Cousins, cousins, everywhere!

At the end of August, it was my niece's birthday. So, in honor of her girls' party, I stole her brothers for the night for a boys' night at our house. The boys had a blast visiting with Chase and Blake!

Jonathan showed off his mad scooter skills!

Jonathan's still scooting, while Blake and Matt chat.

Time to show off skills in the tub!

My eyes, oh, my eyes!

Time to show off at story time, with sunglasses. Everyone needs sunglasses when they're going to sleep, right?

Hey dude!

Pit stop, but still being cool!

The next day, we took the boys up to see Grannie and Grandpa and to swim. Gracie was still enjoying her friends from her slumber party, so we had some more cousin time.

They must have recently put new water in because it was COLD!

Grandpa and Jonathan had some fun on their own.

Matt had fun once he got used to the chilly water.

Chase got a bit dizzy on this and went down after trying to run back to the pool.

He was trying to fake his way to feeling right, and play with Jonathan. Shortly after this, Chase found himself taking a bit of respite on the lounge chair. Still a bit dizzy.

The boys had fun plugging up the holes and seeing what would happen.

We dropped them off, said Happy Birthday to the birthday girl, and headed home to nap. Fun day with the cousins!

Ready for a "parade"?

We gathered up the boys and our chairs for what we thought was going to be a big parade through the city to mark the beginning of the football season for our local high school. Turns out, it was the band and the drill team, who just walked by wearing t-shirt and shorts. Bit of a small parade, but the boys were still pumped (until everyone had already walked by).

Here we are waiting for the big parade.

Getting ready for the parade to start.

Since it was so hot and the parade was so short, we decided to go for some water play!

There was a little reluctance at first since we didn't have their trunks with us, but they got over it and enjoyed the water for a bit!

Bouncing Friday!

We picked up the boys early one Friday and took them bouncing. The place was entertaining, but HOT! It was so hot outside, we thought taking them indoors would help. Not so much when the A/C is not working. We had fun anyway!

Jonathan took a spill at the bottom of the slide!

He was loving it!

Matt & Nick played around in the obstacle course for a bit.

Matt got creative with his bouncing activities and decided to shoot some hoops!

This Dog is OK!

After school one day, we stopped by my brother's house to visit with the cousins and deliver a birthday picture to their cousin Ethan, who was in town for a visit.

Matt has a history of being overly fearful of dogs of any size. He usually flips out when we get to my brother's house, but his visit proved he could handle it if on his own time.

Playing fetch was interesting.

Zerberts a funny!

All the Howell cousins!

First Day of School

The boys started school in August, right next door to each other. Jonathan moved up from the toddler class to preschool. What big boys!

After school we made some homemade whipped cream for our desserts, and the boys were all over licking the beaters!

Bikes, Pools, and Popcicles

One hot, steamy morning, the boys and I went for a ride and came home to play in the pool out back.

Matt decided to go for a scooter ride, while Jonathan pedaled behind him.

My little guy...

Matt beat us up the small hill, and I had to help Jonathan a bit so he didn't roll backwards!

This was our first ride with Jonathan and he did a great job and pedaled the whole way.

Back at home, taking care of business.

Add bubbles to the mix and let the fun begin!

Homemade popsicles are yummy!

Is there something on my face?

Fairview Water!

The boys love running around the fountains. We took some time out one morning to hit the fountains again!

It's like "Where's Waldo?", only it's where's Matt?

Matt loves to see what covering up the fountains will do when they turn back on!

Laughter and water = fun!

Laying down on the job?

Wait for me!

Blocking the big fountain is so much fun!

Want a hug, Mommy?

Bubble Bath

Bubble baths in our bathtub are still a favorite, especially when Daddy makes the bath!

Here's the beginning. Just the beginning!

Bubbles in my eyes!!!

Peek-a-boo!

Laughing time in the bubbles!

A little splashing... makes the floor wet.

The feet are flying now. Time to end the bath!

Diving under water

Too many bubbles means hosing off in the shower.