Lockport, New York

So we again took separate flights to New York. This time it was because originally Rick was going by himself. Then he was going to bring Lyla, but when the cheapest tickets he could get meant staying 5 days, that was just too long without daddy and Lyla, so Cole and I got tickets too. It was another long day of flying with already tired children but overall it was pleasant.

The very first thing Cole and Lyla did was ride on Great Papa Solotes' tractor. Cole asked to ride it every day and got very adept at it. Lyla even loved to ride it too. So Skip and Papa Solotes would take turns taking the kids for rides.

I was a little concerned with the tight sleeping conditions in George & Yvette's two bedroom home, but it all worked out wonderfully. The kids shared a room with Rick's parents. Cole slept on a twin air mattress on the floor. Lyla had a pack n play. Rick slept on the couch or floor and I slept on another air mattress or couch in the living room. Kaitlyn and Jillian either slept on the air mattress, at a friend's house or Natalie's apartment.

While Rick and I were at the wedding, Cole and Lyla went with the family to a party celebrating a cousin's graduation. They loved it and now Cole gets very excited at the mention of a party. After all, there was a lot to do in their backyard! We later joined them at the festivities.

We went to Darien Lake (an amusement park) one day thanks to Natalie who got free tickets for us from her work. Cole had a terrible allergy attack the night prior and was up until midnight, but we decided to go anyway. He was pretty good considering the circumstances. He rode many rides and enjoyed them but was also very scared in many too...notice the grip he has on Rick's shirt.

He got to ride his very own train! It was man powered so when it would run out of oomph from the initial push they would have to go push him again, but I thought he did great for never having "pedaled" with his hands (wait, or feet for that matter).

There was a mighty breakdown at one point that was finally resolved with daddy beating out little seven or eight year olds to win a cookie monster. Cole went on to ride the bumper carswith Cookie Monster. He did really well for never having driven by himself or pushed a pedal to drive!

All I have to say is "Thank Goodness for Cookie Monster!" I think he just needed a lovey and we hadn't brought his blanket. Since coming home he hasn't been all that thrilled with him other than to sing "C is for Cookie" and push a magnet shaped "C" into his mouth. Lyla finds him adorable and cuddles and lays with him, but calls him "Elmo" no matter how many times I correct her.

Cole got to see a Thomas & Friends show while Rick and I went on a roller coaster. He even participated which was rather shocking to me. (He is behind the "INA" sign.)

And even as tired as he was he wanted to ride motorcycles. I could tell he was afraid, but he held on and didn't get upset. That was a huge leap for him.

Little Princess was such a trooper too. She loved all the things to see and enjoyed the rides right along with Cole. 

It was so great to spend time with the family and enjoy some cooler weather. Although it was unusually hot for Western NY, it was cooler than Texas. We'll take 85 - 90 degrees any day! Cole and Lyla really enjoyed playing in the shaded yard, going for walks with Grandma, playing in the water or going to the playground.

I would often find Cole talking with Great Grandma Solotes in the kitchen. He would go on and on and on. It was sooo sweet. There is a little TV in the kitchen and they would watch it together and talk about it. Or she would ask him lots of questions and he would give her the most detailed answers. Lyla captured Great Papa Solotes' heart right away. Of course he also bribed her with M&M's to sit with him. After that she would always want to sit with him in hopes of getting some chocolate.

We also visited Lake Ontario and went swimming at a friend's home where the girls surprised Cole with some Thomas toys and swimming trunks. You can see from his face he was delighted.

We were able to do so much, but at the same time have such a relaxed and lazy vacation.Okay, at least I was lazy. With so much help around I totally chilled. It was awesome.

And of course Rick had to eat at all the old stomping grounds. We even stopped at a the classic "Reids" for lunch and ice cream with the kids.

Overall, it was fabulous and it felt like leaving home again when it came time to actually go home. The only regret was we didn't make it to Rochester or Palmyra. Just not enough time in five days for all that we would want to do there. Hopefully it isn't another three years before we are able to return and see the Solotes clan!

And THANK YOU to Jillian for the majority of these pictures. Once again, I was a total slacker with the camera.

Lake Hamlin, Michigan

Okay, time to catch up on the fun month we have had starting with our trip to Michigan.  Rick and Cole flew together and Lyla and I took a separate flight. It was the only way we could use our frequent flier miles to go.  Lyla was a nightmare on the first flight but an angel after that. I have to say that the Chicago Children's Museum inside the airport really, REALLY helped to make the trip pleasant and keep Lyla very entertained.  Overall, the kids were pretty good travelers and Lyla was even better on the way back.

