Outdoor Sillies

Before this pic she tossed her sunscreen down the slide and was chasing it. We did this game about ten times in a row. 

Then she wanted to swing and was pretending to be sleeping and snoring. Then I was supposed to say "wake up sleepy head."  

After all that we had snack. On the menu: peepee and poopoo of course;)

Monday Kids Day

This morning Chloe, Cooper and I went to the park. Coop decked out with his new fedora on and Chloe in her rollerblades, we were off. Their neighbor, Brooklyn, gave them fudgesicles to eat on this warm day on the way there. It was a fun time playing with them while Hollie was at an appt. 

Then afterwards, I watched the Miller girls. When I got there they were both napping but when they woke up the house was busy again. After snack we played and then went for a walk. Busy day but I wouldn't have it any other way:)

The weekend

After our original campground being flooded we found a gem of a place, twin anchors to stay. I have no pics from the but we had a great time! We will definitely go back. Sunday when we got home we couldn't waste the good weather by staying inside so we went on a bike ride and ended up down at Latitude 41 for lunch. 

Selfie Thursday

These two gingers always crack me up with their antics;)

Chillin'

This afternoon Everlee kept it low key. We watched Dora and Mickey, sang songs, and colored. 

Happy Fathers Day

Anticipating this day brought very bitter sweet tears to our hearts. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast to cap off our weekend with mom n dad. Afterwards we headed to Lemars to see Steves mom. We visited Marvs grave site, had a few drinks at the Red Hanke, and then went to Westfield to spend the day with Dans family. It's so wonderful to hold and play with the two girls. A nice quiet day enjoying each other's company and memories. 

"The most important career choice you'll ever make is who you marry." -Cheryl Sandberg

Happy Fathers Day to my best decision;)

Awesome Biker Nights

After setting up our tents at the Ickey Nickel. 

Friday night we ate some good smoked meat and delicious smoked Mac n cheese from Victoria's dad. 

Enjoying our favorite band of the weekend, Gypsy Lovers. 

Catching up with our old friend, Wendy. 

Steve with his "better half."(the can proves it;) Saturday we did our first Poker run. We had a great time riding and meeting some new people. 

Riding into the bike rally. This event brings 25,000 people to town and we're all down here. My people watching skills were in full force!

We had a great weekend! The weather was perfect for riding, the company kept us entertained, and we both now know we have no desire to do Sturgis. (The revving up all nights drive us both crazy;)

Cousins Thursday

I can't help her anymore. I can only stand and watch:(

I'm not sure who is more excited for cousins play dates on Thursdays: Cooper or Everlee?! She loves playing with Chloe and Cooper and asks me quite often what they are doing. We play upstairs, we play downstairs, and we head outside. It's so fun to have so many options with these three high energy kids;)

Donuts

After lunch Everlee usually picks out a snack to nibble on while we play. Today she went to the pantry and wanted graham crackers. There were none. So she said she wanted "donuts!" I didn't see any and told her they were all gone. (Don't worry Andrea, If there was one we would save you half;) She insisted she wanted "blue donuts, please." After a quick second I figured it out.....She wanted Froot Loops. 

Smith kids overnight

Friday night we had Chloe and Cooper spend the night with us while Hollie and Jason had a date night. 

First stop... Orange Leaf for some fro yo. 

Then it was off to the park. 

After the park we came home and settled in with a movie and popcorn. 

We had so much fun having the kids with us. They are polite, well mannered, and funny. We enjoy being aunt and uncle. 

Making a Difference

This afternoon I spent 3 hours volunteering at the library for an international grass roots group called, Days For Girls. It's a non profit group that creates a more dignified, humane, and sustainable world for girls through advocacy, reproductive health awareness, education, and sustainable feminine hygiene. It started in Cedar Rapids, Iowa a year ago and has made its way to Polk City 4 months ago. 

It was fun to meet new ladies in the community, learn to iron, and most importantly help girls worldwide I will never meet. There can never be too much Girl Power in the world:)

 

I did it! I did it!

She could climb up the side and go over,

She could run on the green cushions,

She could climb up the caterpillar...

All by herself today!

It's been a while since we hit up the indoor playground but with the weather a scorching 98 degrees today this fair skinned gal and I skipped the park and opted for a more cool setting. I was amazed to see how much Everlee has grown since our last visit there. Everytime she slithered through the tunnel, threw a ball up or climbed she yelled "I did it!" 

Monday

All smiles driving my car. 

This is the only pic I got at gymnastics today. With a new teacher, more kids, and a lot more structure I spent a lot of time trying to convince Everlee to be patient, to wait her turn, and repeating Miss Sarah's directions. 

Everlee must be used to me taking her pic all the time because today at lunch she asked me to take a picture of her eating. Yes Everlee, you not only have a helicopter mom but u also have a helicopter aunt, just ask your cousin Tyler;)

Our first winery visit...

...But definitely not our last. Sunday the Smiths invited us to Snus Hill Winery for an afternoon of music, wine, and good times. We had such a great time and plan to come back often. 

Afterwards, they had us over for supper. The kids conned Steve into jumping on the trampoline with them. Thanks for the great day!

Play date

Saturday the Devos girls, Emelia and Oakley, came for a weekend visit to Polk City. To give Victoria some much needed no kid time, Steve and I took the girls to the Kneifls for a play date with Everlee.  Everlee was a great host and Emelia didn't want to leave. All the signs of a fun morning. 

At the Park

Everlee has always wanted my help going down the slide at the park. I'm not sure if it was trying to keep up with Cooper and Chloe and the rest of the kids today but she went down all by herself! When she got to the bottom she yelled, "I did it! I did it!" It's so fun to watch her excitement as she accomplishes these small strides of independence. 

Everlee and Cooper were fascinated by this hill of ants at the park. They kept coming back to it, squatting down, and watching them run around.