First Day

Kathryn started preschool last Thursday. We were able to get her into Headstart (we're over guidelines so it wasn't easy!) and she goes 4 mornings a week. Kat has always been 'smart' and we felt that she really needed to be learning now while she thought it was fun and while learning is so easy. We realize that just because she is advanced now doesn't mean she'll always be but we wanted to give her every advantage. It helps that her teacher, Danielle, is married to one of Jesse's best friends so Kathryn knew her and my mom worked at Headstart for 5 years when we first moved here and we know most of the staff through that.

Kathryn wore the new dress that Grandma Gail made her (Lili has hers on too). No fighting over clothes on the first day!

This picture shows the true Kat...ornery and cute!
Lili wanted in the pictures to.

The Headstart building has water in the basement so for now they are using the Methodist church which just happens to be our church. I think this also helped because she is use to me leaving her for Sunday school and in the nursery.
Kathryn's (temporary) classroom. She was so excited.
Sitting on her spot. No tears when I left after this picture.

This is how I found Lili after coming down from making beds. Sound asleep leaning against the couch. She slept the whole time Kat was at school and miss the first day of having the house (and toys) all to herself!!

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Grandpa Ed

Jesse's Grandpa Ed passed away this morning. He will be greatly missed by all of us. He was greatly loved and respected by Jesse and my girls loved playing with him. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather and even grandfather-in-law! Please pray for Jesse's family. I'm sure John, Kathryn and Grandpa Ed had a wonderful reunion today. We miss you and will see you again someday.

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Kat, Lili and Mommy too

In July Lorelai had tubes put in. We had been battling ear infections and then Lili stopped talking as much and some of the words she use to say she was no longer saying so we decided that is was time.

Lili looked so cute in the gown but it took me awhile to convince her that it was a pretty dress. She wasn't so sure.

She played happily before the surgery. We were worried when we were told no food or drink after midnight. She always gets a sippy first thing in the morning. She surprised us and did wonderful.

Goofing off before. Trying to keep her entertained and out of trouble.

Taking my baby. I had a hard time letting go and trusting that she would be okay. I had prayed for weeks, but still...it is so hard to trust fully when it's your baby. I am learning.

This is the only picture of after which was at home. She threw a huge fit coming out of the anesthesia and I could barley hold her. This is after coming home and taking a couple hour nap. She was still so tired.


Well, Kat waited and waited and finally got to meet Suzie. Suzie McEntire Luchsinger is a wonderful singer and role model and I was so happy to be able to take Kat to see her and not have to worry about this concert being inappropriate. Suzie is, yes, Reba's sister and Kat sometimes gets them confused. We watch Reba on TV a lot (both the show and music videos). Suzie sings gospel music and does Cowboy Radio. She is truly a women of God and I have to say that I am happy that both her and Reba are some of Kat's favorite singers. They are wonderful women and I pray for their continued testament.

This is after Suzie sang just for Kat. 'My Kinda People' is Kat's favorite song and this year Suzie didn't sing it, but was kind enough to sing to her.


Suzie wanted to make sure we had a good picture and spent sometime talking to Kat.

As for me, I had a heart appointment last week and my heart is actually better. Praise God!! I went from a 3+ (high moderate) to a 2+ (mild moderate). We don't know what did it, but not having the stress of extra kids (daycare) is my guess. I have to go back in 6 months and if everything is the same or better then I will probably start going once a year. I have been worrying about the future and surgery, but it won't be anytime soon if things stay good.

Have so much more to post and will hopefully have more time this week.

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A birthday, a castle, a princess...

Kat turned 3 on the 4th of July. I'm clearly way behind on posting. We're officially out of the terrible 2's or so they say!!! and I'm having a hard time realizing that shortly I will no longer have a baby just two toddlers. Time sure goes by fast.

