Fun with cousins

The kids and I just returned from nearly 2 weeks in Oregon. It's been awhile since we've spent that long there! We stayed a bit longer than we had planned, but that's the beauty of having driven, and having a flexible summer schedule. Daniel couldn't get enough of playing with Chris and Jake, and Laura used the time to warm up to Grandpa, who was finally allowed to read her a book on the very morning we left!

Excuse the abundance of pictures, I'm normally better at choosing just a few...

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We used to do this as kids, and now the grandkids love it. It takes guts to let go and stand without holding onto anything, but he was pretty proud when he did...

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How sweet this was.
She is pretty picky about who she lets hold her, feed her, read to her... okay, so a lot like me apparently, much to my mother's delight!
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Grandpa's bbq pit. He even roasted a pig while we were there! A constant source of curiousity (and danger) for the kids.

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Just a silly photo - they were imitating Auntie's Jill's "baby in her tummy" and had a great time bashing each other around!
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Last time he wanted nothing to do with Grandpa's lawn mower...
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Mum and girl...
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Boys having fun...
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... and so silly!

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"Come on in, it's my birthday inside!"

A very natural smile for Daniel...

Cars party hats, Cars plates and cups and tablecloth... yeah, we bought into the themed birthday! Fun to be with cousins too, and Laura was content to hang among the boys.

Quirky kids

"Only one popsicle, Daniel"

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"I just want to line them up

and look at them"

Laura was the

only one who

dressed up for

4th of July...

Laura and her

beloved pink blanket.

She loves sleeping

with her face covered.

Conversations

After a particularly difficult morning this morning, I was talking to Daniel about learning to listen to mum and dad, etc: Mum: It's hard learning to be a big boy, isn't it? Daniel: Yeah it is... Mum: Why is it hard to be a big boy? Daniel: [with genuine concern] Because I don't know what to do when the babies cry... - or try this one, later in the day, when we were going to pick up Andrew and go out to dinner - Daniel: I want to go to Taco Bell. Mum: Well I think we are going to go to a restaurant instead. Daniel: I have an idea, how bout we go to Taco Bell, and then to a restaurant! Mum: I think we only need to go to one. Daniel: Then it's Taco Bell. Mum: I don't think Dad will want to have Taco Bell tonight... [okay, i'm trying hard, but I just can't keep up!] Daniel: Okay, he can stay at the restaurant, and you and me and Laura can go to Taco Bell!

Hold my hand!

Laura begged Daniel to take her hand, but she really didn't have to because he was very proud to be her helper. She really loves him and he is so sweet to her (usually...unless she has his Reggie!)

The month of June...

Laura's 1st steps

Daniel [and his friends] learn to use the potty (sorry for the picture Daniel, but it was a huge undertaking for us as well as for you!)

Gigantic-mouth Laura turns one!