Popsicle Posers

Big sisters brought popsicles outside while we were playing and Kim just had to have one too.  This is probably her first unassisted popsicle.  I love her expression in this one:

The older girls noticed that I was taking pictures of Kim's cuteness and decided that I needed pictures of them too.  So here are their popsicle poses:

Kadie Turns Five!

Five years ago we got to meet this cute little person for the first time!

  How fast the time flies...
Kadie turned five this past Thursday.  We started out the day with a special treat of Daylight Donuts, and ended with Tacos for dinner per Kadie's request.  Grandma Ferris was out of town, so we waited until Saturday to have the actual party so Grandma could participate.  I debated having a party with friends, but life is kind of crazy right now so I decided to save that for another year.  All in all, I think Kadie had a great birthday.  Now to prepare for Taylor's birthday in a few short weeks!

Kadie started out being really gentle with the wrapping paper...

 ...but got more spirited about it after we told her to just open it!

 She got a lovely dress/hat and pajamas from Grandpa and Grandma Andersen and Grandma Jane:

 Admiring a light toy that she got from Kim:

 Taylor made a card to go along with the gift she picked out for Kadie:

 Taylor agonized over the toys in the toy aisle about what to pick for her sister and settled on a blue fairy wand that has glitter that you can shake on the inside:

 Taylor saved up all her money for a long time to get a Dream Lite.  Kadie lucked out and we got her one for her birthday:

 Kadie's five-year-old birthday loot:

Kadie modeling pj's that she got...She absolutely loved this gift since she and Taylor had similar ones when they were very small.  She was excited to have new ones that fit once again!

 Where was Kim during the birthday celebration?  Why sampling the cake, of course!

Happy Father's Day

Here is the cute candy card the girls and I made for Lee for Father's Day:
(I think you can click the image to make it larger/easier to read.)

On a more random note, I was feeling creative yesterday so I used my laminating machine and made a "What's For Dinner?" sign for the fridge.  I like to plan my menu a week at a time so this will be fun.  I usually just write them on a sticky note.  Now my menu plan will be more in style. (I can just use dry-erase marker on the laminated page.  I used numbers instead of days of the week because I tend to make dinner based on how my day went, what sounds better, and how much time I have.)

Curly Sue

 The older girls had slight curls at the ends of their hair when they were little, but nothing like this.  Taylor's hair lost her curl after her first haircut, while Kadie's has maintained a wave to it.  I wonder if Kim's curls will stick around.  Kim's hair can be SUPER curly right after a bath- here is her hair at one of its curliest moments!

 While curly isn't exactly happy in this picture...I did catch one of everyone looking at the camera.  Liz was here a couple of weeks ago and mom requested the standard grand-kid photo.  Here are 6 of the 8 grandchildren.  As an added bonus, no one is picking their nose!

Family Photos

 This last Thursday we made the trek down to Star Valley.  It was long in coming since we haven't been that way in almost a year!  Lee's little brother, Kevin, graduated from high school on Thursday night, so that gave us extra purpose to our trip.  Friday was an awesome day.  We took our time getting ready for the day, and then hiked up to the Intermittent Springs above Afton.  It was a beautiful day and we had some good family time together.  After hiking we ate at Red Baron.  Totally amazing yummy drive in food!  We spent the evening with Lee's mother and then spent a little time on Saturday visiting the farm and Lee's dad.  We planned on staying longer, but decided to come home a day early.  I am grateful we did because Kim has been ill since we got home and has thrown up on me twice!  I feel blessed that we didn't have to deal with that while traveling with limited resources in a car!

 Love the look Kadie has on this picture:

 The roar of the springs scared Kim for a while, 

but she got down and walked once she got used to it.

 The sun was really bright...does this remind you of popeye?

 Miss attitude:

 They look so small compared to the mountain and river...

 Enjoying some cuddle time while she was still afraid of the sound of the water.

Running ahead:

Took some time to climb the rocks and then slide down them on their bums:

 Plucky comic relief:

 Lee's gaggle of girls:

 Daddy's girls:

 The new favorite family photo:

(We used a timer...Lee looks really composed considering he had to race to get into position!)

 Lee was being a goofball behind me so they would all smile.

Love my silly girls:

 We had to grab a few of just us. This one is my favorite.  

I ran after setting the timer but I tripped and didn't think I could sit and pose in time.  Laughed at the mad dash...

 Kadie took these for us:

 Kim loved looking at the baby cows.  

We have a picture of Taylor in almost the same pose and in the same jacket!

 MOO!