4th of July

We had a busy, but great 4th of July this year. In the morning we went to a parade. Gracie had a blast hanging out with her cousins and getting candy. Faith also enjoyed it. She intently watched the parade go by and only scared once by a loud car. In the afternoon we went to Nick's aunt's house for supper. It was nice to see the extended Peters family. They always host a great party. Since the girls had napped late that day we got to stay for fireworks. They have a very good fireworks show each year. No crowds, no traffic, great view!

The girls enjoyed the swing at Aunt Ruthie's house.

Grandma, Faith and Gracie.

Gracie got to do a sparkler this year.

Waiting for the parade to start. She was so excited to sit by her cousins.

Checking out what was coming next. Megan and Samuel were so great to her. They helped for get some candy even though there were lots of kids around to help fight over it.

Birthday Girl

Faith will be one year old tomorrow!! Wow, times goes by fast. She is now taking some first steps. Everyday she gets more steady and brave with her walking. She also likes to climb up on anything she can reach. She is also getting good at waving bye bye, and playing games like 'so big' and 'peekaboo'. She still only has two teeth, but I'm sure it won't be long before more arrive. She is at such a fun age, learning and growing each day. Here are some pictures from her party party that we had on Saturday.

Taking a break from opening presents. She did not like all the attention and it took her awhile to get into her presents.

The birthday girl with her cake. I made strawberry shortcake. Strawberries are one of her favorite foods.

The two girls before the birthday party.

Vacation to the Prairie

I can never get pictures to post in the order that I want them to. So, here is our trip to Wyoming in no particular order.

Don't be alarmed. The truck was off and Nick was right next to her when this picture was taken. She was enjoying a little time out of her car seat while we were stopped.

This was the only bench open when we needed a spot to rest. Gracie kept saying "something is in her mouth."

We went to Chuckie Cheese's in Rapid City. It was one of the highlights of the trip for the girls. Faith climbed up on this game all by herself and stared steering. Grace's favorite game was the slide (she didn't understand that you don't need a token for the slide).

Relaxing in the truck.

Grace in her 'cowboy hat' A cheap pink one from Wall Drug.

At Mt. Rushmore.

Enjoying smores

The big sister helping out.

Our second night of camping.

Chimney Rock.

Family pictures before we left Cheyenne.

Not the best pictures of me, but almost all the cousins were able to make it out.

All the great grand kids. Samuel was busy trying to hold onto Faith. They all did better then I thought they would. At least no one was screaming.

Gracie getting rides in the car.

We camped out at Norm and Denise's place. They have a beautiful spot out in the country and they threw a great party. The girls slept good that night because they were so tired.

All ready to go swimming at the hotel. It was Faith's first time in a pool. She was scared at first, but then almost feel asleep on her tube.

We took our first road trip as a family of four this past week. We went to Wyoming to visit my family. We had decided to have a whole week off and take our time getting out there and getting back. We got in some of the sights in Nebraska and South Dakota on the way home after spending two nights in Cheyenne. It was great to see everyone again and the girls had a good time. They traveled well!

The start of a busy summer

Gracie and aunt Marta. Of course she had to help Marta open presents and sit by her most of the afternoon.

Faith went into her bedroom with one binky in her mouth and came out with three. Of course she didn't want to give up any of them. Apparently one in each hand is helpful in case the one in the mouth falls out.

Our little cutie.

Enjoying a beautiful day outside.

Blowing bubbles.

It seems like every week Faith is getting closer to walking. She has taken about a half a step, but can't keep her balance long enough for a whole step with both feet. She wants to be walking instead of crawling so enjoys any toy that she can walk behind. She is also standing on her own. She finally has some teeth! The first one came through and a few days later the second one arrived. Faith is definitely going to be a climber. She tries to crawl on top of anything. The other day she crawled on top of a box that Gracie had put in front of the chair and before I knew it she was up on the chair. I can't let her out of sight!

