Ryan and Casey plus 2

With mommy being allergic to sun, we have had to be creative with our outside activities and are SUPER thankful that we have a fully shaded backyard -- we would be in trouble otherwise!!   We've enjoyed making cookies, our own Popsicles, and homemade pizzas this summer so far.  We've had picnics in our backyard and many of play sessions at the nearby parks.   This past weekend was very hot and humid so we decided to get out our sprinkler and fill up her pool in our backyard.  Best of both worlds because Whitney can enjoy outside activities but I am still in the shade with only minor itching from the  tiny sun exposure I get under the trees. Sunday evening was probably Whitney's favorite because we went to the St. Columban Festival. in Loveland.  We have seen several festivals in the past week and haven't had to the chance to stop by, so she was geared up for this one.  We of course, went right for the rides.  She rode the helicopter...

Whitney spent the day with Mamaw and Papaw a few Fridays ago and got the privilege of learning how to fish.  Papaw loves to fish and loved the idea of showing her how.  She was very happy about her new princess fishing pole and couldn't wait to get in the car with Mamaw and Papaw to head to the lake. She of course got tired of fishing after five minutes but Papaw used hot dogs as his bait and soon enough he caught a fish.  Whitney ran down from the swings to help reel it in, she even touched it -- something her mommy was NOT fond of when she was little.   Whitney "caught" her first fish and will proudly tell anyone that asks that it was a blue gill.  :) After fishing Whitney napped and then kept Mamaw and Papaw busy playing "meeting" or asking them to bounce her on the ball.  Good arm work out there haha! We then met at Quatmans for a nice dinner outside and then ice cream to follow of course. Whit loved her day ...

Finally a weekend we could get in the pool and enjoy -- well everyone but me haha.  I really shouldnt complain because my issues with the sun are not that bad but goodness avoiding sunlight is tough...esp with an active two year old!!!  I was under the umbrella with a towel wrapped around me and still spent the next night and day itching like crazy!! Whitney is in love with swimming now and it is too cute to watch her and Ryan together.  Often after work he takes her to our neighborhood pool to swim for a bit so she will get her fill this summer, I am sure!!  She is doing really well in the water considering she has never had lessons.  She can swim several feet (with her puddle jumper on) by herself.  She gets so tired haha its cute!  Jumping in is her favorite thing to do but doesn't enjoy going under at all.  It was funny to watch Ryan's face this weekend when she wanted to go off the diving board.....not the easiest thing to do -- catching...

The day after we got back from our long weekend we went to a reds game with Aunt Kelley.  We were all so tired from traveling, being up late and not being in our own beds but it was well worth it!  Ryan had his work seats, which are really nice with a close parking pass included....so how could we pass it up right?? :) It was actually chilly, we all had our coats on by the end of the night but honestly we weren't complaining!!!  I love the pictures of Whitney and Ryan at the Reds game, she really gets into and I can see them in the future watching games together like this....warms my heart! When it warmed up a little later in the week, Whitney and I ventured down to the local farmers market.  Unfortunately I didn't know we were going and had just bought a bunch of fresh fruit/veggies the day before but it was still fun to walk around downtown Loveland and enjoy some ice cream! She is MRS. Personality these days and makes Ryan and I laugh ...