busy, fun weekend!!!!!

We headed down to Springfield this weekend. We went to the Henson Robinson Zoo on Saturday morning. I hadn't been there in YEARS, but it was better than I remembered. It is small enough that the girls were able to walk the whole thing, and every animal was out!! That never happens at a zoo!

looking at the huge turtles!
Grace was scared of something so Isabel was talking away, trying to ease her
sweet girls...

Then we headed to my aunts for a GREAT lunch and some fun outside in the HEAT!!!

all the great-grandchildren

Ella, Lydia, Isabel, Drew, Grace

Sweet Ella

Lydia...growing up

and Drew too

My girls LOVE Lydia and Drew and ALL the attention they give them!

Grace getting some sun

then we took the girls for their second haircut!!!!

Isabel again, loved every minute of it.

Getting wild woman Grace ready...telling her how to do it.

Then we headed to a party for Laura and Doug. A party at Doug's parents house!! Other than it being VERY, VERY hot, it was a perfect evening, and a wonderful party to celebrate their upcoming wedding!!! Lots of good food, and nice people.

Isabel

Grace LOVING the swings!!

beautiful girl Ella

Grace taking break for a drink.

and then Greg gave in...and in they all went.

and what fun they had (even Greg as he got a break from the heat!)

Grace, Gigi, Laura

Laura and Isabel

and Doug and Britt...having fun :)

A tiring, hot, but VERY fun weekend!!

Such a lucky girl I am to have such an awesome family!!!

watering.

the girls and went to see grandma and grandpa this morning for a while...they had lots of fun watering the plants with grandpa. hopefully the plants were up for all the water they got!!!

the zoo

The girls and I headed to the zoo one day last week. We saw several anmials, more than we did on any trip last year, so I thought that was a success!! The were beyond excited to go...giggling and saying "I excited" as we walked into the zoo.

looking at the flamingos.

When the girls were telling Greg about the zoo, all they talked about was the merry-go-round and the train ride they went on. The animals were forgotten about...

here is Isabel and her cheezy smile.

and grace and hers...
and on the train...

I have a feeling we will be making many more trips to the zoo this summer!!!

SO much fun for all of us!!

fathers day.

The girls and I got up early father's day morning to get Greg's presents (we talked and talked and talked about what we were going to get him for days before...so we left with a plan!)

The girls picked all his gifts...a balloon, plip-plops (or flip-flops), Isabel got him a purple flower, some balls - football, soccer, and basketball and we made him a cake. We got home from our shopping, the girls ran into wake him (after I gave him a heads up we were coming back)...they turned on the lights and yelled "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!" SOOOOO sweet!!!!

Then they gave him his presents...SO excited.

and then lots of hugs...

and love...

We had dinner with Grandpa/Grandma Carlson and had to sing "happy fathers day to you" before we could have the cake (and of course blow out candles!!)

birthdays...a little late

I am a little late at posting this, but we celebreated Grandpa and Grandma's birthdays a few weekends ago at their house. The girls loved playing outside and even tried to hit the ball a few times.

I thought this was cute of Daniella and Greg.

Singing happy birthday...one of the girls FAVORITE songs to sing!!!
and out the candles go!!!!

Happy birthday Dama and Dampa!!!

We love you!

grace

this is a perfect way to describe grace's mood these days...

happy, happy girl one minute...

and the next... no smiles for ANYONE!!!

drama, drama, drama with our almost 3 year old!!!

the girls.

such little cuties they are these days. their hair is crazy curly with the humidity!

grace

she is singing and clapping to grandpa's guitar playing... isabel
and isabel singing her little heart out...
they both LOVE to sing!!!!!!
they are so different in SO many ways...
but they continue to amaze me at just how alike they are...
in their looks and in their actions...

(had I not know isabel was wearing this dress,
i would have FOR SURE thought this was grace!
exactly the same face!!!!!)

and again...
i truly thought grace was on the left, and isabel was on the right...
but i remember isabel had a bow in her hair.
i was wrong again!! which i seem to be a lot of these days.
but they correct me!!

don't worry :)

summer time is here!!!!

This past weekend we headed downtown so Isabel could get a special present for pooping in the big girl potty! (yep, the peeing is going GREAT, but the pooping...well as Grace put it..."maybe i go on the potty next week mommy.")

It was a little rainy, but it didn't stop us. We headed to the train... Isabel showing off her new present!!
And on the bus home...Minnie had to have her own seat.

Then, we decided to head to the first of MANY as the girls call them...festibles.
A true sign summer has arrived!!! May Fest!!!!

Greg LOVED that the girls were big enough to play the games.
Isabel fishing... Grace fishing...

and then the dancing started!!
Grace getting down...
And Isabel...

And the final "Umpa" song!!!!

"Cheese" Grace!

and can you tell the girls were DONE!!

FUN time had by all.