Olympics bound

One of Kate's activities she gets to indulge in during summer is gymnastics where she can run and play as well as sample some true gymnast moves.

Here she is having a great time on the bars - she showed no fear and even got a stamp as a reward for her efforts. :>) She is also learning somersaults and likes to walk the balance beam.

Needless to say, Kate has really taken to gym this year and shows promise for continuing to develop true Olympic talent.

She's got personality...

"... Walk personality, talk personality, smile personality, charm personality, love personality, and of cause you´ve got a great big heart... " ~ Lloyd Price

After almost 8 weeks, Cara is developing quite the personality and is showing the need to interact. These pictures were taken just on Friday and as you can see, she has quite the smile. She's not sleeping through the night yet, but still has a killer appetite. She coos and screams at whim, not hesistating to let you know what she thinks AND wants.

We marvel at how fast time has flown by - in fact, we have so many more "news items" I've captured on film... now I just need time to blog. :>) As always, stay tuned!

Kate who?

Check out this girl - one might think there is a special occasion involved or at the least, maybe some private investigation work to be done.

But nonetheless, this is Kate's attire a few weeks ago when we were headed to gymnastics - her swimsuit (pink ruffle above the jacket neckline)coupled with a raincoat, water socks and the final piece... movie star sunglasses.

She was quite the class act - I felt like I was talking to an undercover agent :>). She pulled the outfit off without a hitch. No doubt, she has quite the style.

“Fashions fade, style is eternal” ~ Yves Saint Laurent

July 4th Fun

We had the treat of DM's sister, husband and kids coming to visit over the 4th of July holiday. Needless to say, we've been busy... with one of the highlights being a picnic and some hiking expeditions in the Hualapai Mountains. Here's Tyler, Kate and Allison (sans Cara) taking a picture break for us to capture the moment on film.

Kate really enjoyed the hikes they took (pictured right). DM had to carry her on his shoulders the majority of the second hike. She was tuckered - but happy. Nevermid the shaggy hair... it will be cut shortly.

This 4th also marked Kate's first firework display - which she enjoyed for the most part, after we convinced her that they weren't going to get her :>). She also said they were loud, but DM fixed that with covering her ears. Cara didn't make a peep during the show - a REALLY nice surprise.

Sisters

Awww... check out these two sharing a sisterly moment together. Kate loves to hold her baby sister and just this morning, Cara seemed to really recognize and pay attention to Kate's voice.

We can see quite the relationship forming.

This picture was taken just last week and boy are Kate and Cara changing fast... it's hard to keep up with them.

"Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet" ~Vietnamese Proverb

Oversized

In the last two weeks or so, Kate has gotten in the habit of wearing our clothing - mainly t-shirts, but occassionally she tries on our pants too. She does her "shopping" in our dirty clothes pile and when she's home changes a good three or four times in and out of our shirts - only to leave a trail behind her.

We credit this to her getting car sick on our way home from Vegas (it wasn't pretty) a few weeks ago in which we had to completely undress her on the side of the road at night and had no other option but for DM to give her his shirt to wear.

Boy, she still talks about that trip - mainly her getting sick, getting to wear his shirt and riding by him on the way home. The things kids remember. At any rate, here she is with her latest fashion trend :>)

In sibling news, Cara is close to the 5 week mark and is over 8 pounds now. She's developing quite the personality and is becoming more alert - stay tuned!

Papa's Day

Happy Father's Day, Papa! Although Kate is too young to type and Cara so little she can't even speak, here are some of the things that they would tell you about their papa.

He reads good stories and tells them how much he loves them every day, multiple times a day. He enjoys cooking and shares his "talent" with his girls. He teaches fun songs and knows the best sayings.

Kate enjoys riding in papa's tacky-but-much-appreciated hunting jeep and tinkering out in the garage with him. In fact, you'll often find Kate following DM around waiting to see what he's going to tackle next. And Cara appreciates DM taking care of her at night so mom can get some much needed sleep.

DM is a great father and someone who is worthy to a day dedicated just for "him" - I know our girls would agree.

Pictured: Kate and Papa with the gifts she created for him at school in honor of Father's Day - a paper tie and decorated cookies (she pleads the fifth though on who exactly ate them) - and Cara taking an evening snooze in Papa's arms.

"Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad" ~Author Unknown