Grace

Grace seems to be 3 going on 13. She's definitely a diva in training some days. Other days she's the sweetest thing ever. Just the other day, she came downstairs and said "my father hurts." After staring blankly at her for a few minutes while she continued to repeat that her father hurt, I figured it out!

Here she is eating. Based on all the recent photos with my kids and food, we must eat all the time.
Grace and her friends. They are all growing up so quickly!

Here they are playing outside.

Great Grandma Marie Kamps

February 13, 1911 - September 1, 2010

The girls Great, Great Grandma Kamps passed away late Wednesday evening. My Great Grandma was always in a good mood and eternally optimistic going by the philosophy "Just do your best and God will do the rest."

She lived a long and amazing life for over 99 years. It amazes me to this day how she survived her first year! Great Grandma always told the story of how she was born in the winter. She had a twin brother who was just ounces larger and did not survive. Weighing under 2 pounds, the doctors said she that she would not make it long either. Her ma and grandma kept her warm at night by placing her in a shoebox on the oven door. -

I will always remember the many hours or playing cards and listening to her life stories. For as long as I can remember Grandma was asking for a great, great grandchild. She wanted to have 5 generations so she could be in the newspaper. Well, after waiting many years, then sticking around for a few more she was able to get her wish at least 10 extra times.

You will be missed!

Here is a 5 generation photo from last fall. My mom, Grandma Murphy, me, Ella, Great Grandma, Lydia and Grace.
Lydia and Great Grandma eating lunch Easter 2010. (Of all the people in the family, it doesn't surprise me that these two are the first to sit and eat).

Lydia

Lydia is still full of spunk and life living life to the fullest. She has her opinion and she's not afraid to share it with everyone.

A few days ago, Lydia woke up, came downstairs, and checked me out head to toe. Then thoughtfully said, " I don't like your clothes today... or your hair...or your glasses. " Wow, thanks Lyds. Tell me what you really think.


She's in love with the tomatoes from the garden.
Yummy! Chocolate covered marshmallows. We'll have to go back again and try to get less on her face.

Ella

Ella is still the easiest baby EVER! We are truly blessed to have such a laid back, easy going baby. Here she is in July. She learned to crawl in early July and has been on the go ever since.

She's also been getting her top two teeth in the past month. Lots of drool and a slightly crabbier baby.

Here Ella is playing with her pal Katelyn.
Watch out. I can move now!
Yummy! Daddy gets his food on a stick at the State Fair. Ella happens to be a bit more refined and prefers the Melting Pot.

By the end of July, Ella prefers standing and is starting to cruise around the furniture.

As of the middle of August, she likes to walk behind toys. I'm sure she'll be walking on her own soon enough.

Breakfast

Some people go to Disney to have Breakfast with the Princesses. Many mornings I feel like I have a slice of the princess breakfast daily. Here's a normal morning.

Ella, mostly unaccessorized (at least for now).

Lydia in her Sleeping Beauty pajamas, glass slippers, necklace, and bib*. The sunglasses** and wands carefully placed within arms reach. Grace with her slippers, princess pajamas, bib* and sunglasses**.
* Grace and Lydia hated wearing bibs when I actually wanted them too. Now they seem to think that Ella is cool and they carefully select them to wear.

** Usually I wear night and day contacts. Since I am wearing my glasses today, they followed suit and needed to get theirs out too.

Badger Day

Nothing is better than catching up with friends that we haven't seen in years! Our friends April and Matt were back in Wisconsin to catch up with friends and celebrate their 10 year anniversary! We spent the day hanging out and watching all our little ones play so well together.

Here's Heather. We are so happy that you married into our group! Ethan met Heather 10 years ago at April and Matt's wedding. (She doesn't always look like this though).

Lydia loving the splash pad.
After lunch and splashing at the park, we all got the kids ready and headed out to the Wisconsin Badgers fan day at Camp Randall. Here is Lauren, Lydia, Teddy,Ella, Helen, Emma, and Grace. Katherine is the little girl in the front row not looking at the camera. (Poor Teddy he is very outnumbered with all the little girls).

My girls with random Badger football players.



And of course the cheerleaders!

And the family with Bucky.

Home Improvement Helpers

Grace and Lydia's bedroom was long overdue for being painted considering that they have been in the room for a year.

Grace helped tape the entire room. Lydia insisted on being held while I scraped old paint.

Grace also helped Paul patch holes.
I don't think Paul considered her offerings much of a help. Since he requested a close up shot to prove his point.
She was proud!
Yes, Grace and Lydia seem to be covered in band-aids lately. Lots of band-aids. A band-aid is used to cover their many mosquito bites. Since Lydia really will scratch each bite until she draws blood, they are necessary for her. Grace just seems to think they make great wardrobe accessories.