Ava's Tower

 Ava's very proud of her tower.... but then Matthias...

Knocked it over....Ava is very upset!

 She is appalled!!

 Completely distraught!

Matthias is going to fix it!! 

But I am pretty sure Ava isn't impressed!!

Painting

Ava the artist

Matthias' Masterpiece

Matthias got this art set for his birthday last year, it plays music and suggests different styles and lines to try. Mostly they just make dots and a pretty big mess, but they have a great time!!

Fitz's Root Beer

Watching the root beer bottling, very fascinating!

Not root beer but loving their special sodas. Julia got orange and Ava got strawberry.

And when you get a little bored at a restaurant, Uncle Trevor's phone is the best distraction!!

Mmmm, what is this?

Hey, did you guys know that this is in front of me? Can I have a sip?

Good to the last drop!!

We got this root beer float to share with everyone...

but Ava insisted that she have the last bite!!

It was so much fun spending the evening with our cousins!!

Cousin-time

Ava is pretty sure she can pick up Matthias even though he  weighs about the same as she does!

Catching some before dinner cartoons at the hotel with Blake

All five of the Troxel cousins!! Ava, Brayden, Matthias, Julia and Blake

If only Matthias would sit still enough to have his picture taken.... Aren't they pretty cute though? :)

Wii Dance Party

Chris and Julia rocking out to some Wii Just Dance!!

Matthias and Ava will not to outdone!!

Look Who's Helpful!!!

Julia has been very helpful lately. She has been very interested in cooking especially. 

Scrambled eggs are her speciality!!

The eggs were a hit with the "customers!!"

In addition to cooking,  Julia has also been helping out with the dishes!  Since we don't have a dishwasher in our apartment, this is a HUGE help!!

Suddenly Julia is such a big girl! We don't know where our little girl has gone! 

Hot Day in Michigan

Not only was it hot in St. Louis this summer but Michigan also experience some extreme temperatures as well. So while we were visiting with the Koschmann's we cooled off in the pool!

Five swimming fish...

And some bathing beauties...

Matthias and Ginny's own private lagoon

Ginny and Rachael soaking up the rays...

Rachael and I had a very busy, crazy, somewhat chaotic week with 6 kids 7 and under. So busy that we didn't really think to pick up a camera to capture the moments! We enjoyed visiting with the Koschmann's and we also had a chance to head up to Port Huron and have a quick visit with some dear friends there as well. We love and miss all our Michigan friends and family so much. Come visit us in St. Louis anytime!!

Meeting Baby Ben

We were so excited to meet sweet Baby Ben!!

Julia loves cuddling with Baby Ben

Twin~Cousins!!

Ava loves her baby cousin too!!

It is very hard work being this cute..

He is so sweet....

Look at those eyes!!

We love you Benjamin Richard Leidecker!!

RAIN!!!

Rain

This summer has been one of the driest St. Louis has experienced in years!

If you look carefully, you can see the wet sidewalk behind the girls... :)

We didn't see any rain for the first month that we were here, 

so needless to say we were very excited to stand in the rain the first time!! 

Matthias' Big Boy Haircut

One last shot of my little boy and his little boy haircut!

This is about the time that Matthias was done with the whole haircut thing!!

Matching Haircuts!

Look who's a big boy!!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!

Getting a picture of these three together is quite the task!

Seriously cute, patriotic kiddos!!

First day at our new home!!

First dinner in our new home!!

The girls were very excited to visit the playground for the first time and discover that it is so close to our apartment!

Ava posing at the playground!

Matthias checking out the bridge...

Julia is happy that we are all back together as a family in one place!!

(so is Mommy!!)

Family Time

Enjoying Strawberry Shakes!!

Even Matthias is getting in on the yummy shakes!

Taking an evening walk/ scooter around campus.
Daddy is very busy with Greek right now so we always try to take advantage of the
evenings when he is home.