The Fatherhood Role

"Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. ~Author Unknown"

Last year for Father's Day this quote was printed on a picture frame that the boys and I gave to Jon. This quote holds such importance to the way we view fatherhood and parental relationships in general.

Jon, for the past three years you have shown us all what the definition of a true Dad is. You have given of yourself without seeking in return. You have been there for your family through good times, bad times, and all the times in between. You prove daily that your children's best interest are always at the center of your thoughts and actions. I am so proud of you and all that you've done for our family. You are an amazing teacher for our sons... they are lucky beyond measure to have you as their Daddy... to raise them, teach them, and love them. Through the obstacles that you have overcome you have learned what you want out of a relationship with your sons. Jon, you shine brightest as Daddy.

"You will find that if you really try to be a father, your child will meet you halfway. ~Robert Brault"

Getting ready for some cam-time.

The Naughty Noodle.

Daddy's hair is nice and smooooth ;)

He really is their Hero :)

There is something special about watching a father with his children... its heartwarming.

Gifts.

Boys will be boys!

The Rawlings Boys

Super Daddy; Super Baby.

The sweetest!

Tenderness.

Daddy & Monkey

They love each other SOOO much.

Father & Son.

Dinner Mess Maker

Happy Father's Day, Jon. We love you with all our hearts. Thank you for being the greatest Daddy... the most amazing husband... and the head of our family.
All our love,
Ashley, Shawn, & Landon

Rain Dancin'

Today was one of the best days ever. Seriously!

Shawn and I made a memory that neither of us will ever forget. The rain gear (courtesy of Nanny) was put on, the umbrella up, and a-way we went out in the pouring rain. It was sticky and humid this afternoon so the luke warm rain felt amazing between my toes! Shawn had galoshes on... by the time he was done they were floating away!

We had the privilege of sharing this with Aunt Stef... and she graciously took a few pictures for us :)

The Rain Dancers.

Splish Splashin'

Muah!

Puddle Jumper.

Diaper and Galoshes.
The newest fashion statement.

Even though the rain has been a downer on summer thus far... this made up for all the gloomy days... time 100!

The Dance.

Running in the rain!

Kaboyque (pronounced Ka-boy-Q)
Don't ask me, Jon made it up ;)
This is where Shawn gets thrown in the air a few hundred times in a row. Can we say workout!?

One last puddle... the one from emptying out his boats on the porch!

Shawn, I love you baby... you are one awesome dance partner!

Shawn has a small crush... on his Aunt Stef!!!!!
He was so sad after she left this afternoon that he hasn't stopped talking about her and asking if she is going to come back today!

Yesterday Megan came over for a visit and Landon REALLY liked her... and her story time tales!

Its about time... for the 3yr and 1yr pics! Follow me to http://arawphotog.blogspot.com for more of the shoot

Mouth Piece.

The boys and I met the Wolfgangs at the pool this afternoon for a kiddo play date (and Mommy date too) ;) After watching Shawn this afternoon (both at lunch and at the pool) I think it is safe to say that my instigating 3 year old has a small crush on his best friend's sister! Poor Riley was picked on and teased by Shawn for a good while today.

Shawn's mouthy attitude from yesterday (Jeez Kid!) has carried over to today. After I packed the kiddos in the car Shawn was doing something or other that he wasn't supposed to. I told him to knock it off and all of a sudden Shawn is spouting at the mouth "Geez Kid! Don't you yell at me! I said to stop it, do you hear!?! Do you understand?!?!" As funny as this is to hear, it is getting nipped in the bud now before it comes a problem!

Connor's 1st dip in the pool.

Monkey in the Middle ;)

Splish Splash.

Adam & Connor.

The Wee Ones.

Landon is dangerous with that shovel I'll tell ya!

Shawny F.

And Owey Lee.

The big guys enjoying their play date.
No, we did not plan for the big boys and the wee ones swim wear to match... we just have great taste!

Mama's Monkey. (Lindsey, great job!)

