Random Acts of Vogels

Hope everyone's summer is off to a great start! Here's what we have been up to lately. When I look at these photos as a whole, it makes me realize why we spend so much time laughing. And why I always feel so tired at the end of the day.

One of our many trips to the frozen yogurt store. Andrew long ago decided that he has to have his own bowl, instead of sharing. Clearly he doesn't let a drop go to waste. 

 Before there was the big-girl bike, there was the little bike with roller skates. 

 Before there was the wading pool, there was standing in the water table. 

 A typical dinner arrangement: Kate sitting on the table, Andrew sitting on me with his feet on the table, and my food getting cold on my plate. 

 More dinner fun.

 Practicing for the circus. 

 A proud moment: releasing the 5 butterflies from the kit that Kate got for her birthday. They all made it!

 An after-dinner treat: Popsicles in the rain.

 Clearly mama's not the only worn-out one at the end of the day!

 Blowing bubbles.

 Andrew has learned to say "cheese" when I have my camera, and here's the face it produces.

 Kate had a major crash on her bike. After some tears, she got back on & we rode to the park. Here she is afterwards showing how tough she is!

 Sharing a sno-cone at the farmer's market. 

Long-Jump

I took this video awhile ago at the beach...I call it "jumping with flair". 

Portland

This summer has started off right with my 4 day trip to Portland. It was filled with lots of hiking, spectacular views, a trip to the spa, and of course catching up with a fabulous college friend.

Here is the Bridge of the Gods. This was the finish of a 100 day hike on the Pacific Crest Trail for the author of the book I read right before my trip, so it was really fun to see!

 Triple Falls

Multanomah Falls

The best hiking partner! 

 And the best little ones to come home to...

The Rules of Riding a Bike

On Sunday, our neighbor gave us a small bike for Kate. Jason took the training wheels off and Kate gave it a try. After only 2 days, she can ride down the street, turn around (most of the time), and ride back to the house! Stopping and steering are still problematic, but we can't believe how quickly she picked it up. As she told me: "If you fall off, you just have to get up and get back on. That's the rules of riding a bike". 

Zoo

We had been telling Kate that we would make a trip to the Omaha Zoo on the first day of summer. So since I wrapped up school on Friday, we jumped in the car yesterday morning for a roadtrip. Lucky for us the weather was absolutely perfect!

 I couldn't help but remember that last year little Andrew took a nap in his stroller, while big sister Kate road the sky-ride. This year he was not to be left out of the fun!

 The kids with their new "guys" that they picked out at the gift store. After much deliberation, Kate chose a monkey (shocking-she has 11 now!), and Andrew went with a tiger. 

Just the beginning of what I am sure will be an adventure-filled summer!