Family Fun

The Cesta Family came for a visit and it was so much fun!  There was a little carnival and movie under the stars the night they got in. We also went to Wagner Farm and had a big family BBQ.  On their last night in town, we walked to the concert in the park where the kids did bubbles and made crafts.   I wish I took more pictures!

 Addison and Madeline are great helpers in the kitchen.  They made a giant cupcake.  I wish I took a picture of how they decorated it!  FANCY to say the least! :)

Now on to K-Town!

 The girls went tubing on their own!  Such big kids!

 Dane loves the golf cart!

 Why does Maddie make this face all of the time when we take pics????!!!!

 One of g-ma's friends is a photographer.  I took these "behind the scene" pictures.  I will be sure to post the pictures the photographer took!

 Dane was quite challenging at first, but he ended up ok in the end.  Taking pictures is always a challenge!

 Two adorable kittens joined the photo shoot.  Maddie was in heaven - she loves cats!

 The next day....

 The girls had "dalmatian nails."  They kept them on about as long as it took to do them!

 The big girls wanted to visit the kittens again the next day.  They brought cat food for them.  They were SO excited about it.

 Ava got in on the dress up fun too!

 We went to a concert in k-town and Maddie REALLY wanted to push Dane in the stroller.  To our surprise, he sat in it and she pushed him for a good ten min.  She really tried to get him to get back in it on the walk back, but he wasn't having it.  So, Addison and Madeline had some fun!

Burt Lake

We had a great time in the U.P.  We did some boating, tubing, water skiing, swimming and running. We also did the river cruise which is a family favorite.  

 Maddie loved tubing.

The drive home was a long one.  We hit a lot of traffic.  We loved how they entertained themselves!

Dane - Chill Mode

I love my little blondie!

Lane Road...Down State

As children, our grandparents lived on a farm.  There was a long lane road that led to their house and I would get SO excited when it was my turn to drive.  On our last trip, we headed straight to see g-pa at the nursing home and we drove past the lane road.  I pointed it out to Matt with enthusiasm and he said, "Turn around!!!"  We had been in the car for quite some time, but we headed to the lane road and it brought back so many memories.  The home is no longer there, but I could envision it perfectly along with all of the good times spend there over the years.  Maddie was an excited little driver and Dane was chill.  I have a feeling this may become a tradition! :)  We had a nice trip with grandma and grandpa and we always enjoy seeing them.

Pool

Pretty Soon! :)

Heidi - Maddie is ready to learn some new cheerleading moves! :)

"What's Your Name?"

He has never answered this way for his sister's name and it cracked us up!  Where do they come up with this stuff?!!!

Lincoln Park Zoo

We have been wanting to go to the zoo and finally got there a few weeks ago.   It was hot, but what else is new?!!  We hope to go back super soon!

 The girls on the hippos. 
Maddie and I with the giraffe.  Yes, she was thrilled.

 Maddie and Claire were hugging the "people" and I snapped a shot while Claire was in action.  So sweet!

4th of July Fun!

Wow!  This is the most updated I have been on the blog in a long time!!! :)  

We had a fun filled 4th of July that started with red, white and blue pancakes.  We went to a parade in the heat.  The parade was great - tons of bands, dance crews and even a camel!  All was going well until an unanticipated "shot" went off by an artillery club right by us.  It totally freaked out Maddie and Dane.  Matt was a bit under the weather so we just hung out until fireworks later that night.  Maddie loved the fireworks again this year, but Dane was not a fan.  He did not even want to be outside when they were going off.  So, we went to the car, (had to start it up because we needed AC) and we listened to his favorite CD.  I thought he would fall asleep because it was so late - ha.  Instead, he told me the name of every song and was singing along with the CD.  Both kids went to bed around 10:30 and we are still paying the price! 

 Waiting for fireworks!

Magic Dot

Matt remembered something very cool the other night...

When he was a boy, a magic dot came to Kokomo.  Matt taught Maddie and Dane about the magic dot and how to have fun with the dot.  

Does this bring back memories Grandpa Welke, Grandma Welke and Aunt Kristin?!!

"I Like Summer!"

We are having a blast this summer and it's flying by. We love being outside and the weather has made being outside for too long a bit difficult.  Fortunately, this week looks amazing and we hope to see that trend continue.  The kids love playing in the backyard and riding bikes in the front of the house.  We have really enjoyed our first summer in the new house.  

Both Dane and Maddie like to sing.  Dane has been singing "It's A Small World" all over town.  We go for quite a bit of bike rides around town and Dane sang it for at least 30 min. while on the back of Matt's bike.  It was hilarious.

 We've had quite a few dance parties as well!

Dane is so into everything and can be a major tornado.  He loves climbing up and getting into sinks in our house.  Unfortunately, he also loves climbing into toilets.  This child needs to be watched like a hawk!

Dane has a major sweet tooth.  He asks for seconds in such a cute way that it can be hard to say no, but I do...well usually. :)

Daddy Daughter Movie Night

The park district puts on MOVIES IN THE PARK.  The first movie of the summer was THE MUPPETS.  Matt talked to Maddie about it and it was a much anticipated event!  They made a list of things to bring and she packed them.  She had a blast and was great the entire time.  They are looking forward to the next movie night!

Father's Day