Happy Monday....

Just a few more cute ones from the weekend....



We had to include one of cousin Milan... he is just too cute!

Visitors!

Last week, mommy's friend Genny and her little girl Parker came to visit all the way from Indiana! Genny thought it would be fun to buy all the little girls matching outfits and take a picture. What we didn't realize is that when we packed them all up to take them to lunch in their matching outfits (and blonde hair and blue eyes), people would think ALL 3 girls belonged to mommy! We got some crazy (and sympathetic!) looks, for sure!

Parker, trying to make Lucy smile!

Peanut Butter and Jam

Every Thursday during the summer, there is a free concert at Veteran's Park. The "Peanut Butter and Jam" series features a different band each week and has 2 free "shows" each week- one during the noon hour and again at night. This week, we packed a picnic lunch and met Auntie Amy and Milan down by the lake to enjoy some music. On the way there, mommy was explaining where we were going, and the conversation went something like this:
Mommy: "Mags, we're going to see Auntie Amy and Milan and hear some music at the park."
Maggie: "Will there be instruments?" (what? where did that word come from?)
Mommy: "Yes, Maggie. There will be instruments."
Maggie: "Mom, will there be guitars?" (huh?)
Mommy: "Yeah, I am pretty sure there will be guitars."
Maggie: "How 'bout drums, Momma? Will there be drums there,too?" (how does she know all this stuff?)
Mommy: "Probably, Mags. I bet there will be drums, too!"
Maggie: "Well, that sounds pretty cool!"

It was seriously like having a conversation with an adult.
When did she stop being a baby and become this little person?

Milan's rattles made great maracas!

Dancing! Dancing! Dancing!

Milan and Maggie

Milan, enjoying his "picnic lunch!"

Maggie, playing her makeshift "pee-nan-o" inside Lucy's carseat.

The girls....

Saturday night was Katie's bachelorette party in Lake Geneva. Mommy and Gramma couldn't stay the whole night (darn!) but we did get to meet up with the girls for dinner! Here is a great picture of Gramma Carol with all her "girls!"



And here is a great picture of mommy's girls....

LIberace?

Maggie has discovered the big "pee-nan-o" in the living room and LOVES to play on it... but there are a few rules.
* Only mommy or daddy can open and close it.
* You have to ask before you play.
* No banging.
This keeps her busy for hours! We think there are piano lessons in her future for sure!

Such great "piano posture!" Mommy's old piano teacher would be so proud!

Nails

Ever since she has been teeny tiny, Maggie has gone with mommy to get her nails done. The staff at the nail salon are huge fans of Maggie (we can't figure out why!) and are always eager to "play." This week, Maggie got a RAINBOW manicure! How exciting!

Smiles! Smiles! Smiles!

This past week it seems as though Lucy has figured out that there is more to life than eating, sleeping, and crying! The last few days she has become quite the smiler!

Just for you, Auntie Amy!

Wednesday was Auntie Amy's birthday. When mom was at the store shopping for a birthday card, Maggie insisted on picking one out, too. After picking up every single card within reach in the 99cent card section, Maggie finally settled on a "Happy Birthday Great-Grandson" card with a great picture of a lion (I think?) on the front. Then, on to the decorating! Maggie sat down with her crayons, stampers, stickers, and markers, and set to work! Twenty minutes later (seriously....) she said "Ta Da! All done, Mama!" Here is a video of her explaining just what she did with the card:

Is it wrong that I will be seriously sad when she finally can say her "s's"
and it's no longer "thickers" and "Luthy?"

Cute kids, huh?

Here are some cute pictures from the last few weeks....
No specific story. Just cute kids to show off!

I HAD to include this one... I think this picture of Lucy looks JUST LIKE her Uncle Scott!

We are in the process of potty training...
this is what it looks like when a 2 year old pulls up her own pants. Too cute!

Talking on the phone

The past few days, Maggie has been working VERY hard (and doing a great job!) with potty training. Last night, she successfully "pooped" in the potty and was eager to call gramma to share the good news. We made her wait until after her bath- but she insisted on calling IMMEDIATELY after her bath... before she even got her jammies on!
NOTE: No, Maggie doesn't have the chicken pox- those awful red marks are from the darn mosquitos that seem to want to eat her alive! Must be that sweet meat....

Walkin' and talking'

Stopping to check herself out in the mirror (yes, while still on the phone...)

Summer... Finally!

It seems to have taken FOREVER... but today was finally a nice, summer day! Daddy washed the car and cut the grass, Mommy pulled weeds and trimmed, Maggie got to play in her pool, and Lucy, well, Lucy pretty much slept. Either way, it was great to be outside!

Maggie, patiently waiting for the water in her pool to warm up...

Bathing beauty!

Happy Birthday Papa!

Last week we celebrated Papa's 62nd birthday with a yummy dinner and cake and ice cream! Maggie, of course, got to help Papa blow out the candles and open gifts!



Uncle Eric and Milan... He was jealous of everyone's cake and ice cream and decided to eat daddy's nose instead!

Baby Model

Back in October, Maggie won a "Hottest Tots" contest by a fantastic local photographer, Marnie Bigelow (the photographer that took her amazing fairy pictures: http://studio17portraits.blogspot.com/2008/07/maggie.html

As part of the prize, she won a free session and some photos with Marnie. About the same time, Momma found out Baby #2 was on the way... I spoke with Marnie and asked if we could hold out on Maggie's photo session until the new baby arrived and do both kids together... She was more than accommodating and agreed to take some of Maggie alone, some of Lucy alone, and some of the girls together... Today was session #1- Lucy alone... Marnie is so full of creative, amazing ideas... Here are just some of the preliminary proofs she had ready this evening- I am sure there are some more awesome pictures to come!

http://studio17portraits.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-baby-girl.html

PS: The "baby scale" used in the photo was actually a baby shower gift given to my grandma many, many years ago. Marnie refinished it and decided to let Lucy be her "guinea pig" model- I think they turned out awesome!

Fourth of July Festivities!

This year the Fourth of July was truly a blast (no pun intended...) Maggie really got into the spirit and we all attende the fireworks on Saturday night and the parade on Sunday afternoon.

Happy 4th of July!

Lucy was crying, so big sister Maggie decided she needed some toys to play with...

Getting ready for the fireworks (brrr... it was cold!)

Watching fireworks with Papa

Fireworks!

At the parade (note- EXHAUSTED from the fireworks the night before,
but wouldn't miss the parade for anything!)

Maggie waving at EVERYTHING- suprised her arm didn't fall right off! She loved it!


Maggie LOVED the music... Watch as this marching band goes by and she slowly "feels the beat!"