Labor Day 2014

It was a scorcher!  The pool closes on Labor Day, so we made sure to get our last visits in over the holiday weekend.

We also discovered these weird creatures infesting my tomato plant.  Goodbye tomatoes, hello hummingbird moth larvae.  My tomatoes are suffering, but these caterpillars are neat to watch.

Oliver has a permanent napping spot on the changing table in Lily's room.  What a good boy.

Vi squeezed in some princess time, of course.

Happy Labor Day!  Vi's 6th birthday is right around the corner.  And Lily will be turning 1 in October.  Wow!  Time flies in our house.

Vi's goes to Kindergarten!

Vi was indescribably excited to be going to kindergarten this year.  The school hosted a teddy bear picnic before the first day of classes in order for students to have a more informal opportunity to mingle and meet their teachers.

Vi and her teacher, Ms. Fields.

The same week, we had a first day of ballet class for the year.  Vi picked out this beautiful lavender leo and sparkly skirt.  Her hair has gotten longer and goes back nicely in a bun this year.

First morning of school

Lily wants to go to kindergarten, too (but not with that rash! she had roseola).

Working hard on the first morning and meeting new friends

Lily' first Lake outing

This summer, Lily enjoyed her first ride on Paw's boat.  Before really experiencing the lake, we stopped at a local dock for some lunch.  Paw recently traded in his ski boat for a pontoon boat that would better suit the girls (and Mamaw who likes slower boat rides).  How thoughtful!

Our two captains

I'm partial, but isn't she gorgeous?

As you can see, Lily did not enjoy the swim.  It wasn't the water, but the sun that was in her eyes.  We tried.

She did, however, love peering down over the edge of the boat and watching her sister splash around.

Mommy's girls

Going to the lake is hard work.

Driving (or chewing) Paw's boat

Family Reunion in New Jersey

Lily had her first ride in an airplane for our family reunion in July.  Vi's first plane ride was also to NJ for the family reunion 5 years ago!

Cousins in bed after a long day of travel

Vi and Rocco hit some ball (mainly chased balls)...

...while Lily ate grass.

Vi talked Daddy and Uncle Bini into a paddle boat ride.

Lily & Aunt Janice

Cousin Avan & Vi

Aunt Chris & Lily

Before heading back home, we stopped in Philadelphia.  The line for the Liberty Bell was sooooo long.  So we looked at it instead (look behind Vi!).

Our favorite place was the US Mint; this location is where they make all coins and special medals.

Vi got some cute jewelry and modeled it for us (lucky penny ring and earrings!).

We also saw Benjamin Franklin's final resting place.

This was Lily's first "big city" adventure.  She loved being pushed around in the stroller so that she could see all of the action.  Just like sis!

Our summer of fun - Part 2

Lily discovered the swing in Mamaw and Paw's big tree

Sisters playing together.  Lily's favorite spot is in big sissy's room.  And Vi likes having a playmate.

Mayfield Dairy

On hot or rainy days, we stayed occupied with ballet recitals.

And on sunny days we went swimming.  Vi was a true water rat this summer.  She learned how to swim underwater, almost float, and jump off the diving board alone.

She also mastered the art of relaxation and ordered many slush puppies.

In the summer, you can take baths outside!

This dog lives at Mamaw Jean's residence.  There is also a guinea pig.

Vi got to visit Mamaw Jean several times on her way to-and-from Mamaw and Paws' house.

Summer would not be summer without a trip or two to Dollywood to play 1,001 games with Paw!

Helping Daddy with the lawn

Learning how to swing

Lily also saw a few days of pool action, but mostly it was too hot for babies.

Lily's new play spot is the toy kitchen that we lowered.  She likes to share her toy food and bang pots and pans.

Cheer camp!