More of the Garage

I am a couple weeks behind with updates of the garage project.  Jeremy and Grandpa Tom have been VERY busy each week, and a ton of progress has been made!  It's been a fun process for the ladies to watch, and they have loved getting to see Grandpa so much this summer.  One night, Jeremy needed a little help cleaning up from the day's work, and he enlisted two awesome helpers.  The girls put on their work gloves (or snow gloves) and helped clean up wood scraps.  It was an amazingly harmonious work session, and Jeremy commented later how much quicker he was able to clean up when he had their help!

Audrey laughed really hard when she saw this picture because she felt like her hair looked black.

Kate's Dance Classes

Throughout the past month, we have had many dance classes take place, with Miss Kate as the instructor.  Dance classes can take place in the living room, in the backyard, or at a park.  No matter where you are, Kate will teach you to "weap" (leap) and "twirl".  She demonstrates, and then says, "Now you try it."  After you have copied her move, she demonstrates another.  It is so sweet, innocent, and hilarious, especially when you can con Jeremy into participating too.

At Elizabeth's birthday party, Kate even gave Geeka a dance lesson.  We're not quite sure how she thought he performed...

FYI...the most important component of Kate's dance lessons is that you are wearing something that can twirl when you twirl.  We'll have to invest in some new clothes for Jeremy and Geeka!

Birthday Party

A couple of weekends ago, we traveled north to celebrate cousin Elizabeth's first birthday at Blue Mound State Park.  On this beautiful Saturday, we enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch and being with family.  Audrey and Kate helped as much as they could and had fun spending time with Elizabeth.  It's so sweet to watch Audrey take on the role of an older cousin, as she seems to be a babysitter-in-training!  Happy First Birthday, Elizabeth!  We're looking forward to seeing you soon.  Oh, and Kate also wants you to know she made it the full 2+ hour drive up with a dry pull-up.  We had to make a run for the restroom right when we got there, but she did it!

Kate took a picture of her purple shoe.  It's important for us to remember these shoes, as they are basically all Kate will wear throughout these spring and summer months.  Needless to say, they need to be washed often.  We all (including Kate) refer to them as her "stinky shoes".

Splash Pad Fun

Once again this summer, we have enjoyed visiting splash pads in our area.  The girls have become much more willing to get wet, which makes the time spent at splash pads more fun!  Today we were even able to visit one with Aunt Jade, and it was a blast.  Here are some cute pictures from a trip a few weeks ago.

The Many Faces of Kate

Here's what you get with a Kate in your lap and a camera in your hands...

Cousin Jack

On July 4th, our hearts grew a little bigger as we welcomed a new member to our family.  Jack Russell was the first grandson born on the Ihde side, so he's going to quickly get used to having three older female cousins around! :)  Audrey immediately turned on her cousin skills and wouldn't give up Jack when she started to hold him.  Kate wasn't quite sure what to think of her mom holding someone else, but we know, she will also fall into the role of cousin again very easily.  We love you so much already, Jack, and we look forward to visiting you again soon!

Happy Fourth!

We hope everyone has had a wonderful Fourth of July!  Since Jeremy is working days now, we were actually able to spend the day as a family.  We went to Monticello's parade, grilled out for lunch, and had fun relaxing together.

Our favorite moments of the parade we'd like to always remember are sweet Kate waving her flag the entire time, and Audrey waving her hand almost the whole parade, in hopes people would notice her to toss candy to.  Our crazy girls are also super sweet, and it's fun to see how innocent their excitement is.

Happy Fourth of July!