Mommy's last day at home

Well the time has finally come for me to go back to work. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at home with my girls and am VERY sad to be headed back to work. I'm especially sad to be going back to work on a Monday. It makes for a very long first week and we'll miss the garbage man :( Our favorite Monday activity was taking Columbo for a walk and then drawing with sidewalk chalk and blowing bubbles while we waited for the garbage man. Oh how we loved to wave at the garbage man!

Alas it is back to work for mommy but we had a fabulous last Friday together. We started with a walk to Erdmans for a special treat.....coffee and a donut. You've gotta love a small town where the old guys drive their tractor to the local grocery store for coffee.


Carly's got her mean eyes and Molly just looks surprised, but don't let them fool you they're having a blast.


We walked to the park and enjoyed the second half of the donut before swinging in all the swings and climbing (one of Carly's favorite past times)


See Molly's even having fun.


After nap time we had lots of fun in the pool and there was even some time for sun bathing.




All in all it was a great way to end a way too short maternity leave!

Ok here are some pictures from the last few weeks.
Carly in her no paparazzi pose.


Enjoying some ice cream at the Kasson Festival in the Park



Jason was very excited to give Carly a ride in the wagon....unfortunately she was not interested. So he tried to entice her by giving Columbo a ride first. Look a those ears blowing in the wind.


Well it worked!


Once again.....I'm not sure who had more fun.


We love our sidewalk chalk.

Chalk outlines aren't always creepy.

I think that duck's trying to get me....


Sister love....with bad hair and demonic eyes??


and finally here is a whole collection of what you get when you try to capture a baby's smile.





Isn't that cute? That's all for now.

Baptism and a trip to Illinois

We are so glad we got to see so many friends and family over the last couple of weeks. Carly especially loved getting to see everyone and is still asking where you all are. We cover nearly everyone on both sides of the family at least once a day. Steven is still a big favorite, but fear not Megan you are still the only name she guesses when the phone rings.

OK hold on to your hats, there are a lot of pictures in here.

Aunt Megan and Cassidy surprised us by coming up on Thursday night for the baptism. We weren't expecting them until Friday. We were all very happy to see them.


Cassidy loved Molly...I think she'll be asking for a brother or sister soon.


Gramma and Bakka came up on Friday and got some good grandkid time in before everyone else arrived and they had to share.




Andrew and Wendy look like naturals don't they?


I'm telling you, I think Cassidy wants one of her own.


Aunt Laura might be a natural too.


Carly was happy to finally have someone come play in her house.


And play tractors with her.


Although she doesn't mind doing this alone either.


We only wished we lived closer so we could have this much fun all of the time.


Cassidy and Carly even got to share bath time.


Megan doesn't really like the wobbly heads but she seems to be doing ok here.


They say mimicry is the greatest form of flattery. Have we mentioned that Carly really likes Steven. Even as I type this she's telling me "Mommy, I like Steven"


Me and my beautiful siblings....what lucky parents we have :)


Megan made the baptism cake. It's beautiful but I think she might also have a future if funeral cakes ever take off. Love you Megan!


Of course Carly loved helping opening gifts.


Bakka and his newest granddaughter


Molly's such a good sleeper that this is sometimes a joke.


But isn't she beautiful!


Carly found interesting ways to entertain herself on the trip to IL.



Great Grandma Schahl enjoyed meeting Molly.


and Carly loved playing with her.


Doesn't everyone have to bounce on the bed in the hotel room?


Carly and Steven had some quality sandbox time.


I think Carly was explaining to Grandpa how he should burp Molly.


The hotel pool was a big hit.


Back to Dixon and Molly's first trip to the coffee shop.


The oldest granddaughter and the youngest.


Relaxing on Gram's front porch.


Sometimes I'm not sure who enjoys that sidewalk chalk more.


Getting a good view of the cowboys at the fair.


Riding the cool trikes at Gram and Bak's with Cassidy.


Lounging with Isaac.


Finally back home. Wow this place got messy while we were gone...I even need to vaccuum the toy box. Don't you love the gloves?


Well that's all for now. We loved seeing everyone and we'll try to see those of you we may have missed in the fall.

Nap time!

That's right BOTH girls are taking a nap and have been for the last couple hours, so I thought I'd add some pictures. We have been enjoying life far too much to be bothered with a camera the last few weeks but here are a few shots. Molly's baptism is this weekend so you won't have to wait long for more photos!

Molly is out cold...this was taken after several attempts to wake her up to feed her before her doctors appointment. What a content kid!


Chalk, your own bag of pretzels and the outdoors...is there anything better?


What an angel.


Cuddling with Mommy. OK Mommy's hair doesn't look too good here and she looks a little tired but please notice the basket of FOLDED laundry behind them :)


Last weekend we went to the Dodge County fair. Carly even rode a pony. Unfortunately her wonderful parents forgot the camera in the car. Thanks to Daddy for running back to get it so we could snap some photos and video of her feeding the animals.




Did we mention Molly sleeps....a lot?


Carly is such a big helper, she even likes to do dishes.


This morning Molly was trying out the play mat and Carly decided that she should join in the fun.



All that fun makes a girl tired!


That's all for now, the girls will be up soon. We're looking forward to seeing many of you very soon!!!