September is here. Ben has started his last year of school, we are excited. Summer went by really fast. We enjoyed seeing family and friends. Levi was spoiled by his Abuelita and Grandma, by going on the train many times. Amaya is growing really fast, she is taller and heavier than average, she's got the tall Cole gene. She is sitting, scooting, babbling, standing, laughing, smiling, rolling over, eating solids, two bottom teeth. Our kids are adorable and smart.

Bumps and Bruises

Amaya and Levi at the park.

May has been a busy month so far. We have visited with my parents, spend time with our little friends and mommies on play dates, swimming lessons, gone for many walks to the park and more. Its been so warm in London. Levi has tanned nicely, so have I. I have a silly glasses tan line and Amaya isn't tanned at all. We call her our Snow White princess. Fair skin and dark eyes and hair. She is so cute, happy baby. She has found her voice. Like Ben says: She sings in the morning in her bed when she wakes up. The nurse and family visitor from the Health Unit came two days ago and according to the chart  Amaya's size is over the average. She is the size of a 9 month old baby. Makes lots of sense, 6months clothes is tight on her.She is almost sitting on her own, holding toys and grabbing whatever is near by. 

Landon, Levi and Virginia.

Levi is an active little boy, getting himself in trouble and making messes. He too has a nickname, that's the 'Mess Monster'. This morning he found my pin holder and took out all the pins while we were sleeping. Lucky for him , he didn't step on a pin. His knees are bruised and scratched. He keeps bumping and falling on his knees. Ouch.

Another attempt to take a picture of the kids together.

 Funny story about Levi, the other day while we were going home. A little girl passed by us, ambushed Levi and kissed him. All I saw was Levi pushing this little girl away. Once in the elevator I asked him "Did you get a kiss on the cheek?" - "No! on the mouth!!!" Oh dear.

Our kids keep us busy and our lives exciting. We love them so much.
   

Chillin' in the sun.

Nana with Levi and Maya

Sunny day at Gramma and Grandpa Cole's home. with Auntie Christy ,Ben and the kids.

Happy Easter.

Cute Bunny.
Having a family is amazing, incredible, glorious. I love my husband, our children (still in disbelief that we have two kids), and other family members.
We started with a treat by going to Port Stanley and riding on the locomotive, Gramma's and Grandpa's idea, all for Levi. Aunt Christy and uncle Dustin came too.
My son has an obsession with trains. When he meets someone, anyone he starts his conversation by "train tracks, train tracks???"  It was wonderful to see his many facial expressions. He saw two mascots the Easter bunny and Stanley the bear gave them hugs. At the end of the ride he asked "one more time".

On saturday night Ben and I , had fun getting things ready for Easter sunday. I sewed some bunny ears for Amaya, made her a flower headband. We hid about 40 eggs in our home, each egg had one mini chocolate egg. We video taped the whole thing. He went with his basket picking up the eggs. He was excited but even more when we told him to open them. That was his breakfast, chocolate mini eggs, almost all of them. 

We had Easter dinner at mom and dad's with Grammy, Carolyn.
It was a great long weekend to be together.

We are grateful to live near family and the many blessings we are given daily because of the Atonement. Our Heavenly Father truly loves us.

Spanglish

Levi says:"look at that ,avion". Avion means airplane. We are visiting Nana's house, so Levi says. Every time we come and see my parents and brother, we speak Spanish all the time.Levi is immersed and learning the language fully. His favorite words are: tortilla, leche chocolate, jugo ( tortilla, chocolate milk and juice). He is getting plenty of those things. My parents love to have the kids over. Amaya is a snuggle bug, loves to smile and talk. They are both getting lots of love.

My brother has been the best uncle ever. Bought Levi a Lighting McQueen hat, he wears it all the time and has been so patient with him. Terrible two's also means he terrorizes not only Maya our family dog but people too. Levi loves his uncle and wants him to be with us everywhere he goes.
Our goal this week has been to go to as many playgrounds as possible during our stay. We have been to 8. If we go to anymore playgrounds we'll need to take the bus, that s too far. The weather has been so great to us, we've been out for more than 4 hours a day in the outdoors. We've all tanned, except for the baby. It's amazing to get some sun. How wonderful!
During our walk today, we saw the Via Rail train twice. We waved and got to hear the train horn. Levi was so happy, "Thomas!".

Finally some pictures!

       

Daddy with Amaya in her Sunday dress.

We are busy these days. Amaya is already two months. She is weighing more than 12 pounds. She can sit in her Bumbo chair without a towel, lift her head for a long time, stand on her feet for a while. We feel she is ready to use the Jumperoo. I love dressing her up, dressing her in the dresses and headbands Abuelita Clarita has bought her. She is adorable and loves to chat with me. She has a killer smile like her daddy and the cutest cheeks that you just want to eat. We love her.   At Amaya's first month check up, the nurse wanted to help me take her out of her carseat while I was helping Levi with his coat. Levi suddenly said : "NO!" No to the nurse , she wasn't aloud to touch his baby. He is a great big brother. Another Levi moment was when he was going to bed this week. He said :" Good night Daddy, I love you Daddy, Be right back Daddy" He didn't get back but went to sleep in less than 3 minutes. We were having a hard time to put him to bed, the kid wasn't sleepy and it was past 10pm. No naps have been our solution. We do not get a cranky toddler just a more mellow one and we are happier parents.   

We had a nice visit last month to see my parents and brother in Ottawa. The trip felt long but it was worth it. As you can see, Levi loves his uncle and our dog. He was tormenting her so much, living creatures are so interesting to him. My mom spoiled us with dinner every night and Dad with chocolate milk. The kids loved been with them.
We had friends come and visit and was able to catch up on things. I loved been there and was so sad to leave. I feel we live too far from them and wish we could be closer. Only time will tell.

Other updates: Ben is in school, hoping that it can end soon. One more school year and he will or not. He is also working and fulfilling his calling to his best abilities. He is tired, overwhelmed and in love with his family. He is wonderful. He has a new hobby, collecting hockey cards and making money selling it. He sold a  Nugent Hopkins rockie card for 800$. That was amazing and had to take a picture of it with Levi and himself. Horray for Daddy!!!

As for me sewing has not been my priority but did make two bibs for Levi. I am reading again, this time two books: The wonder of Girls and The Help. I am also learning a more of a new subject every week. This week is Global Warming. Do not ask me anything about it, I am not an expert but just trying to learn more about it. So far that is all that has been happening around here.  Here are more pictures of our family, silly and cute photos. Enjoy!

Daddy and Levi celebrating their find, a Nugent Hopkins Rockie card

Levi playing with the I-touch

Levi, Gramma, Carolyn and Ben playing Pizza Party.

Visit from Sharon

Happy Birthday!!!

 Levi's 2nd birthday was a blast. Our little boy didn't have any idea what was going to happen that day. We celebrated at Gramma's and Grandpa's house.

Our theme this  year was trains. I made a Thomas the tank Engine Train cake. As you can see it was super sweet, I ended up with a sugar high and so did Levi. He and Landon had so much fun devouring it. The toppings were: Oreo cookies for the wheels, sour peeches for the lights, Smarties for the quarry, gummy bears for the animal cage, ice cream cone as a funnel, black licorice for the train track and us as the passengers. The train is covered with CoolWhip. Sugar overload. The salads we made tasted even better after the cake.

We are so grateful for everyone who came and everyone who helped. I know Levi enjoyed himself and felt everyone's love. Thanks everybody and wished others would have come.  Levi is our beautiful little boy, we are so proud of him. He has achieved his milestones. He definitely has over 200 words. We love been his parents.