Last Day of School

Another school year complete.  Weren't we just here taking the first day of school pictures?

Kate has grown so much this past year.  She is slowly coming out of her shell and gaining confidence.  Kindergarten has been good for her and she absolutely adores school.

Anna has thoroughly enjoyed Jr. Kindergarten.  She has made several little buddies, completed many classroom "books" that she is so proud to read and can write her full name.

End of the Year Teacher Gifts

A fun little project for the girls to give to their teachers.  This year we decided to paint clay pots with chalkboard paint and decorate them for our teachers.  Inside the pot a perennial for the teachers to remember them for years to come (maybe).

Thanks for helping me grow!

The girls are very proud to be a Somerset Spartan and can't wait to be a first grader and a Kindergartner next year!

Jeff's Birthday

For Jeff's birthday this year we went camping with a bunch of people from church at the Lake Elmo Preserve.  The weekend started out nice but by Saturday morning the rain started and there was no end in sight.  Jeff didn't seem to mind the weather as he was camping with his ladies and we were trying to enjoy nature with him.  Since the weather didn't allow for too many outdoor activities Jeff kindly made the girls popcorn to go with their movie that they watched in the truck.  Thank goodness for ladybug umbrellas!

Enjoying popcorn and a movie with our friend Michael.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Enjoying chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting!

Since the weather didn't cooperate we packed up our campsite, came home, went to see the movie "Up" and then went out to dinner at one of Jeff's favorite restaurants, San Pedros.  Despite the unplanned conditions a very enjoyable birthday!

A Play Date for Anna

Anna had her friend Miss Mallory from church over for a play date and did they have fun!  Dress up, Pretty Princess, playing house, American Girls, swinging...

A lunch date with Kit and Samantha...

A New Sport

It's official...the girls started t-ball this summer in Somerset.  They had mix feelings at first like they did with soccer but soon warmed up to the idea.  Anna especially liked her new uniform and decided to wear it to bed that evening...

Sweet dreams of home runs baby girl...

Dance Recital May 2009

Our second dance recital.  There were two shows and the girls happened to be in both shows so we had one very full weekend of dance and more dance.  I am pretty sure I had dreams of Stay Currant lipstick, rhinestones and heart thumping hip hop music that night.  This year's dance recital theme was Lucky #7 so the opening and finale were themed around that concept.

Miss Ballerina Anna

Anna was so excited to be wearing a PINK dress for her recital!

It's hard being a girl...

Getting the ending pose just right...

Hanging out during the finale...

Anna and Aunt Merry

Grandpa, Grandma & Anna

Miss Ballerina Kate

The "tinkerbells" getting ready for their music to start...

Great form Kate!

Kate heading out for her part of the finale...

Grandpa, Grandma & Kate

I Heart my Sister

Getting lip gloss on just right is very important for a girl!

A Trip to the Tall Buildings

We took the girls to the tall buildings (a.k.a. Minneapolis) to see Ramona Quimby at the Children's Theatre.  A great production.  The girls got "dressed up" according to their standards, fixed their hair and put on lip gloss.  Anna was completely mesmerized by the set and scene changes.  I think it was more fun to watch her animated face than the play itself.  Kate enjoyed the show also but liked the Halloween dancing scene the best which was their rendition of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

On the way home we decided to take a detour and check out the new football stadium on campus.  Minnesota football will definitely have a different feeling this year and just maybe a better record.  One can only hope!

Since we are on campus we are only blocks away from Big Ten.  Yes, hot wings and Big Ten subs were in our near future.  Forget the budget, we are going out to dinner and reminiscing!