Happy Birthday Papa Jim

On Saturday, we celebrated my Dad's 70th birthday. We got together at Zac and Kristen's for pizza, all kinds of yummy snacks and cheesecake. Dad's not one to like the spotlight, but it was fun to have a little party that was all about him, and toast his 70 years. Love you Dad!!

Just to give you an idea....

this is just a glimpe of what it looks like when attempting to get a cute picture of the kids - together - with both of them looking at the camera and a pleasant look on their face.

Meeting Molly

We headed to Bellevue last weekend so we could meet Molly. Ella and Luke were really fascinated by baby Molly and Ella was excited to hold her - all 5 times she did. She couldn't get enough! We hit the park, played outside and played with lots of cousin Jameson's toys. It was a quick, but fun weekend. So amazing to hold a tiny baby again. Just a taste is good enough for me though.... Thanks Gabe and Nancy for having us during this busy, sleep-lacking time! You have a beautiful family!

Molly Marie

cousins at breakfast

Jameson smiling for the camera

all 4 of 'em..... Jameson, Ella, Molly and Luke

Grammy Sharon holding Molly for the first time

Ella helping Jameson down the big slide

hanging out at the park

Gabe and his kids

Ella in awe

Grammy with her granddaughters

family of 4

Swim Lessons

The kids started swim lessons this week. 30 minutes, M-Thurs for 2 weeks. I think we can safely say they LOVE it. Luke says "swimmeen" over and over again all the way to the pool. Seth and I are taking turns getting in the water with Luke for his lessons and it's kind of a work out. Lots of singing and water aerobic type moves, with your 2 year old as a weight you lift and move around. Ella's in Level 1 this year....whatever that means really. She's moved up from last year's preschool, introductory class and it's great for her. She loves getting in the water, and just needs someone to teach her what she can do and how to do it safely. She's got goggles and everything. Oh, and the names of the other 2 girls in her class? Ella and Ellie. How does this happen?

2nd Birthday BBQ

I'm definitely playing catch up with the blog, and this post I'm feeling especially guilty about not getting posted sooner. We were in Rapid for Luke's birthday, so we put together a family BBQ to celebrate his 2nd once we got home. Even that get together was a while ago now.... (Luke, if you're reading this years from 8/6/12, please forgive me for not being a better blogger - at least the pics made it here at all.) We had just the usual crew - Tom & Ruth, Kellie & Abby, Zac & Kristen, Grammy & Papa and our neighbors, Ben, Jana & Jameson. It was such a fun, relaxing afternoon.

Luke with his new mower- figuring how to make the
lines in the grass like his Dad

Grammy & Ella

The Birthday Boy & Papa Jim

my latest creation.... Cookie Monster cupcakes

make a wish

big sister eyeing the cupcake

the kids table :) Luke, Ella & Jameson

Abby hanging out with the kids - she's the best!

the group on the patio

family shot

Love this 2 year old boy!

and 2 more pics of Luke with the cupcakes....just because I love how they turned out (the pictures more so than the cupcakes)

New Bike

Our friends, Dave and Si, got a cool gift for Luke for his birthday - a Strider balance bike! Thanks guys! Dave actually works for Strider in Rapid City, and it sounds like a really cool place to be. While Luke isn't exactly zipping around on it yet, he loves his new bike. Especially the simple fact that he can be on a bike like Ella is.

hitting the road

yes, that would be a princess bike and helmet. She happened to pick
out a princess tshirt for this day too - all decked out in princess.

Swinger

Whether it's with a tennis raquet, golf club or flip flop - Luke's ready to play. To explain the flip flop action: he spotted me swat a bee that had snuck in the house. I'd picked up a flip flop and smacked it on the front window. For the rest of the day, he walked around with a flip flop, pointing at the window saying "bug!"