1st Day of Preschool!

The expression on Grace's face...pretty much says it all :)

Grace was SO excited for her first day of preschool!

Grace with her princess backpack :)

Lots of smiles that morning!

(And every preschool morning!)

Grace in front of her locker :)

I really had a hard time deciding rather or not to send Grace to preschool this year...

She is absolutely loving it...and am so glad that we decided to send her!

She goes just 2 days a week for a few hours each day...

So we still get lots of time together at home too :)

Our Little Guy :)

It's hard to believe this little guy will be 2 in just under 2 months!

Eli is a very happy, energetic, and lovable little guy...

He loves to sit on the potty just like big sister...

Here are some of his most frequently used words/phrases he's using these days...

I'm hungry (Sounds more like "I hunry" :)

All done

Here go (Here you go)

Up

Uh Oh

Elmo

Potty

Poopy :)

Mommy, Daddy, Grace

Baby

Lala (Lilah- the baby that comesover 4 days a week:)

Yes & No

Open it

Need Help

Please & Thank You

Shoes!

He's still a great sleeper (from about 8:30-8:00 every night)

He takes a good 2-2 1/2 hr nap each day too!

Eli loves to give hugs and kisses!

He loves books, going for walks outside, and chasing Gracie around the house :)

We are so blessed to have our sweet little Eli!

Mall of America

Thanks to Auntie Kim and Uncle Chad- we were able to get more free tickets to the theme park at the Mall of America!

Grace's first time on the big swings!

Carson, Ryan, and Chad all ready to ride too!

Grace loved it!

Grace on her all-time favorite ride- The Puppy Ride! :)

Thanks Kim & Chad...for the fun afternoon! :)

Play Time!

Here are Grace and Eli enjoying a little time at the park!

Eli taking a peek! :)

Train Ride!

Fishing and a Boat Ride!

During our weekend away, we got to ride on Carson and Ryan's Grandma's boat!

Eli even got to help drive the boat :)

(He has such great skills...he can even drive with his eyes closed ;)

All by himself even too! :)

Carson fishing!

Ryan caught a fish!

Gracie's turn :)

I think she caught something!

A fish! :)

Reunion Time!

Grace, Eli, and I spent the weekend with Auntie Kim and family!

(Dave and a quiet weekend at home...working on his "to do" list :)

Today we headed to a family reunion!

The reunion was full of very distant relatives.

But it was nice to reconnect with family... :)

We ended up spending lots of time outside playing with Cousins Carson & Ryan.

Cousin Ryan enjoying the swing!

Goofy Carson!

Our little monkey in a tree! :)

Not-so-distant family members :)

The ancient playground!

I'm so thankful they don't make slides like that anymore.

Of course, Eli thought that slide was the greatest!

Thanks to Uncle Curt, he got to experience the giant slide a few times :)

Final Weeks of Summer!

We are enjoying our final weeks of summer and getting out in the pool as often as we can!

Another "Cheese" for the camera :)

Dancing in the water!

There's nothing like relaxing in the pool! =)

"Cheese!"

I love that Eli still stops to say "Cheese" for the camera!

Playground Fun!

Eli with his awesome hair :)

Smiley guy :)

Loads of fun at the park!

"Potty Time"

This little guy has a newfound interest in sitting on the potty!

Whenever he sees big sister go...he wants a turn too :)

I'm hoping this means that he'll be a lot easier to potty train than big sister was :)

Grace loved her diapers! Eli can't wait to get his off :)

A Bright & Sunny Day

Here's Grace sporting her favorite pair of shades... :)

Little Artist!

This little man is such an emerging young artist! :)

He did more writing on the paper than he did on the table!! :)

PK 3 Home Visit!

Gracie had her first home visit today!

Mrs. Larsen came by today to spend some time with Grace.

Her visit made Grace so excited to start preschool!

Mrs. Larsen brought Grace some fun activities for Grace to do!

Grace got to dob bright colors on the letter "G".

Mrs. Larsen read a story about preschool.

Grace with her favorite teacher! :)

Parade!

Every five years our town has a parade during fair week!

And this was the year! :)

A snow plow :(

Grace and Eli got waaaay too much candy!

(The bag sitting next to Grace's chair was full by the end!)

Little helicopter looking things... :)

I think this may be the first time I've seen a camel at a parade!

Carver County Fair!

We spent the afternoon at the Carver County Fair!

The animals were our favorite part of the fair! (Besides the fair food of course :)

Piggies!

Baby cow :)

Sheep!

Nice Sheep... :)

So many animals to see!