Time in Southern Illinois

On Sunday, we went down to Jeff's parents for Father's Day. They had suggested that they would like to keep the kids for a couple days. We decided that we thought we could handle some time to ourselves so we agreed. The kids spent 3 nights at Nana & Poppy's and Mimmie's house. Nana & Poppy brought them back home today. I know the kids and their grandparents really enjoyed themselves. In my free time I swam, ate lunch with friends, and got a pedicure. Jeff worked on sidewalk forms. I think I enjoyed myself a little more than him.

Ben in the cradle that was Daddy's at Mimmie's house.

Ava swimming at Mimmie's

Ben got to meet his Uncle Brad for the first time.

Ava & Great Uncle Terry

The Patchett Men on Father's Day

I was thrilled - Ava actually agreed to wear a different pair of shoes besides crocs.

Big Smiles

Ben started smiling a few weeks ago but in the past couple days you can get him to smile whenever you want. He is also cooing a lot. It is so cute. Here are some pictures of him on my lap smiling for the camera.

Ben & Daddy on Father's Day

Even More Pictures

I guess these posts may start to get boring but I wanted to be sure to put up all the good pictures.

Ava & Aunt Lindy

All Ava & Ben's cousins on the Patchett side.
Blake holding Gage, Kierstin holding Ava, & Hannah holding Ben.

Lindy & Isaiah with Ava & Ben

All of us with Mimmie (Jeff's Mom)

More Baptism Pictures

Aunt Lindy was in heaven getting to hold both her nephews that she had never met before. Ben is on the left & Gage on the right.

I have never seen Ava as excited or laugh so hard as when everyone sang Happy Birthday. She had a Yo Gabba Gabba cake. That is her favorite cartoon.

Ben got to meet his baby cousin, Gage. When Gage got there he had on this outfit since Ben had the same one I had to put it on him too. These boys are going to have to be tough with all the girls in the family.

Ava got this table and chairs set for her birthday so some of the kids sat here for supper.

Grandma & Grandpa. I will post more grandparents pictures later. I don't have them all on my camera.

Ben's wonderful Godparents - Aunt Martha & Uncle Jeff

Baptism with Family

We have had a wonderful past couple days with family. Jeff's sister, Lindy and her husband, Isaiah flew in from Texas on Thursday. Since they were going to be here we planned Ben's baptism for Friday evening. My family and Jeff's family all joined us for the baptism and dinner at our house afterwards. We also celebrated Ava's birthday. Ben left Riley's the day before her birthday so needless to say we weren't quite ready for a party.

Father Bill & Ben

Father Bill had all the kids come and sit with him while the scripture was being read.

Aunt Lindy flying a kite with Ava

Like Father, Like Son, Like Son. Jeff's Dad, Jeff and Ben were all sleeping.

Aunt Lindy holding Ben

Zoo Pictures

On Sunday, we took all the kids to the zoo. We had a really nice time. I had never been to Indy zoo. I go to St. Louis every year with my Biology II class so I was looking forward to a different zoo. It is a lot smaller than St. Louis but for little kids the size is really nice. St. Louis has a lot of animal houses that Indy doesn't have but I don't think kids our age would really like the houses anyway. Admission to Indy is $14 for adults and $9 for kids but there is a free dolphin show that makes it worth the cost. I sound like a commercial for the Indianapolis Zoo.

Ava cried like crazy on the carousel.

After crying on the carousel, I thought she would freak out on the pony but she liked it.

She held on to daddy for dear life when it came time to touch a goat.

Ava & Landon had to take a nap.

More Zoo Pictures

Ben was so hot so we had to take his undershirt off and just let him wear his bibs. He's imitating the monkeys.

There was a little splash park for the kids to play in. A lot of kids had swimsuits for this but we didn't know it was there so we just waited until the end of the day.

You could pet the dogfish sharks. They were about 2 feet long.