Munchkin didn't mind being held by Aunt Lindsey or Adam today! He enjoyed watching the big kids play :)

Our nightly Linny time. The perfect pair: Gentle Boy & Gentle GPig.

Do Not Forget The Sunscreen!

On the menu for dinner this evening was a delicious blend of organic apples and yogurt for Shawn. Scrumptious blueberries and organic yogurt was served for the little guy, Landon. While I was preparing the famous "La Ego de Waffelles" I heard Shawn talking about sunscreen. At this point I probably shouldn't have turned around...

There was Shawn dumping out his yogurt and SMEARING it on his face saying "I'm putting on the sunscreen. Lets go to the pool!"

A little while later Shawn was pesting to play a game that I already told him "No" for tonight since we played play-doh, fridge magnets, and colored. After getting rather short with him... saying "I said no Shawn, stop pesting!" This little fire cracker looks at me and goes "Jeez Kid!!!"
(Yea, I wonder where he got that... Mommy only says it a few hundred times a day! hahahaha.)

Today was the boys 3 year and 1 year pediatrician appointments. Everything went wonderfully!

The Stats:

Shawn weighs 34 lbs and is 37.5 inches tall. He is in the 75th percentile for wt. and 54th for ht.

Landon weighs 22lbs 2ozs and is 30.5 inches tall. He is in the 36th percentile for wt. and 69th for ht.

Mr. Smartypants himself!

Landon's 1st real yogurt!
Oh Auntie Lizzzzzyyyy... You like faces... here ya go!

Yea, the first few bites did not go over well. He did finish most of the container though after he got over the initial shock of it all.

Hambone.

Fun, Food, & Fantasy...

A fun family day at Knoebles was promised to Shawn a little while ago... so we made it happen today. The weather was Gorgeous with a capital G. Jon invited along a good friend Shane and his wife Carissa to join us in our amusement park adventure. We all had a wonderful time filled with good food, great laughs, and memories to take with.

Rawlings Boys Amusement Park Adventure.

1st French Fry!!

Shawn's very 1st ride all by himself!

Chow Time. Train Time. Ride Time.

He wanted to stay on for another round.

This one seemed to be the favorite. He asked to go back on it several times.

This ride was a no go... he wasn't crazy about going up in the air.

Landon & Shane. Funny thing... Landon gets very upset around new people if you hand him off to them (or if they try to take him)... He warmed up to Shane and Carissa right away! They must have the magical touch ;)

More personality than a barrel of monkeys!

Goof Ball!

Much needed ice cream to cool off after that Haunted House ride. I was skeptical on taking him... but after explaining what it was we were about to do, he insisted on trying it out. A few whimpers and we were done with the ride.... only to have Shawn begging to go back on about an hour later. Carissa and I took him and he seemed to enjoy the end part with the jungle animals the best ;)

Carissa and I went into this shop with "Profession Coasters & Mugs." We found a photographer one and Carissa says to me "Do you ever drink anything?" (she was holding a mug)... Choking back the gut buster laugh inside I kindly said "Oh no, no need for liquids here." A passerby over heard the comments and came up to us and let Carissa know she heard the blunder and gave us a good laugh over it. In case anyone wants to know, I just absorb liquids through the air.
Oh, and I'm sure I will get in trouble if I don't post about reaching out to grab something THROUGH the glass casing. Go me. :)

Mommy's Lil Guy.

Chompy.

Attacky.

Shane ACTUALLY got Jon on this ride!

These two... driving Mommy batty with their "butting of heads." Fathers and sons!

I was so impressed with Landon and how well he did for these two!

Ketchup. Mmm!

The WOW Crew.

Smirky & Mr. Impatient.

The Guys!!!

Watching these two try to feed Landon was hilarious. Landon just wanted the food shoveled in his mouth. He wasn't used to "their way" and got so frustrated. Jon and I got a HUGE kick out of Landon's demonstration of feeding time :)