Tour de Avon

On our drive home from getting the girls' hair cuts today we noticed lots of cyclists on the highway. Gracie said, "Look mom, the Tour de France is on this road!!!" I explained to her that, no, those cyclists were not part of the Tour de France, but she insisted they were. She cheered them on the whole way home.

Irelynn @ 4 Months

Irelynn had her 4 month well visit with her pediatrician yesterday.

She weighed in at 11 pounds, 15 ounces, and she's 24 and a half inches long. She's been having some trouble with ear infections, but yesterday they looked good.

She's growing great, and sleeping much better too!

When we were at the doctor's office Gracie asked me if they were going to give Iree a shot.

Me: "I think so."

Gracie: "Well, where will they give her the shot at?"

Me: "In her legs."

Gracie: "In the same place I got my kindergarten shots?"

Me: "Yep."

Gracie: "Awww, but that's where her chubs are at!"

Irelynn Sucking Her Thumb

I've been sleep training Irelynn for the last few nights. By sleep training, I mean I've stopped getting up to put a pacifier back in her mouth every time she cries. Since then, she has finally figured out how to suck her thumb. She's always wanted to, but she could never quite get it. Until now! See!

Dolly

Playing Toys

4th of July & Vacation 2010

On the 4th of July we headed out on a mini-vacation. We headed to Becker's Resort on Lake Benton, MN with my family. The really nice thing about this trip was that we didn't have to drive far. It was only just shy of a three hour drive.

The cabins...

The view from our cabin of Lake Benton...

Momma and her girls...

Grandpa Art, Ella and Gracie, and daddy...

My mom and the girls...

Little Iree Elisabeth...

Daddy and grandpa fishing with the girls off one of the docks...

Gracie and half of a worm (I don't think she realized it was half of a worm, or this picture may not exist)...

Mark and I took the girls out on the paddle boats, I was wearing flip flops, and my butt hurt when we got done...

Checking out the fireworks from grandma's lap...

YAY for fireworks!

Gracie posing by a log she thought was cool...

Swinging at the playground...

Mommy and Gracie riding on grandpa's boat...

My husband doesn't like to wear sunscreen. So this is what he came up with. It's like sunscreen, Bear Grylls style...

Me and my Bear Grylls...

Gracie hanging over the side of the boat to stick her hands in the water...

And driving the boat (or at least pretending to)...

Story time with great grandma...

Irelynn hanging out at the campfire under the safety of her mosquito net (which she liked to grab and chew on)...

By the fire roasting marshmallows and using up the last of the sparklers...

Big girl holding her own bottle...

All Three In the Tub

Ella Turns 3!!!

Ella turned 3 on July 5th, but we celebrated with friends and family at a princess birthday party on July 3rd.

I'm this many now...

Irelynn hanging out...

This is what my entry-way and bathroom looked like just about 30 minutes to our guests arriving...

But it was okay with me, because I'm the proud owner of a new (used, but very new to me!) washer and dryer!

Ella with her friends. From left to right, Ella, Gracie, Lila, Collin, Treyson and Cayden...

Opening presents, a guitar from mommy and daddy...

A Hello Kitty from Grandma and Grandpa...

For long car rides...

And many other thoughtful things!

Blowing out the candles on her Ariel cake...

Everyone hanging out outside while the kids played on the slip and slide...

A heart-felt thank you to our family and friends for celebrating with Ella, and for making her birthday special!

VBS 2010- Saddle Ridge Ranch

This year's VBS theme was Saddle Ridge Ranch.

Roundin' up questions...drivin' home answers!

Gracie heading out last night...

Ella isn't quite 3 yet, so she has to wait until next summer to go to VBS. She can't wait though!

Honestly, making it to VBS has been hard. I have to give credit to Mark for being the one who has taken Gracie all of the nights except last night, when I took her. It's lots of driving back and forth 45 minutes each way, and late nights for everyone.

Today, all the late nights have caught up to all of us, and it shows. So, sadly, we're skipping the last night of Saddle Ridge Ranch.

We are in need of a night at home.