Swimming as a Family

A couple weeks ago we went to a birthday party at my Uncle & Aunt's house and we went swimming for the first time with all 4 of us (Brooklyn was too small last year).  Both of the girls loved it.  I love Katelyn's expressions in these.

Also, for anyone who has been following, we got rid of most of our dirt in the backyard and we finally go the peach tree in the ground!  Once the grass around the patio comes in a little better, I will have to post a picture of the new backyard.

Brooklyn is 1!

Today is Brooklyn's first birthday!  I can't believe she is one.  Just in the last few weeks her little personality is becoming so much more pronounced.  She is usually pretty content and loves to laugh and play with her sister.  She is starting to become more methodical in things that she does and maybe even a little more sneaky.  She sometimes gives me this look out of the corner of her eye right before she does something.  I love it!

We had a birthday party for her on Sunday with some of our family and friends.  Here are some photos:

Sitting by her cupcake #1

 I'm not sure about this singing and candle thing. . .

 I'm a neat eater, but I do like icing!

 Big Sister, Katelyn, eating her cupcake

 Playing inside with my toys.

 Swimming with my friends.

Talking to God

My girls make me smile all the time.  A couple days ago I heard Katelyn talking by herself in a different room, so I went in there and asked her what she had been doing.  "I talking to God."  As I was turning to leave, she looked up and I heard her say "God, . . ." Since then, I have heard her talking to God on quite a few occasions, although I have yet to hear what she is actually saying to Him.

I smile everytime I think about that one.  (She has been watching Max Lucado's 'Hermie & Friends' on tv, and they frequently talk to God.)

Baby Shower!

For the last several weeks I have been busy planning my sister Laura's baby shower.  We had the shower yesterday in the backyard of my Uncle & Aunt's home.  It will be the first baby boy in our family and he is expected to come in early August.  So excited!!!  The theme was Baby 'Lick'.  We had a lot of fun picking out things to go with this theme.

This dessert table is what took up a lot of my time.

My mom, Laura & I.

My sisters - Samantha (also pregnant), Laura, me, and Kristin.  So great to all get together.

Pets!

Well, we traipsed to the store as a family today.  That hasn't happened in a very long time.  While at the store we made a couple of fun purchases.  We bought a pool for the girls, and we bought 2 goldfish.  Katelyn is pretty excited about both items.

I tried to get a couple of pictures of them in the pool, but Katelyn is at an age where she usually looks away from the camera.

In the middle of running errands we went to McDonald's.  I have decided that I am no longer going to judge parents and say "If that were my kid . . . " I guess that is why we went to McDonald's in the first place, and not some nicer restaurant.

Sick and Recent Pics

Well, we have been dealing with sickies in our house all week.  Katelyn turned 2 1/2 this week and was sick for the very first time.  We haven't been up to much other than lying around and watching tv.  So here are a couple of recent pictures for you to enjoy.

Here's Katelyn a couple of weekends ago when we were doing some work in the backyard.

What a Weekend

Busy season is finally over!   I hope.  Even though he worked a lot the first four days of this week, he didn't have to work last weekend, and he had yesterday off.  We have gotten more done around the house in the last two weekends than in the last 4 months.  It has been awesome!!

Last weekend we finally got around to doing some of our spring planting.  We planted a couple of vegetable bushes, a cutting garden, and a mixed pot of flowers.   I am looking forward to how it all turns out if we can keep the snails away.  Kyle also filled in the dirt around our new patio and seeded the dirt for grass. Once the grass comes in and the patio looks complete, I will have to post a picture.  This weekend, I finally painted the front door.  It has only taken 3 1/2 years to get it done.  However it looks great.

I try to make one new main dish recipe each week.  I have been doing this ever since Katelyn was born and I started staying home.  Last night we had both a new main dish and a new side dish - and Kyle & I like them both!  Brooklyn liked them to, but Katelyn still isn't eating much that doesn't come out of the freezer, a can, or a box.  We grilled some Marinated Chicken Drumsticks.  (Not my picture.)

The recipe is from my favorite deals/couponing website.  We also made some Sweet Potatoes.  (I found this recipe on Pinterest.)  It was the first time I have ever made sweet potatoes, other than in a casserole for Thanksgiving, and they were great.

Definitely making both of these recipes again.

This evening we joined my family for dinner.  All-in-all a very great weekend.  Until we got home and realized that Katelyn had a temp of 102.0 . . . . .