Fire Prevention Parade 2010

Katie or Julia?

Just for fun a little quiz... Katie? or Julia?

A Change of Seasons...a Season for Change

Lots has been happening in our home that keeps me from the computer and specifically from email and blogging. That isn't all bad just a change, one of many taking place as we transition from Summer to Fall.

The girls continue to grow! I am amazed even in a matter of a week Julia seems to take on a completely different look. She's turned 4 mos. now and will have an appointment next week so I'll try and post the stats. She's rolled, back to belly a few times but is typically content to lay on her back. She is getting stronger and with that more control of her body. She enjoys sitting facing out and being wherever the action is (she is laying at my feet as I type).

Here she sits in her Bumbo. I think when she sits she looks so grown up! Yikes time is flying. I found some pics of Katie at the same age. You can definately tell that they're sisters. The next two are Kate, crazy huh? Julia fits in these jammies now and seems to have a similar look. I'll have to see if I can take a few more 'double shots' to show you all some time.

Work has started up again for me in full force. This is by far my busiest time. In the past month I have got our Religious Ed. program going for the year we've got three weeks down now. I found enough teachers this year that I don't have to teach but can just coordinate and assist teachers- hopefully leaving some time for me to improve the program. Planned a Confirmation Retreat for our seniors getting confirmed this weekend and hosted a well attended Parents Night on the Archangels (this past Wednesday was their feast) for our grade school families which was well attended.

My dear husband has been busy, too. Swamped at work these past weeks we have been missing time with him. But the new project is coming to an end (I think) and they have reached production deadlines with a day to spare so hopefully the nights of just Kate and I for dinner (see above- and here for a great recipe) are going to be fewer and fewer.

Because of Kurt's work the girls and I took a trip north for nearly a week. Leaving last Thursday and returning on Tuesday of this week. We really enjoyed time with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt, Uncles and cousins. We got to catch up with old friends and extended family, too.


There was fun had by all as seen above with these shots of the Boxcar Children.

Kate is also growing and changing, too. She's getting into crafts as seen here with a project Aunty Trina put together for the girls making fall trees for the change of seasons.

My personal jury is still out when it comes for plans for school (seems so early to think about it!) but, she attended school screening at a local public school and is according to them developmentally a-ok. The only things of note were that she's left handed (like her mom) and that I hadn't 'exposed' her to scissors. Both of which I knew before they pointed them out. I don't know about you but a 2 1/2 year old with scissors with plenty of hair on her head and that of her little sisters scares me. Especially since we do hair cuts with Grandma frequently and my mom warned me of her interest and advised to put the scissors up. Well, she's been exposed now. ;-) And she calls the scissors her 'clippers', I think my worries are founded!

On a final note as my time is once again limited my dear husband's arrival and both girls waking up- the Kieler Parade is this weekend, you're all invited to come!

Two of a Kind

Here's a girly picture update...

They like to play together. Julia has started to interact with her hanging toys. Its fun to see her developing new skills.


Kate daily asks to hold and read to Julia. I have many pictures of the two of them (a sampling to follow) as she also asks for their picture taken as she holds her little sis. Kate is also able to recite most of this 40 page book of nursery rhymes. It is a-dorable especially when she reads it to Julia.


Baby holding- and that all elusive Julia smile! We were singing "Rock-a My Soul" which always exudes some laughs especially when we sing it FAST!

John Deere girls!

And perhaps the funniest- I found some red shoes (not these) for Kate to wear with her Christmas dress and mentioned it upon purchasing them (50 cents). So when we got home she was ready to see that dress. Later we pulled it out from the basement to show friends and she tried it on. This morning it was worn again and she twirled for me, too. Perhaps we're turning a new page in the anti-dress stage. ;-)

More later from this busy home...

Living the Good Life, Again.

Just two weekends ago now we headed to Nebraska to visit the Caseys (click here to see our last visit) and help them with some major home remodeling. It was a wonderful visit and the girls were really great travelers. We left Kieler Thursday night and I drove the late leg in our 6 hour journey while the rest of the fam slept. Friday morning we enjoyed Sticky Buns and Fran and I took the kids to first Friday Mass a block from their current home. We also hit the church garage sale after Mass for some deals. Fran is a former barista and I must say our whole trip I was never wanting for a good cup of coffee or an icy mocha!

Kurt and Jon headed out to the new house Friday afternoon to work on various projects (electrical and framing walls mainly). The mom's and kids 'napped' as well as we could with 5 kids in one house. That evening we took pizza out to the boys. And after dark enjoyed watching America's Test Kitchen off Kurt's laptop and chit chatting.

Saturday, we went to first Saturday Mass and then went to Kimmel Orchard. Enjoyed a free tractor/wagon ride out in the orchard, wine tasting and lots of other tasty goodies.

Max, Kate and Gabe waiting for the tractor to return.


Max and Gabe riding through the orchard.

Lilia just being cute!
Kurt with all the kids!
The crew (minus Jon) on the wagon ride.

After the orchard, Fran and I got to go for a walk and thrift shop while the kids napped with the guys at home. It was great to catch up though the Nebraska heat was turned up. After that we were too tired for much of anything exciting. I did get a chance to look at the school curriculum that she's planning to use this fall. The kids played in the pool and ate popsicles. The guys once again worked at the house for the remainder of the day light hours. And surprisingly we turned in early.

Sunday we went to Mass and then had a wonderful brunch and great visit with all of us around the table. It was a really fitting end to our time in Nebraska. Thanks Caseys for having us!

Snapping Beans

We've already processed most of the beans for the year. Washing, snapping, blanching and freezing them. We've got enough to have 1-2 bags a week with meals. Kate has been taking it all in and helping on occasion with the work.

The other morning, I was preparing for company in the girls room and basement. Julia was sleeping in the swing and Kate playing on her own. Katie came in and said to me, "Mom, I snapping beans!" Imagine my thrill in thinking, my little one is really getting good at using that imagination! "Good!" I replied. About 10 minutes later I took a load of clothes to the laundry room and on the way back checked on Kate. She once again proclaimed, "Mom, I snapping beans!" This is what I saw.



She didn't miss a "bean". They were pretty much all snapped. And organized in containers to be 'processed' I guess. I am still laughing at the sight.

Katie (before I forget!)

We've been busy battling illness here so the posts I have in the wings will be waiting, hopefully only till the weekend (there are some good ones!). But, before I forgot I wanted to post a few Katie-isms. She's always been vocal and clever but those cute toddler mix-ups ought to be remembered.

She seems to pick up on root words but then switch things around.

With a headband in her hair- "Mom, look at my band-aid!"

Shooing those house flies- "I need the ice water!" (fly swatter!)

While drawing on a notebook- "I write on my breast pad." Glad that one was just the two of us at home.

Ok, that's it for now more soon from Kieler, with pictures, too!