Since we've been home...

Ashley made us a fruit salad all by herself! And ate a lot of it, too.

Paige slipped...
but we hugged it better!
We've done some experiments with vinegar and baking soda.

This one was my favorite--you put baking soda in the balloon, vinegar in the bottle, then put the balloon around the lip of the bottle and shake the baking soda down. The balloon blows up!--idea found here

And we've played in the tub.

Michael's Blessing

James performed Michael's baby blessing while we were down in Florida. (It's normally done earlier, but the last time several of the G families were together, Michael was in the hospital with RSV.) It was a beautiful blessing and Michael was even able to fold his arms for the prayer!

Trip to Florida!

We took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Florida last week! We had a great time! Two of James' brothers and their families were down there, too, and we took all of the cousins to Disney together! It was a busy trip--we went to different Disney parks three days and swam a ton. Paige and Katherine learned to swim with no floaties in Nana and Papa's pool. (Paige swam so much she got an ear infection--fun!) Then, we went to my parent's house and went to the splash park, the zoo, and the science museum. Wow! I didn't take too many pics, but here are a couple.
The cousins:

Ashley 6, Madeleine 5, Paige 4, Abbey 3, Katherine 3, Jack 2, Michael 1 (Elisabeth and Joshua were in Bjorns and didn't feel like getting out for the picture :) ) We're missing Chris and Emily's 3 kids and Quinn and Annie's new girl--born this morning!

At the zoo with my mother: 1...2...3...wheeee
Fourth of July!

Thanks to everyone for making it such a fun trip!

Bows by Me!

Sunday night, Charie and I broke out the glue guns and made bows! It was a 4 glue stick night :) Actually, I made these 21 and she made 3--one for her and each of her best friends to match their swimming suits--super cute! I went up and got the girls' favorite outfits out of their closet and made bows to match. Fun stuff!

Sunday Pictures

We got ready for church early today, so we took some pictures while we were waiting. I used picnik's free online editing and love it!

One and a Half

Michael turned one and a half today! He’s a really fun little guy and we love him TONS! I told the girls it was his half birthday and Ashley immediately went and got one of her birthday presents, re-wrapped it, and gave it to him! He brings out the best in us!

Six!

Our little girl turned six today! We had a fun day! Ashley had a birthday party at the park, played with her cousins, and went to Outback (her choice) for dinner!

Ashley got this sweet doll bed from James' parents and this beautiful dress from my parents. Thanks--she loves them!
The weather for her party at the park was not quite what we had planned for the middle of June--high 50's occasional drizzle, and lots of wind. Her friends (and their parents) were great troopers and I think the kids had fun. Notice her winter coat on top of her beautiful party dress...

Pinata!

Next, we went home and she opened her presents from everyone.

No, that IS NOT A DOLL in the bed. That's baby Elisabeth!!

The bristle builders I got at Lakeshore were a big hit! Even the Daddies got in on the action and built rockets and cars.

We finished the night at Outback. Yum!

Happy birthday, sweet girl! We love you!