Independence Day

Chess helped me make this patriotic banner.


Yummy pancake breakfast with our ward (church) at the park on Saturday.


Lera, kicked back in the stroller.


Watching the kids' parade of bikes and scooters.


Lera was chewing on her thumb constantly for about a week b/c her first tooth was coming in.


Playing in her new 4th of July dress I made her.


Lera's 4th of July outfit. Chess wore the same one her first Independence Day. She was less than three months old, so it was a bit big on her.


My darling babies.


Walking to see the fireworks.


We've got a great spot.


Hello!


Our sister-in-law, Lorraine, with Lera.


Family shot.


Thanks for the glow-jewelry, Mimi!


Proud Poppy.


Awesome grandparents.


So happy.


First sparkler ever.


She held it still the whole time.


Self-portrait: watching the show. Lera enjoyed it, although she was exhausted.


Chess was startled at first and said, "Fireworks loud." Then, she got used to them and relaxed, so much that she almost fell asleep in her Daddy's lap. In the end, I think she liked the fireworks, because along with saying they were loud for days to come, she also said, "Fireworks pretty."

Wordless Wednesday

First Visit to Babyland General

I grew up going to Babyland General, home of the Cabbage Patch Kids. It was in a little, quaint building that used to be a real hospital back in the day. But last year they upgraded to a new, plantation-style building. We went a few weeks ago for the first time. I am sad my girls never got to go the old building that I went to growing up, with its indoor bridge and wishing well, or the outdoor garden with Cabbage Patch Kid cut-outs to take your picture with, and the little hallway where it's Christmas year-round. The new one is nice, although it's mostly a humongous, glorified gift shop. We had fun and enjoyed watching a baby being "born."




Chess brought along her own CPK baby.


She had fun placing her baby among all of the baby's long lost relatives.






Our delivery doctor, Doogie Howser.


The cutest baby doll I ever did see.


If you looked fast, you might really think she was a doll. Look at those pinched lips!


Funny or creepy...you decide.


Blurry, but so cute.


Rocking on the front porch.

Father's Day

I am a little behind, but here are the pictures from Father's Day weekend.

At Vogel, we had fun:


sunbathing,


throwing rocks in the creek,


swimming in the lake,


sleeping,


eating,


and playing cornhole.

On Sunday, we went to church and got some funny pictures and some cute pictures before we left.






(Yes, I had one hand out to make sure Lera didn't do a swan dive off the couch.)

Wordless Wednesday

Swimming

Fountain Fun

Timid at first.


Getting warmed up.


Taking the plunge.


My favorite (notice Jared and Lera watching in the background).


Having fun.


Nothing like a little Rita's after playing hard in the fountain.


Yummy.



Click here to see pictures of Chess in the fountain last summer.

Shot of Juice

I was having a hard time getting Chess to drink from a regular cup. Sippy cups are, of course, very convenient and easy to use. I probably wouldn't have even thought about using a cup yet, except that in nursery at church, they use little paper cups, and I happened to look in on Chess during snack time as her teacher was helping her drink from it. "Hmmmm, guess we should work on that at home," I thought. The juice cups we had were a little too big and poured out too fast when tilted, and she refused to drink out of a sippy cup without the lid b/c she strongly insisted (aka: shouted) it had to have the lid on it. Luckily, we had a shot glass from my friend's wedding a few years ago. It was the perfect size for her little hand and mouth to practice with, and the juice (which she only drinks occasionly) offered plenty of motivation. Now she is a drinking pro (usually) with the regular juice cups.





Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday