They grow up so fast, don't they?

Remember this Red Couch photo?

Helen, Averie, Grace, Zoe (our Texas Twins, I apologize if I've got them turned around!), and Mary Ellen - October 2007

Remember this Brown Couch photo?

Helen, Averie, and Mary Ellen - April 2008

NEW! Blue Couch photo!

Mary Ellen, Averie and Helen - July 2008

They've grown up so much, oh my!

(Goes without saying, of course...we missed you, Texas!)

The porch is a cool place to play on a hot day.



Sending mommy and daddy a chip clip in the mail.


I'm telling you, the girl is going to be a yogini.

Downward Dog is still her favorite pose.

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We're cramming it in, like we always do, during the summer months. That's what we all do here in the Midwest. As soon as it gets warm enough to wear shorts, you can expect your calendar to start filling up. Everyone goes and does June through September. Then we all go back inside and you won't see us again until next June. Minus our great Texas friends, our China travel group got together in Red Wing a couple of weekends ago. We feel so lucky to have connected with such a great group of people. How the girls have changed! Everyone is walking and some are even running. Helen's not running, yet - thankfully, but her latest is walking backward. It all started when we showed her how to back-up to her little kid chair to sit in it. Since then, she's been walking backward almost as much as forward. It's hilarious, I gotta say. The downside? It's just not that easy to spy obstacles when you're in reverse. Ask anyone who's run into their mailbox as they're backing out of the garage, for example. Not that I've ever done that.

Star Spangled Spectacular, Baby!

Helen's First Fourth of July - Kiddie Parade, Storm Lake, Iowa.

Lisa, me, Helen, and Paige.

Brady, leading the girls with his sax - all in their matching shirts.

Beautiful Storm Lake in the background.

Our friend, Jana, and Helen at the Big Parade.

Dad, helping Helen with her sunglasses.

At home, first time in her swimsuit.

First time in the baby pool, non-plussed by the experience.

Took Helen to my hometown Fourth of July celebration. I figured the girl oughta get it right for her first one. Nothing beats The Star Spangled Spectacular. However, I have a question for the organizers this year...what is a parade without the Shiners driving their Magic Carpets in drill team formations? Seriously disappointing. Anyway, it was great to be back in Storm Lake as we don't get there very often and as always, it makes me miss my parents terribly. Since the baby pool photos were taken, Helen's come around a lot on the whole hanging in the water thing. Many evenings, we head out to the backyard for some fun in the pool while we watch for Stew to come home from work. It's so cute to see Helen in her suit, walking down the sidewalk towards the house with her Dad in his business attire. That's my next photo op, I think. I must capture that moment. In other news, Helen is talking up a storm. It's still mostly babble at this point but she speaks very passionately and has something to say on nearly every subject. I wonder who she gets that from?

Additional note: our friend Lori's daughter, Alex, is very ill. I mention this because her family is tirelessly looking for answers for their daughter and the only way those answers are going to come is if everyone who knows Alex tells everyone they know about Alex. Somewhere there's someone who can help her, if only the connection can be made.

Mobile shots

I have some great photos from the Fourth of July in Storm Lake coming but I need to poke through them first, so here's a couple of cute shots from my cell taken over the past few months:

Stew's work friends held a little Welcome Helen party for us a few months ago.

That cake was seriously delicous.

Nice shades, Sister!

What happens on the way home from a play date - zzzzzz...

Getting fitted for her first pair of Stride Rites.

Enjoying a beautiful evening by dining curbside and giving Dad a smooch.

Helen's friend, Lily, helping her with her sandal.

Can ya come over today?

My dear friend of 20 years, Lisa, and her family live close by and Helen/I like to trek out to their house whenever we can. They have a lovely home, a great play area in the backyard, awesome toys and there's always something yummy in the oven - woo hoo! Besides, Lisa and I get a chance to hang out, too. Thanks for having us over - see ya soon!

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Helen and Brady getting crazy (spring).

First time sitting at the table with the big kids, Brady and Paige.

Examining lunch.

A bib turned backwards makes an awesome cape.