Mini vacation to Kansas in July.....

...yes...you read that right - we went on purpose! We visited our good friends Jerry and Itati and also had the pleasure of seeing Mireya, Itati's mom whom we traveled with in Mexico City back in 2005.
We had a nice visit despite the heat. Cosa, the dog, was Brenner's favorite part of the trip. Nola wasn't so keen on Cosa but warmed up to her by the time we left. Cosa likes stuffed animals so Brenner attached himself to her stuffed blue peanut M&M much to Cosa's disappointment, I think. Nola's favorite part was eating cilantro in a pot near the back patio door!

Brenner snapped this picture of Itati, Nola, and me. Pretty good, right?!

We hiked a trail near their house - Brenner talked nonstop - imagine that! We are very blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives. Mireya was even kind enough to give the kids some gifts - Nola got her first tea set and Mireya made Brenner a poster story card. She then told a story and Brenner followed despite Mireya's spanish accent. Which leads us to a story....Itati's cousins from Victoria Tamaulipas were also there and primarily spoke Spanish. Brenner asked "Is he (Carlos) speaking Spanish?" Yes. "Why?" Well, were Carlos is from that is what they speak all day. "What does he speak at night?" Smarty pants!

Nola hanging out under the table..notice that tongue of hers is still out!

There is a larger train station in town. Papa and Brenner found an old steam engine. BHP informed it was "HUUUGE!". Matt heard a great Brennerism this week. Brenner came up to him and said "Papa, I'm sick. I have bad breath." Too funny!

On our way to Kansas, we stopped by Grammy and PawPaw Floyd's house to see Great uncle Gene and Vivian from Florida!

Nine month checkup

Nola had her 9 month checkup (well actually it was her 9.5 month checkup) last week. She weighed 19 lbs and was 27 inches long. The doctor thought that Nola was doing great. I am also pleased to report that Nola has been sleeping well in the crib...who knew that a crib was for sleeping?!?! Brenner also saw a doctor this past week - he took his first trip to the optometrist. Missouri has a cool program that all 3 year olds get a free checkup so check it out if you have a little one! Brenner's vision was very good - a little far sighted which we were told is normal for three year olds. When I asked BHP what his favorite part was he responded "I saw an eyeball."
HOT doesn't even begin to describe the heat we have been having lately. To cool off one evening, we started up the hose on the front porch. Nola loved the mist and Brenner just couldn't leave her alone. Here he is trying to pick her up.

One morning, Brenner announced that the bad people were going to attack me in the kitchen to get my crock pot and food. Brenner proceeded to line up all of his "mean" looking toys. Then he informed me "You will have to get out your finger sword" to fight them off!

Nola had a first yesterday - standing on her own for 5-10 seconds!!!! Watch out - our little scoocher will be vertical before we know it! She also wants you to know that she wants your attention. When you are holding her and not making eye contact, she leans forward and twists to look YOU in the eye. The other day I was on my computer and she stood next to me saying "mama, mama, mama, mama" until I stopped!

Nola really loved peas on this night. The picture also shows her FOUR teeth! Unfortunately, she has taken to biting. As Brenner would say "no bueno". Nola also will wave, kiss, and blow kisses when asked.

Nola getting a rice puff from Aunt Lynnie. Actually, we are using the rice puffs to get Nola close to Lynnie - she still is a bit shy even to family she sees regularly.

We got some new ice pop molds. Brenner was very excited about the first batch.

Brenner wanted an ice pop so Matt told him that he had to eat it on the front porch. When Matt checked on him, he found Brenner standing on the table eating it.....strange..... :)

Our garden is going well despite the heat. The squash beetles have squashed the squash but now the tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn are going strong. The plants in the front of the picture are from out "test plot" where we merely dumped some of our compost material on this area. So far we have gotten two spaghetti squash but some other squash are coming on. Gardens are so great for kids - Brenner loves to help.

Meramec Caverns

Matt and I joke that we feel like the movie Groundhog Day - doing the same thing day in and day out. So this weekend we decided to take a trip to Meramec Caverns. We thought Brenner would have a fun time in the cave and Nola would be her usual let-it-flow self........
Nola, mama, and Brenner entering the cave. Nola decided that she didn't want to ride in the backpack so to spare the 80+ other people on the tour, I carried her.

Matt did a great job of taking pictures. Jesse James and his brother used the cave as a hideout and the Union Army produced/stored gunpowder here during the Civil War.

Some stalagmites and stalactites. The cave goes back 15 miles and is home to some cave fish, crickets, and small bats.

The different colors are from different minerals....these pictures are great and I could leave the trip there but that really isn't the reality we experienced.....

If you touched the rocks you would be asked to leave the tour. Tell this to a 3.5 year old.....we didn't have to leave but I think the whole tour knew Brenner's full name by the end!

And our sweet Nola....ends up that she didn't like the darkness and cried for about half of the 80 minute tour.......

So - when a nice lady took this picture with everyone relatively happy we didn't mind that it was a bit out of focus!

The WWF has shown up at our house on a regular basis - usually with Nola instigating the match. Lil' Dude (Brenner) does really well (mostly) with not getting too rough with "Lil Red" (nickname from Grandpa Bob and Uncle Chuckie (aka "Big Dude")).

No worries - she is laughing here......

....and the match ends with both on their backs!

Nola helping mama check on the garden! Thanks for loaning us the back pack, Kim. It works great!

I was getting ready while the kids were playing. It got really quiet so I went to investigate and this is what I found. When I asked Brenner what was going on, he replied "We are playing stickers." Check out that look...think he knew he shouldn't have been doing it!?

Brenner built a huge tower all by himself! Here is my favorite Brennerism of the week. He was helping me weed the flower beds, when he announced "Last time I was in here, I got a splinter and it was no bueno!" Cracked me up!

The Brenner picture of the week. We sholud really get BHP his own cheapo camera so that he can take more pictures!

A big celebration weekend!

We had a fantastic weekend! Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck were in from California and our friends from Michigan, Jenny and Steve, came for a visit as well. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures with Jenny and Steve, but we enjoyed our time with everyone. We would also like to thank everyone for your prayers for Matt. He is doing well!
Brenner having a splash contest with Matt at Grammy Vo's house.

Uncle Chuck with his "lil' dude" at Strouds. Brenner was fascinated with Uncle Chuck's blackberry and loved watching Batman on it.

Nola and Papa at Strouds. I must have been blocking her view! Check out her cute dress - Grammy made it!

Uncle Chuck, Aunt-ta Theresa, PawPaw Floyd, Brenner, Papa, Nola and Grammy Vo at our house. Brenner was in heaven!

Aunt Theresa playing with Nola at Grammy's house. Theresa- I hate to say this - but Brenner already broke the sunglasses :(

Nola thinking "Do Grammy and Aunt Theresa always talk this much?" :)

Nola with Cousin Lauren - aren't they sweet together!

Lauren, PawPaw Floyd, Brenner (with a dead bluegill), Aunt Theresa, Grammy, Papa, and Nola hanging out at Grammy's house.

Grammy likes sticking celery in the hands of babies (watch out Lauren - Vash is next!).

Nola finally warmed up and ventured out beyond mama and papa. Grammy's shoulder is comfy!

We also got to spend time at Grandma Val's house. Grandma was saying something funny for sure!

Check out Nola's lips - pursed just like Brenner's. Too funny! Nola liked the turtle!

Brenner being sillyman - I mean superman!

Tall girl!

Nola loves getting into one of the kitchen drawers.....and kept getting her fingers smashed. So we have to watch her like a hawk!