Conversations with Daphne

This morning over a nice bowl of cereal, Daphne looked around the table and noticed a family member was missing. "Mommy, where Daddy?" she asked.

"Dad is out playing with the boys today on his dirt bike," Shelley said.

Daphne thought about this a few moments, then said, "Me boy?"

After Shelley stopped laughing, she said, "No, you are a girl."

Daphne smiled and went on eating her cereal. After several bites she tapped her mom's arm and asked, "Jude boy?"

"Yes, Jude is a boy." Shelley said with a smile on her face.

First Lake Trip of 2009

A few weekends ago we made our first Lake trip of the summer, and hopefully more will come! After we got to the Lake, I wanted to explore it all - since the last time I had been here I was only about 8 months old and I didn't remember it. When we were out on the dock (where I always have to wear that stupid life vest!) There was a ladder. So I asked Mom where it went. So she told me to go up it... And it lead to a sunbathing platform on top of the dock!!! Cool!

And then Gramps showed me this purple hanging chair, I loved playing on it!

Before long, Aunt Kathy and Uncle John came over in their new boat. They took us out for a ride!

And when Uncle John wasn't looking, I took over driving!!

Not to be outdone, Gramps wants to take me out on his new boat, too! His is an older model, but it's still fun to have so many boats to go riding on! Faster!!

Gramps let me drive his boat for real! I was only pretending on Uncle John's boat...

After we got back to the cabin, it was time to put on our swimsuits to swim!!! I was hesitant at first, but soon I was waist deep splashing away!

After we got too cold, Jude and I cuddled in the hammock to warm up...

It was a nice weekend trip! I can't wait to go back!!

Shatto Farm

Yesterday my family suffered through the heat to go to Shatto Milk Company's dairy farm! And we were lucky enough to run into some friends there! We had so much fun...well, everyone else did. I was a sour puss. You can't tell in any of these photos, I hid it well... I drove the milk truck, too! And by drive I mean I sat in the chair and held the steering wheel. This was when we first got there, so I was still in a good mood here.

By the time we ate and then got through the line to milk the cows I was hot as all get out... And then I was scared of the cows. Or something.... I didn't want to touch them at all!

But I did enjoy looking at all the baby cows with my friends Emmy and Mica...

After we looked at the cows, we looked at where they process the milk... Strange to think the milk I drink every morning comes from right here! (I'm in his photos, but Eljiah is blocking me completely....I think you can only see my hand holding my sippy cup...)

Playset!

Our backyard suddenly looks a little different.... Here's the before shot... And here's the after shot!!!

I love it!!!!!!!! Thank so much Gramps and Daddy for putting it up!!!!!

Omaha Zoo Trip!

Nothing says summer more than a trip up to Omaha Zoo! Don't get me wrong, I love the KC Zoo, I've been there twice. But it was fun to drive up to Omaha with my family where we met Grandma, Aunt Leah and William! I'm ready! After the several hour drive up, I was ready to play in the sun a little and check out all these animals that I've been practicing their names and the noises they make... Between the three kids, we rotated between two strollers and a wagon all day.

My mom has this little attraction to giraffes....and as I sat and watched them for a while, I think I know why she likes them!

Look! I found a giant turtle!! And it let me ride on it's shell! I asked him if he was the Sea Turtle in Nemo, but he wouldn't answer me...

After a long morning of walking outside and looking at those animals (plus eating lunch and backtracking half the zoo because Mom's glasses fell out of the stroller!! Thankfully we all prayed and by the grace of God we found them!!) it was time to head to the inside feature of the Zoo. First we hit up the Jungle! William and Aunt Leah played on the bridge...

Then I wanted to go on it. I told Dad it looked like the rope swing that Donkey and Shrek cross in the first movie to save the Princess!

Then we went into the Aquarium! I fell in LOVE with the penguins! I think I could have stayed there watching them all day long. There was this one that I think was flirting with me. He kept swimming back and forth in front of me! I loved it!!! I couldn't keep my eyes off him - he was so graceful in the water!

By zoo closing time, I was pooped. (Literally and physically) It was a great day though!!!

Thank you so much Grandma!!!

More teeth?

I am shocked....I thought I had all my teeth! But sure enough, more are coming in! And I'm not liking it... I'm whining and got a fever. Who knew? I guess these are called molars and Mom said they will help me chew food better. We'll see. God, will you please make this more a teensy bit more bearable for me.... Thank you!

Bye Taylor...

My cousin Taylor used to live down the street from me....but this week she moved to Saudi Arabia!!! Goodbye Taylor! I'll miss you!!! And thank you tons for all the hand-me-clothes you gave me just before you left!

My tree...

As you may or may not know, I am growing up in the same house that my mom grew up in. She moved into this house when she was 8 years old, and there was a tiny tree in the back yard. Mom says it wasn't much bigger than the one in this photo. But if you have been to my house recently, you know that there is a HUGE tree in the backyard! The year I was born, Dad planted the tree in the photo above. Mom decided to take my photo with it, and then I can laugh at how small it is when I am a teenager and it's a huge tree...

"2" or Peace...you decide

Whichever it may be: 2 or Peace - I can finally do it!! (that's a hard feat for someone as young as me with chubby little fingers!!!)

My pink bike

When Gramps got into town last week, he was hiding something behind his back... I knew it was a toy for me....so I had to chase him down! And sure enough....my own pink bike!!!!!!I'm ready to roll!! Too bad the little 6v battery doesn't keep up it's speed very long! Thank you Gramps!!! He always finds the best garage sale deals!!!

Playing with Hannah

My mom's high school friend Haley came over the other day and brought her daughter Hannah over, too! Hannah is about 6-8 weeks younger than Jude, so I had a hay day playing with her!! If she didn't live in Colorado, I'd love to play with her all the time!