yum yum!

Miss E had her 4 month (4 mths, 11 day to be exact) check up last week.  She's doing great - growing right on track! She weighed in at 13.9 lbs (50th percentile), was 24.5 inches long (50th percentile), and her head circumference was 41.5 cm (55th percentile).  I joked that her cheeks made her head bigger - bu really she's an unusually proportionate baby (B was always in a lower weight percentile and higher height percentile).  

We got the thumbs up to begin introducing rice cereal, followed by baby food.  Here's our little pumpkin sitting in the high chair and sampling rice cereal for the very first time . . .

 Overall, she did very well.  She wasn't sure about the texture at first, but did a pretty good job keeping it in her mouth and seemed to like it.  We did video tape the first feeding, but I won't post it because it is kind of "Blair Witch" -esque and makes me a little motion sick to watch. :)

In other food related news, Braden requested that we make cookies one morning this week . . . he not only loves the cookies, but the cookie dough is a favorite treat too!

Elise was staring at that dough, likely wishing she could lick the spatula too . . .

   . . . apparently big brother read her mind, because before I could stop him, he'd offered her a lick!

yummy!

Finally, we had another tasty treat at our house this week . . . sweet corn!  (And not just any corn - Marvin Miller sweet corn - mmmmm!)

Elise thought it was funny to watch Braden eat corn on the cob . . .

. . . and must have decided that it wasn't fair that he got corn and all she got was rice cereal!

  . . . but the rice cereal must still taste ok . . .

adventureland 2012

We got lucky . . . several weeks ago we picked a somewhat random date in July to meet up with our friends, the Skeltons, at Adventureland in Des Moines.  Considering it's been really hot for the last few weeks, we were pleased that the date we'd picked (Thursday) ended up being almost perfect for a day at the amusement park (it was sunny and mid-80s with a nice breeze).  

I wasn't sure if Braden remembered much about our trip to Adventureland last year with Grandpa and Grandma Miller, so we looked back at pictures from that trip on Wednesday night -- so B was pumped and ready to go on Thursday morning.  We decided that it would probably be most enjoyable for everyone involved for Elise to hang out at home with Grandma for the day (though she is really tolerant/laid back about going most everywhere we go) - especially if it were to get super hot.

Sooooo - Braden, Billy and I set out for Adventureland early yesterday morning so that we could meet up with Skeltons right when the park opened.  Braden was so excited and was anxious to get there and was looking forward to riding the train right away.  It was with great disappointment that we learned the train was not operating right away, so we had to lure him into the park by promising to ride the train later.  At first he wasn't sure about riding other rides (he was sort of "stuck" on the idea of riding the train), but we then we found the trucks, which he remembered from our last trip . . .

 Next up - bumper cars -- he B LOVED them.

The Skelton girls are Adventureland "pros" -- they live in Des Moines and have season passes, and have ridden most of the rides.  Braden wanted to ride what they were riding, and worked up the courage to ride some "bigger" rides this year.  He eagerly got on the Frog Hopper . . .

  . . . but soon found out it was a bit more of a thrill than he'd anticipated. :)  He held it together, though, and didn't cry. He said, "The Frog Hopper is kind of scary, Mom."

The log ride was next up - we happened to see that the line was really short because it had been closed for a brief repair, so we only had to wait about 10 minutes (actually, that's about the longest we had to wait all day - it was a great day!) . . .

 Look - there it is!

Hmmm . . . I think I want to ride this?!

 Skeltons in a log! ;)

Never fear . . . we didn't take pictures of every ride :) . . . but here's a few more . . .


Addie and Braden at Infant Ocean

Lady Luck!  I braved this one so that B could try it (not that it's so scary, but rather it's the round and round that sometimes makes me sick -- Billy is not a fan of round rides either) . . . again Braden said it was scary, but fun.

Of course our little train fanatic noticed right away when the train was up and running - so we had to ride it right away!

Monkeys waiting in line . . . (that's the fun of going to a park with friends - you have fun waiting together in the lines and on the rides!)

