It's raining leaves ...

The Best Day of the Fall

The Smiliest Girl in the World

She spends an unbelievable amount of her day with a smile on her face. The happiest bug I have ever seen.

The Baby Girl

Dad and Charlotte at Zoo Boo

Zoo Boo

The boys have been in their Batman costumes for two events. Here they are at the Como Zoo Boo.

T and The Lady

First Day of School for Brooke and Kip

Punk Rocker Boys

Tom Tom and Charlotte

Giggling

The boys

The Oshgosh Airshow




On our way to the baseball game with our favorite guys- Keith and Kyle.










Kipper and Unc Tommy in Boompa and Grandma's hot tub







On Papa's Boat goofing around

Airshows, Babies, Relatives and More ...

Here he is... my buddy, Kipper.

The End of July... Already

Could she be any sweeter?

Summer is flying. It feels like we are just catching our breath and it is almost half over. The days melt into one another and all of sudden a week is gone. Kip has turned into a boy, Tommy is soon to follow and Charlotte is completely out of the infant stage. She is beautifully alert and peaceful. I find myself wanting to freeze time. Each day is an adventure with the same cast of characters. After dinner most nights the boys are their dads. He plays, laughs, rolls them around and they beam. And I get to be with my sweet angel who wants nothing more than to chat. I am happy to oblige.

Kip and I are reading Atlas Shrugged and comparing notes any chance we get. It is wonderful to be out of the utterly exhausting newborn stage and to enjoy a good book.http://www.atlasshrugged.com/

Smoking Cocktails @Salut

Date night is still a once a week occurence and our saving grace. Recently, we had dinner at Salut on Grand and loved it. I went earlier in the month with the ladies and enjoyed a great dinner twice. We will be back. http://www.salutbaramericain.com/

Kip, the true first born

Here he is! The challenger, the one who wants to get it right and be right. He wants to play the games and win the games. He literally crackles with energy. You can feel when he enters a room even if he doesn't make a sound. He started summer camp this week and when I asked him to tell me about his first day he said, "Mom, the teachers said they write it somewhere for the moms to see. So, you can just look there." He's a firecracker and he has my heart.

Tommy my joyful love

This kid is so happy to finally be big enough to enjoy life in his style. Being part of EVERYTHING. Everyone is included, every activity a chance for fun and mischief. He is pure joy! Here he is trying rhubarb from the garden.

She's a LADY

We spend our time singing, talking, and playing. I am dangerously close to reaching for the pink nail polish, but I have managed to contain myself. She is beautiful, smiley, content and fun. The whole family loves having her around. Has it really only been 3.5 months since she joined us? What did we do without her. Much joy!

The boys, Papa, and Kip went for a nature walk down by the Mississippi. They are a loving the fact they can spend their days outside.

The boys ride

The boys still love cruising around the neighborhood in their Mustang.

T in the rain

Sweet Charlotte

Kipper at his friend's house

Summer So Far

After a slow start to summer in Minnesota, we are now in full swing. This has been a beautiful week and all of us have enjoyed being outside. Kip starts a summer preschool program next week at Dodge Nature Center. He is leary and excited. Tommy will be lost without his brother 2 mornings a week, but will surely find ways to get into trouble without him. Our dear, precious Charlotte is growing up too fast. We are all crazy about her.