Our digs

We stayed in a really nice condo in Steamboat Springs. The girls loved their big beds. We had a nice balcony that overlooked one of the hot tubs. The girls loved to stare at people sitting in it and we had to keep reminding them to come inside. We enjoyed sleeping in, doing puzzles, and watching tv while we were at "home". We each had a tv to ourselves. It was fun to have cable!

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

The girls and I just got back from two weeks in Colorado. The first week we spent together as a family in Steamboat Springs, and the second week the girls and I spent with my sister, her family, and my mom in Denver.

Here are a couple of our favorite pics from the first week. We did lots of fun things, so be prepared for lots of posts! In addition to lots of fun things, we also relaxed a lot! It was so nice to spend so much time with Mike and not be in a rush to get things done.

Sydney's 1st Dental Appointment

Sydney went to the dentist for the first time on September 9th. She has seen Kathryn go a couple of times, so she was ready and knew what to expect. The dentist said that her teeth looked clean, but that the two front bottom teeth were malformed and that her jaw is popping when she opens wide and closes. I called a couple of doctors (pediatrician, ENT) and they basically said they don't do anything for that, so we'll see what comes of it.

Kathryn's Preschool

This was Kathryn's preschool open house. She enjoys attending these six-week sessions at the high school each semester. We both can't wait for full-day Kindergarten to start next year! Sydney will be able to attend preschool this semester. She will be in the 2-3 year old class starting in November.

Kathryn and her best friend Abby!

Picking Carrots

The girls with carrots from our garden.

She's Practically Perfect...In Every Way!

Last Thursday Kathryn and I went to see Mary Poppins at the Fabulous Fox Theatre! This is her (very early) birthday present from me. First we went to lunch at Olive Garden (her pick). We dined on soup, bread sticks, grilled chicken, broccoli, and spaghetti. Kathryn drank Sprite and water, and I just had water. After lunch we drove to the theatre, arriving early enough to look around, get her a booster seat, and marvel at the magnificent theatre. (And learn the word, magnificent.) Kathryn was worried that we were going to miss it so she kept encouraging me to go to our seats.

The musical was so wonderful. We have been listening to the soundtrack, so Kathryn was familiar with all of the songs. She kept asking me if they were real people on the stage and when she got to go up there! She got a little sleepy before intermission, but perked up for the last half and thoroughly enjoyed when Mary Poppins flew right over our heads! We were on the first row of the balcony, so we had a great view. I hope she remembers it forever!

My 21-week belly

This is the first belly picture I had taken! I didn't show at all until I was about 18 or 19 weeks, so I hadn't felt the need to be taking pictures. Hopefully now I'll take a picture each week. Look for them and give me a hard time if they're not here! I've gained about 8 pounds. We had our ultrasound on August 13th. We have the baby sex picture in an envelope in our kitchen and we haven't opened it yet. We think me might open it while we're on vacation in Colorado. So...we'll see!

Sparkly Toes

Do you love our glittery toes, or what? I have a friend that is a lover of glitter as well and she bought me the supplies to glitter-fy our toes, in exchange for riding my road bike in the Lake St. Louis Triathlon. This was our first application. Next we have blue, red, pink, & purple to try! Can you tell which kid's foot is which? Sydney wears a size 9 and Kathryn wears a size 9 1/2! In the first pic, Sydney's foot is on the left, and Kathryn's is on the right.

Awwww...in this one you can see my deformed toe. Now you know my imperfection! (I hope you know that I'm being facetious. (I have many.)

Primary Water Party

This morning we went to the Primary Water Party.

Kathryn choosing the healthy food out of the pool with her feet.

Kathryn carrying water in a can with holes for a relay race.

Sydney too!

Kathryn playing in the sprinkler.

Swimming with Friends

Friday after the farm and the gym, we were invited to go swimming with our friends. The girls had a lot of fun playing together.

Windridge Farm (cont'd)

After we picked blackberries, we drove back to the Cresthaven peach orchard. It's so fun to pick peaches! Before we knew it, we had 9 lbs. of peaches! Friday evening I made a Peachy Bread Pudding and on Sunday I'm going to make a Peach Cobbler.

Windridge Farm in New Melle

Friday morning we got up super early and drove out to Windridge Farm in New Melle. We waited with about 30 other people until they opened and then we hit the blackberry fields. It was a nice cool morning and it was so nice to be outside picking fresh fruit! The berries were so big! We enjoyed picking off of the thornless bushes.

FIRE!

I came home from the store the other morning to this scene! When I drove up, all I could see was my cul-de-sac full of fire trucks! I asked a bystander if they knew which house it was and luckily (for me) he didn't point at my house! I had to park in our neighbors driveway because ours was blocked. It ended up being our neighbors house (the ones with the elaborate Christmas display). Everyone got out safely, but they will have to entirely gut the upstairs. A fireman told me that it started in a bedroom, but I still don't think they know exactly what caused it.