Swimming

Swimming is definitely our thing in the summer!  We have been doing swim lessons and our biggest news is that Eden is now putting her face in the water!  Eden made a special connection with her swim teacher, Maddie, last session.  It all started when Maddie told Eden that she was her favorite kid.  When Maddie offered Eden a sucker if she put her face in the water, Eden was up for the challenge.  Eden is doing awesome, she is comfortable putting her face in the water without goggles, and is working on her strokes.  On the last day of swimming, Maddie gave Eden a special note and stuffed animal and made Eden's day!  I am so grateful for people who make a little extra effort and make such a big impact on my girl's development.  

Last week, we went to an evening session at the Plattsmouth Pool and it is my new favorite kind of swimming! The weather is cooler and there is a finite amount of time for swimming so no complaining when it's time to go home.  The added bonus is the pretty light for swimming pictures (go mom!)

And since our summer revolves around swimming, you can bet that we are constantly wearing swim suits, even when we're chlaxing at home.  

Father's Day

Since Dave grew up wrestling with brothers, I don't think raising 4 daughters was ever on his radar.  But here we are with 4 little ladies and Dave can put Polly Pocket clothes like nobody's business.  And those rubber clothes can be tricky.  Don't even get me started on his tickle monster act, it's everyone's favorite.

  When I asked Dave what he wanted for Father's Day, he told me he wanted mountain serenity.  Well, that is pretty tough here in the good ol' midwest, but not to worry.  We brainstormed this mountain scene and Milan's execution was perfect.  We told Dave to look outside the back window and use his imagination haha.  I had good intentions to make the rest of the day special, but Dave woke up first and let me sleep in.  After church, I got dinner prepped then got distracted pulling weeds outside.  When I came in, I noticed Dave had made dinner!  Dave didn't even complain, just made fun of me a little bit, we all laughed about his Father's Day, and enjoyed dinner together.  We did take some cute Father's Day pictures, but really, those were for me too.  Luckily, we have Milan, who is great at gifts!  She made Dave some homemade jam and shared her "All About My Dad" paper with him.  It was spot on! 

Lately Dave has been studying for boards.  Even though it's stressful and overwhelming, Dave always finds time for our girls.  Dave may have never dreamed of being a girl dad, but he is perfect!  He loves our girls with everything he has, exemplifies hard work, and keeps us all laughing.

Indie {28 Weeks}

We have been working on sitting and Indie is SO close!  Just one hand!  I couldn't be prouder of this little worker and it doesn't hurt that she's so dang cute!

Milan's a big 9 year old!

Milan is quite the amazing little lady!  She is a great little reader, responsible helper with her sisters, peacemaker around this house, and creative little diva with her own sense of style.  She helped me at a recent photo shoot where I snapped these shots.

 I asked Milan her favorites then she told me all about her birthday fun:  

Food:  Chocolate

Drink:  I don't know

Animal:  I'd say, I like dolphins

Show:  shrugs her shoulders

Movie:  Popeye

Game:  Monopoly

Things to Make:  Cookies

Things to Wear:  Shorts and tank top

Friend:  Sophia, Maddie, Jada, Cece, Kylie

Place:  Adventureland

Song:  Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift

Restaurant:  Applebees

Thing to do as a Family:  Go to the movies

Activity:  Hang out with friends 

We planned a camping slumber party and invited my 5 besties (all those people on the friend list).  I came up with an idea for doing campfire cupcakes with pretzels for logs and orange frosting for fire.  They were super cute and really yummy!  My friends showed up and we were going to roast hot dogs, but it was really hot, so we microwaved them.  Then we got to open presents.  My favorite presents were my roller skates and the towel, cup, sunglasses, and chocolate bar from Sophia.  We got to play a new game from Maddie, called Mustache Smash and shoot my pink bee bee gun in the backyard.  Kylee hit the target 12 times!  After it got dark, we got to roast marshmallows and capture fireflies.  Then we partied downstairs until 2 o clock in the morning!  Jada fell asleep first but the rest of us stayed up until mama came down and said "shoosh."  The next morning, we woke up early because Eden and Cora came downstairs.  Then we all had breakfast and built fairy houses.  After everyone went home, Sophia came with us to lunch and the splash pad.  We even got to meet Cece and Maddie there too! 

Indie {27 Weeks}

Indie was recently cleared from the ophthalmologist, ENT doctor, and received normal thyroid results.  All of our potential medical issues have been addressed and checked off.  It is surreal to me that Indie is completely healthy, but I'll gladly take it.  

Not only is she healthy, but dang cute!  (This little dress has been a favorite with all my girls.)

 This is the first time I have ever captured this cute little close-lipped smile!