that, Mom and Dad!)




I do love that the kids are unphased by crowds.  If there's fun to be had, they'll have it.







I ALSO love this face of sheer terror on Daynarae.  I still laugh out loud every time I see this picture!




Alaina is usually very good about having her picture taken, since she's grown up with a camera shoved in her face.  Her one weakness is sun in her eyes.  Look at her trying to maintain a smile even while being blinded!  With Daynarae, on the other hand, it's nearly impossible to get a good photo where she's both looking at you and smiling.  It's usually one or the other, but some days, you just have to settle with a finger up the nose.




Summer in Colorado can be defined by sunny days and stormy evenings.  It sure makes for some gorgeous skies, like this cloud formation, taken from our front driveway.




Since Ryan's backyard butts onto Budweiser fields, he has the best view for thunderstorms.  Last night's sky flashed continuously for hours.  Forgive the graininess of this photo...it was my first attempt at photographing lightning.  Usually long exposures are employed for such photos, but since I didn't have a tripod, I just held my camera.  This picture was made in 1/3 of a second, which tells you just how much lightning we see!




I can't believe that it's almost July!  For all of my saying how ready I am to have this little boy in my arms, it's also starting to freak me out how close we are!  If he comes when Alaina did, that's only SIX WEEKS AWAY!  AAAAHHH!  It's easy to get frustrated at his nightly 2 AM hiccups that last 40 minutes, or the neverending heartburn, or the unflattering things happening to my body, but previous experience tells me that they're easier in than out!  Hopefully having more/better perspective under my belt will ease the trials of the newborn phase.  We've been a family of four for so long now that there are many emotions accompanying becoming a family of five.  The feeling of not really knowing what we're in for is unsettling, so I'm trying not to think too hard about it (difficult for the overanalyzer).  We're all doing well and enjoying our summer!