July 20, 2010

Weekend in Wenatchee

I love this time in our lives! Dan and I are having so much fun raising our little girls! This past weekend we got to take them to Wenatchee for the WSP Memorial Golf Tournament. Typically I would say that Wenatchee is not my number one choice for a vacation destination but with kids, every outing is an adventure! I love experiencing everything through Ellie's eyes. She gets so excited about things that I forget are new and special to her. Our weekend went a little something like this:
Last day of soccer camp with good friend Liam (check out his retro shorts! Rockin'!)
In the truck on the way to Wenatchee. We stopped at the river for a snack break. Ellie thought it was "so awesome" that we let her have a little picnic in the bed of the truck. :)
Arrived at the hotel and Ellie got her own bed. Again, hotel was "so awesome!"
At the pool all day. Here is Great Aunt Mary holding Kate who is just exhausted from her long travels.
Ellie also learned how to swim (doggy paddle) in her life jacket by herself! She crossed the entire pool with no help. It was a major milestone for her! Way to go Ellie! Long day. So tired. Daddy snuggles with Ellie to put her to sleep. Or maybe, Ellie put Daddy to sleep?
At memorial dinner and auction with most of our family and many good friends. Here Ellie snuggles up to Uncle Matt.
Papa and Mema with their little girls
Ellie sneaks in the picture with Uncle Manny, Aunt Lisa, and Noah
Just can't get enough of them!
Nana and Ellie on her NEW BIKE! Ellie and Nick BOTH won a bike in the kids' raffle. They were so excited (and so were the parents...these bikes are so cool!) Definitely the highlight of the night and weekend.
The lucky winners...Ellie and Nicholas!
A rare moment with just my husband. :)

July 13, 2010

Oh! To Be a Kid!

Ellie and Kate (now 3 months old!)
Ellie
Kate
Noah
Nathan
Nick and Ellie splash Papa Lenny
Water fight with the biggest kid of them all! Nick and Ellie
Ellie, Noah and Nick
Crazy Noah!
Ellie and Nick
Still in the pool!
Me with my girls

July 6, 2010

Ellie's 4th of July

This 4th of July, Dan had to work all day and night so we ladies were left to fend for ourselves! :) My mom and I took the girls to The Cannery in Sumner during the day to enjoy some free food and fun. That evening, I decided to do things a bit differently than usual. While my mom and Kate and I stayed home and watched a movie, I shipped Ellie off with Nana and Papa to enjoy the festivities in Steilacomb with our friends/family. What a great time she had! I think the pictures speak for themselves! Thanks Nana, Papa, Auntie Tara, Uncle Matt, and everyone else for treating Ellie to a great celebration! It warms my heart to know that my girls are surrounded by so much good family. Some day they will realize how rare and wonderful it is to have a big but close, loving family on all sides of the family tree! They will be better people because of it. I'm so glad Steilacomb has become part of our family tradition now. Love ya!
Ellie and good buddy Addy
Bean bag toss with Auntie and Uncle...look at that view of the water too!
More fun with all the kids
Annual tradition...making homemade ice cream
LOVE this picture! What a special moment with Nana!
ready for the show
Ellie LOVES LOVES LOVES her Auntie Tara
Dancing with Papa Jerry

July 4, 2010

June then July

My first July 2010 posting and I am still trying to figure out what happened to June! I think I missed the entire month! Perhaps because we really haven't had any summer weather yet or perhaps because we have just been distracted by the goings-on of late. On June 20th, my grandma (Gigi) passed away. I flew with Kate to Chicago so we could attend the wake and funeral. Kate is named after my grandma (Katherine) so it was a special meeting for sure. Shortly after we returned, I underwent minor surgery to have a cyst removed from my ovary. I am still recovering but feeling much better though these events have most certainly blurred the past couple weeks. In any case, time continues to do its job and my little ladies are continuing to grow quicker than ever. Ellie has officially mastered the cartwheel which we are all VERY excited about! She has been practicing daily for months. She also can count to 100 with just a few mistakes. Way to go Ellie! Kate is cooing ALL THE TIME and continues to reveal new wonders of her personality every day. For example, she loves to sleep with something soft or warm by her face (which of course keeps me in a constant state of stress!). She actually snuggles her lovey already. Also, Kate has extremely strong legs and can scoot herself around if she has something to push against. She thinks everyone around her is hilarious and her smile is contagious. She also loves to twirl her hair and continues to prefer her fist over her binky (though I believe she is looking for her thumb but just hasn't quite figured it out yet). Like Ellie, Kate loves music and movement. And Kate is a total cuddle bug! She will snuggle right up to whomever is holding her and it melts me every time.
My mom is her for a couple weeks to help me while I recover from surgery. Looks like she is handling her responsibility well. :)
Papa Jerry turned 60 on the 4th of July and we celebrated at our place. We had a great time and Ellie made sure Papa's day was extra special. Happy Birthday Jerry!
Nice shot Ellie!
Uncle Matt will do anything for little Ellie Bean. What a guy!
Daddy and Kate out grilling the burgers
I love this picture of Father and Son
Ellie loves her Papa!
Ellie explaining her special decoration for Papa
And of course, I like to end with some new pictures of Kate. I am completely addicted to her. Her cheeks are so squishy, her skin is beautiful, her smile is contagious, and her little rolls are delicious! :) In fact, I'm going to get her now and snuggle her up! Enjoy the photos!
"Mom, seriously? Take this damn thing off my head!"
Mema did my hair!
This is her favorite way to sleep.
OOOOOH! That little beauty!
Sweet Love