Dipping

Any kind of sauce will do. Ranch, ketchup, gravy, salsa, anything really. Put it in a small bowl, and anything is fair game to be dipped. It started with chips, then went to olives, then fingers.

Kristin dipping

So yummy

Camryn dipping...

Camryn put an olive on her finger and then proceeded to dip it in the ranch and eat it.

The Long Trip...

Across the street...with the babies...and strollers...to see Callie. Imagine that this is a flip-book.

Step 1: Carry stoller over threshold (and apparently down the sidewalk too...overachiever)

Step 2: Try not to be blinded by the afternoon sun. Notice Kristin also lifting her stroller over the threshold in the background.

Step 3: Negotiate around the "stoller eating pit"

Step 4: Between the cars

Step 5: Make way across street...under Daddy's watchful eye of course (see him on the left?)

Step 6: Concentrate on not tripping while walking.

Step 7: Up the driveway

Step 8: Around the corner

Step 9: Pause to pose for the camera

Step 10: Arrive.

P.S. I didn't plan for it to be 10 steps, but it worked out quite nicely that way.

Callie's House (Yard)

The girls LOVE going to visit their BFF, Callie. The mere mention of her name sends them running to get their babies and stollers, then to the front door. Since it is getting warmer outside, they have decided they also love the outside. They are content to just run around in the yard, no toys necessary.

This is my belly...

not to be confused with my belly button...

Finally...

I added pictures to the last several posts. Check them out. I'm pretty biased...but dang these girls are cute!

Memorial Service

I took the day off work on Monday to attend my grandfather's memorial service. It was so neat to hear all the stories and memories that people had of him. Stories of hunting squirrels with a fake gun (and catching one! His dog helped a little), piercing ears, saving lives, building houses, moving to a farm, getting stuck under a tractor for several hours, moving away from the farm, leading a helping hand to those in need, his love of photography, and to top it off - his hero was Darth Vader. He was a doctor and surgeon for many years so there were lots of his former patients and colleages in attendance. He even helped found Doctor's Hospital at White Rock Lake and they are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year! So many happy memories. We went back to my grandma's house after the service to provide support, hang out with family and of course - eat some food.

Camryn on the left and Kristin on the right, enjoying some dried blueberries (a great alternative to fresh blueberries which stain like crazy!)

The girls were laughing at Uncle Mark because he was hiding around the corner

Watching people arrive

As a tribute to her dad, my mom made this wreath that included a birdhouse with a tiny owl in it. My grandad loved to watch the owl that lived in their backyard when he peeked out of his little birdhouse. Kristin was admiring the owl ribbon.

And pointing out the other owl in case we didn't see it.

They also got to meet a new puppy dog - and this is my soon to be "cousin-in-law" Brian! He and my cousin just got engaged.

My cousin, Jessica, newly engaged, showing Cam the doggie.

They love to ride the giraffe, so they were begging to get back on.

Identifying the "ear"

Easter Egg Hunt #2

On Sunday we trucked it out to Walt's sister's house for Easter Egg Hunt #2. After egg hunting for such a long time the day before, we thought for sure they would be beat, but oh no! They were not. In fact they were raring to go as soon as we arrived. The eggs were already planted all around the house (it was raining outside), so the girls grabbed their basket and were off. They hunted through every room, behind every door, on the window sill, in the plant, on every chair, and in all the corners. They loved it. We re-hid eggs for over an hour. Then they remembered that there was stuff inside the eggs. So we sat and opened their eggs - tons of new bracelets and necklaces. They don't eat much candy yet, so we thought - why start now? They'll have plenty of time to eat candy later.
We ate lots of yummy food...and even had chicken for dessert! The chicken wasn't quite ready, so we had to give it a little extra time. It was super delicious - and we still had regular dessert too. So much good food, so little time.

Cam found an egg in the chair

Camryn on the left and Kristin on the right - so many buckets to fill with eggs...

Kristin looked behind the door and found a surprise!

They even got eggs off the bed.

This was one of their favorite spots to find eggs. In the plant, maybe because it looks like grass...

At the end of the day, they even found the Easter bunny! They were so excited and full of squeals. The neighbors even came out to see what all the ruckus was about.

Easter Egg Hunt #1

On Saturday we had our first Easter Egg Hunt of 2009. We went to my step-grandmother's house because we all needed a good distraction from the previous week's events. The girls had practiced hunting eggs at their BFF's house, so they had an idea what they were supposed to do when they saw the eggs. We didn't anticipate that they would pick up eggs for an HOUR and A HALF! My grandma's backyard has a wonderful circular path around it, so we planted eggs around the path, then some of us helped them find the eggs, while others reset the eggs behind the girls. This went on for what seemed like forever. It was so cute to see their eyes light up everytime they found an egg (even if they had already found 5 eggs in the same place before). It made me wish that we could have egg hunts every weekend, because it isn't always going to be like this. Soon they will catch on to our little tricks, they will shake their heads at us, and say "You can't fool us". But until that day comes, we will continue to "hide" eggs right behind them. We have to enjoy these things while we can.

In all the pictures, Kristin is wearing pink and Camryn is wearing purple.

Camryn found this little frog and fell in love with it. She held it for a while, then carried it around in her easter basket when they started hunting eggs again. So sweet!

Kristin wanted to take this lovely fox home with her. She kept trying to pick it up, but it was too heavy. My brother, Luke, got the cutest pictures of the girls dressing up the fox - they put eggs on his ears and nose.

More egg hunting...

Opening the eggs...Thanks Nana!