Smith for Senate

Our brother-in-law Roby is running for Iowa Senate.

Today was the day of the primary.

You can check out Roby's website below...

http://www.robysmith.com/

Our trip out to Indiana worked out perfectly for us to be there for Roby's big day.

Voting booths closed at 9:00 PM.

We arrived just shortly before.

Frequently checking for election results...

Also watching the news for the latest results...

Shortly before 11:00 PM Roby received a call from a reporter that he had won the election against the current incumbent. Soon after...the news was confirmed. :)

Everyone was thrilled!

(Especially the kiddos! :)

Noelle was so excited her daddy had won...

Above all, Roby stating that he couldn't have done this without God...and will continue to depend on Him in the months ahead...

We're proud of you Roby!

Praying for you!

Diggin' Away

Birthday Party

We celebrated Grace's birthday today at Aunt Kimmy's house! :)

After lunch Grace opened her presents and enjoyed a yummy Elmo cake too!

Grace with Cousin Maddie...trying to decide which present to open first?? :)

Checking out her fun new cards!

Help from Daddy...

A new bath toy!

Couldn't decide between a George or Elmo cake...

Grace loves them both.

But decided on Elmo...

YUM!

Grace couldn't wait to dig in... :)But first...the candles!

The boys decided she needed a little help :)

Aunt Tammy showed Grace how to sample the frosting...

Didn't take Grace long to catch on... :)

The cousins got to try it too! :)
Happy Birthday Gracie! :)

Growing Fast!

Eli just got his first tooth!

He's sitting up all by himself now too!

Birthday Lunch!

Today Marlene and Dennis invited us over for a little birthday lunch for Grace!

Blowing out TWO candles!

Yay! :)
Thanks for making this such a special day for Grace! :)

Grace's Birthday

We had a fun day celebrating Grace's 2nd birthday!

Grace started the day by sleeping in (until like 9:30!) Daddy was able to join us for lunch at Pizza Ranch and then Grace, Eli, and I spent the rest of the day doing some of our favorite things! (Being outside...going to the park, and spending time in the pool/sprinkler!) Grace even got to spend a few hours with Marlene in Dennis (she LOVES going over there!) while mom & dad went to 8th grade graduation at Trinity.

Friends from church gave us their swing set that their children have outgrown.

What a perfect day for it to arrive! :)

The swing set us over the old garden we had last year (notice the dirt!) We decided not to do one this year...(lack of time). But we do plan to put in a nice big sandbox under the swing set.

Here's Grace checking out the swing set for the first time!

All strapped in and ready to swing...
Trying out the slide...
Trying out the "big kid" swing!
With a nice cheesy grin! :)
Inside to open a package from Grandma and Grandpa Larson...
She wasted no time...
Lots of oohs and ahhs! :)
Enjoying the new sprinkler from Emily!
Guess she was thirsty... :)

Grace was sooo excited to see Elmo on her card from Eden, Larry, and Joy!

(She liked her new outfit too! :)

We look forward to celebrating even more this weekend! :)

Two years ago...

Two years ago..

Can't believe it's already been two years!

Grace on her birthday...

But I like this picture much better...

(The day after her birthday :)

Grace's 1st Birthday
Grace's 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Gracie!! :)

Rough Life

Here's Eli working on his tan...

in the shade that is... :)

Hugs from Gracie!

Fun with Cousins

My sister Kim and her boys came for a while this afternoon!

It was a beautiful day- so we spent most of the afternoon outside!

Grace loved tossing the ball with Carson...Grace had so much fun with the boys!
Love the expression on Carson's face! :)

Even stopping to smile for Auntie! :)


The boys brought their sprinkler ball too!

(Ignore the dork...in the bottom right hand of this picture! :)
What a great way to spend a summer day! :)

6 Month Stats!

Eli had his sixth month well baby visit today- and is doing great!

He got shots and took 'em like a champ! (He's done with those now until 12 months!)

The doc. did say...that since Eli has had RSV (twice) and we have family history of asthma (thanks Dave :)...he's probably going to be our "Wheezer." We have a nebulizer now...just hope we don't have to use it!

Here are the latest stats:

Height: 26 1/2 (60th percentile)

Weight: 18 lbs. 11 oz. (75th percentile)

Here are some pictures of Eli after his afternoon nap!

Relaxing in his crib...

Eyes wide open! :)

And back to chillin'

Carrots

Eli tried his first veggie today...carrots! :)

He kept rubbing his face...which resulted in this:

Pretty sure more carrots ended up on his face then in his mouth! :)

Siblings!

Kisses for baby brother!