Gross.

You know it's time to sweep the floor when you find Lily putting crumbs from supper last night down into the nipple of Clara's pacifier. At least it's keeping her quiet.

Lily News.

Lily is starting to walk! (And have big falls cuz Mama didn't catch her. Watch this with caution it may make you very very sad.)

Rebirthday!

A year ago today Lily was reborn in the waters of Holy Baptism. We had a little party to commemorate that special day. We sang a song, said a prayer and shared sherbet!

How good it is for all of us to remember our baptism and what God's word says it gives; forgiveness of sins, deliverance from death and the devil, and eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:4

"and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." Titus 3:21-22

Two Months Old.

Clara turned two months old on Sunday. So far she's an even easier baby than Lily was. She's already sleeping through the night! Her coos and smiles can melt my heart. Look at that dimple!



Oh that smile!

See you at the fair.

This weekend was our county fair. We decided to go on over to it. We left Clara with our neighbor since we figured she wouldn't get much out of it this year. We thought Lily would love to see the exotic animals at the Wildlife Exhibit but she was much more entertained by the humans around us to notice the Hissing Cockroaches and the Lemur. She seemed to notice the Kangaroo at least.


Uh, then we tried the "petting" zoo where there was ABSOLUTELY no petting on Lily's part. I can't say that I blame her though, that Pony's got devil eyes! (enlarge the picture to see what I mean if you dare.)

And this was the biggest horse I've ever seen in my life. And I've seen a lot of horses. I was afraid of this gal! My camera died after this picture so sorry you can't get the full effect of just how big this horse was.
After a couple hours Lily was cranky and ready to get home. We'll try again next year when I just know she'll be in a better mood!

Roll Tide Roll.

Cousin Rachel answers the call! Or my whining about not having any Bama gear.

That's Bama, as in Ala-Bama. Not Bama as in O-Bama. I just wanted to clear that up for any of you wondering as Phil did.


Rachel, Clara liked her shirt, she just makes this face a lot when she's sitting this close to her sister.

Twins! Aren't they sweet?

Summer Harvest.

Here's what we got this week. Potato and eggplant from a member of our church, the pepper and tomato are ours. Yum!

Just some cute stuff.

Is it normal for a baby to be this "chill" in her highchair?

Is it normal for a baby to be this cute???



More corn for supper.



Clara's getting big and strong. I don't think Lily held her head up this well at this age.

Lily loves wearing my flip flops.






I couldn't believe when I saw her trying to put these beads back together. She almost had it then she picked up her bottle and well, who can drink a bottle and put snap beads back together?



Lily has so much fun with the matrushka dolls Neil and Verna brought back from Alaska for her.

*Interesting note:

Russian Matrushka Dolls—A Traditional Symbol of Motherhood

Among Russian peasants, the name Matryona or Matriosha was a popular female name. The Latin root "mater" means mother. These names are associated with the image of a portly woman presiding over a large Russian family.

Hmmmmm. Am I supposed to see some connection here guys?

Here's me and Lily being silly.

Omaha or bust.

Phil and I took a little "vacation" to Omaha this weekend...without our babies. I thought it would be so refreshing to be able to get a whole night of sleep again, but Clara actually began to sleep through the night right before we left! But it was nice to get away, have other people clean and cook for me and have some time to read a book for more than 15 minutes. For our first night we stayed downtown in a fancy shmancy hotel called Magnolia. Tres moderne et chic!

Since I've begun keeping a house I've become a big fan of hotels and I'm very easily impressed. I wanted to cry last year when we had to leave the Holiday Inn Express we stayed in for a conference we went to, and it was only because they had cable and a coffee maker, so the Magnolia was the cats pajamas of hotels!

Here's their website for more information:
http://www.magnoliahotelomaha.com/omaha.aspx

A marble bathroom!


With the bigest guest shampoo and conditioner I've ever seen.

State of the art workout room with flat screen tvs ON the tredmills and sauna (that's pronounced "sowna" if your Kristina).

Valet parking! (Phil was not the valet as this picture and caption might suggest.) Oh and I forgot to mention their complimentory glass of wine during happy hour and milk and cookies before bedtime. Zing!

Our second night we stayed in a "lodge" hotel. I have to say it was a bit more comfortable and more what we're used to. While the "Mag" was hip and very nice, I was ready for some where I could finally let my belly hang out.

It had a cute little kitchen with Folgers coffee.

AND Bath and Body Works lotions and washes! Coconut Lime Verbena scented! Mmmm. What a luxurious vacation we had! It took me a day to unwind but then it was about time to come home, but I'm very glad we got to do it. I sure missed my babies!

Phil's parents came up to watch the girls for us. Lily was a little wary of Grampy at first, but they quickly became best buds.

Your an instant best friend if you take her outside!

Birthday Party!

Here are some pictures from Lily's first birthday party. Mom and the girls helped me make special party hats for everyone to wear. Lily didn't leave hers on very long unfortunately.


The Munderlohs, Leanna and Vernon and granddaughter Makala came over to celebrate with us.

Sara helped me decorate the chocolate chip cupcake cake!

Lily was more interested in trying to figure out why everyone was looking at her and singing than in the deliciousness in front of her.

She never got much further than just holding it.

She gave it a little taste but was still trying to figure out what was going on and what was on everyone's heads.

Especially what was going on with daddy.

We all played pin the stem on the flower!

Phil lost.

Birthday #1 was a blast. Can't wait till next year!

Texans come to town!

Once again my nieces and mom made the long trek north for a visit. I was so glad to have them here! They were excited to meet their newest cousin.


When in Nebraska.....

We laddies had martini night! Sandy, James, don't worry, mom's didn't have any alcohol.


A mojito martini! Special thanks to Krissy!


Um, is it just us or is Lily almost as big as Elle?

We spent the afternoon at Summit Lake. Phil took the girls fishing!
And got them stuck in the weeds.

It was a little too chilly to swim (yes I said too chilly to swim...in JULY!!) so the girls just played in the sand.

A cool day didn't stop Lily though. She's a true thick blooded cornfed Nebraskan.



I told you, cornfed.

This is corn milk Clara's drinking.

Clara says hey.

Lily is getting very close to walking by herself!


Our neighbor Vernon took let the girls drive his lawn mower around! Thankfully no mowing was involved here just a lot of fun.


And a visit to Nebraska isn't complete without an evening of brewing beer. Phil let the girls help him out.

Boiling water.

Crushing grain.

Sara took over for Elle.

Thanks for coming everyone! We miss y'all!