Happy Birthday Mommy

Fun day with our little family...

This morning while daddy went to purchase his table saw, The Hildebrandt's arrived on our porch singing happy birthday and then while I showered, they decorated my house and hid airheads around the kitchen for me to find. (to date I am still missing a few :) The day was spent doing things around our house, me running a few errands by myself and then we ordered a pizza and went to the fairgrounds the Hot Air Balloon Festival, we ended the day with a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. All is all a good day!!!!

Birthday picture showing off the baby belly

Kailynn happily playing

Some time spent playing outside...riding the gator a favorite for both girls

Ellie happy to be in the divers seat

A John Deere for everyone

Hot air balloons being launched

A picnic dinner of pizza and bread sticks

The momma and daddy

I love watching Ellie holding hands with Daddy

They had a hot air balloon set up on its side that you could go in, both girls thought it was pretty neat



Kailynn taking it all in

Ellie thought it was pretty neat to run around inside the balloon

Checking out how big the balloon is from the outside

We let Ellie pick one jump house to play inside...she proudly has her tickets and is ready to go

Kailynn would have loved to gone in as well

Ellie had a great time sliding...

Climbing back in...

and jumping!

After it got dark they had the hot air balloons set up on the ground and would light them up...Kailynn being silly while we watched them


The balloons all lite up

Mommy and her Ellie girl

Made me laugh

This morning I took a picture of Ellie while she was watching a little Mickey Mouse... then she needed to take a picture of Kailynn...

Good Morning from Kailynn!!! (just a silly face that brought a smile to my face)

Kailynn Love

A couple of pictures of Kailynn...happy and loving. These days Kailynn's mood changes quit quickly so we like to capture the smiles and hugs...

Just crawling around...seeing what trouble she can get into

Happy Birthday "Lysa"

Happy Birthday Aunt Alyssa or "Lysa" as Ellie calls her, we hope you have a great day!

Also good luck to Mr. Cadester on your first day of pre-school...once you get into the swing of things I am sure you will like it!

Kailynn's Baptismal Birthday/Remembering

She was baptized happy day, all her sins were washed away, God looked down on Kailynn and smiled, she became God's own dear child.

One year ago today, Kailynn Grace was baptized into God's family by Pastor Palmer. Little did we know at the time that it would be the last baptism he would do. We miss him greatly, but are thankful that he could be a part of a very important and special day in Kailynn's life.

After everyone left Monday evening we took time to celebrate sweet Kailynn's Baptismal Birthday. We lit her candle and sang to her and then followed with cookies thanks to Aunt Alyssa.

Ellie carefully watching the candle...and Kailynn checking out dad to see what we were doing...

We put a cookie into Kailynn's hand rather than her grabbing for the candle

Getting advice on how to blow out the candle

Really she just wanted to reach out and grab it...not surprising really!

Ellie did some clapping for her little sister

Cookies...yum!

only 2 teeth...but never fear nothing stops her from eating anything

Oh no, are they all gone?

Mom, you have one in your hand...may I have that please?

Labor Day Parade/Get-together

Monday was spent attending the Malden Parade (which for the record according to me, as a non -parade enthusiast.. was a great parade, less than an hour, some different entries, and a few of the floats threw more than Tootsie Rolls) and then we headed back to our house for lunch with a few people.

Kailynn not wanting to sit..surprise surprise (mommy save me from Aunt Alyssa)


Got to love the wind-blown look...what are we doing here again Ellie asks?



Couldn't resist putting this picture up...the boys were told to get out of the car...both pouted...it was better when Tate was facing the camera but he saw me taking his picture and turned around


Kailynn clapping for floats passing by...hoping for candy to be thrown her way

Ellie isn't really too sure of the sirens and lights of the emergency vehicles...but mommy never complains about a little snuggle time

Back at our house those that joined us were...Erik, Alyssa, and the boys, Aaron, Rachel, and Eli, Papa and Mama Thompson, Luke, Tammy and the kiddos. We enjoyed lunch and time chatting and playing.

Eli checking out the jumper-roo

Cade trying on Uncle Luke's boots

Splash Pad

We have had a couple of hot days lately so we decided to check out the new park in Valparaiso, Central Park Plaza, with Aunt Alyssa, Tate and Cade. The new park has a splash pad, an amphitheater for hosting various concerts throughout the warm weather months, and a grassy open area. Since the splash pad is FREE we thought we would check it out. After nap-time we headed to Valpo for a little water fun. The 3 big kids, Tate, Cade, and Ellie played in the water for about 45 minutes or so...while Kailynn spent more time climbing up and down on the park benches. She did however manage to spend some time playing in the water jets. While we probably won't be back this year as the weather is turning cooler...we may venture there next summer to cool off!

The kiddos looking pathetic as they waited to go play...I think we told them this was as close as we were going to get...

Cade cooling off


Tate checking out the new park

Kailynn taking it all in from the sidelines

Ellie trying to get Kailynn over to the water

However, Kailynn was happy to stay by the bench for awhile

Cade giving his brother a questioning look

Ellie having fun playing in the water

Just Kailynn...looking around and climbing around

Tate, Cade and Ellie all liked standing on the water jets

Kailynn thinking about venturing over towards the water...

...and then crawling back

Looks like she is having fun doesn't it :)

Ellie sitting on a jet

Crazy boys!!!

Tate letting the water jet shoot up his shorts...(is this a boy thing?)

Silly Face

Kailynn is starting to stand and walk more...when she wants to! Often she stands up on her own in the middle of the floor takes a few steps and goes back to crawling...she thinks it is faster.