I planned an outrageously large and extravagant party for our Princess Goofball, but of course it rained and ruined all my plans. To Jesse's disbelief I started planning the party months ago with big dreams of creating a castle out of the swing set with little castles surrounding it, balloons everywhere, a red carpet to walk, and tiaras for everyone. Well...I came down off my cloud of dreams, promised to reuse some of the stuff and have a princess party for Lili at 3, and finally made a budget. The swing set would have decorations, tiaras for the little girls, and 2 castles made of furniture boxes that we got for free and the local furniture store. Despite the rain things turned out okay (no decorated swing set and castles inside) and Kathryn enjoyed herself.

I'll leave you with pictures of your royal highness Princess Kathryn's 3rd birthday.

Kat's Aunt Amy couldn't stay for the party but spent the morning decorating her cupcakes. They turned out great!

The red carpet. Things are just thrown together because of the rain.

One of the two castles I made. Mom help a little, so did Wes.

The little princesses playing party games. Pass the teapot.

Grandma Gail with Lili and cousin Meredith.

Lorelai made a cute princess.

Eating cupcakes.

Heading for Chinese that night (we did fireworks on the 3rd this year).

Kathryn excited for Chinese and the fish!! She picked where we ate. Chinese is her favorite, but not Dads. He was sick that night!

Jesse and Aunt Bee's boyfriend Manu just being themselves.

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Wedding #2 - The Hoovers

Saturday started out rainy and dreary, but turned into a beautiful day. Jesse was the best man in his friend Joe's wedding, so we spent the day chasing kids, helping, taking pictures and finally enjoying time with friends.

Joe and Jesse grew up together and have been friends nearly all their lives and since Joe only has a sister Jesse had the honor of standing up with him. Joe and Danielle dated for 5 years and we have all been waiting for this day which we knew would come eventually. The wedding was short and sweet and really showed their personalities. The wedding party even took a hay ride to the reception. I didn't get pictures of this because our two year old was crying because she didn't get to go with Daddy. All in all it was a good day, but very tiring!



Kathryn and Daddy. She was a little tired!



Lorelai was worn out after dancing all night.


Karaoke again. The wedding party serenaded the happy couple.

Jesse and his brother Eric and our niece Meredith. They're finding a song to sing, but Mer Mer left so she didn't get to sing!

They had the little girls sing Hannah Montana's Best of Both worlds. You know you're a mom when you know the words!! Robin and I both were singing along with them. The flower girl and ring bear were suppose to dance, but Sydnee said " I don't know what to do!"

Our friends Dave and Robin who just got married a few weeks ago.


Jesse and I. Not the best picture, but it had been a long day.

All the groomsmen. They helped Jesse with his toast. Sorry Danielle!!

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Finally...Some summer FUN!!!!

The start of the summer here in Iowa has been cool. Many days have been spent inside because of rain, cool temps, or muddy yards. Finally we have been able to spend some time outside and it so much easier to take the girls places with no jackets/coats and just head off for the evening.

Here's a picture of Lorelai playing from one of our many days inside.

Kat and Lili love eating Chinese because they get to see the fish so one evening off we went for some family time. And yes, the dirty guy in the background is Jesse!!!

Kathryn loves her little house (it was left here when we moved in!), but the wasps and spiders seem to like it to!!

Lili loooves to swing. This is at my in-laws. She spent a good 45 minutes in the swing before we could get her out so she could eat! Oh, and notice the boots. A gift from my aunts to Kat and now Lili loves them just as much as Kat did.

Kathryn is great at taking turns because she has more fun getting to push Lili...well, except the one time Lili's shoe caught her eye:)

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New Look

Well, as you can see we have a new look. Someone from Etsy designed business cards, banners, avatars, address labels and such for my Etsy store so we carried over the idea. Dots everywhere!!! I love polka dots and watermelon colors so I'm happy. I'm having a garage sale this weekend and also introducing my bows to our town and after that I will be adding more things to my Etsy store. I've been busy creating so many new things and have them all ready to sell. I'm so happy to finally be kicking things off. Check me out at http://princesschunkymonkey.etsy.com. Happy shopping!!!

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