We are excited to have Marta visiting this week. Sebastian with be coming the end of the week so we'll get to see him too. It was fun to see her pregnant...she looks great! Gracie was so excited to see her again and warmed up right away. For some reason I am just soooo excited for their little one to arrive! I can't wait to see them as parents and am looking forward to having another niece. We are also busy making plans for our trip out to Wyoming for my cousin's wedding party. We are still figuring out what vehicle to drive, but we have everything else planned. I'm looking forward to seeing all my family and going on a road trip with the girls. All nine of my grandparent's great grandchildren will be together. The next few weeks will be busy!

Busy Grace

What Gracie does while mommy is busy:

Gracie's creation while I was on the phone with a friend. I was in the kitchen and she kept running back and forth with toys. When I got off the phone I finally discovered what she was up to. This was a house and was destroyed soon after her sister got up from a nap.

This one took place while I was going to the bathroom. She apparently made a prison for her little sister.

Another angle.

Close up of her house. She lined up all the toys very meticulously. That's my neat and orderly little girl!

Visiting Great Grandpa

Sitting in the fire truck at the Parking Lot Party. They had lots of big trucks and tractors.

We were pretty close to the dugout at the game.

View of downtown.

View from our seats (Joe Mauer warming up).

It seems like the weekends are already starting fill up! Last weekend I helped Sarah with her garage sale. Everyone was teasing me because I think I came home with more then I brought:) I did get the bunk beds from her that Abby and I used when we were kids. They were originally my dad's when he was a kid. They have gotten a bit worn over the years so I'd like to refinish or paint them and then move Gracie into one of them. She is excited to be getting Megan's old bed. I had a good mother's day. Nick got a me a wall hanging that matches some of the painting I did this past fall and winter. Then we dropped the kids off with my parents and headed up to the Twins game with Chuck and Jo Ann. We had great seats and it was a neat experience. Today we went to the Parking Lot Party for the Children's Museum of Southern MN. We also visited Great Grandpa and Grandma.

Spring Fun

Faith with her Easter basket at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Gracie and her Easter basket at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Easter family picture.

Nana and Faith.

Gracie searching for eggs at Nana and Papa's house.

We had to take Nick out to the field and Gracie had to wear her "farm hat".

Nick and Gracie taking the first kyak ride of the year (in our pond).

My smiley little girl.

While I was gone Sunday afternoon Nick built a fort for the girls. It was much better then anything I have ever built. He even moved furniture and got blankets from the closet!

Gracie trying to give Faith hugs.

I haven't been very good at keeping up to date with this lately. I guess we have been busy. So here is a little catch up:

For Easter we spent the day with my family. We went to church with my parents and were over at their house for dinner. Gracie had a blast playing with her cousins as usual. The next day we stopped over at Nick's parents to get Easter baskets for the girls and visit for a little.

Nick has started fieldwork and has all the corn in. He has a little break now until he starts the beans. So this weekend we got to spend some family time together. I have been working on my garden. I'm doubtful it will be great this year, but as long as I improve a little each year. Just so I can keep up with the weeding better then last year.

The girls have been changing so much lately and keeping me very busy.

Gracie is talking much more. She is starting to say sentences and I think some of her words are more clear. She has also turned a corner towards more independence. Her favorite things to say now are "no", "my do" and "all by myself". Lately her favorite game to play is to pretend she, and everyone else, are other people. Her favorite characters to play include a baby (my least favorite character:), Megan or "big Megan" (this goes along with independence and being older), a cat and a dog. Then she usually asigns me the role of Rahrah and Faith the role of Samo.

Faith is crawling, pulling up and trying to walk along the couch. She is getting more brave at letting go of objects, but her balance isn't good yet. She is still such a happy and smiley kid. I can't help but smile when she flashes her beautiful toothless grin (still no teeth yet). Her personality is coming out so much too. She is getting to be more determined and harder to redirect then Gracie was when she was this age!