Kanga Goes Outside

Kanga is too young to live outside for a while yet... but we thought we'd take her outside for a little jaunt.  She was a little scared, but she hopped around for a bit before running inside! 

Kanga and kids play

Beach with the Oldroyds

We went to the beach on Saturday to celebrate Nathan and Alexa's fourth birthdays!  Whit was working Friday night so I went with the kiddies all by myself!  I think only Alisha could have convinced me to do that.  She had her great hubby carry the umbrella and chairs for me and she provided lots of snacks and food.  Here's Emmy.  She's a beach veteran now, so she wasn't happy just sitting in the water.  She had to crawl around and around and around.  It made me a little annoyed and a lot tired.  Ha.  

 Look at all that hair!! I can't believe how much hair she has for one of MY babies.

 Here's Alisha... Looking glamorous as always.

 Little Dora shoveling away.  That is one tan kid.

 Here's a birthday girl!

 And a birthday boy!

 Eli hung out with Gavin (1st cousin of N&A) a lot of the time, and you can see President Oldroyd in the background with Savannah.

 Here's Sam and cutie Max.

 The four "big kids" making "castles".

 One happy (if a little hot) baby!

Kanga is growing

Eli noticed most of the last photos of Kanga had Dora in them.  He wanted to be in some too.  So here are two shots of our growing baby. She's getting so big, she almost doesn't seem like a baby anymore!  She races around the house every morning and night like a nut!  Come visit her before she's all grown up! 

Swimming

We have spent a lot of time swimming this summer.  (Well since March, so this "Texas" summer.)  Ha.  Eli has gotten so good at swimming without floaties.  He can now do the freestyle crawl and a doggie paddle.  He's so comfortable with having his face in the water. 

 Dora still prefers to use floaties, but she's really comfortable with anything in the water, too.  I bought her several swimsuits but her favorite is still the one Hayley left here sometime last year.  It's old and stretched but Dora loves it.  Haha.

 Whit plays with Emmy a lot.  She has long since refused to go into this floatie, but I got some photos of her in there actively playing with dad.

 What a funny little girl!

 I love this man.  He makes everything worth while.

 Here's my other (tiny) man.  I sure love him too.  He's been really good this summer.  I'm sad he's going to school soon!

 Here he is swimming.  Big boy!

 My two little angels on the inflatable slide.

 Not ready to go in yet, mom!!

 Okay, five more minutes in the pool... Haha.

Kanga the Wallaby Baby

Last Thursday we drove to just north of Austin to pick up our new family pet--a baby wallaby (miniature kangaroo) named Kanga!  (After Kanga and Roo from Winnie the Pooh).

Eli and Dora were giddy.  Emmy had no idea what was going on.  Ha.  Here's our first look (Eli is featured with the little bits.)  

 Dora forgot to put shoes on and we didn't notice until we were well under way.  So Whit got her some (ill fitting) pool shoes at a truck stop.  Haha.  She hated them, but she loved the new pet!  Can you tell she was excited?

 Here are Emmy's toes to prove she was there.  She was smelling feet to get used to us.

 We went outside for 3 minutes before heading home to say hello to my old wallaby, Sydney.  I had to sell her when I sold my house and moved into an apartment years ago.  Sad day.  Now I have her baby! Happy day!

 Here's a shot of little Kanga.  She lives in our laundry room until she moves outside.  :-)

 Munching some grass.

 Her very best friend in the whole wide world, Dora.  Haha.  She's her most patient and ardent fan, with Eli as a close second.  Dora would sit in with her all day, though, and she's happy to pick up her poo pellets and throw them away for me, which I appreciate.  (We are still working on the potty training.)

ELI TURNS FIVE!!!

Eli had more parties than any kid deserves!  Friends party at Build a Bear, and then my parents came by Saturday and then a family party Sunday night--and then his actual birthday (this) Monday morning we had a little donut party and he got his presents from the family.  

Here's a few shots from Sunday.  My mom with little Emmy.  She's getting some hair!  

 Eli, giddy over a card.  I love this little boy!

 Not to be outdone, my parents brought Dora a princess present too.  She really is a little princess.

 Uncle Brian was still there Saturday night.

 Eli was dressed well--he got a pitching machine! It was one of the few things he asked for.  Thanks Papa and Lerdleluh!

 They also gave him and Whit crossbows.  (Nerf, of course.)

 Think Whit was excited?

 Dora got a puppy.  She doesn't like American girl dolls, but she likes their pets.

 A family that crossbows together stays together?!?

 Here's Uncle Clint standing behind him for moral support in blowing out the candles Sunday night.

 And here's Monday morning!

 HAPPY to get his Leap Pad.

 The loot!

 Whit was really tired but the kids were so glad to have him there.

 Dora especially.  They are so cute and funny together.

 Oh and Dora put these on and said, "Mom, now you not poke my eye."  Because I so often do.

Happy Fifth Birthday, Eli! We love you so!