knoxville

Mark went to Salt Lake City, UT for the national sports medicine conference for six days at the end of April/ beginning of May. While he was gone, I decided to take the boys and head to my sister Melanie's home in Knoxville for a weekend visit. She is going to deliver my niece Adalyn the first of June, and I had not seen her sweet belly since Christmas! I just love a pregnant belly. It is so beautiful!

My niece Anna will be two in July (she and Jake are 2.5 months apart), and she has gotten so big. It was so much fun to watch Jake and her run around together. She loved Sam. I think she is going to be a great big sister:) We did all sorts of fun things: went to the Knoxville Zoo on Saturday, played outside with bubbles, cars, and balls, took baths together (Jake and Anna), and just had a grand time!

Oh, how much fun we had! I am so glad we will get to see them again soon. In fact, we will see them two or three times in the next two months:) We can't wait to meet Adalyn and see Anna in a big sister role. Melanie, you look beautiful! Thank you for letting us come and visit. Love you all!

I can't remember what animal this was, but they loved getting out of the strollers for a closer look.

Jake and Anna checking out the elephants. They loved standing on the fence rail.

I tried to hold both of them up so Aunt Melanie could take a picture, but I wasn't very successful. I think the openings were too far apart for one person to hold two kids. You can see one of my feet:) Poor Jake's face didn't make it into the opening. Maybe next time...

Anna's, however, looked quite cute.

Anna and Jake on the tortoise.

Sam reading with Uncle Brad.

Anna was so sweet with Sam; she is going to love Adalyn! 

Anna and Jake in the tub. Jake loved all the new toys, especially her little watering can.

Anna really liked pushing Jake. She was surprisingly adept at maneuvering the car. 

I just had to include this because you can see Melanie's sweet belly in the background. I love it!

I'm not sure what Jake was thinking, but he looks very pensive!

 

Sam had fun in the exersaucer while Jake and Anna played in the cozy coupe. He had a front row seat:)

Jake really really liked Anna's basketball goal. It was set up in the living room, and we had to bring it outside. He kept close tabs on the basketball, keeping it in sight:)

Aunt Melanie let Jake help water flowers. He thought it was great. 

Sam relaxing in Anna's chair watching a cartoon. I love the crossed ankles.

Uncle Brad with Jake and Anna. Jake loves Uncle Brad, and any time Brad was holding him, Anna wanted her daddy to hold her, too.

Anxiously awaiting their free ice cream cones at Brewster's.

Jake loved it and ate it all. Anna had never eaten her cone before (just the ice cream), but after watching Jake eat his, she decided it must be pretty good and ate hers, too. Jake is still talking about the sprinkles they put on top.