Painting

After reading my friend Jen's blog today (click HERE), I decided to mix up some sidewalk paint for my kids to play with this evening. I wasn't sure of the ratios, so I just kind of mixed and tested it outside until I thought it would work for the kids. They had a ball. And it was worth it, even if John did get paint in Emma's hair. She threw a fit in the tub when I was trying to get it out, but I think it's all out. If not, I guess she'll just have blue streaks in her hair at church tomorrow.

Stairs, Stairs, and More Stairs

John, Scott, and I joined Uncle Wes, Aunt Ginny, and several of my cousins on a climb up 319 stairs at Roche-A-Cri State Park in Wisconsin. We were rewarded with an incredible view. John climbed up the stairs all by himself (near the front of the pack) and made it most of the way down on his own. Uncle Wes carried him the last bit.

Going down...(where's John?)

The Generation 4 Climbers: Dillan, John, Luke, Adam, Grace

We're Expecting...

a niece or nephew in January. My brother Matt and his wife Jackie are expecting their first baby in January, and we are so excited! Matt and Jackie told me about it at Andrea and Philip's wedding and I kept it a secret from Scott until we met them at Village Park for a picnic lunch the next week.

John and Emma were trying to get the leaves, so Matt lowered the branch slightly.

Check out these chunky legs!

Cool dude!

Matt and Scott entertained John by throwing the soccer ball over the shelter and watching for where it would land. Jackie and I didn't appreciate the loud crashing noises on the metal shelter. Emma, on the other hand, didn't care because she kept trying to wander away.

Sidewalk Painting...With Water!

Wednesday was a hot day, so I filled a couple buckets with water and headed outside with the kids. We brought a few other supplies to play with as well: paintbrushes, shaped sponges, and stacking cups. Our sidewalk painting turned into water fight. Emma had more fun watching us than participating.

Playdate with Madison

Some of our friends from church had their Dinner for 8 on Tuesday, so Madison came over to our house to play. We went on a walk and then played inside. The kids only stopped moving long enough for a quick drink of milk before going wild again. We had so much fun with Madison that Emma wouldn't even go to sleep.

Walking - aka singing and dancing

John's cheesy grin

A Safe Haven

Some birds have built a nest on a boat trailer next to where we store our camper. It doesn't appear that the boat has been moved in quite awhile. Hopefully they stay safe.

Signs of Summer

John with Daddy - Don't they look great?!?
Cubs or Cardinals? - GO CUBS!

Iowa Cubs Baseball

Emma at the I-Cubs game

Playing in the fountain at Principal Park

Outside Principal Park

Playing Outside

Scraped-up Knees (Emma)

Scraped-up Knees (John)

GrillingFor more pictures from the Iowa Cubs game and dinner at Mom's house, please click here.

Front Yard Fun

Emma's watching John here. Her hands crack me up! John looked like he was conducting.

John's been getting the hang of riding his scooter.

When John's not looking, Emma starts to play with his car. (This is the 4th summer he's played with that car. He's VERY attached to it. I love when $1 garage sale finds turn into 4 summers of fun, but come on already!) Aunt Jackie wants Emma to get addicted to purses in addition to shoes. Here she is with my camera case.

John's been wanting to take pictures lately. He took this one of Emma and me...with Emma's hat on my head. I know...it's a good look. We're thinking of getting him a kids' digital camera for his birthday. Any suggestions on what kind?

Emma's been teething and MUCH fussier than usual. While playing outside, she decided to throw a fit. This is what it looked like.

Here's another picture John took as Grandma and Uncle Matt pulled up to visit.

Park Fun with the Gaskills

Alyssa had the day off, so she and Drew came to Pleasant Hill for fun at the park with us. Click here to see Alyssa's blog entry on our fun times. Here are a few of the pictures I took:

Drew and Emma had more fun climbing the stairs. Drew kept crawling, which shocked Alyssa. We think he wasn't too sure about seeing the ground through the flooring of the equipment. Emma held on VERY tightly to the rails as she walked/crawled up. Oh, and this picture HAD to be posted since it's the only one I had of Alyssa. Sorry babe!
Drew and Emma went in the baby swing together. It was a little tighter squeeze this year. Click here to see the pictures we took of them in a swing together last summer. Notice that this didn't require blankets between them this time.