...and he's up

yes, yes - a few posts ago I was a little worried, and now look!! He is wasting no time in his pursuit to keep up with his older siblings. 6 months! Little stinker.

Mmm, yummy toesies!

balloon landings!

The Indianola Balloon Classic was going on this weekend and 3 hot air balloons went RIGHT over our house - I mean one could have actually landed on our roof! This is our back yard. The last one really did land in our neighbors yard. We hurried out and watched the "chase crew" deflate the balloon, fold it up and pack the huge basket onto their trailer. Andie says she wants to ride in one someday, so I shared some pictures of when I got to ride in one when I was little. Shane is worried he will actually have to go up in one with her (with his love for heights). Anyway, it was exciting... they are serious about ballooning here in Indianola!

just the beginning?

Well, we tried a summer session of dance classes for Andie - to "see if she likes it" (that's what I told Shane. He replied, "like she's not going to like it!") ha! So, this is her at her very first class! Let me just say, she was the CUTEST thing I have ever seen!!! It was so great. She had fun and we had fun watching her.
They actually did barre!
Look at that pointed toe!!

a little shuffle action...
a little heel step action (my father-in-law would be so proud I can write these out) :)

all done! I have to say, even though there were only 4 kids there (being only a summer class) she was the best one. And the others had danced in a class before. The teacher told us afterwards she was surprised it was her first class and that she has great feet. It was truly fun and yes, probably just the beginning.

brothers

I love this picture!! Wyatt has been so nice to baby Sawyer, learning to give him loves. You can see his poor "dead" tooth. :( I'm so sad about it. Apparently he hit it hard enough during one of his many rough and tumble stunts that he killed the nerve. Shane's sister Rachele had this happen when she was 2, I've been told, and the tooth falls out. (I never knew she was such the rough and tumble type!) Ahhh! I don't want his little tooth to fall out!

Only in America

The National Anthem kicked off the Fourth of July parade in Urbandale - isn't this cute? We'll have to work on which side... :)
Little Fourth of July carnival in Urbandale - they had so much fun - they've never done "rides" before!
Umm, a little trouble in the wacky fun house

should I be worried?

I don't know, this just seemed a little early for all this, but maybe I'm just not ready!

birthday! birthday!

Aren't these the CUTEST thank you cards you've ever seen?!? I didn't even want to give them away! (I'm a hopeless mom already...saving everything she makes) Andie looked shocked and said, "Mom, we HAVE to send them!"
We decided to have a double birthday party on the 4th of July this year (Andie turned 4 and Wyatt will be 3 at the end of the month). It was a little wild, but so much fun. Shane's mom offered to have it at their house, and hey, I took her up on that because our house is still a bit under construction and the help is much apprecieated! And, we usually make homemade ice cream on the 4th, so perfect with birthday cake! The kids are: Emelia (the daughter of Penelope, a best friend from high school), Carson & Chance (sons of dear friends Jamie and Chris).
Andie very excited about ballet gear... must get her signed up before this fall!
Wyatt wants to be sure to get those candles out - which usually involves a lot of spit. So, we opted for cupcakes for his cake. That way he can only contaminate one. heehee! :)
Andie's butterfly cake (wonderfully made by Shane's mom!). and notice the ballet skirt already on! note to self : enroll her in dance class

oooh! aah!

watching fireworks while eating cake and ice cream

Lake Gammie and Papa at the party - they are great together. And, now that mom has RETIRED, they are relaxing and spending time together at their Sun Valley lake home. Yea! I'm so happy for her!

giddyup gammie!

These are from a little while back, but I thought they were so cute. It is hard to get gammie in a photo!! We love her to pieces and are so blessed to have her.