Ha Ha

Brad surprised us and came home at 5 o'clock on the dot. While he sat in the kitchen watching me cook he shared this joke (and after he said it I asked if he had been eating Laffy Taffy, yes he had).......

"What kind of teeth do you get for a dollar?"

Father's Day Lake Photos

Another enjoyable lake weekend. This time Jillian kept her cookies to herself, thanks to a different "flatter" route, which took us an extra 45 minutes. Much better, much better.

Grandpa Frank and his granddaughters
Grandparents & Grandchildren

Happy Birthday Emma & Grandpa Frank!

Emma, MK, Myself, & Jillian

Brad's drama queens......

My favorite part of the weekend.

Paddle Boat ride with the Fisher girls.

Hey Girl Hey!

Jilli plays Ladder Ball with Grandpa Frank

Feeding Fish

Bradley & Jillian

Men & Children

Happy Father's Day Bradley!

In a rare moment of quarter life crisis, Brad decided to wake board? In my 9 years of accompanying Brad to the lake I have never seen him do this. Slalom ski, yes, my favorite. Anyways we were supposed to watch him do some tricks, I missed his big jump while I was monitoring a suspicious Sea-Doo in front of us. I might get the video for your viewing pleasure.........

Everyone needs a floppy hat!

I have caught a lot of slack for my beach hats. I have also had a lot of problems with my beach hats. According to my dermatologist, it is quite necessary. This year we stocked up on some news ones that fit the girls. You should get one, your face (and scalp) may thank you in the future!

Jillian, made in the shade!


Mia Kate loves her new hat.
Old Navy specials, I tied the ribbon on so they won't fly off at high speeds, like in the boat. My FAVORITE headband once flew off of my head and into the water, good times.

Old hat, last year, doesn't fit.

My kids have big heads, always in the 95th percentile for their heads.

They get this from their father.

Bad Blue, my third sun hat, probably has had the most fun, but got in the most trouble.

Princess Dance Camp

Adjusting her new princess hat.


Minnie came along for the tea party.

Mia Kate participated in Princess Dance Camp this week. It was held where she takes dance, so she was very excited. Several times on Sunday Brad and I caught her muttering
"Tomorrow is dance camp!"

Jillian and I attended her performance this morning. She performed two new dances and did a great job. On the way to watch I asked Jilli if she was a princess and she said
"Not now, I don't have on my tutu."

Performing the Mermaid Dance.

Happy Blog-o-versary!

Today marks a year from when I began this little ditty. One of my sister's friends was in the Manhattan tornado last June. She sent a link to a friend's blog showing her pictures. After reading it, I was inspired to do one as well.

At first I started out blogging as a way for our family to see what the girls are up to, because they live out of town. Once I started writing, it became addictive, because I like to write (Hence the paragraphs explaining what a simple sentence could accomplish). Then dear Bradley started reading about his own life and encouraged it even more.

After some deep thought about our lives here on earth and the realization that it can be gone in a snap, I have changed my outlook of this blog. I now look at it as a gift to my children. I stumbled over a website that will print your blog into a book, I will have two made each year for the girls. To me it will be the ultimate scrapbook!

I hope you have enjoyed reading about our life. It is by far perfect, my kids whine, scream simultaneously, sit in time out, write on furniture (won't name names ;). I read too much, eat too much sugar, pick fights with Brad, and on and on. But I try, really try, to make a happy, content home. So to celebrate this big bloggy day, COMMENT on your favorite post from the year!

Painting Reflection

My little artist!

My little stinker!
A brush in each hand, one for the paper, and one for everything else!

Only on the paper Jilli!

Mia Kate and I usually do some "projects" during Jillian's nap. On Friday she was working on painting a big sheet of butcher paper, which she is going to use to wrap her dad's Father's Day presents. Jilli woke up before we had cleaned up so I let her paint, her first time. I think I started letting Mia Kate paint like this when she was 18 months. I often feel guilty that I don't do as many little projects, or even basic coloring with Jillian. After the painting experience, it was a little reminder!

First of all, I set her up outside on the back porch, good idea. I turned around to get the camera and she had painted the bench of her table. Later I went inside (I could see her through the glass door) to grab something and turned around to find her painting the deck floorboards. Sometime in there when I was admiring her sister's work, I turned to find her lifting her paint shirt and painting her stomach!

Never, in her sister's life, would she have done this. Nor pull toilet paper rapidly off of the roll. It amazes me how different they are. But on the other hand, Mia Kate refused to even sit on the toilet, and Jillian announces that she needs to potty (immediately after she goes in her diaper :( ) So different, but perfect in their own way!

Bunnies & TuTus

We have several bunnies that hop around our yard. The girls, mostly Jillian, are fascinated by them. Last night they spotted one out the front door and Jilli analyzes its' family or loudly announces when it moves. "Is it the mommy? Where is the mommy? Is it the daddy? Where is the daddy? It is in the mulch."

