The Fair

We did the Puyallup.

For those of you from Washington, I just sang that catchy little ditty for ya. For those of you who live elsewhere, it's Pyou-al-up. And I'm pretty sure it's the biggest fair in our state. And yes, it's in September.

And it was fun, fun. I'm not quite sure what Lila + Lincoln were expecting. We told them mostly about the animals they were going to see. They were so wide-eyed the entire time. It was pretty special.

First ride--the race cars. MY GOODNESS, was it adorable to see their faces light up when the ride started. They have never done anything like this so it was just flat-out awesomeness.

And oh yes, they were convinced they were driving.

Lila found the purple car. Not surprising. Lincoln named his car Scoopa de Fuego. Also, not surprising.

And then we checked out the animals. And let me tell you, I could totally relate to this mama-pig at one point in my life as a mother.

Watching the stilt-dancing-clown people.

The helicopter ride was the one they immediately talked about when they woke up this morning. Brian + I eavesdropped on the monitor about how much they liked this one.

Giant pumpkins are awesooommmmeeeee.

We left the fair without consuming any fried food. Yay us!

We did find some delicious barbecue though. So very, very good.

Canoes.

Lila wouldn't ride the spaceships because they were too noisy. But Lincoln thought he was sooo very cool riding it alone. We don't do guns. At all. Yet. He didn't even know what these were...he thought they were rockets and he blasted them into space.

Lilee watched and waved every time he went around.

And then we got them cotton candy. We asked they make especially small ones for us. THESE ARE SMALL?!?

Lincoln was in heaven.

And Lila didn't even quite know what to do with it.

And then they got a sugar high.

Holy Moses were they wild.

Brian and I shared a scone and left with happy hearts. These are certainly some of the most fun times to be a parent.

WE HEART SUMMER!

Summer is for tending to our garden...

(While dressed like a ballerina. Thanks Seri!)

...visits from Grammie + Pops...

...the SPRAYground...

...McDonalds-cup entertainment...

...blackberry picking...

...driving lessons...

...beach visits...

(Check out the size of the rocks this turd throws!)

...rock throwing...

...trying to impress your kids with your sweet skillzzz...

....playing with daddy...

...ballerina poses...

....family time...

...tree climbing...

...hiking in the beautiful NW...

...boat rides...

(On the hottest day of the year!)

...fishing with Papa...

...camping with cousins...

...plastic floaties and bikinis...

...sand castles...

...first jump off a dock...

...learning to use scissors...

...sprinkler time...

...backyard play...

... and checking out new beaches with friends.

Summer is winding down here. We have been spoiled with some extra warm weather this week, but even still, the evenings are mornings are feeling like fall.

We certainly do love summer!

Perspective

The blessing and the curse of having twins is...

...You only get every stage once.

And mostly, I would say this is the downfall of having twins.

I have loved each and every stage with our turds. Every sleepless one.

And with 2, at the same time, things are a little extra busy. And it just goes by too dang fast.

Can I tell you how much I love 2??? The age, not the quantity. I'm not sure why 2 has such a terrible reputation. Because I think it is flat-out amazing-ness. So creative, so smart, challenging + rewarding.

I am so thankful I get to hang out with Lila + Lincoln every day. And thankful that Brian understands the importance. Because even though I miss seeing adults (regularly), the occasional morning latte and carpooling with my best bud...I wouldn't change it.

Never, ever, ever.

Even if teachers miraculously started making more than 40 grand a year.

*wink*

Summer Nights

Summer nights are the best. We have been having lots of fires in our fire pit little chiminea. Roasting marshmallows, watering our growing vegetables and apples, picking blackberries and playing with Jezebelle.

ONE marshmallow is a treat for our 2 year olds. TWO is a miracle. But last night, this dude had THREE. But I'm pretty sure it was FOUR, BRIAN! There were no grandparents involved in the extra treats, rather Lincoln's marshmallow buddy, Daddy.

This little lady doesn't love the marshmallow. (Un-roasted thank you very much.) Rather she would like to hold her little treasure and give it the occasional lick. Forrrreverrrr. Thus torturing her marshmallow-devouring brother.

I love these kind of nights. Makes me reflect on our blessings. Makes me happy and thankful for our little family.

Ohhhh sheet! Look at that, I made it in a picture. Must have been my lucky day. I don't like marshmallows. At all. But these turds, oh man are they yummy.

Our nightly tradition this summer is a family jump session on the trampoline. We do our 'cool tricks.' Brian goes verrrrry high.

Lincoln is a ninja. Also, he is so very coordinated. Probably more than me, but that is not saying much.

Don't you love how blogs always post the most gorgeous (overly edited) pictures??? I don't. As if that is what real life looks like? Not here friends, not here. Because if I had to push my babies out, as opposed to having them taken out, it just might have looked a little something like this...

YOUR WELCOME!

This picture is entirely for Beth.

This time of night is always so fun. But in all honesty, once in a while I don't wanna get on. Because I'm freaking tired at the end of the day. But the kids love it. And I love it too. So we all do it and I never regret it.

This trick is called 'The Walker'. Lincoln made it up and we all take our turn. It is bust-your-gut HI-larious.

Then daddy chases them. And I rescue them. And sometimes I rescue them while I'm rocking a french braid that makes me look like a sister wife. But my braiding skills are getting fierce. (Thanks to a little Pearl and her beautiful mane.) So I have to pull it out the occasion.

Isn't her face adorable???

Ahhhh, summer nights.