I have to say that I was very poor at taking any pictures at all while we were there.  I took a few but I should have taken so many more. It was a beautiful week on the Lake with family.  I was just too busy relaxing and enjoying the grandparents around to realize that I would want these pictures!  Oh well.  Here are some highlights though...

Cole played on this tractor multiple times.  You can see it was definitely a thrill.

Cole and Lyla adored playing in the sand and in the water. Lyla is a little daredevil and kept trying to get you to let go of her. She would just step right in. That's fine on the beach area but by the cabins it is the dock. They would both lay in the sand, grab water in their buckets and pour it on the sand, dig it up and start all over again.

Grandpa Poling brought a fishing pole and a tractor for Cole to play with and boy did he love them both. At any given time you could see Cole outside driving the tractor through the dirt. He loved to roll it down the sidewalk until it hit the grass too.

We took a trip to the sand dunes on the side of the lake one day with the kids. Shockingly Cole wasn't afraid to climb it with Grandma Poling. (He usually is afraid of heights.) Even better was rolling down it again, and again, and again with daddy!

Cole can't even open his eyes when asked to smile for the camera. The combination of uncontrollable laughter, sand and sun didn't make it easy! Playing in the sand and in the dirt with his tractor might be some of the rare occasions that Cole didn't mind being dirty. I love this picture because the dirt is so out of character for him. However, the cupcake mouth is totally Cole. He loves cake!

Lyla on the other hand thinks dirt is her best friend. She bathes in the stuff. In fact, she thought she would try eating it too.

Hmmm...yeah, that didn't work out like she thought.

Although we were there for July 4th, we didn't play with them for days later. Cole really loves sparklers as we play with them at home, but the "Pop-its" were new and boy did he love throwing those at our feet! I totally lost track of time and he was up until almost 11:30pm! I had forgotten that dark doesn't even come until about 10pm there. That was hard for him the first night to get used to going to bed before the sun went down.

Ludington is a great place for young families to vacation. The beach off Lake Michigan is so clean - no rocks or dirt or anything. I think they comb through it every night. There is a beautiful lighthouse to walk to and a fun park right on the beach. We went there a couple of times and played on the swings, slides and in the sand.

Oh, and doesn't Rick look like a movie star or something here. Have to say I enjoy having the casual and scruffy Rick on our vacations! (Um, even though I think those were Yvonne's sunglasses. Hahah!)

We also went to a park on another end of Lake Michigan where most of the boat docks are and the steamboat to cross the Lake. This was an amazing playground - the largest and coolest I have ever seen. Rick and I loved playing on it. Lyla thought she was so cool running around on it with the big kids. Cole somehow forgot his fear of heights and tall slides in the chaos and enjoyed every second. The "bumpy" slide was definitely his favorite.

We also enjoyed the soft, green grass to play in. I miss soft grass. :-(

There was a little kiddie playground too. I took Lyla there and behold, she decided that steps were for sliding down (which I quickly put an end too) and slides were for climbing. Frankly, it shocked me. The girl is crazy.

It was a lovely trip and we can't wait to do it all again. We were home maybe four days when Rick up and found cheap tickets for us to go to Buffalo, New York to attend a friend's wedding, see his grandparents and spend time with his family that was visiting there too. We had not been there with the kids ever so we were very excited but details of that adventure to come in the next post.

Here's a video of Cole and Daddy on the dunes.

Wow! I was reminded by more than one friend that it has been a long time since I updated the blog and I couldn't believe it had been over a month! We have been busy enjoying the summer heat and napping I suppose. So this will mostly be an update of pics and vids you have missed.

Cole is very into taking self portraits with my new white iphone (thank you Rick!)

We have visited Austin a few times as Robert and Beverly moved to Illinois and Ryan and Jefra are moving in two weeks to Florida. We are trying to get the most cousin time in as possible. Lyla thinks she's one of the big kids.

Here are Cannon and Cole showing me they can count to ten. These boys are going to miss each other!

On one of our trips we went to Austin Children's Museum. I love that place. Cole had such a good time playing with the trains. Here's Lyla enjoying the slide.

We bought a few hanging flower baskets for around the house. After being up a few days we found a cute little nest and two eggs...and then four eggs! I love the watch the mommy and daddy guard their little ones. Cole likes to check up on the them too.

This was taken a bit ago but it shows just how much Cole LOOOOOOVES ice cream. We started reading scriptures at night and he eats a popsicle or ice cream. Bad habit to start? Well, at least he enjoys it!

