Nora

Lovin' on our new niece and cousin, Nora.





Another quick Kate story: Kate was trying my patience the other day and I told her, "Kate, I have had it up to here (pointing at my eyes) with your tone. Please try again in a different way." So Kate says, in a nice and kind tone, "Daddy, may I please have a drink now?" Then she turns to me and says, "Hey Mommy, how'd you like that toenail?" I couldn't help but laugh before saying, "That was a great tone, Kate."

Kate - Celebration #2

Kate has yet to officially turn 3, but she has celebrated her birthday twice already. Last weekend we celebrated her birthday and my Mom's birthday. When we asked Kate what she wanted for her birthday, the only thing she would ever say is a Thomas the Train cake. If you know me at all, you know that I am NOT at all gifted in CREATIVITY. I have a friend who makes cakes, but I didn't get in touch with her soon enough and she was all booked up. So, I decided to give making a train cake a try.....it went okay, definitely does not look anything close to what Tawnya's would have, but not bad for my first cake EVER!!




A picture of Brett's (and mine too) dog, Frank. We have had him since 2000 and he is probably not going to be with us much longer as he is not doing well these days. :(


The Master Griller....if that looks like a lot of food to you, you are right, it was....I wasn't hungry until 3pm the next day. It was delicious, thanks Dad!!

Kate and Grandma blowing out candles.

Opening Gifts

A new easel :)

Summer Fun

We love summer at our house. Last week, when it was rainy and we were stuck inside I found myself wondering, "What are we going to do this winter?" Yikes....For now, we will just enjoy the opportunity to play outside.

"Dogsitting" Milo - this poor dog will be so glad to see his owners return. He has received much more love than he is used to. :)

Sitting in their new lawn chairs

Enjoying a "water toy" day :)

Toddler Mad-Gab

Kate really LOVES to sing. Today we were driving home from running errands and she started to sing. I hear her start to sing the children's hymn, "Jesus Loves Me." Well...her version of "Jesus Loves Me" goes like this:

Jesus loves me, the sign O....yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.....

For a minute I was completely stumped, the sign O....then she started in again....oh....it clicked . Jesus loves me, this I know.....

The sign O - this I know....it works if you're playing Mad Gab. :)

Another funny Kate thing from today, we were shopping, buying some pj's for our new niece, Nora, and I was letting Kate pick them out. So, she picked out a pair (I had put her in front of the 12 month rack because I like to buy things for later)...anyway, she picked out a pair and we were walking away to buy something else on our list and Kate stops me to say, "Mommy, you do know that Nora is going to have to wait until she's bigger to wear those?" I laughed and said, "Yes, Kate, I know."

An early gift

It was a fun week around our house. We went swimming, and boating, and had some fun times with our families.

Lincoln playing doctor

We went swimming twice this week, once with the Dill's, but I forgot my camera and the other with Jolynn and Alissa and their kiddos. Thanks you guys for making those days so fun!

Drew pretty much did this the whole time we were swimming. :)

The girls enjoying a snack.

We also enjoyed a day at the lake with Duane and Alissa. Again, no pictures, except of our two monkeys, but thanks D & A, we had fun!

Pizza, Corn and the Cob and Cousin Fun at Grandma Rassi's :)

Kate received an early birthday gift from Grandpa and Grandma. Grandpa is telling her to close her eyes....

Hey...Stop peeking

Yippee, a "big girl" bike

Grandpa, look at my bike!!!

We had the chance to have Tasha, Ashley, and Mason for about an hour Monday night. The girls played downstairs, while Linc tried really hard to get Mason to play with him. :)

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our newest niece or nephew (Greg & Mary). Hopefully it will be this week. Today would be a good day, it is my Mom's b-day today. Happy Birthday Mom!

Mother of the Year...I think not :)

Before I get into the pictures from the week, I'll just share a little story as to why I will not be receiving any Mother of the Year Awards. :) Yesterday, Kate, Linc, and I went over to Mary's house. Since Linc didn't want his breakfast when he got up, I put it in a plastic sack to take in the car. On the way I looked back and noted he was eating away. Upon arrival at Mary's, I didn't see the sack and therefore, gave it no further thought. Once inside Mary's, Lincoln proceeded to whine and cry and carry on for close to two hours. We then ate lunch and got in the car. When I got the kids back out of the car, I noticed Linc's breakfast sack sitting on the seat beside his carseat. Could it be that he isn't really that bad and he was just S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G......again I say, Mother of the Year, I think not.

Our banker for JK invited us to CEFCU night at the Peoria Chiefs game. You sit out on the Pepsi Patio and get to eat food from a free food buffet. Our kids were in HEAVEN. They quite possibly ate their body weight in popcorn and cookies. They even enjoyed the game and especially the fireworks display after the game. Linc was in absolute awe and possibly a bit frightened, but he never made a peep. :)

Sunday afternoon/eve we spent a lazy day swimming and eating chicken with the Koehl's. Lots o' fun as usual!

As has become tradition, we "do corn" with Aunt Jane and Mom. This year it went quite quickly I must say. I have no pics of A. Jane because she wouldn't stand still that long. :)

Kate was actually moderately helpful.....when she wasn't eating two ears of corn and 3 tomatoes...

Linc pretty much just ate...all afternoon

They were so nasty after the corn mess and spaghetti for supper that it was straight to them bathtub for these two monkeys.

Someone has been doing a little re-arranging of our refrigerator.......

Lastly, two Kate sayings from the past week:

1. "Mom, look in my mouth. I swallowed my hiccups and now they are all gone." (Kate had the hiccups and Mike told her to hold her breath and swallow 3 times)

2. While eating a chicken leg, Kate says to herself, "Well, for crying out loud.... I can chew it." She happily went on eating without even looking up....

Kaiser Weekend 2009

This weekend we went to Monticello, IN with the extended Kaiser Family. There were 45 people there and we were missing only 4 of our group. We missed you Kev, Jolynn, Drew, and Derek. We enjoyed a fun weekend of swimming, boating, volleyball, softball, bags, tug-of-war, eating, and chatting. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for another fun weekend. Thanks Mark and Renee for planning everything this year!!

The park where we ate our meals.

Marcy is saying "You either have it or you don't and I don't." In reference to Kaiser's and their athletic abilities or lack thereof. :)

Heading out to the boat and Amy, Kate, and Jenna on the boat

A new thing this year: grilled veggies

Family Pictures

Acting out the Good Samaritan

The annual tug-of-war games

If a mess can be made, Linc is first in line. Here he is playing in the water that is dripping out from the boat.

Kate watching a movie while waiting for her allergy meds to kick in (Thanks Alissa). Oddly enough, Kate is allergic to something in Indiana. Three times this summer we have been in Indiana and after a few hours there her eyes start watering and she starts sneezing. All three times, within an hour of being home she is completely fine again.