Cousins and Visiting Friends!

Getting a handsome work up from CJ with entertainment by Wendy. Their motto is "Stay handsome, EA."

"Can you put that back so I don't get hair on it?"

We had a cousin gathering at Bounce Magic (think Chuck E Cheese but bounce houses). Our group included Betsy, Jenny, Holly, me, and all of our kids. Controlled chaos but at least it was a slow weeknight. I cannot imagine going to that place on a weekend with 15 birthday parties going on!

Penny on a horse.

She had a blast riding with Henry.

Penny in a bug.

Penn in a well.

We came home to awesome visitors. Anne, Steve, and Malcolm came to visit from NYC. Elliott was thrilled!

Skinny pants and Chucks. What a cool kid.

Anne with all the kiddos.

We went to Canalside while Anne and Steve were visiting. We ran into EA friends there. Lucy played with Sadie. "Played" might be a generous term considering the facial expressions. 

Anne and me.

Laura met us for lunch.

This is a submarine sail!

That Sunday, we had lunch at a hotdog stand with an awesome playground.

Goofy boy.

Lucy was a big fan of this slide.

I'm so excited for these two to grow up together!

Cute family. Thanks for visiting us!!

Getting both kids to look at the camera can be a challenge.

Here, Luce. Look at Mama.

One of my new favorite pictures!

Misc., Visiting Jord and Tuck, & LUCY WALKING!!

A little of this and a little of that is this post.

My first time canning! Dilly beans and hot peppers.

Ned and Elliott on the twisty slide at Hamlin Park in EA. Thanks, Google, for the fancy effects.

Fun is so exhausting that sometimes you fall asleep while eating. Note the pretzel hanging out of Elliott's mouth.

Smiley girl.

Bow head.

Lucy and I visited Jordan and Tucker for a play date. We had a great time and hope to do it again!

Lucy made herself at home in their bookcase.

Lu and Jord.

Lucy and Tucker's photo session. Tucker is just over three months younger than Lucy.

Her smiles kill me.

"This is so exciting!" - Lucy

"This is so boring." - Tucker

A movie of the cuteness.

"This is my friend, Tucker."

We had a BIG event that evening. After getting home from picking Elliott up at school, Lucy took her first steps!! August 12, 2014. Elliott took his first steps on August 3, 2014. Adjusting for their birthdays, that means Elliott took his first steps at 10 months and 18 days and Lucy took hers at 10 months and 26 days. Pretty similar!

Here is a wobbly video of one step after the first three.

Elliott helped me feed Dutch that evening. Who needs pants?!

Lucy rode on Elliott's train (he makes trains by lining up the chairs).

One of her favorite seats, the little potty.

Erie County Fair - Visit 2

We loved the Erie County Fair so much that we went back the following Monday. It was an epic day. We were there from 11 am to 7 pm. WOAH!! BIG day!

We started by visiting some very famous horses.

It was their "spa day," according to their groomer.

Sitting in a National Guard Hummer.

Danielle and Emma met us for lunch and a few hours of fun.

Elliott put his hat on Emma.

The best of my attempts to get a cute picture of Lucy and Emma.

Hugs!

And kisses.

Elliott spent most of the day riding on rides. The Fair sells all-you-can-ride wristbands and Elliott rode all he could ride!

Tractors. Trucks. Cars. Alligators.

Carousel horses.

This giant slide was a huge hit. Elliott stood at the top and jumped as far as he could down the slide.

Riding the big swing with all the big girls.

We loved watching the big horses in the parade.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Ice cream for snack.

When we were there on Friday, we saw a very pregnant cow. She gave birth (in front of a live audience - yikes!!) on Saturday. We were excited to see the two day old calf.

In the simulator cab of a hug combine.

And now in the combine tire.

All that fun makes for a tired boy.

Lucy was there, too. She napped at the Fair and is looking forward to being able to play next year!