The month of July

We have been super busy here. In July I took two weeks off work, and James took a little over one week. Someone tried to steal our van right out of our driveway the first day, but after that it was fantastic! We played, went up to see James' parents and out to the farm to see my parents. This is kind of a mish-mash of pictures.

Jude has made some major changes since May. Everyone who knows him says he's a completely different person. He still has his bad days, but now they are about the same as every other two year old. He no longer melts down for no reason and he has gained a lot of weight. He no longer has six pack abs, you can no longer count his ribs and he has gotten taller as well. And all we did was take away all of his dairy except the occaisional piece of cheese. And we can tell right away if he's had too much of that. His attitude changes and he smells horrible! All in all, we are feeling much better about our little man's health.

Jude, in a self-imposed time out. What he does when he's feeling really grumpy.


Wearing Dad's shoes and Gage's backpack, going to school.


Nate is growing very well, and really talking now. He's such a small boy compared to Gage and Jude, but his personality makes up for it! People ask why there are always so many pictures of Nate. It's because he's loves the camera, and it loves him.

Talking to Aunty on her old cell phone she gave them to play with.



Gage is potty trained! He hardly ever has an accident, and has only wet the bed once, when he had too much to drink the night before and didn't get to the bathroom in time when he got up. He really likes Nate and Jude now, and tries to help them and show them things. He's such a good big brother.

How to use a bed.

Gage: Get under the covers and stay there. Don't wake up unless Elmo falls out of bed.
Jude: Put head on the pillow and lay flat on your back. Stay in the bed until you think it's time to get up.
Nate: Find the most uncomfortable position you can. Stay there until you can't feel some part of your body. Wake up and accuse Jude of having a stinky bum so someone will come reposition you and cover you up.
Museum trips without a stroller are interesting, to say the least. Everyone knows to hold a hand, but in the dinosaur room, it's pretty safe to let them explore on their own.
Dinosaur kisses.

Our friend Ed. He's such a sport, he let Gage tell him all about dinosaurs.
Look! They are all in the same spot!

Sort of.


The clouds Mom and I watched roll away one night at the farm.
And the sunset from the other side of the house.