6 months?!?

Time flies. I know. It shouldn't be a shocker still. But it is. I'm just grateful that I get to stop and appreciate the wonder of a child's first year again! It truly is amazing to watch these little people just figure life out. And it helps that they're so darn cute too!!

Aotis proudly sporting an outfit worn by his dad (and both Anderson uncles) for his 6 month "photo shoot"

For comparison's sake:

And while we're comparing different babies in the same outfit: 

(Gus - on left - at 8 months, Aotis 6 months)

Rub a dub dub, my three boys in da tub! Aotis quickly grew out of the infant tub, and is more than happy to join his big bros in the real tub. 

Not even pretending to pay attention at big bros' swim lessons.  The table is waaaay more interesting!

This kid is seriously trying to figure out crawling already!

Aotis, you continue to be one chill, super happy dude!! Your smile is contagious! 

Pool fun!

This year, both boys got to partake in swim lessons.  Arjen was officially out of the preschool levels and into the "big kid" level 1. Gus mastered preschool level 1.  Both had fun on the lily pads at the end of lessons, and Arjen even jumped off the diving board! 

Arjen going across by himself 

Gus with his class in a "train" (he's the caboose)

Gus on his first trip across the lily pads

And jumping with excitement after he got across!

Arjen mid-air off the low dive. He told the teacher he wanted to jump in by himself!

And the look of sheer pride and joy on his face as he paddled to the ladder

It's a good thing these kids love the water so much!!

Pontoon fun

It's always nice to get the boat out in the water, especially the first ride for the summer. Aotis handled his first boat ride with complete chillness:

Family selfie:

Captain Gus!

Captain Arjen. All business. 

This year the weather was so perfect for boating, that even Aotis got to take a dip in the lake!

And he got a chance to learn how to drive of course. 

Not sure if it's just that we run these kids so hard they physically cannot stay awake, or if it's just that they're such awesome kids that they'll nap anywhere (and not to mention at the same time!!). Perhaps it's a perfect combination. ;)

The proud big brother. (p.s. Whoever heard me say boys must be different from girls because they weren't smothering their new baby brother, forget I said anything. They smother too!! Especially this one. But Aotis doesn't seem to mind it!)

Gotta love this kid and his style. 

The Dells!

Among the things I've heard about in Wisconsin, but never yet been to, the Dells was a big one!  Little did I know, that it is the water park capitol of the world! (I am fully unable to describe this place.  To my Californians, it's like Water World on steroids, with a little bit of Disneyland/Amusement park craziness, and a dash of Universal Studios to make you feel like you're on a movie set).  I thought Andrew was crazy when he suggested we take the kids this year, figuring they'd be too small to really enjoy it, but I happily admit I was wrong and he was right!  We had a blast, Arjen was able to go on a good majority of the rides, and Aotis got to ride big-boy style in the stroller which was novel enough to keep him happy in there all day! 

First ride of the day! (Andrew and Gus coming off the blue slide, with Arjen's head in front of them)

As soon as Arjen saw this one, he was begging us to take him on it!  I think he went at least twice on "Quadzilla!"

Andrew on the right, Arjen second from right

Aotis enjoying a little escape from the stroller while his brothers splashed around the smaller kids zone

Arjen and Gus had free reign in this section, designed for the smaller kids.  We were at "Noah's Ark" watermark, hence all the animals!  Arjen caught on to the dinging sound that indicated the giant bucket was about to spill over…he lined himself up right at the bottom! (He's the one lying on his stomach among the fountains).  The bucket caught Gus by surprise one time, and the huge splash just barely (and very fortunately!) missed him.  He learned quickly to stay away after that! 

All worn out!  No disputing the fact that these two are brothers!  

One of the last rides of the day...

(ApparentlyAndrew missed the sign strongly urging parents to keep hold of small children!)

Arjen ran right up to get splashed! (He's the light green colored kid behind the guy in front)

Based on their smiles, I have no doubt we'll be back again! 

Happy 4th!!

We got to Elkhart earlier in the summer this year, but the celebrations surrounding July 4th still feel like the true kick-off to summer in these parts.  We bundled up (mostly to deter the skeeters), and headed to the Osthoff lawn for a firework show in Elkhart.  The boys were a little tired, can you tell?  Aotis even managed to fall asleep during the fireworks! 

On the fourth, we headed to Fond du Lac, to Tracy and Arden's house for their annual July 4th celebrations.  Starting it all off was the kids parade!

Gus got to drive the fire truck this year

Aotis must have decided to sleep thru all the major excitement this year...

Behind Aotis, you have Gus, then Arjen on his bike in the center with Aden and Adalin behind him.   Their cousins Kendall and Preston are in there too!

Proudly riding his decorated bike!  (Lost a blue and white balloon from his helmet along the way though)

Our patriotic fam!

And patriotic cousins!  (Aden - 10, Alex -2, Gus - 3, Arjen - 4, Adalin - 8, and Aotis - 5 months)

Sailor Aotis (sorry for blurryness - I promise, it's not your eyes)

Uncle Gus

Taking advantage of Tracy and Ardy's lake house to set off fireworks and some fire lanterns!

And to wrap it all up, there was the parade in Elkhart!  The boys had zero hesitation to run out and pick up candy being tossed from the floats.  

(Arjen in red shirt, Gus in navy)

Tough getting them both to look away from the parade long enough for a well timed photo. :/

All in all, another wonderful 4th of July this year! 

Happy four, then five months Aotis!!

I'm getting faster kiddo.  Only took 2 months this time for me to get your next age update on here.  By four months, you had become a super smiley dude, sharing a smile with almost anyone who shared theirs with you.  You were consistently rolling onto your belly, and being okay staying there to play for a stretch.  You were introduced to the exersaucer, and instantly took to it.  You were even starting to sit unsupported for a second or two, but not long enough to stay there for this pic!

Now at 5 months, you seem bigger than ever!  You respond to your name.  You watch everything that your family does around you, particularly your brothers.  You seem to be studying our every move when it comes to eating, so much that you're now starting to reach out and grab for our food and drinks!  We can also no longer be absent minded about leaving things near you on the floor.  You can roll every which way, and you're even showing signs of getting ready to crawl!  You can pull your little tush up in the air, and you can press your upper body off the ground with your arms, just not the two at the same time.  You have done one or two army crawl pulls though.  And you are now sitting unsupported for brief moments, at least long enough for me to snap a pic.  

You bring so much joy to this family little man!  I know you'll continue to amaze us with everything you figure out just by watching.  You have an amazing voice already, talking to us daily.  And you continue to have the sweetest, calmest demeanor.  You really do complete this family!