How weird would it be if cars had 2 steering wheels?

Evening at the Waterfront

Oh it was beautiful last night!!  As the late summer evenings are beginning to cool down, we have been able to venture out for our evening picnic again.  We take a buggy filled with snacks, a big blanket and two of the cutest kids in the world...  it makes for a pretty awesome time!

Bentley                                              Parker

I did spend about ten minutes talking about how wonderful the fall is... I love the cool evenings, crunchy leaves and smell of cider donuts.  Scott, however, is already mourning the loss of the summer.  Any opinions out there??  Favorite season??

Milestone Alert: Pulling to Stand!

Exciting news!

As previously mentioned, Parker is officially crawling.  What started as a backwards-wiggle and progressed to a forward-moving-army-dive, is now officially a crawl.

Meanwhile, Bentley has been hanging out rolling around.  No crawling, but lots of rolling.

That is, until today... when Bentley skipped crawling and decided to PULL TO STAND!  That's right... he was sitting in his crib, well actually Parker's crib... and he just grabbed on to the rail and pulled to stand!

and then...  just like that...  Parker did it too!

Parker                                   Bentley

Team Courage

Josh and Lindsey (aka Team Courage) came on by Sunday.....

We took the boys to JD's Smokehouse and they loved it!

Siena Day at the Nationals

Nationals game was a good one with the boys.  They were so good throughout the whole game.  Thank you Kenny for helping with the tickets and the boys!

Milestone Alert: Crawling!

It's really more of a "half-a-milestone" or a "full milestone" completed by one-half of a twin pair!  If milestones were a race, Parker would win this one.

This video was taken about 1 week ago and it is already out of date.  (If only, his mother could figure out video uploading at the rate that he can learn to crawl.)  Parker has since become even more proficient and speedy.  He has taken a great interest in dust bunnies and electrical outlets!

I don't know what part is my favorite:

1.  The awesome too short shorts with the baby wife beater top.

2.  The fact that he huffs and puffs and practically hyperventilates as soon as he gets up on all fours.

3.  The fact that, per Parker, he will move for food!

4.  The big scream "Yay!" at the end... that apparently startled my little boy!

As far as other milestone races... I am pretty sure Bentley is going to win the "Pulling to Stand" Race.  But, we will be sure to keep you posted.

Lots of love,

Liz and Scott and Parker and Bentley.

Baby Howlett on the Way!

If all Baby Shower's were like the Howlett's Baby Shower, Men would actually WANT to go to Baby Shower's.

Ribs, Pulled Pork and Miller Lite highlighted the menu along with Texas Caviar, Chips, Dip, Vegetables, and Hotdogs (for the kids - and Liz).

Jess is due in late September and Parker got to test out the new crib...good news...it works!

Pool'in the City

Today was quite the fun day!!

We have always LOVED our home in the city.  Since having kids, we have made an extra effort to explore the neighborhood parks and pavillions and waterfront promenades.  Today, we ventured a meer two blocks away to Dypski Park.  Not only does the park have our favorite swings (they have two baby swings), but every weekday from noon until five they fill the wading pool!!

It really was great to see almost 50 moms, dads and children enjoying the community watering hole!  

Speaking of enjoying the watering hole... here are the bambinos getting ready to wade the day away!

Bentley is absolutely our water baby!  He just loves it!!  He almost dove in head first once he saw the water.  Scott is actually holding him back in the photo above.

Hard to tell in the pictures, but today Bentley discovered splashing...  oh and did he ever LOVE splashing! Splashing in his face, in his mouth, in his eyes, on Daddy and once or twice at Parker!

Parker deals with the water.  He no longer screams at the site and slowly came to enjoy his time.  He also splashed and played and smiled and laughed.

However, Parker then began making this face...

I'm not kidding... I have 5 pictures, all with the same face.  He wasn't crying or whining... just this face for almost five minutes.  I am blaming the three top teeth all coming in at once... I think he was sucking his lip to make it feel better.  Regardless the reason... not attractive buddy!

HANDSOME BOYS!

Overall... just a really great day!

PS.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIMI!!

Patio is Clean

The Patio is super duper clean after it's recent bath.  Safety reminder:  It's called a Pressure Washer because the device has SPECTACULAR pressure (just see my foot).  I would put up a foot picture, but Liz didn't love my tooth picture.  

Safety First

The gates are up.  2 gates to be exact.  Thanks to Papa Dave the boys shouldn't fall DOWN the stairs.

They can fall UP the stairs though.

Papa Dave - Measure Twice, Drill Once

Look at that new drill!

Ray Lewis' Carpet - Will you protect this house??

Swinging Like a Champ!

So Sturdy