It seems everyone is leaving us because my aunt and uncle that live here are moving for a year as well. Cole and Lyla adore playing with my cousins. Cole used to be afraid of their toy robot but now loves him. This robot really is cute.

Since injuring my back again, I started physical therapy. It has really improved things but I still deal with daily back stiffness, popping and being sore. Aunt B has watched my kiddos for me quite often so I can go to therapy without worries. She of course puts them to work too.

We have had Hudson, one of Cole's buddies here in College Station, over quite a bit as well. I thought this was so funny. The towels were out to sit on for lunch and they had been playing in the sprinkler. Then they suddenly both decided to lay down and sunbath.

Yes, even thought it is killer hot here we have still managed to play a lot outside and we swim at Miramont. That is always nice because then they can see daddy even if it is only for a little bit.

As you know Cole drinks Soymilk. Well, daddy made this little man out of his box and gave him a single drink box and said it was his son. Cole played with these guys for quite a while. They did everything he and daddy do - cuddle, take naps, play rough, eat, etc. It was adorable!

I often catch Cole rocking out in the back seat. This is his mild rocking. Sometimes he starts mouthing the words too. It is so great. Too bad he gets shy when he catches the camera.

We are heading out this week to Lake Hamlin in Michigan to enjoy a week full of family, boating, cabins, bocce ball tournaments and cooler weather! Can't wait!

These kiddos are two peas in a pod most days. They love to play together. Usually Lyla gets rolled on and squeezed by Cole. Yesterday he started rubbing her head in the grocery cart just to annoy her. It starts early, doesn't it? But generally they are all loves and hugs. Lyla watches and copies Cole and Cole thinks Lyla is funny. He gets excited when he sees her do something new too. Here they are having milk after their naps. This was a month or so ago because Lyla doesn't use bottles now.

We pulled out the sprinkler the other day and let the kids run around. They mostly stayed away from it but enjoyed being in their bathing suits.  Cole plays in the dirt - but only with his gloves on.  Silly boy.  I love this suit that my sister-in-law Beverly gave to Lyla.  She liked it too. She didn't want me to take it off.

Cole loves to watch mommy put on makeup and I let him play with my brushes. Sometimes I let him use the cover up and he makes dots all over his face. Well, this time I was NOT paying attention when he got into the blush and had a heyday!

Grandpa Poling came for a visit last weekend.  We loved having him here. Cole was uber excited as he continually asks to go to Chuckie Cheese with Papa Poling.  They have some one-on-one time there and he loves every minute.

The purpose for the visit was to see Rick graduate!  YEA!!!  I was so proud of Rick.  It is some dang hard work to study while working, having a family and being so involved in church.  There should be special awards given to those who do it successfully!

Seriously, I could not be any happier. There are not many who can juggle so much and maintain sanity and happy relationships. Rick manages it all with finesse.  He is truly inspiring.  But I am so glad it is done too!

There is a train that drives around inside the mall by my parent house. They started it at Christmas and just kept it going.  Cole and Lyla rode it at Christmas and loved it.  So when we were in Austin for Rick's graduation we made sure we took them again.  Just look at his excitement even before it started!

Lyla wasn't too sure at first but trust me she got into it!

Watch the video to see Lyla hanging out the window...

Spring is here! But it feels like summer.  Either way, it is beautiful here and we are enjoying it.  We actually went swimming at my Uncle's home here in College Station last week and both Cole and Lyla LOVED it.  Neither really wanted to get out of the water except they got cold. Once they got warm they wanted right back in.

I didn't get a picture of the swim but here are some recent pics of playing outside (before they got dirty).  They were just too cute not to share.

We had a multi-day Easter Celebration. Easter morning the kids awoke to a trail of jelly beans leading to their Easter baskets. Once Lyla realized she could eat the beans she followed that track stuffing her face with all she could keep in there. It was a lot of fun to do a real holiday tradition now that the children are getting older and can enjoy it. Later than evening we went to my Aunt and Uncle's for dinner. We got some pictures of the family - well, we TRIED to get a picture of the family together. This is about as good as it gets.

Lyla was already tired by this point. But we did get some cute ones of her playing with the flowers. She loves flowers. It's one of the words she says often.

Cole wasn't quite as cooperative but we managed with what he gave us.

Rick has Mondays off work so we invited some friends over and we had an Easter Egg hunt in our backyard. The kids loved it. And we had a visitor! (Too bad Lyla didn't know who that really was.)

(Her blue lips are from a ring pop. She is a lollipop fanatic!  Just loves 'em! 

Oh, and Thanks Aunt Natalie for my dress!)

