Kathryn on vacation

Vacation: Family

Vacation: Puzzle

We finished a puzzle! Lloyd actually enjoyed helping even though he isn't a big jigsaw puzzle fan.

Vacation: Smores

In Morrison, we enjoyed swimming in Grandma & Grandpa's pool & hot tub, bonfire & smores, catching fireflies, riding bikes & hula hoops with the cousins, etc. What fun! I'm not sure that we will ever catch up on our sleep:-)

Vacation Time: Cousins

Trying to get this bunch to sit still for a pictures is - well - impossible. Here is the best we could do:-)


Eli (2 - while we were there)
Drew (2 1/2)

Ian (8 - while we were there)

3 Musketeers

Karissa (9), Anika (4.5) and Ali (5)

Includes Kathryn (2 months) and Isaiah (1)

Vacation Time: Swimming/Jet Skiing

Water Rats!!! Anika and Andrew really took to the water. There was a swimming pool that we enjoyed but my favorite by far was donning a life jacket and jumping in the lake. Andrew jumped and jumped and jumped . . . My arms were sore from the catching and my legs were sore from the stairs up and down to the dock. Lloyd really enjoyed the jet ski - as did Andrew. I'm not terribly fond of it - I guess I just don't have the "need for speed" - not to mention that those waves make me a bit sea sick!

Me, Grandpa, & Andrew:Ian & Karissa:Anika, Aunt Hilary, & Karissa:Grandma & Ian:Mommy & Andrew:

Vacation Time: Fishing

Yeah! We had a wonderful time visiting with my family in Lake of the Ozarks, MO and "home" in Morrison, IL. Anika has been forever spoiled - she will think that everything is easy! The night that we arrived she dropped a line in the lake and caught a 2 pound bass! She also caught a 3.5 pound bass later in the week in order to capture the crown:-) My family awards a number of hats each year at the end of the week. "Minnow" (smallest) - Aunt Hilary, "Whopper" (biggest) - Anika, and "Angler" (most) - Grandpa. Andrew also caught a small crappy. Aunt Heather and Uncle Jeff gave the kiddos fishing poles so they caught these fish on Dora and Diego poles.

Why catch fish from the lake when Grandpa has them right here?

Anika Jean

Can you see "Anika Jean"? One of Anika's favorite babysitters played blocks with her in a whole new way!

Easel Fun

Anika has rediscovered her easel. She is practicing her letters in preparation for going to school. She can't wait to go. I wish kids retained that early excitement over school throughout their years. . .

Heat Wave? What Heat Wave?

We've been experiencing triple digit heat (107 for a few days in a row) but you would never know it. Being inside so much must be messing with their brains because Anika and Andrew dressed up like it was winter today. Anika built a tent and was hunting for her food -- not very successfully. (She said she wasn't able to hunt anything but she didn't starve because her daddy brought home a package and hid it under her bed. When she checked in the morning it was food!) Anyway, she imagined that winter was coming so she and Andrew had to dress "cozy". In spite of the look on his face, Andrew actually chose the pink coat. (At least according to Anika he did. Maybe I should doubt the messenger?)

Photo Shoot #2

Here are a few favorites from the "baptism" photo shoot of Kathryn:-) Matt Visser and his wife, Sue, and their kids came over to our house to take a few pictures. Anika & Andrew enjoyed the playdate.

Pure Princess (or fairy and ballerina and fashionista): Anika loved helping her friends dress up in her costumes. Anika is just between Julia and Ruthie in age. She was the only one who DIDN'T get into costume on this playdate -- although she couldn't resist accessorizing hence the "purse" she is sporting.

Fourth Festivities

We started the day with a patriotic breakfast:-) Red (berry syrup), white (powdered sugar), and blue (berries) waffles.

We did just a few little "fireworks" in our backyard. Not much since everything is so dry. Anika and Andrew watched from their "bleacher" seats to stay safe.
Sparklers! (These weren't exactly like the ones I remember but they were still fun!)