Louisville Slugger Museum

On our way out of town, after Penny was done with all his meetings last week, we stopped at the Louisville Slugger Museum.

This was an especially anticipated visit for Penny, but all of us enjoyed the toured.  It's been fun to hear the girls over the last few days talk about baseball bats and how they are made - apparently they learned a lot!

We each received a complimentary mini bat at the end of the tour, which has been a big hit (pun intended) for the kids.

Cole in particular has become attached to his bat - almost any time of the day he can be found carrying it around.  We make him put it down to sleep, mostly because it could be a safety hazard!

Kid pics

We spent the week in Louisville, KY for Penny to go to General Assembly.  While he was busy in meetings we got to hang out and play.

I did a terrible job of taking pictures, but here's a couple from our room.

Laine took these!

Aside from goofing around in the hotel room, we swam in the pool, played at some playgrounds with water spouts, ate dinner around the city, and generally enjoyed ourselves.  A good first GA experience!

Lights

Cole has discovered light switches.

Whenever I'm holding him and walking around the house he points them out, and I stop so he can play with him.

And many times while I'm cooking he'll pull up a chair in the kitchen and start flicking the lights off and on.  Keeps things interesting in the kitchen!

Fun at the zoo

We went to the zoo with the Byars last week and had a great time.

My kids are becoming fast friends with Erin and Rachel and love all the attention they receive.

 They take care of my kids, act silly with them...

And get excited with them about all the fun things they see and do.

Thanks, Erin and Rachel, we're so glad for your friendship!

Imagination

Laine has a terrific imagination.  It's been really fun to see her put it to work lately, in a number of different ways.

On this day she was reliving the fun of field day - giving herself a ribbon and all!

This was a princess day, piling the cushions high on the couch to make a throne.

 On this day Laine asked Daddy to build her a carriage for her My Little Ponies.  She came up with the idea and had Daddy bring it to life.

And here are the Ponies themselves - set up just so as she was playing with them one afternoon.

Berry Picking

I took the kids berry picking last week - an early summer adventure with friends.

We started in the strawberry patch.

Cole caught on quickly...

and enjoyed eating many, many strawberries!

Yum!!

 Next we moved to the raspberry patch.

I think Mead ended up eating every single berry she picked.  Good thing I was picking some of my own to bring home - raspberries are Daddy's favorite!

Cole's 18 month stats

Cole has been dominating the blog lately.  I'll post pictures of the rest of the family soon!  I took Cole in today for his 18 month check-up.  Everything looks good, with the exception that he isn't saying many words.  I think his sisters do all the talking for him!  Hopefully he'll catch up soon.

Here's his stats:  33 lbs. 14 oz. (99%), 34.5 inches (92%), 50 cm head (93%).  He is a consistently big boy, trying desperately to keep up with Laine and Mead's activities!