Who would've guessed...

that Chad and I would one day drive our daughter to see a Wiggles concert-in a minivan, no less!!! The things you say you'll never do! Hattie's best bud Carlton rode with us and we met up with our good friends, Kyle and Katie, their son, Tyler and their niece. It took Hattie about 30 minutes to warm up to the idea of actually seeing The Wiggles. She spent the first part of the show in my lap, not real sure what to think about it all. After a while, she got the hang of it and proceeded to jump the whole rest of the show!




And here is Hattie showing off her new Big Girl Bed

Pictures

We took the kids in to get their pictures taken yesterday. We hadn't had them taken together since Anderson was 6 weeks old! We were also wanting to get Hattie's 2 year pictures (even though it is still a week away!). Here are some of the proofs!

A Quick Getaway

We made a trip down to the coast this weekend. Our friends, Chad and Rachel went with us, along with their two kids-Carlton and Camille. We had a lot of fun playing, eating, shopping, and relaxing. Hattie and Anderson both really enjoyed the beach. Although I spent most of the time trying to keep fistfuls of sand out of Anderson's mouth. Too bad it was so hot, or we could have spent all day there and been happy. We also drove into Corpus to the Aquarium. The big kids loved seeing all the fish and watching the dolphin show. It was a really nice break for us all! There are a lot of pictures, but Hattie is really rebelling against cameras. She will be laughing and smiling right at you-until she sees a camera and immediately looks away-so frustrating!

Hattie and Anderson splashing together

Hattie and Carlton

Anderson taking in all the sights on his first trip to the beach

















Hattie and Carlton loved posing together on the stairs!




Camille got the best end of the deal-she spent a lot of time napping!

Chad's Belated Birthday

Chad's birthday was Monday. Unfortunately, I woke up running fever Monday morning. Chad took off two days to stay home with the kids,while I tried to rest. We ended up having to cancel our birthday plans for Monday and Tuesday. So two days later, Chad got his first birthday cake! Hunter and Ava are here for "Mimi Camp" and they really helped keep the party going! This morning my mom and I took all four kids to the bounce place and then out to lunch! I'm blogging right now because both are my kids are ASLEEP! It's hard work going and up and down that slide!

Happy Birthday, Chad!

Hunter, Ava, and Hattie helping Chad with his gifts!

Craft time

Showing off their visors!

Anderson enjoying some attention from Ava

Ava knows all the tricks to getting the babies smiling!

Bouncey, Bouncey, Bouncey!

Hattie and Ava climbing up the big slide

All three getting ready to come down the big slide!

Singing in the Rain (or at least stomping)

Our area has been in a record drought this year. Only 4 inches of rain since January. So, when it started raining this afternoon-Hattie and decided to go out and enjoy it. We are especially grateful since we own a RAIN gutter company! I thought these pictures were so cute! Thanks for the rain boots, Ava, we are finally getting to use them!

4th of July weekend

We spent the 4th out at my parents' house swimming, eating dinner, etc. Our kids are such early-to-bedders that we didn't make it to the fireworks show. We do get an obstructed view of the Kerrville Fireworks Display through our living room window, however! In other happenings, our nephew, Tyler, is on the Kerrville All-Star baseball team, so we've been going to some of his games! They are really an exciting team to watch! Anderson turned 7 months old on Sunday! He's really working on crawling and getting in his bottom teeth. Our house is back to having the coffee table pushed up against the wall and the Chlorox Wet Jet always ready to go!

Stirring the tea!

Anderson entertaining us all at dinner

7 months old!!!!!

The 6 Ahrens cousins... we are awaiting the arrival of #7, a girl, Tindall, in November!

Hattie trying to get Tyler's attention