At The Park

We found a neighborhood park about 2 minutes away by foot and stroller. It is a perfect size for Kate and she has found a new favorite activity:

Step one: climb the stairs-make sure to hold on to the rail because they are pretty BIG!

Step two: wait for mom to say "one, two, three"

(sometimes you have to stop to take a cute photo)

Final step, race to the bottom. Repeat x 10 (literally).

Get ready for a good night's sleep, all this playing wears you out!

July 29th

Happy anniversary to the best husband ever.

It has been full of fun and adventure! Here's to 3 more years!

Finally Summer!

After several weeks of 70 degree temps, we finally got to enjoy summer weather at the pool today.

We met one of my friends from high school and the kids had quite a good time playing together.
A photo of Kate this time last year at the pool. How time flies!

Home Sweet Home

We are finally in our new house! Though the pantry is bare, we are slowly starting to unpack and make it feel like home.

It was but the first night in our house that Kate helped herself to the neighbor's toy car. And Jason was very excited to see how the men of the cul-du-sac spend the evenings: hitting practice golf balls up and down the street into a kids' swimming pool.
Only a few house photos because 1) you will have to come see it for yourself--come visit!-- and 2) these are the few rooms that are unpacked. Dining and living room (above)
Living room (Cubs on TV!)

Kitchen

And Kate enjoying new-found toys and hardwood floors.

Lovin' the Lake

We had a fabulous week at the Minnesota cabin with the Vogels!

Kate spent many hours playing in the sand. Each day she got a little braver about going into the lake and by the end of the week she was up to her knees. (the water was pretty cold!)
She also loved riding on the jet ski--
most times she took one of her uncles with her!

Life is rough!!

She also got to drive the boat.

More sand time.

Relaxing with mom.

The family. What a wonderful week. Already counting the days till next year!!

Are We There Yet!?!

Well, we made it through the looong drive to the cabin in MN. Here is Kate saying "all-done" with the car seat. This was with four and a half hours to go.

Reading books to big Mono.

Car DVD players: neglectful parenting? Maybe. Quiet bliss? Ahhhhh.

Though Kate only slept an hour of the journey she did pretty well. The cabin is glorious and we are enjoying a relaxing week. Hope everyone had a good 4th!

Out in the Wild

Yesterday we visited the Des Moines Zoo with one of my college friends and her daughter. Kate had a great time seeing all of the animals and

loved the choo-choo train.

We are still working on animal words, as everything we saw was a "pup-pup".
Kate and her new friend Ellie.

Ancient turtles...

...and the wildest beast of them all!