The week after losing Jordan, we went with Eric's family to St. Genevieve Missouri for a little family vacation. We debated on if we would go or not, but I am glad that we decided to make the trek. Brayden and Ashley did pretty awful on the trip- Ashley cried the majority of the way there, they were both cranky, hardly ate, and Brayden even spent the majority of our last night in the house screaming for over an hour for no apparent reason (at like 2 in the morning).
Regardless, Eric and I were still glad that we went. We spent some quality time with his family, enjoyed the awesome pool and outdoor area the house had, and even enjoyed a few wineries- including one where you could drink your wine in a cave! I really failed to get many pictures during our stay, but here are a few of the kids enjoying the pool and water table one afternoon.
We celebrated Father's Day with the best dad Brady and Ashley could have.
That next week was fair week- and boy was the weather just beautiful for it! I decided I wanted to take the kids Tuesday morning to see the animals, so my mom and dad tagged along with me. It was so fun to see Brayden and Ashley's excitement around all of the animals.
I'm pretty sure Brayden was in Heaven walking up and down the aisles of the livestock barn. A smile never left his face, and his arms reached in so many of the pens to try to pet the pigs, sheep, goats, and cows.
And Ashley had the best time making all the animal noises. I can still hear her little "moooooo" with the roundest lips she could make.
The next night Eric and I brought the twins to the fair again to meet up with Nichole, Grant, and Emily. The twins were way less impressed with the animals this second time around, but they did enjoy some good fair food and some of my strawberry shake-up.
The rest of June we spent outside as much as we could. This month we have loved going on wagon rides. Here at the end of the month, though, they both would rather walk on the road than ride in the wagon.
Puddles are our new favorite thing. It took some convincing to get them to get out of the wagon and splash in their first puddle, but once they tried it out, they were hooked. Ever since that first rain this month, any puddle that they have seen has been stepped in, no matter what shoes they are wearing.
We both love to swing and go down a slide, and being outside is our favorite thing.
They barely wake up and get their clothes changed before they are grabbing shoes and waiting by the door to go outside. Ashley does really well about grabbing two of her own shoes, Brady will sometimes grab one of Ashley's sandals and one of my tennis shoes and bring them to me, but at least he is getting shoes, right?
Eric bought the twins their first basketball hoop this month (I know, you are all surprised at that statement), and Brady and Ashley are loving dunking the ball. Ashley especially loves to cheer after a ball is made, whether she or Brady made it, so we might have a cheerleader on our hands one day.
Brady is still really into sticks, and Ashley has developed a love for rocks. Brady loves giving big slobbery kisses and blowing raspberries. Ashley loves wearing anyone's shoes she can find, and is big into climbing anything and daddy's tickles.
We ended the month with Brayden and Ashley's first pool date of the year at my mom and dad's house. Brayden loved sitting in the baby float, and wanted every single toy he could find. Ashley only wanted me to hold her, but did enjoy splashing the water and when James blew the water from the jet onto her with the pool noodle.
As June ends, my last full month at home with Brayden and Ashley begins. Here's to soaking up every moment with them, and continuing to make memories as a family.
