Making a Splash

Rhylan has always loved the water- when it's in the bath tub, or we are with him, holding him like for swimming lessons. But, he has not been a fan of the pool this year. I don't know if it is the weightless feeling, or what, but he freaks out in kiddy pools or zero depth entry (fine in deeper water, floating, with us). We haven't pushed him, figuring he would come around in his own sweet time, which he did full force this past weekend. He has decided he now LOVES the kiddy pool, going down slides, jumping in fountains, for hours on end. Here he is today, I think we have another water baby in the making!

Baby Rhylan

In the midst of the crazy packing and cleaning sweep to get our current house on the market and packed up for the move, Rhylan found the hat he wore in the hospital. He insisted on wearing it, the proceeded to keep running around the house screeching: "Ny-nan, I baby Eeeen", which translates to "Rhylan, I am baby Ian". Seems he recognized the iconic blue and pink hospital hat from his pictures of his new cousin. He then took the role playing one step further, and made me hold/cradle him, while sucking his thumb. I am guessing that we have for sure hit the imaginative play phase! So fun- he cracks me up!

Sneak Peek

Here is the virtual tour of the new house (click underlined to see)! It doesn't show every room, nor what I feel is the best shot of some of the rooms, but it gives a good idea. We are getting new carpeting before moving in- we are sick and tired of plain old beige that everyone seems to have.... thinking of a gray or tan friezes to jazz things up a bit.

On The Move

The Atkissons will soon be St. Louis residents!

Jason has accepted an exciting new job, and will be starting on, or before, August 17th. This was pretty sudden, and a wonderful opportunity..... Now we just need to get a new house (and hopefully ours sold), and get settled, in time for Brayden to start kindergarten in our new town; which is only 4 short weeks away!

I hadn't updated on here for a while, and have tried to catch everything up tonight. If I don't post again for awhile, I would think it is safe to assume it is because I have suddenly been put into extra-charged-turbo-drive!!

Proud Cousins

Just a few shots of my little guys hanging out with their new little cousin, Ian. The pictures say it all, they are completely in love with the little guy.

A Day at the Museum

I had to go to my hometown for a little over a week, to take care of some business. But who could take a week of all business, and no fun? So, I took the boys to the Children's Discovery Center-and they had a wonderful time. We are members of our local Children's Museum, but it is really small. This place was huge- as in our whole museum would fit into one exhibit! So many cool exhibits, that were right up Brayden's alley. They had space, weather, pulleys, human body, airplanes, I could go on and on- but if you have ever met our son, you know what I mean about this being his kind of place!

Brayden in front of a tornado forming

If this handsome delivery guy doesn't get the girls at the office talking, I don't know what would ;)!

Rhylan playing in the Water Works

Mommy and Rhylan on a space mission

Fourth of July Weekend 2009

We had a great, and busy, 3-day weekend for the 4th this year.

We started our celebrating on the 3rd, with Brayden's parade at camp.

Then, that evening, we went continued our tradition of going to our good friend's party. They live only a couple of blocks away from where some of the area's best fireworks are, and we have a great view, lots of good food, and terrific company!

The actual 4th was miserable weather wise, and all area festivities were cancelled until the following day. However, that didn't "dampen" our fun- our good friends/neighbors still went on with their party. They even brought the bounce house inside the living room for the kids. (I have to say, they are way cooler parent's than we are- I don't see that happening at our house!)

The next day was back to being gorgeous weather, and the fireworks were rescheduled for that night. Our house is within blocks of where they are set off, so we decided to have an impromptu "small" get together- which quickly grew to more than 50 people! We had a wonderful time grilling out, and hanging out with friends. The kids had a blast as well running, playing, swinging, swimming, and bouncing in the bounce house.

What could be a better weekend than one filled with lots of friends, lots of good food, some fireworks, and a lot of fun?!?!