Practice makes perfect

Alivia found out she has pictures at school next week so what does she do..... She picked out the outfit she wants to wear and wanted to practice taking her picture. Really! What three year old does this. Let's just hope she smiles a little better than this one and isn't the only one that truly strikes a pose when they say cheese...

Grandpa's Girls

Grandpa Evan and his two little farm girls. Alivia and Ella love to go check the corn and cattle with him and sometimes he even lets them keep a corn stalk. Aren't these two so lucky!!!!

Ella my love

When your 18 month old wants to dress herself in the morning this is what you get. Since big sister likes to get dresses as soon as she wakes up so does Ella. Ella thought Alivia's swimsuit would be the best fit for today. Oh and that is our new cheese smile!

We also climb everywhere. Ella has done this since she could move. Well she figured out she can get on the toilet and then up into the sink. Today I busted her before she could go any further. She thinks she is really special when she is in mom and dad's bathroom since there is make-up and fun things on the counter. Also, we are rocking the 70's shag hair. How can you not love this little one.....

Just singing and dancing

If you need a laugh or a smile this weekend these videos will do that. Alivia has become my little entertainer and if someone is around she is always ready to go with a dance or song...

Crazy Ella

My little Ella as most would say she walks to the beat of her own drum. We love her dearly and she puts the biggest smile on our faces everyday. Clint likes to call her our free spirit girl and she is from head to toe. Here are a few moments these past few days that were just to perfect to pass up.

Socks to her knees, no pants and a jammy top. One of Ella's finest outfits!
Easter bonnet hat, tutu, naked doll and of course the remote to her mobile (from when she was a baby) as a purse.

First day of Pre School

Finally the true first day of school started last week. It all went great and even without tears. Alivia went right in and was so excited to meet her new friends. She even got to be the teachers helper the first week. Alivia was the line leader, calendar helper, and got to bring the snack on Thursday. Life is good so far in pre school....

More Iowa....

Helping grandma and grandpa pick our a new rock for their yard

Daddy and Ella in front of a very large rock.


Grandpa helping his little lady aka Alivia across the rocks.

Ella got to ride shotgun down to see the big rocks.

The girls also got in some much needed singing time. Always a pleasure listening to little girls scream I mean sing...

Getting ready to go for a ride on the gator.

ISU... Go Cyclones

The girls had so much fun this past weekend at the Iowa State football game. They were good sports with getting up when it was dark out and driving up to tailgate at the b*tt crack of dawn. The day was beautiful and of course can't beat a Iowa State victory over Iowa.

My little cheerleaders
Papa and Nana getting in on the school spirit. I think someone in this picture might have been cheering for Iowa. I won't name names........

Alivia giving nana a ear full about something important

Ella working hard on those cinnamon raisin pretzels

Our little cyclone family

Enjoying the day

Courtney and I before the heat rolled in

Alivia posing with Cy

More tailgating for this girl. She might have eaten anything and everything she normally doesn't during the tailgate. She definitely paid for it later in her diaper:) Another great weekend in Iowa.

Dance, dance, dance

It's finally here and we could not be more excited. Alivia started dance and she is so excited to share her first day with you.... She goes every Wednesday for an hour. Alivia gets to do tap and ballet and loves every minute of it.

So ready to start this new adventure
Not only does she get to dance, but she gets to do it with her cousin Presley

Listening to Teacher Lisa give the class an overview of the year

Daddy even got to come on her first day and she his little girl all grown up

Teacher Lisa working with Alivia

My ever so graceful child making herself noticed while balancing a bean bag on her head

Old man Alivia with her skirt pulled up

shaving cream time...

This has always been one of my favorite activities to do with kids. I used to do it with Jack when he would come to IA and visit and now I do it with my girls. It's a little messy, but tons of fun...

Valleyfair 2011

Our annual Valley fair trip went off without any meltdowns, fights or tears which means it was perfect... We had a great time and I think the kids did too. For the past three years we have gone to Valley fair every year at the end of summer and let me say this year was the most fun we have had yet. All four kids rode rides till they were tired. I can't wait for future trips with these guys and what craziness comes with each year.

So ready to go in and start this fun day...
First stop the baby go round as Jack would call it. Ella just loved it as you will see from the video below.

What a great picture on the BIG swing minus the random girl in the picture.

Liv and Pres riding the space ship with Grandma and Paul

Since we packed a lunch and had a picnic the kids either got to pick a snack or play a game. As you can see these two picked a snack. They waited so patiently in the extremely long cotton candy line.

and waited till it was finally their turn and it didn't disappoint.

It was then back to riding rides and Ella just had a blast on all the rides. She is kind of a seasoned rider since she had already been to Adventure Land in Iowa a few weeks ago.

Riding the ladybug

I can only imagine what these two will be like when they really can drive. First off I hope Alivia watches the road more than herself when she is 16.

Last but not least Liv's favorite ride of the day. These two went on this back to back to back and then took a brake and went back on....

We have been trying to fit in as many pool days in till it starts getting to cold for it. Both girls have become little fish this summer. Alivia can swim on her own now and even will jump off the side of the pool and go under water which is a huge step from the beginning of the summer. Ella on the other hand has no fear and goes right in even if there isn't anyone around. You need a team of people to keep up with her. Excited to see them next summer in the pool....

Clint having fun with our future basketball player.
She even hangs from the rim after stuffing it. Father like daughter....

Presley and Alivia

Waiting patiently on their pizza...

Even getting in some important reading before dinner.