 Grace, Braden, Sydney

 Addie

Amy and I rode one of our favorites - the Space Shot. It had been awhile since I'd gotten to ride it (last year I was pregnant with E, so had to sit out of most of the bigger rides).  It was especially terrifying the first time, because I was certain that my seatbelt wasn't properly latched and that I was going to end up shooting off into the air . . 

After lunch and more rides, we decided to check out the waterpark section of the park. Last year when we went, it was sooooo hot and crowded (and it was naptime for B) and we didn't have the best experience.  This year, the waterpark had been expanded and was far less crowded, B was older and used to skipping naps occasionally, and was also taller and able to go on more of the waterslides -- and it was lots of fun!

We loved the new wave pool - Braden was a huge fan and loved jumping in the big waves!

More slides . . . (Billy and I could go down these too, in fact, I liked the kiddie slides almost as well as the bigger ones for adults) -- I thought they might be too scary/fast for B - but he loved them all).

Whew - what a fun day! After the waterpark we parted ways with Skeltons, changed into dry clothes and rode a few more rides before luring Braden out of the park ar 7:30 with the promise of pizza for supper.  He was asleep soon after we left Altoona . . . but first thing this morning asked if we could go back to Adventureland today. :)  I'm sure we'll make it an annual trip for the next several years!

K & A's wedding

Allison and Kyle's wedding was on Saturday, 7/7.  I can hardly believe it's already over . . . I sort of remember feeling the same way about my own wedding!  It was a whirlwind of fun . . . and though it was HOT, everything went perfectly and was so beautiful.  I'll let the pictures tell the story:

The happy couple after decorating at the church on Thursday

The bride-to-be setting up at the reception on Friday

The big day!  Saturday morning the women of the wedding party got our hair and makeup done at the salon.  So fun!

All dressed and ready for pictures!

Did I mention it was HOT? ( . . .like 100 + degrees hot!?  The church and reception did have a/c though - thank goodness!)

The couple's first look . . .

Miller family (we realized that we really didn't take very many pictures since Allie purchased a cd of the professional photos  and we were just trying to stay out of the photographer's way - can't wait to see those!)

The bridal party

The wedding . . .

There should be no doubt that Allison really loves Kyle . . . she agreed (reluctantly!) to ride in his uncle's classic old car from the wedding to the reception.  The car had no a/c and black seats!  

Married!

Allie and I

Reception . . .

The kiddie corner :)  The Miller cousins had fun entertaining each other at the reception.  Thanks to everyone who helped take care of B & E while I was part of the wedding party.  I need to give a BIG shout out to Billy who was super dad/hubby . . . he got the kids dressed/ready/to the church for pictures while I was out getting pampered with the bridal party, and kept B & E happy and entertained from 2:30 (pictures) till the wedding at 4:30, and all through the wedding and reception.  What a guy!!

E was soooo sweet in her cute dress!

Allison thought it would be fun(ny) to change up the "rules" at the reception. Instead of clinking drinking glasses to make the couple kiss, guests were instructed to step up to the mic and either sing a song with the word "love" in it, or tell a story about the bride/groom.  I think she thought there would be less kissing in public.  Well . . . that backfired.  TONS of guests stepped up and sang (including Billy who surprised us all with his wonderful vocal talents!).  The group below prepared a MEDLEY of 17 songs, and demanded lots of kissing for their efforts. :)  It made for a very entertaining reception!

Heading off into the night . . . Mr. & Mrs. Troyer!

Congrats and Best Wishes Allie and Kyle!

The whole wedding was just gorgeous and soooo much fun!  I told mom that I loved my own wedding, but would love to do it all over again, because it was so fun!  Billy and I celebrated our 5th anniversary last week, and had just watched our own wedding video - and since Allie and Kyle's wedding was at the same church/reception hall, it was sort of like deja vu!  I pulled up a couple of our wedding pics for "old times sake." ;)

 (see - looks familiar!)

It's fun to see how our nieces and nephew have grown up -- the oldest is starting high school this fall!!