An afternoon downtown

One of our favorite things to do is to spend the day downtown on the canal and walking around.  

The girls love running around and checking everything out. 

This one got in on the action too. 

Daddy's favorite backpack.

The girls went up and down each set of stairs they could find. 

While their little sister tried to keep up.  

So much for a nap.  She is willing to choke herself to give me a smile!

1 year...How can it be!?!

We can not believe how fast this year has gone.  Nor can we believe how perfect Audrey is for our family.  It seems like yesterday we were wondering if she was a boy or a girl, trying to settle on a name, and wondering when she would arrive.  It still melts my heart to remember the first time we held her and the first time her sisters met her!  As fast as a year goes it's unbelievable to think about everything that has happened and all that Audrey learned.  She has been the easiest, sweetest baby we could have asked for. 

She is all over the place.  Crawling, pulling up on everything, standing and cruising.  Clapping, waving, blowing kisses, and into everything!

She is a good eater.  She will eat almost anything we offer her.  We still give her baby food and then let her try what we are eating.  She still doesn't have much of an interest in sippy cups.   She has 11 teeth. 

She is literally ALWAYS smiling.  She loves her sisters, dog, any of her sisters toys, when her Daddy gets home from work,  being outside, going on walks, making a mess in the play room, and so much more.  

The night before her birthday when I was putting her to bed she had the giggles.  Neil heard her and came in to she what was going on.  

I guess she was just enjoying her last few minutes of being an 11 month old. 

Emmerson and Daddy wanted to wake her up to say happy birthday before they left for the day.  

After we got Emmerson off to school we played with balloons.  

Then we got ready to go have lunch with Daddy.  (this is her silly girl squeal face)

She was happy to see him in the middle of the day. 

We decided to go into Daddy's office for a bit.

Claire wrapped the gifts she picked out all by herself.

We always let the girls pick out the gifts they get each other.  It's always interesting to see what they come up with.  Claire decided well before shopping day on what she was going to get.  She got her washcloths and "baby treats".  

Emmerson picked out a baby pool for her.

When Daddy got home we opened gifts and went out for dinner and ice cream. 

The best part is the washcloths were her favorite gift!

She loved the baby treats too.  

August fun

August was busy between traveling, school starting, a visit from cousins, and trying to squeeze in some last minute summer fun.  The little girls and I have been settling into our new normal with Emmerson gone all day.  We miss her but everyone is getting use to her time away.  

This little girl spends a lot of her day dropping off and picking up her big sisters.  When we are home she has figured out all kinds of ways to have fun.  Like pulling each toy out of the cabinets...one. by. one!

She also gets into her sisters stuff while they are at school. 

Claire has done better than we expected without Emmerson all day.  She misses her like crazy, talks about her all day and can hardly with until it is time to pick her up but she is surviving.  

The girls were very into the ALS ice bucket challenge they dumped many buckets of water on their heads. 

Poor Audrey got a few buckets dumped on her head too. 

These two are very helpful with yard work. 

Claire found a puddle she could use as a pool.

The girls had a lemonade stand.  They were so excited.  Even more excited that they made enough money to go shopping at Target.  

Claire's answer to me telling her to put some shoes on.

Audrey loves her dog.  If you see one of them the other is near.

Emmerson has homework now.  She thinks it's great.  

A surprise visit from our cousins

Uncle Matt, Charlie and Adam surprised the girls with a weekend visit!  It was a packed weekend of fun!  It started with Claire thinking she as going to run a few errands with me but instead picking them up.  She was so shocked she didn't say a word the whole way home!  Emmerson found out they were here when we all went to pick her up from school.  She walked out with her class and saw them.  She was so confused.  She said she thought it was them but knew it couldn't be!  

Friday while we waited for Emmerson to get out of school we spent the day downtown.  

Charlie is the best big cousin our girls could ask for!

Claire didn't leave Uncle Matt's side.

Saturday we spent the day in Bloomington.

Ready for the boys first tailgate.

In the rain...

I think the rain and mud might have been the boys favorite part.

This baby never stops amazing us.  She literally just hung out...all day!  

Daddy's tent saved the day!

 

Claire was very into the game. 

Thankfully the rain stopped.

After the game we went to see all Uncle Matt's favorite spots on campus.

and of course had dinner at Nick's.

This is what 13 hours in Bloomington will do to you! 

Sunday morning Unc took the boys to Butler to play on the field.  They loved it!

We then headed to Recreation Unlimited for a couple hours.

And ended our day with a couple hours at the JCC swimming. 

Needless to say by the time the day was over this is what everyone looked like!

Monday morning there was some time for crafts

and toys.

But then the boys had to go.  It was a VERY sad good bye!