June

Summer is definitely here!  June brought the heat, humidity and numerous pop-up showers.  It also meant "summer" school for the boys (weekly themed activities), time at the pool and testing mom's tolerance for heat while pregnant.  Overall it was a great month!

Mom and dad at the Smith's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party

How many Holden's can fit in one bed?

Baby Girl (32 weeks) - our littlest one is under 2 months from making her appearance (hopefully closer to that two figure).  She has been by far the most active baby, giving mom fits of uncomfortability but proving the boys with lots of opportunities to feel her kicks.  We had a check-up ultrasound this month and she is measuring a few days ahead, has a full head of hair and overall looks great.  She has batting her foot back and forth for the ultrasound which was precious to watch!  We are so fortunate to have received a lot of clothes from friends so baby girl will have a full wardrobe whenever she decides to come.

Parker (2 years, 7 months) - Parker is exhibiting more signs of being a toddler.  He is the cutest little thing and knows how to make your heart melt.  But he likes to show signs of testing his boundaries lately to see how mom/dad react.  He is hilarious when he does something he know is wrong as he will ask to be put in time-out.  He is talking up a storm and it's a huge challenge for one of us to be able to keep up with both boys at the same time as they want to have independent conversations with you.  His latest thing is calling everything "his favorite".  Yesterday alone, we ordered his favorite ice cream, saw his favorite tree, slept in his favorite bed, wore his favorite shirt and shoes and watched his favorite cartoon.  The kids at school have all started moving up to their rooms for next fall so Parker has had about 75% of his room transition over.  So he and the other remaining boy have become quite close.  He likes to come home and tell us stories about what "Parker and best buddy Kieran" did today.

Here are some Parker pictures from the past month.

Playing guitar with dad - Carter birthday present has been a huge hit

His class picture from 2013 - 2014

He loves his pirate towel

Riding the dolphin at the pool

Carter (4 years, 1 month) - Carter continues to be an imaginative little kid.  Lately he has been talking a lot about what he wants to do when he grows up.  He bounces between moving to Africa to be a Safari guide and moving to Colorado to be a farmer (close to cousin Wren).  The good news is he has asked mom to come with him to both places ;)  He has also been showing huge interest in his baby sister.  He is incredibly sweet and will give mom two hugs each time (one up top for mom and one on the belly for sister) and the same with his kisses.  He has also asked to learn how to hold a baby and change a diaper (Parker has been very willing to let Carter assist with changing his diapers).  Carter is still working on his sisters official name but the latest options are Plum Rose William Holden and Isabella.  

Here are some Carter pictures from the past month.

Coloring their space ship

Dressing up to cheer on the US Soccer team - not sure how this outfit relates

He built a race track for his new motorcycle toy

Enjoying painting time

School picture