Our week in pictures

Last Sunday afternoon Mark left for a week-long work conference in Austin, TX. Boo Hoo. He reminded me that this is the first time he's had to travel in 2 1/2 years of working for his company, so I can't complain too much. Still, it was lonely with just me and the kids at home. Thankfully, my youngest sister, Lauren, flew in on Tuesday and is still here visiting. Hurray! Hurray! Having Lauren here has been wonderful and the timing couldn't have been better! By the time Mark returned Friday evening we had seven people staying in our home - the four of us, Lauren, Aubree's friend Cheyenne (her parents had an emergency and dropped Cheyenne off for the evening), and my friend's daughter, Amanda (her parents had to take an emergency trip to Alabama so she stayed with us for just a few days). Both Cheyenne and Amanda were a pleasure to have around and were incredibly well-behaved, but I'm afraid I would have been totally overwhelmed if Lauren hadn't been here to help.

Since Lauren's been here we've kept busy by going to the beach, swimming, shopping, sewing, cooking, playing games, and chatting. Aubree immediately attached herself to Lauren's side and wanted to do everything with her. However, when Amanda came Aubree wanted to spend all her time playing with her instead. Lauren admits to being a little jealous, but by then she'd convinced Bryce not to cry when she holds him (Bryce is such a momma's boy) so I think that helped ease the pain a bit. :)

Lauren playing dress-up with Aubree.

We took Bryce swimming for the very first time yesterday. He cried when we first got into the water, but relaxed very quickly. In fact, he fell asleep! As always, Aubree was a little fish.

Mark, Aubree, Amanda, Bryce, and Lauren playing in the pool
I think he likes it...
Looking so handsome after his morning swim (see the dimples in his chin and cheek?)

Here are some of the craft projects we've been working on:

Aubree modeling another dress converted from a button-up shirt.

Aubree wanted her baby to have a tutu like hers, so we made one!

Aubree wearing a "pillowcase dress" (yes, it's made from a real pillowcase).

Our other fun news of the week is that Bryce learned how to roll over from front to back. I'm not really good about remembering to give him "tummy-time," but he somehow figured it out anyway. I also finally figured out what color Bryce's eyes are: Army. As in, that brownish-green Army camo-color. Very cute. Aubree's eyes used to be blue, but now they're more gray.

Aubree likes to do tummy-time with Bryce.

Aubree really likes Disney movies. I've noticed that some of the phrases from the movies have begun to creep into her daily vocabulary and our conversations. For example, recently I've heard her say such things as, "I hear you" (from Cinderella), or "and if you can find something to wear," (also from Cinderella), or "Bravo, Bravo -BOO" (from Jungle Book). My favorite though...whenever she sits down to read a book to herself, she now begins by saying, "Once upon a dream..." Thanks, Sleeping Beauty.

I think Bryce missed his daddy.

Here's the latest anecdote related to Aubree's current love for Jesus stories... The other day she asked me, "Tell me a story of Jesus, the one about Tigers." "Tigers?" I repeated, confused. She thought for a minute, then answered, "no, the Ten Leopards."

Happy 4th of July! This is what the kids wore to church today. So festive!