Mia Kate received this tutu from Brad and I for her dance recital. There is a boutique in the lobby of dance and she has been eyeing this one all year. At the beginning of the year I told her she could get it at the end of the year. We have taught her that you can't wear clothes until you have washed them. This garment is hand wash, so I was going to let that rule slide. But she insisted on hand washing it herself, so she did. Then it had to line dry, which took several days. She was patient and finally it was dry! Jillian is sporting her new tutu compliments of Grandma Jan. It is huge on her but she wears it with pride!

I let them wear them to Hy-Vee last night. I really needed to get my shopping in and Brad was gone, so I just loaded them up as is. I normally don't do this, but one time won't hurt. Anyways after we were there I decided that I was glad I did. I saw so many people smile at them and one gentlemen approached me and said "Appreciate these moments, in a blink of an eye they will be teenagers!"

It made me happy that maybe my girls brought a smile to someones face. Plus, it brought smiles to their faces getting to ride the horse in their tutus!

TuTu is not complete without purple furry "click clock" shoes.

Jilli turns to tell them that the bunny is "In the woses."
Jilli can't handle "click clock" shoes so she sticks to slippers to compliment her outfit.

Lake Photos

Mia Kate swimming.

Jilli getting comfortable with Sammy.

Grandma Cheryl takes the big kids on a paddle boat ride.

While Jilli stays on the dock and her mom takes pictures.

Of course, to play hard one must work hard first.

Brad and Aaron dug a drainage ditch on Saturday.

Jilli just likes to play hard.

Brad always needs a porch nap, in "the most natural position."

Situation

Last Friday we were cruising (at lest 65mph) down 7 Highway in Missouri headed to the lake. This route takes us through Warsaw, Clinton, Truman Lake, etc. and is at least 30 minutes shorter than any other route. I looked in the backseat and saw both girls asleep, which is odd these days. Brad and I were having a nice conversation when I heard (and smelled) something wretched. That would be Jilli, tossing some cookies. Bless her heart, it just kept coming. We were on a two lane road and couldn't pull over until we found a safe spot. She was a real trooper, never cried.

On the way home Brad and I opted not to give her Dramamine for several reasons. Mainly we didn't want her to sleep when it wasn't a sleeping time for her. She is best when she sticks to her sleeping/napping schedule. Our departure was an awake time for her. We took the same road, covered her in a towel, opened the window for her, drove the speed limit. Once we passed the curves and hills, I let a sigh of relief that we were safe, a flat road. Um, no, she let loose again, only this time it was projectile. We had the clean up situation down pat, so our stop was only about ten minutes.

Brad is concerned that she is "not a lake girl." Oh dear, if you are a child of Brad's this could be a problem. Brad is considering a different route, I am considering a different car with rear air vents, Mia is considering hitching a ride with someone else! We will have to reasses the medicine issue and see if it works for her, or just pack a bucket.

Waiting for clean clothes.

MK slept through the first incident. She must have been drooling, her hair is stuck to her face.

What a great Dad, cleaning up vomit!

What a classy picture, with the case of Busch Light and all!

Old Shawnee Days

Last week I was driving down the road and heard a ruckus in the backseat, which was Mia Kate joyfully screeching about the carnival. I had completely forgotten about Old Shawnee Days, but we called her father and quickly planned a night out. Mia Kate LOVES carnivals. This amazes me because I HATED them as a child, and Brad and I both dislike roller coasters. She is also quite shy, but she is a new child at a carnival.

The lines were very long, and the ticket situation was complicated, but she rode until her heart was content. Jilli, is Jilli, and only wanted to ride rides with me. I hadn't bought a TWENTY DOLLAR wrist band for myself, so we re-rode the rides that I could sneak on.

MK rides the elephants with a stranger.

Carousel round two.
Jilli pointing to her next ride, which she doesn't end up riding.

Dad & Jillian watching as MK rides the Ferris Wheel.

Our little carni, we are so proud!

Jillian's MiNnIe MoUsE Party

Because I wanted to completely exhaust myself, we planned to gather our family after the dance recital for Jillian's birthday. Jilli did well for skipping her nap and really enjoyed playing with Ava, Emma, William, and of course her sister. Brad made her a fabulous, fabulous cake. I showed him a picture, baked the cakes, and he cut them all out, frosted them, everything.

She did pull the same stunt with her candles, but loved the cake. Overall, she was just so excited to play with all of the kids.

Ava

William

Mia Kate & Emma

The Birthday Girl!

Later in the party my grandad started up this little atv. It was my cousins' and seemed to be for kids, or Brad, whatever works. So Brad cruised the street in it, graciously giving rides to all of the children. Even Jilli and Ava went for a ride. Jilli kept yelling "Hold on tight, hold on tight."

Dad & Jillian

Uncle Brad & Ava

*He came back and asked if anyone else wanted to go, so I said I did. He at first thought I couldn't fit, really Brad? I think I can. It was an amazing adventure! The wind in my hair was fabulous, making me feel so young and free. I could just smell the rubber of the tires as we squealed around the cul-de-sac. The best part was watching Brad's tight forearms as he gripped the steering wheel. It just doesn't get much better than that!

Then, we called it a day!

*ATR...I know you wanted 2 full paragraphs, but I thought if I jazzed it up with some adjectives and a little (but not too much ;)) exaggeration it would suffice. Whaddya think?