Hello, Sunshine

We've been spending a lot of time outdoors, enjoying the sunshine (not too much - we are quite the fair-skinned bunch), the flowers, and lately, Elsa's new play area under the 2nd story deck.  

 The play area features a sandbox, a couple outdoor toys, and her swing (thanks Grandpa!).  Elsa especially loves all the gravel - all five and a half tons her dad lovingly shoveled into the space after she went to bed at night.   It is definitely an improvement over the unused, weed and dirt filled eye-sore it was before!

4 Generation Get-Together

On Sunday we all met in Decatur to spend the afternoon with my 96 year old Grandma Wells.  Although the backdrop of the get-together was a rather warm, nursing home "family room," it was the family part that mattered...

How Times Have Changed....

This past weekend, Erik's friends from his days at Sweet Valley High  Spring Valley Hall, came for a visit...and compared to past years, there were much fewer (still plenty) of beer bottles, and many more baby bottles, sippy cups, and naps (although a few of the grown-ups partook in nap time as well).  

Charlie & Madi chasing each other

Little beauty, Brynleigh

***WARNING: The following pictures contain grown men wearing cut-off t-shirts from a 3-on-3 basketball tournament circa 2005...please excuse the farmer tans and lack of fashion sense...

Playing with "Uncle" Joey

Post-sandbox group bath time

Busy Babes & Dads

Hugs for Charlie

Daddy's Girl

Although Elsa is typically more of a Momma's Girl,  she sure does love her Daddy...

So much so, she decided to go to work with him...

She occasionally likes to dress like him...

And, even though she loves shopping with her mom, she has discovered that waiting outside the stores with Dad while Mom tries clothes on, can be just as fun...

Meet Me in St. Louis (4th Part - The 4th)

The Rudolphs threw a fabulous 4th of July Cookout for all of us.  I think the pictures speak for themselves!

Meet Me in St. Louis (Part III)

One of the highlights of our family weekend was swimming at the Kirkwood Pool.  The little girls enjoyed the water playground and zero depth pools,  the "grown-ups" enjoyed the water slides, and everyone spent some time cruising in the lazy river (even Elsa. Until a lifeguard told her she needed her own intertube - lifeguard extraordinaire Mommy thought otherwise)...

That is one tuckered out little swimmer!

Meet Me in St. Louis (Part II)

We spent much of the long weekend playing, eating, and relaxing at Amy & Cort's home in Kirkwood.  We were spoiled by the beautiful weather, incredible meals, and lots of family fun!  Elsa's first trip to Missouri was quite memorable (for us, but we're sure some day she'll enjoy the pictures & stories)!

Sharing some giggles with Aunt Amy...

Enjoying the outdoors... 

Greta checking out the spread...

Elsa loved playing tag & duck-duck-goose...

 We all enjoyed Clara's performances on her "stage"...

Despite teething, Elsa was a great traveler!

Meet Me in St.Louie (Part I)

A few things we learned on our family trip to St. Louis:

King-Sized Beds are awesome...

Stroller rides are way more fun with cousins...

  

 Families that color coordinate have more fun...

Even if you cut your first tooth, the bartender will not serve you...

8 Months

Whoa! These months are flying too fast! Elsa is currently teething - no teeth yet, but she is working hard on a couple.  It mostly only bothers her a little at night and she wants to be held a little bit more during the day.  She has also been busy rolling everywhere!  Although she's been rolling over for a while, now she'll roll all across the room (making diaper changing and dressing quite the sport).  We are thinking it won't be too much longer before she is crawling!  
 

Weekend Getaway to Wisconsin

We spent this past weekend with the Golden side of the family in the Dells. The long weekend was filled with golf, swimming, fishing, outlet shopping, and cheese curds.  

The outdoor pool was a bit chilly, but Elsa still enjoying splashing around - especially "jumping" in from the side of the pool like her big cousins.

We also went on a Duck Tour...although we enjoyed the ride, Elsa was clearly not entertained by the scenery or the guide's corny jokes as she fell asleep for most the trip.