The beginning:
Hello to the worst roads in the Continental U.S.!
And here we go. One week of hot sun, hot salsa and hot mexicanos! Hay caramba!
Everett and I made it to the pool for the first time last week for our ward's weekly playgroup. I made sure Everett was totally decked out in proper swimming attire and I was pretty curious as to how he'd react to being in the water. Of course, he did wonderfully! Even though the water was a little chilly, it took about two seconds for him to adjust and start kicking his legs a bit. Our goal for the summer is to spend as much time as possible at the pool so Mom can get a tan without Everett getting too much sun. Possible? We'll see!!
Pre-pool poses. He actually didn't mind the hat.
The weather was perfect and the pool wasn't crowded at all.
All I needed was some Uno cards!
The aftermath. Check out the cool towel/robe combo. 
Check out the wistfulness in those eyes. Don't fret, my pet.
The pool is definitely calling our names!
This past week has been quite the momentous one for our little guy. Not only did he get his first cold (not fun), but he also took his first crawl (way fun) AND his first kneel (even more fun). Everett is now a bonafide crawling fool! He is absolutely thrilled to have a little more movement at his fingertips, as evidenced by the fact that he takes every opportunity to crawl and/or kneel. It looks like we'll have a walking toddler on our hands before we know it!
Mouth open with happiness - no shocker there.
I even managed to get a great video clip of Everett enjoying, and then NOT enjoying the wonderful world of kneeling:
Our friends Aaron, Shayleen and Olivia said sayonara to Georgia yesterday and hola to their new home, new life and new career (for Aaron at least) in Cincinnati. Since Aaron is a smarty pants and graduated from Georgia Tech, he moved his ladies to the land of Ohio to start his job with G.E.
While we're overjoyed that he's gainfully employed, we are lamenting their move. Everett and Olivia were just starting to be able to actually play. Up until this point, playtime has consisted of Everett laying on a blanket and Olivia grinning at him. We went up for one last visit (we've all lived in the same apartment complex since August) and baby Everett and Miss Olivia got one final opportunity to grin and laugh with each other.
Shhh, it's their secret handshake.
Everett showing off his crawling skillz.
"I wonder when we'll see each other again?"
Soon, very soon. We promise!!
Also while we were at the lake I got a good picture of Everett and Granny. Granny is my dad's mom and boy is she Southern! With a name like Granny, how could she not be? She is the proud grandmother of seven and the great grandmother of three (so far). She has been wanting a picture with Everett since he was born, and I figured now that he was almost seven months old, I could kick it into high gear and get these two together. Everett had fun with Granny even though she exclaimed, "He sure is heavy!" - Hey now!
While at the lake, with the unbearable and humidity-filled heat, Everett and I decided he could cool off a bit by dipping his chubby feet in the lake water. He wasn't sure quite what to make of it, and his eyes got VERY big, but he took it like a champ and I think was a bit sad when we had to get out.
That hat looks like it's doing a WORLD of good, right?
Much to my delight, Everett wasn't the only little one testing out the lake waters:
The Kilgore clan was invited to Lake Weiss in Alabama this weekend by my Uncle Stoogie (real name Giles) and Aunt Kathi. They have a camper up there and tempted us to make the two hour drive by having a barbeque as well. We took Everett so he could spend a little family time with the extended folks.
Thankfully, my parents brought a little contraption that let Everett be a part of the party without having to sit on either dirt or concrete. Hooray for Grandma Julia's quick thinking! Here's a few lovely shots of Everett playing to his heart's content.
He's as happy as a lark!
Note the bear in the background. His "Auntie" Amy Cashman gave him that and Amy, I just have to tell you, there's no other toy he would rather drool on that that Old Navy Bear. You are such a wonderful aunt!
Showing that duck who's boss.
My weak attempt at abstract photography.
I was trying to get a shot of both Everett and his (2nd? 1st cousin once removed? I'm not sure...) cousin Thomas. As the two little ones there, they were both showered with loads of attention and kisses.
Everett has really gotten the hang of how to manuever that pacifier. Check out his thigh chub!
I ventured into Hobby Lobby and became absolutely inspired. Back when I was pregnant (you know, oh so long ago) and once Will and I had decided on the name Everett, I began looking into those cute hanging letters with ribbons. Unfortunately, they were like $10 a letter and I wasn't looking to spend $70 just to spell out our son's name. Fast forward to last week when I decided to simply create my own. It was a GREAT little project for me and Will helped quite a bit. I was so excited to get them on the wall. I give you Everett's name:
