Bear takes a bath

Lucy loves, absolutely loves, and is attached to this pink cuddle bear that my friend gave her. The bear goes everywhere with us; we have even bought back-ups so that we can keep one clean. Here is Lucy, regretting her decision to allow me to wash both bears at once!

Still Catching Up

Anna Kate is really great at puzzles, blocks, and all that! One day, she surprised me by building a house from Lincoln Logs all by herself! She just came out to the kitchen, and said, "Look at my house."
Here is some excitement among the cousins: Decker's 8th grade graduation had a Mardi Gras theme. He came home with a shoebox full of beads for the s! If only you could have heard the oohs and ahhs!
Reading with Gramma Maggy and Emmy.
We spent the 4th with the Denver-based Sheehans! Even though it was raining, we managed to do a few sparklers before the s went to bed.

Grandma Sheehan helped Anna Kate with a sparkler!

Catching Up

We've been on the road - in El Paso, Denver, and now in Ft. Collins - and unfortunately, I've had some trouble uploading pictures. Now that it is solved, here's some pictures to enjoy!
Here is Anna Kate cuddled up with her cousin Emmy, who is only 5 months younger - hardly noticeable anymore!
I couldn't resist taking a picture of Lucy sleeping. She is getting so tall! Anna Kate and Lucy enjoyed afternoon snacks on Grandma and Grandpa Sheehan's back deck.
Lucy did this all on her own! She carried out the wipes box and sat on it! Isn't it cute?

Anna Kate and Lucy show off their matching bathing suits! We have really enjoyed swimming this summer, both in El Paso and now in Ft. Collins, and Anna Kate is getting brave in the pool, too!

In the pool with Daddy - he has his hands full!
For a short while, Lucy thought she wanted to swim like a big girl in an inner tube! She loves the water, but doesn't really want to float in anything (we've tried 4 different floats!) ... she wants to be free.
Anna Kate is swimming with floaties on . . . now, she will swim with only her swim vest most of the time!

We all loved seeing Aunt Emilie and Uncle Chris. Anna Kate snuggled right up for some stories!

At the Tulip Festival

The girls really enjoyed dancing and playing on the grass, and Dave and I got to enjoy this great concert! We loved every minute of it!

Anna Kate loves to wash dishes!

It is a "treat" for her to be able to wash dishes in the kitchen sink! As she stands and leans on the counter, she inevitably pushes the chair out from under her feet and ends up hanging on the edge of the counter.

The 59th Tulip Festival

The Tulip Festival was so much fun. It's an annual festival that kicks off spring in Albany, and it's at a park not far from our home, so we were able to walk. Look at these flowers! Literally tens of thousands of tulips and other flowers! The weather was perfect, too. A mommy duck and 10 babies (!) were making a debut (we're sure of it, since we were just at the park a week ago), and Anna Kate is sure that they are the Mallards - from Make Way for Ducklings. On Sunday, we went to one of the free concerts, and the girls loved dancing and running around on the grass. The music was great, too!

Anna Kate rides a tricycle

Our neighbor has let us borrow a tricycle she had in her garage. Anna Kate really enjoys it and is learning quickly. I took this video after she had spent the afternoon outside while Daddy worked in the yard. Look how great she's doing!