Grandpa's Birthday

We've been really fortunate to spend quite a bit of time with Jeritt's side of the family lately. Last weekend, Grandpa Al, Aunt Jill, Ava, and Reid came out for a visit. Uncle Jeff, Finley, and Jace joined us on Saturday for a lot of playing and hanging out. And this past weekend we made a day trip to Dubuque, Iowa, to celebrate Grandpa Al's 65th birthday with bowling and dinner. 

This kid.

I stopped at the hardware store, and Jack had fun exploring.

Snuggles with Grandpa.

A lot of game playing last weekend.

Aunt Jill reading books. 

Feeding her ponies.

Dad lost the cap to his water bottle outside. Maeve found it.

Breakfast creations by Ella. 

Simon sleeps in the funniest positions.

Making beds for her animals.

Ella made a pretty cool origami animal.

All snuggled up in bed.

No caption needed.

This is from Jack's classroom. I just loved seeing his friends with their arms around him.

Dad teaching Jack how to bowl during Grandpa's birthday party.

Reid helping Maeve.

Uncle Jeff helping Maeve.

Making cookies (out of order).

Grandpa's friends joined us, too!

Finley made cupcakes for Grandpa's birthday.

Maeve is great at folding towels.

Dance party.

Playing in the alley when Grandpa visited.

Jack helped Maeve do math on the ipad. It was pretty sweet.

Another Goodbye

It's been a while since I've posted an entry. Last week Jeritt's Grandma Kunde passed away at the age of 85. She was quite a special lady, and we're so glad the kids got a chance to know her and love her. We spent Sunday and Monday in Iowa for the services, and were able to see so many family members. We'll sure miss her!

Ella sure loved this special lady. And they shared a passion for sewing and crafting.

Ella sewed a pillow for Simon using her sewing machine.

She attached a straw to it, so he was a fan.

During our trip to Iowa we spent a night in a hotel and the kids had a blast swimming with their cousins.

Jack was enjoying his piece of pie at the lunch, and Aunts Jane, Bernice, and Annette swooped in to chat with him:)

Jack is Special Person this week at school! He worked really hard on his poster.

Jace and Finley got to meet Simon last weekend.

Ella and her friend, Kendall, made a "hut" in the alley.

Jeritt and Jack got some great photos from the base of some of his favorite Chicago skycrapers for his Special Person project.

Stuffing her pillow.

These two really like each other.

I'm teaching them to fold laundry, they're pretty helpful!

Eric and Abbie brought back souvenirs from Germany, and Maeve loves her new unicorn coloring book.

Jack received a cool cat magazine.

Simon is always underfoot.

Ella's latest art work.

Jack's Arch!