Swim Day

Last weekend we went to Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village for some family fun in the sun.  It is the best park ever!  Beautiful lake view with exclusive access to the beach, pool, and park. 

We spent our time at the pool. 

It was my first time ever in a swimming pool.  I was kind of neutral on the whole experience.  I didn't smile, nor did I cry. 

Talley loved it, though!  She showed off her kicks and scoops from swim class.  She passed on the slide, though.

This summer has been so great.  I'm not ready for it to end!  We're going to have to smoosh in as much sun fun as possible before the cold weather comes back.

- Mav

Play Time in Talley's Room

The bigger and stronger Mav gets, the more fun he is to play with.  (So long as he is only playing with the toys I've designated for him, of course.)

Here are some pics of us playing together in my room:

- Talley

Surprise Aunt Joanna!

For Aunt Joanna's birthday this year, Uncle John invited the O'Neal family as well as some of Aunt Joanna's closest friends to meet up with them in San Francisco for a surprise weekend celebration.

It was so fun surprising her in the hotel lobby! She was totally shocked!

While we were in San Fran, we ate yummy food and visited the Farmer's Market.  We also did loads of walking.  Actually, the adults were the ones who did all the walking.  I relaxed in a stroller and Aunt Joanna carried Mav in the Ergo carrier.  It was a really neat city with lots of tall buildings and crazy people.  The best part, though, was just being there to celebrate our awesome Aunt Joanna.  We love you!  Happy birthday!

- Talley & Mav 

Mav at 8 Months Old

Smiling, giggling, big sloppy kissing, crawling, clapping, standing, charming, dancing, and of course, having awesome hair - that's being eight months old in a nutshell for me. 

This is a delightfully fun age so far.  I have been enjoying new things like crawling games of chase with Talley, playing musical instruments (I specialize in drums, maracas, bells, and the kazoo), and reading books.  My favorite book right now is Peek-a-Who.  I especially love the adorable baby at the end (the last page is a mirror).  I also love Baby Elmo, touch-and-feel books, and lift-the-flap books. 

I'm a born dancer too.  If I hear any sort of rhythm, I will start bouncing up and down to the beat.  When I start walking, Talley and I are going to start having some serious dance offs.

Here are a couple links to videos of me playing the kazoo:
Talley Helping Mav Play the Kazoo
Mav Solo on the Kazoo

- Mav

Puppy Love

Video of Mav Kissing Bubba

I love you too, Bubba.

- Maverick

Potty Time!

A true diva has attitude even when she's sitting on the pot.

Check me out!  I'm sitting on the potty!  Just weeks ago, I was terrified of the potty, but now that I've grown up some and read a few books about other girls who use the potty, it's become my favorite seat in the house!  The potty is strategically placed right next to a bookcase so I have easy access to good reading while I wait for the pee to come.  I wait as long as it takes or until Mommy tells me I have to get off so we can go somewhere.  For me, the main appeal about using my little potty is that I get to pour the pee that collects in the little potty resevoir into the big potty.  Transferring pee is great fun!  I love it and can't get enough!

I am still wearing diapers and I have yet to poo in the potty.  However, Mommy and Daddy are very pleased with my progress thus far.  I've only just started, but I am on my way to becoming potty trained!

Pees out!
Talley

St. Jude's Trike Race

Recently, we participated in a trike race fundraiser event to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through Mommy's MOMS Club. 

First, we had a trike wash to get our vehicles ready for race day.

Then we watched a video on bike safety and got driver's licenses, stickers, and coloring books provided by St. Jude's. 

And finally, we went to a park and raced!

It was such a fun event and it felt even better knowing it was all for a great cause.  To learn more about St. Jude's trike event or donate, please click here: stjude.org/trike

- Talley