The Swingset

The girls love playing on their swingset. Katy has finally learned how to "pump" her legs on the swing and Madison loves to go down the slide.

Sun & Fun

The girls love to go swimming in Deb & Phil's pool. Last Saturday, Madison finally jumped into the pool for the first time this summer. Katy is already running and jumping into the pool, but she still likes to wear her lifejacket AND water ring. I posted some pictures and one video. The video was actually shot from my digital camera therefore, it has no sound. Enjoy!

Haircuts and Pretties

We decided to cut Katy's hair for the summer - and she loves her short hair. Madison hasn't had a haircut yet, but has finally entered the "ponytail" stage! I had her hair in pigtails one time, and she pulled them out before I could get to the camera.

Me & My Ice Cream

While Katy was fishing, Madison had fun eating her sister's ice cream! It was all over place!

Gone Fishin'

Last Friday, we took Katy on her first fishing trip to Dreamland Lake. She was so excited when she caught her first fish! The expressions on her face are priceless! She caught 15 fish!

My Little Clown

Cute snapshots of my little clown! She will be 2 years old on August 18 and has already entered into the "terrible" two's stage. She is very stubborn and loves to throw some major tantrums, but then she smiles and giggles and just lights up the room!

Katy's Ballet Recital

Katy's first ballet recital was on June 5th and June 7th. She was absolutely adorable and just melted our hearts when she danced on the big stage. I know we are going to be in ballet and dance recitals for many years! Katy is already excited for dance class to start in September!

Katy's Ballet Dress Rehearsal

These pictures were actually taken before her dress rehearsal 2 weeks ago. She LOVED all the primping - the makeup, the hair, the dress...I think I have a future diva on my hands!

Tub Time

A few pictures of the girls during and after bathtime! Madison's hair is crazy - I call her my little clown. Hardly any hair on the top and curls the rest of the way around!

The Storm

Well - the kids and I are fortunate to be alive! Ok – I won’t be THAT dramatic about it, but last night at 9:25pm lightning struck our front tree outside and just about caused me to have a heart attack from the explosion like sound. I was sitting in my computer chair in my bedroom when it hit (yes it was on – and it is a long story about why it was on so don’t ask). The blinds on the window swung out (and the window wasn’t even open) and caused me to roll out of the chair and onto the ground. I got up and ran out to our front room to see Katy standing there – absolutely horrified. The power went out in our bedroom and the girls’ bedroom, then causing Madison to wake up. So – let’s sum this up: The power is out, I smell smoke in the bedroom, Katy is crying, Madison is screaming in her room, the sump pump battery alarm is going off – and the tv is flickering. I hurried up and called Charley’s mom to come over because she lives about 2 minutes away. And then I called Charley who was home – literally – in like 2 minutes. Looking back – we laugh now because everyone is ok. I can’t even explain the sound of that lightning bolt or whatever it was. It sounded like an explosion with breaking glass – and then the fire smell. At first – I thought it blew out the bedroom windows. Scared the CRAP out of me. Of course – then I thought something was on fire, and you all know how I am about fire.

So – looking out at our front tree, I am thankful that it didn’t catch on fire – and thankful that it didn’t fall on my house. That bolt did a number on our landscaping – and threw the mulch all over the yard and driveway. Even little chunks of grass were thrown into the rocks. Katy and I were less than ten feet away from it when it hit the tree – so needless to say – she is pretty terrified of storms now.

We still have no power in our bedroom and the girls’s bedroom – as the outlets are fried. All major appliances are still working except for the microwave – and our cordless phones. Although – we have no “Working outlets” in our bedroom, my computer is absolutely fine. It didn’t blow up. Thank god for surge protectors. I have attached some pics for you all.