Sisters

I was feeding Meg today when Elise came over to play. Meg may be looking at me (because I'm holding the shiny camera) but she is laughing at her sister. She loves Ellie so much.

Meg Rolling Over

Meg is a master roller already. She moves all over the front room, and has a great time doing it. Of course, when I pulled out the camera... she refused to comply. This is the final try to get her rolling. She thinks about entertaining me, but then changes her mind. Hmmm. Oh well.

4th of July

We woke up early on the 4th to go the same ol' neighborhood parade my family has been to since my mom was a little girl. She used to walk in the parade, I used to walk in the parade, and maybe Ellie will walk in the parade next year. I admit, I was too lazy to put her in it this year. She didn't know the difference... and anyway, she loved catching the candy that the other kids threw.

Here we are before the parade... all decked out and ready to go.


This is Ali and Ellie during the parade. One of the sherriffs had given her a big star sticker to wear. Claire and Sarah are in the background.


Meg needed to catch some beauty sleep. I was carrying her in a sling Christina loaned me when Meg was born. Meg didn't really like it when she was little, so I had it out to give it back when I decided to give it a try again. Meg loves it now... so I guess we'll be mailing it to Philadelphia when she grows out of it. The sling makes grocery store shopping soooo much easier. A lot less heavy than the front-loader (as my family calls it - though Justin says that's some kind of construction device) and Meg thinks she's just being held. It's part of the diaper-bag ensemble now.

Here's all the grand-daughters in town this week: Sarah, Meg, Claire, Elise, and Michelle.

I finally managed to make one of those braided crowns from the weeds in our backyard. Ellie wore it for a little while, but decided it wasn't as cool as her own pink sparkly crowns inside.

Like father, like daughter. Here's Justin and Meg looking like twins.

This is my favorite look of Meg's from the 4th. Justin is offended I cut him out of the picture. He says you have to see him to really appreciate it, because he is going to kiss Meg and that is making her smile. I said Meg was cuter than him, and he was in the last picture.

Our smiling girl again....

Two girls and their dad. Meg didn't quite get the point of the second one, but doesn't Justin look happy. We're a blessed family... that's for sure. Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Dancing to MoTab

So, a long time ago we took this video to show Ellie's dancing. We wanted to film her "original" tiptoes, before going to ballet class corrupted it. Of course, children never dance on demand, and she did not do her own version of tiptoeing. But, it was still a cute video.

I tried to upload it then, but it was sooooooooo slow, that I gave up. Tonight I tried again, and it went in five minutes.

So, here's the dancer!!!

A Year Ago This Week.....

So, Meg's cute too... but here's the original! A year ago we took this video of Ellie. She has changed so much in that time, we can hardly believe it. So, take a look at this yester-years post:

Funny Day at the Zoo

Ellie has many interesting things to say when it comes to the zoo:

While looking at the cougars:

"Come on, Dad. Let's go find some animals that aren't sleeping."

While holding hands with Mom:

"Mom, you're too heavy. I'm going to go find someone else to walk with.

Looking at the gorillas:

"Let's go inside the glass."

When driving to get ice cream:

E - "I want a sticky." (i.e. granola bar)
Mom - "We don't get two treats. You can have ice cream or a sticky, you pick." (I thought this would be easy.)
E - "I want a sticky."
Mom - "Oh... well, we're having ice cream."

When driving home:

E - "I want to go to Grandma Maga's."
Mom and Dad - "No, we chose to go to the zoo and to get ice cream today."
E - "No, YOU chose."

What can we say? She's pretty cute.

Camping

We had our first family camping trip of the season this last weekend. Of course, we forgot the camera. Talent, I know. Below is a picture of another talented person. Meg managed to poop all over her clothes the moment we got there. Dad had to put the tent up himself and Mom got to business. With no time for bug spray, Meg was like a grand feast for the taking. But we got her dressed again as quickly as possible.

Sleeping photos. Everyone slept great, even Meg who had come down with her first ever cold/fever. In fact, everyone slept so wonderfully that Mom got to document it all when she woke up at 7:00. The kids apparently have me programmed, whether they wake up or not.

Aunt Laura's Puppies

Does it look like she's having fun? My cousin Laura had nine puppies this year and Ellie and I periodically go visit them. Last time we visited they hadn't opened their eyes and couldn't be tugged or pulled.... but not so this time. Elise really loved it when the dogs chased her, but I didn't get a picture of that.

Mom enjoyed the dogs too, but the new allergies (courtesy of being pregnant with Ellie) make it not as fun as normal.



Cute dogs. If you're looking for one, I'm sure they'd love to come cuddle with you!