lots of outside playtime and making the most of the rainy days with inside activities. Cassie keeps busy all day playing with toys, watching favorite TV shows, singing songs and having tea parties. She has some recent food discoveries that she's really enjoying, such as jumbo marshmallows, popcorn, ice cubes, and lollipops. Gavin is rolling back and forth and lifts his head up high to look all around. He loves to "chat" and always greets faces with a huge smile. We enjoy playdates with friends as often as we can - here are a few shots of Gavin having a playdate with his new little buddy Ryan Neal, and Cassie playing with her Wednesday playgroup pals, Kristian and Elle.
We hosted a backyard BBQ to kick off summer, and throughout the evening we got to visit with 
many of our great friends and 10+ toddlers and babies! It was such a fun evening. The kids played with toys and played in the backyard, keeping busy in the sandbox and playing a little soccer. I had intended to get some group photos throughout the day, but 
somehow time got away from us and I only snapped a few pictures! It was so nice to get so many friends together to catch up. Everyone's lives have gotten pretty busy with weddings, summer trips and new babies, so we don't get a chance to all go out together very often. I mentioned that Cassidy discovered jumbo marshmallows - this picture was pretty solid evidence! Thankfully she didn't force them upon sweet little Elena.
We're also enjoying lots of great visits with our extended families. My 
mom had hip resurfacing surgery at the end of May, so we spent some time in Rockford with her as 
she recuperated. Gavin was very content to snuggle up with Grandma as she rested! Cassidy kept very busy and provided us great humor as usual. Mom is now getting around so well and all of the arthritis pain that she had before is completely gone. We're so grateful that it has gone so well for her! We're all looking forward to taking walks with her on the Florida beach in just a few short weeks. We also got to visit with the 
Harding Family in Rockford and we spent time in the pool and hot tub - or as Cassidy calls them, the giant bubbles.
We are also very lucky to have a Grammy that is so handy in the garden! Grammy and Grandpa Brown came over to help us with the backyard landscaping. What a huge help! With 2 
under 2, it's a little tough to get household projects accomplished (I should say a lot tough :-)). But with Grammy's help in the garden (she's teaching Cassie!), and with Grandpa spending hours holding and tending to Gavin, we got it finished! I wish I had taken before-and-after pictures, rather than just the "after", because there was such a significant change that took place (the yard was mostly mud and gravel when the snow melted this spring!). We have since added a bench to the middle of the mulch area in the back, and we love spending time out there!
Aunt Mel came in for a weekday visit with the kids and me, and she brought her great new camera along. She took some amazing photos and was very kind to send some hard copies to us, not to mention a full CD of pictures - I can't wait to get some frames together for the kids' rooms. She's a pro! It was a hot, humid day, so we stayed indoors but had lots of fun playing with all sorts of toys. We love spending time with Aunt Mel! We missed Uncle Aaron this time around, but we'll get to see everyone next weekend for another special event - Gavin's baptism!
