Lake weekend with the Sams men

Craig, Treyton and Carter came to the lake this weekend. Thomas had a ton of fun roughhousing with the big boys. Carter (the 5 year old) kept saying/complaining that Thomas copied everything he did. We all just laughed...Carter has likely spent the first 5 years of his life doing the same to Treyton. That's the joy of being one of the "big kids!"

Cruising in the boat

Thomas and "the boys" (as he called them)

Great roughhousing!

Dustin and Ed deciding how to cut a massive (14 lb!) hunk of beef. The ultimate result: 7 steaks in the freezer and 2 steaks and some thinner brisket-like cuts that were smoked. Yum!

We did a baby swap during an evening boat ride. Considering how much Thomas squirms and how content Abbey is, I think I got the better deal...

Hanging out with Kelly and Dustin in the front of the boat

Enjoying the shallow water

Just another walker picture to show how silly T looks in it! His legs are bent at a 90 degree angle at all times as he scoots around.

Backyard sprinkler fun

When the weather is really hot (so pretty much every day here in St. Louis), Thomas and I will go outside when I'm done with work and enjoy the wading pool.* If we're only going to be out half an hour or so, I have a hard time justifying getting out a swim diaper and a bathing suit. He certainly doesn't mind being nakey!**

I love this picture!

I wasn't able to capture the facial expression I was going for, but as I've mentioned before, T definitely understands how the sprayer attached to the hose works. He gets this mischievous little look on his face and turns it on me! I have learned to keep a hand on the hose and every time he points it at me, I kink it so I can stay dry. On the really good days, Ed comes home while we're still outside and then T sprays him.

*Thomas also goes in the wading pool with Courtney during the day, so it's not like this is the only time he gets to use it.

**I am wearing clothes when we do this. I just put my feet in.

Lake Weekend

Early in June was another beautiful lake weekend!

A picture of me and Kelly--not that the picture is that great, but hey, we have to be in the blog sometimes too, right? It's not all about the kids...

Early morning gas run for the boat = coffee for the guys and a chocolate frosted donut for Thomas. This (obviously) is a post-donut photo.

A-B had a 3-week water conservation non-shaving program. Due to our week in NC back in May, Ed actually went 4 weeks. Here he is, half shaved. What a good look!

Tucker brought his iPad up. Thomas is a huge fan (Tucker downloaded games for him) and knows exactly what to do. A little scary, actually.

What's wrong with this picture? Thomas LOVES Abbey's garage sale walker. We have a hard time getting him out of it. Poor Abbey...

Flowers

Check out my beautiful flowers! As you can see, I've actually been watering...I'm very proud.

Memorial Day weekend

We split up for Memorial Day weekend--I headed to Seattle for my college roommate's wedding (hooray girls' weekend!), while Ed and Thomas met Dustin, Kelly and Abbey for the first weekend of the season at the lake.

Diane, Allison, me, and Jess, eleven years after graduation. We had such a fun, low-key girls' weekend--dinner on Friday, wandering through town Saturday morning, and then attending the wedding and reception Saturday afternoon and evening before flying home on Sunday.

The bride and groom: Allison and Greg. They've been together since college and we're so happy for them!

Feeding Greg cake

We spent Saturday morning walking around the Pike Place Market on Seattle's waterfront. What a cool place!

Jess and Diane in front of the fish counters

We had a hard time resisting all the beautiful (and cheap!) bouquets of flowers.

I headed to the lake to join everyone after landing Sunday night. Here, Ed is practicing handling two kids at once.

Thomas is constantly kissing Abbey on the head. It's really sweet.

How cute is she in her little lifejacket?!

Welcome, Aidan Joseph!

My sister-in-law, Mary Beth, gave birth to their fifth child, Aidan Joseph, on June 1. Here's a pic of the little guy and the whole family. We're so happy for you and can't wait to meet him!

Week in NC

We spent the week leading up to Memorial Day in North Carolina while Ed's dad had surgery. The weekend was beautiful, so we pulled out the boat.

Apparently this year Thomas really likes to drive.

Tubing with daddy = not such a success. Going fast enough to get Ed out of the water is too fast for Thomas!

Helping daddy get lotioned up to spend some time in the sun.

Thomas kept getting "stuck" in the cooler.

Still a huge fan of the golf cart. And totally understanding where the gas pedal is...

Taking a ride with Grandma and Grandpa

A gorgeous sunset capped a beautiful weekend day. The best part out of the week, besides some quality one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Alli? Tom's surgery was successful and he's on the mend.