Easter always makes me feel so much gratitude.  I love the green coming back,the flowers and the sun (though the sun doesn't really leave in Texas).  This year, I felt especially blessed to have these healthy and beautiful children as part of our family.

We may have our moments of freakish health scares. For example, we found out a couple of weeks ago that Cole is allergic to the sunscreen I used on him all last year. (weird) He broke out in red bumps all over. His skin looked a little swollen for the first day or so. It has been nearly two weeks and he still has bumps on his arms and legs. Poor guy. Why is he allergic to everything?

Yesterday, Lyla woke from her nap with a red mark on the side of her face. I thought it was from sleeping on her hand, but after 45 minutes it had not even slightly faded and was hot to the touch.

I sent this picture to my mother and Rick and asked their opinion. Well, I called the doctor and the nurse said it sounded like heat rash, but if it got worse to go to the doctor. About an hour later it had filled in and was really red - turning purplish.  When she started crying a lot, wanting me to hold her and asking for milk, I knew something was wrong. We took her to urgent care (because the docs where then closed).  They said it was a good thing we brought her in because it was an infection in the soft tissue of her skin. They couldn't say for sure what kind, but that she just needed some antibiotics.  We searched all over for a bite, scratch or other opening where the infection could have started but found nothing - except for what appeared to be dried food by her ear.  The doctor said it could have been an inner ear infection that spread but that was just a guess too.  Odd thing is after waiting for her prescription the redness had faded again and she was getting back to her playful self.  We are giving her the meds all the same. 

Still with all these minor ailments I feel very fortunate. A friend of ours just found out their 3 year old has leukemia and will spend the next six months in Houston at the children's hospital there. I can't imagine.  Upon hearing this I became extremely grateful for temporary skin rashes and little fevers.  We are truly a blessed family.

Well, Cole's potty training didn't last very long. After 2 days he did NOT want to go to the bathroom and would say "NO!" then go in the other room and pee.  He wasn't ready but thought it was fun to try it for a day or two I guess.  So we are back to diapers. Oh well.

Lyla is walking now. She isn't totally steady but she can manage about half way across the room before she falls. I think she gets nervous because she will start to lock her knees and try to walk like Frankenstein and then of course, falls.  Last week she was an absolute different person. She was definitely not feeling well. She slept poorly, was teething and had a rash on the back of her neck.  She cried a lot, didn't even try to walk or talk and wanted to be held.  She isn't completely through with it because she is still teething and back to two naps.  We had been doing one nap for about a month I guess.  I miss my cheery Lyla and worried that since it was going on for so long that she suddenly was going to turn into this beast of a toddler. But slowly she is getting back to herself. I don't know what it was, but it was bad. Trust me. She didn't even want to play outside.  She didn't even try to play in the dirt. Yes, this girl can't wait to get into dirt.  She even loves to rub food all over her.  What a nightmare to clean.  Cole was always so neat and liked to be clean. He rarely needed baths - once a week was good for him.  She needs one almost every day.  Somehow she is always a mess.  A cute mess. But a mess.

While we were in Austin a couple of weekends ago, Lyla crawled into the toy closet, climbed up onto a chair and played "work".  I found her in there like that. I wonder what she was going to do to get down.  She loves to climb.

I think Cole was nearly two before he even attempted to get up this ladder.  Not her!  She could do it before she could walk. This picture is funny because she is pushing out her belly and making silly faces. She was so excited to get up there and eat!

Cole watched a "Thomas & Friends" video with Cannon while we were in Austin. Guess what? Now he is hooked. We use Netflix to watch them on our Xbox. I actually thought they were SO BORING, but what I realized is the old ones using toys with eyes that move are boring. The new ones with computer animated faces are very, very cool.  We watch "Thomas and the Kite" mostly.  He loves the song and gets really excited when the words come up at the end.  He still loves Toy Story and Cars but now we have a new love.  He was always calling all the blue trains "Thomas" so when I pointed out there is a number on the train associated with each name his eyes grew big and wide.  I can tell he is already starting to memorize them.  Love this kid! He is all boy but with the cuddles, hugs, kisses and gentleness to endear him to your heart forever. For example, last night at dinner he was stroking my left arm as he ate.  At first I thought I didn't really notice, but then it went on and on until he practically leapt out of his chair to press his head to my chest and squeeze the life out of me.  Is there anything better than that?!

After dinner, it was time for baths and BOY were they on something. Cole swam and spewed water everywhere.  Lyla was on a giggle fest and kept falling in the water from laughter.  Blood shot eyes to prove it!

And finally, I also took some videos of them

PLAYING

KISSING

and SAYING HELLO

Oh my cuties! I just love them!