Check out the new outfit I found for Leo on clearance at Kohls!


A few days ago I came down from bed and found Alaina and Dave ironing together.

The next day she ironed with me in her pj's and high heals.
Last night Dave, Alaina, Leo and I went on a walk. I pushed Leo and Alaina pushed her doll in this really cool stroller from Auntie LaLa (Laura) and Uncle Josh. You can't see it from this picutre, but this stroller is like a deluxe doll stroller complete with drink holder, underseat storage, and a toy on the front (that needs batteries) for the doll to play with. Thank you Laura and Josh. Alaina is loving her stroller!
Last night Leo cuddled with Dave.
This morning before babysitting Leo, Alaina, and I went on a walk. Alaina picked these flowers on the way. All of the flowers were growing wild so she didn't pick from anyone's flowerbed, even though she did try to get to the flowerbed flowers from time to time. Next time we go on a walk, I'm going to try to remember my camera. It is gorgeous!
After the walk, Alaina was out cold. This is how she fell asleep....
This weekend should be another busy one. Mark, Dave's Dad is coming tonight and Bonnie is coming tomorrow. Then they are staying until Sunday. It is so great to have family close again, although we miss Laura and Josh terribly!

I was just about ready to post this, and I looked down to find the dog like this:

I'm guessing he got into my knitting stuff.

On that note, it's time for me to pick up. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Wish you were here?...

Warm water, waterfall in the background...
With this attached beach..
This downstream....
and this the other way....
Well, if you were up by us today, you could have gone swimming here with us. These are some pictures that I took on the way to Big Falls which is a public beach about 10 minutes from our house. How cool is that! I have pictures of us swimming there but I'll show you the pictures from earlier this week first.

A few nights ago Alaina was eating dinner. We had to bribe her to eat her chicken, mashed potatoes and butter bread by promising more asparagus. Seriously. All she wanted to eat was asparagus.
Leo sleeping in his swing. This is still his favorite place to be. It makes me sad that he won't be able to fit in it for much longer. He is already nearing the upper weight limit. I guess all good things have to come to an end.
Alaina cuddling with Daddy after her nap.
Leo fell asleep on the floor and Alaina laid down next to him.
Getting ready to go to Big Falls this morning!
How beautiful is this!!!
You can actually go in the water and get closer to or even under the falls, but the rocks are slippery so we didn't get that close this time. When we were here before we had kids we went up by the falls. There are areas that you can dive off of. Most of the water by the falls is only knee deep, but there are some deep spots for diving and swimming.
This area is off past the falls and is just the river. The parking area is across the river from the beach area but there is a spot that you can walk across that is only about 2 1/2 feet deep.
We didn't play with the ball for long because it kept wanting to float and blow away.

Leo did great in the water and put his hand under one of the small waterfalls.
Back there by Dave and Alaina is a 1-2 foot waterfall. The water is only a foot and a half deep at it's deepest in that small pool and the kids loved playing in it.
It was so beautiful out there! We were only out there about an hour and a half because Leo looked like he was getting red and Alaina was afraid to go in water where she couldn't see the bottom. Overall though, it was a blast! If you come and visit, we can take you there!! I hope you are all having as great of a weekend as we are!

Mom & Dad, remember this shirt? It fits Leo now! (for the rest of you, this shirt used to be mine)

Leo went swimming for the first time on Monday! He LOVED it!!! He wants to cuddle when you are in the pool with him. It is so cute!!!
Alaina and Leo playing. Alaina is a water baby. She does so well and isn't afraid to get her face wet. We aren't diving under water yet, but she isn't afraid to dunk herself.
I love this suit! Thank you Grammy!!!
Alaina and Leo showing off their suits before they get in the water.
Both of my kids going after their blow up toys with their mouths....
We set up this pool in front of the house on the side of the driveway. It is only 2 1/2 feet deep, but that is perfect for us now. Alaina loves it and is asking to go swimming every day. We will probably go again tonight as it is pushing 90 and humid again today. The pool is great because it really wears them out. Not to mention, I love going swimming with them! I'm really going to miss it when it gets cold. Tomorrow it will be August! It will be snowing before you know it! I don't know if I'm ready for mid-west winters yet! The summers in Texas were tough, but I think this winter may be worse....

We had such a great weekend with Grammy and Grandpa here!!! Alaina and Leo had so much fun playing! On Saturday we went to the County 4H fair. Grammy and Alaina stood in line to play the games.

Alaina walked around holding Grammy and Grandpa's hands.



And yes, Alaina wore her heals the whole time. She wouldn't put on other shoes for anything, so we let her walk in the heals that were 5 sizes too big.
Alaina and Leo had their faces painted. Leo left his alone but Alaina rubbed hers off within minutes of getting it.

Grammy played dress-up with Alaina.
How cute is this!
Again in the heals....
Leo showing off how good he is at walking.
Alaina choking Grammy!
The boys hanging out.
Leo cuddling with Grandpa.
The dog made himself at home....
Leo helped get Alaina up on Sunday morning.
Grandpa, Grammy, and Alaina.

We had such a great time! We hope you come back up again soon!

Fun Friday!

My goodness today was a busy day!! And this weekend will just get busier. Today Dave was home from work and helped me play with the kids (mine and the 2 I babysit for). We started out the day by filling up the swimming pool. Lots of fun!!! It has an eight food diameter and is about two and a half feet deep. When the kids got here we started out finger painting. Then we went swimming. Then we warmed up by swimming in the bathtub and had pizza and hot chocolate for lunch (still warming up). Then we watched a movie and had popcorn and soda. Following the movie was nap time (hurray!!) and then more swimming. We cleaned up from swimming just in time to meet Dave's parents for dinner and then go to Wal-Mart. We got home and got Alaina in bed 30 minutes late for her 8pm bedtime. Leo had some problems falling asleep so Bonnie and I took him for a walk. That put him to sleep. Tomorrow Great Grandpa and Grandma Christianson are stopping by on their way to the cities and in the afternoon/evening we are going to the fair. Grandma and Grandpa are leaving on Sunday when Dave's cousin Zach is coming to spend the night. Anyway, with all of this going on, I will surely get some good pictures, but I may not have a chance to post them until next week when things settle down again.

Without further ado...

The kids swimming.
Leo stood by and watched.

Alaina got cold and wanted to cuddle with Daddy. She also drank some of my coffee.
Alaina's finger painting:
Jasmine, Trevor, and Alaina warming up in the bath.
Grandma and Grandpa brought a cowboy hat with them for playing dress up. Leo kept it on for quite a while.

I hope that you all have a great weekend!

On a side note, Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

Also, Congrats to Josh and Laura....It's a girl!!!