Sprinkler Fun

Still in the middle of a heat wave.  The girls enjoyed some sprinkler fun for Family Day.

Church Picnic

July 29, 2012

The girls enjoyed lunch, the cakewalk, magnetic fishing and several rounds of bingo.

Cana is showing off her winnings from the cakewalk - a plate of decorated sugar cookies.

Tea Party

The heat wave finally broke and the girls enjoyed a tea party on the balcony.  Children's tea, cucumbers, cheese and cracker sandwiches with raisins.  They had a blast and I enjoyed listening to their conversation.  Adley usually adopts a personality complete with an accent in a situation like this.  For a five year old  from Chicago she has a pretty good handle on a British accent.  

Tea anyone? 

More Half Birthday

 As described in the earlier post we celebrated Adley's half birthday in style since we were properly motivated by Adley herself.  Full decor, entertainment and dessert were required to officially recognize such a milestone. The birthday decorating box came out and with that, the girls found the long skinny balloons.  Daddy was so accommodating that he began to sculpt and soon we had a balloon artist and two very happy girls. 

 Balloon artiste!

 The half birthday girl (and poodle).

Enjoying the show (and balloon hat). 

Posing with our balloons.

Half Birthday

July 26

Adley is now officially 5 and 1/2!

We celebrated by decorating for a birthday and making a fun dessert - brownie smores.  We lit 5 and one half candles and sang Happy Birthday.  Adley is holding her dinosaur appropriately named "Birthday Cake."

While decorating the girls found the long, skinny balloons and tried to blow them up.  Daddy helped them and even twisted up a few balloon animals to join the festivities.  This half-birthday party got bigger and better by the minute.  Wow!

Better Than TV

We hoped that the construction crew would replace the asphalt behind our house while we were on vacation.  However, the second day after our return they showed up ready to tear up the street.  The asphalt was precut over a week before so on this day they came ready to move.  The girls were fascinated and spent the rest of the day watching.  It was Bob the Builder and Mighty Machines all rolled into one.  And they had a front row seat!   At first Adley was melodramatic about "our beautiful road" that they were taking away but she came around once she saw how smooth the new driveway was for riding bikes or drawing with sidewalk chalk.

Simeon's Baptism

Uncle Noah and Aunt Wendy - Simeon's Godparents.

This trip was an opportunity for the blessing of sponsors who weren't able to attend his April Baptism. 

Vacation Ending

Our last full day of vacation to be together as a family. Adley brought out the Bingo game and she officiated as caller. We had lots of participants but Grandpa Don was the big winner. 

Cana played her own game, a cross between Bingo and make-your-own-pepperoni-pizza.

Uncle Andrew and our new Auntie Lisa.

Nothing like a nap with GrandMary.

Nicole, Uncle Peter and ____________.

Grandpa Al and Jared relaxing in front of the TV with a frame saw.

Uncle Josh and Auntie Anna teaching their neices their new favorite song: "Rock the Hammock!"  Good thing Uncle Josh has long enough arms to keep them swinging.

Big Sister Cana feeding brother and very proud!

Goodbye until next time horses.  We will miss you. 

The miniature horses next to the full grown horses in the background.  

Left to Right: Joker, Rootbeer, Nell, Sonny and Oreo.

Photo Shoot with Grandpa Don

Family Photo Shout at the Koehler Reunion

Family Photo - 14!

Family of 5 - that is really fun to say.

My favorite outtake.

Grandma & Grandpa with the grandkids. 

Eggebraaten Brothers

Uncle Noah, Uncle Josh, Uncle Peter, Daddy, Uncle Drew, and Jackson.

Simeon Fun

Cousin Carrie from Alabama

GrandMary and Uncle Drew

Uncle Drew had to fit all his Simeon time into one weekend.

GrandMary

Cousin John from Minnesota

Daddy time (IL)

Uncle Noah

Auntie Wendy & Uncle Noah (New Mexico).

Auntie Wendy

It will be awhile before Simeon is held by so many from so many places. He was wearing his overalls from Uncle Frank and Auntie Joan (IA and AZ). He enjoyed it all - then took a nap.  Until next time...