I haven't posted for ages and I am so sorry. I'm especially sorry to Grandma Penny in England who goes out the the library every day to use the computer! I'm going to do better, I promise! I have a TON of pictures to post. And a cute video from the carnival.
Here's the only picture I got on Father's Day, which is kind-of sad. We did have a nice day though. Very relaxing for Jon and I both. The boys swam in their little pool and in the evening we went out to Dairy Queen.
Ben does not like his picture taken BUT he does like an audience! He so reminds me of Pete sometimes. He is such a ham! Yes, that is his swimsuit on his head. He just came running into the room one day like that. So proud of himself.
And Simon is so funny too. He gets me cracking up so often with the things he does and says. It's great for the day - which can sometimes feels so long...
It was really his first time in his swim suit and he looked so cute! I put his feet in a few times. He wasn't quite sure at first but then he kind of liked it. It's nice to have a 4 year old who enjoys using the camera because Jon was at work. I wouldn't have pictures if it wasn't for Si. He's pretty good at it though, don't you think?
Talon is really starting to get his own little personality now. I love how he studies my face then gives me a huge open-mouthed grin. This morning he did a little laugh. It was great!
My dad has to travel from his home in Pennsylvania to Peoria, Illinois a few times a year on business. The good thing about it is that visits with us are on the way! On Friday he stopped at Aimee's so my boys and I went out there and we had lunch together. The kids got to play together too so that was nice.
I don't know why but Ben is always antagonizing Chloe (probably because we don't have any little girls in our house!). She's usually pretty good about it though (probably because she doesn't have anything but little boys in her house!). Here he is trying to get her with a cup of water.
Brett always says "Auntie, baby" when he sees Talon. It's really sweet.
I love the impromptu visits Dad! Tell Caterpillar that you need to visit more often! :) It's great...except for the pain in your back. And the 7 hour drive, I forgot about that! It was great to be together ~ love you!
On Tuesday we went to my friend Katie's house. We met a few other friends that I play cards with every week and their kids there. They had a blast. At one point I think we had 12 kids there! I know, we're crazy!!!
Here's a picture of Simon and Chloe with Katie's kids - Anna, Cally & Tucker. Thanks Kate for a great day out!
Simon has been asking to hold Talon a lot more lately. Probably because Talon is starting to smile and coo at him. I think he is really starting to know him. It's so fun to watch. Simon talks in this really high voice that cracks me up! He's such a good big brother.
And a cute one of Talon & Daddy.
Jon took Simon to see "Cars" on Saturday. It was Simon's first movie at the theater. He was so excited! And Jon and I were probably even more excited for him.
His excitement didn't stop him from filling his face with popcorn though!
I haven't posted many pictures of Talon yet because, quite frankly, he hasn't done much...until now! He is getting more alert each day and smiling and cooing like crazy. It's hard to get those smiles on film though. He's getting nice chubby cheeks too. He was at the doctor on Friday for his 2 month check-up and he is 12 pounds!
My boys have a new love for sidewalk chalk and the shower afterwards. They chalked the whole driveway with my help of course. I can't help it. I love sidewalk chalk too. There's something calming about coloring on the driveway. :) Thanks to Auntie Kristin for the awesome new chalk sprayer/brush (which is really like paint that dries into chalk - Ben LOVES that) and the bucket of chalk with 20 really good, bright colors! We (and I really do mean WE) love it!
Grandpa Mike is in Argentina right now but he e-mailed this great photo that Penny took right before he left for England in May. He wasn't able to be with us for Simon's birthday so he spent some time with him before he left. We miss him so much but we know that he is doing wonderful things all over the world! (You should see his itinerary for the year...it's crazy!!!)
Grandpa planted these flower pots for me right after I had Talon. He took Simon and Bennett with him to the nursery to buy all the flowers. I remember that was a really nice morning for me. :)
Can you believe the purple ones, Mike? They have really bloomed with all the rain. I don't even have to do anything but pick the dead ones off. I have to do it when Ben's not watching though because he thinks he's helping by pulling off nice ones. I think he got your "Gardening Gene". :)
The other day Jon mowed the lawn. The boys love helping with that. Especially Ben (goggles and all!). He runs to his mower as soon as he hears Jon start it up.
After the mowing, the boys found some "flowers" - weeds I think. They were so proud to bring me all these flowers. It was the sweetest thing. There were so many they had to start putting them on the window sill because I was holding Talon and couldn't hold anymore flowers!
For some reason I couldn't get all of these to come up on my last post. Anyway, thanks Michelle for all these great pics (and believe me, there are more!!!). We wouldn't have any if it wasn't for you! :)
It was a nice sunny day! A bit too sunny for Simon and Chloe. :)
Here's one of Addy Hamstra looking all cute in her little skirt! :) She is such a sweet little girl. I am so glad I finally got to meet her. 
Ben just loves the camera...can you tell! He stops being cute as soon as it's focused on him.
My favorite picture of these two...probably ever!
My mom is now a retired woman! We are so looking forward to being with her more often this summer....until she moves. :(
They gave her some wonderful gifts and everyone had a lot of great things to say about her. Things I already know but it makes you feel so good inside to see your own mother being blessed by others, since she blesses so many herself!
Here are a few pictures from her retirement party that Eagle had for her.
Mom with all the Pals guys ~ Todd, John, Chuck, Jeff & Tim
She has made some wonderful friends over the years!
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