Family and Friends

Summer Lovin'

Cullen continues to adore his baby sister. He is always asking to hold "baby phone" and if we glance away we often find him right at her swing - almost tipping her over - trying to give her a kiss or a hug. Our little girl has hit the 2 month mark. Simone is starting to give us smiles. Not on command and I have yet to catch one on film, but we all receive a few a day. She weighed in at 10 lbs. 3 oz. and 20.75 inches long at her 2 month check-up (and she also survived her first round of shots). Simone is 2 lbs. more than her brother at this age, but she was fortunate enough not to have the major setback known as Pyloric Stenosis. She has also slept through the night (9 pm - 5 am) for the past 2 nights! We are very proud and impressed with her accomplishments thus far!

Simone Meet Whitney, Whitney Meet Simone.

Simone and I spent a wonderful afternoon with my college roommate Chrissy and baby Whitney at Lake Harriet. Whitney is 6 weeks older than Simone and they are sure to be best buds growing up. Chrissy and I had to laugh at the two little ones flailing their arms and kicking each other while cooing in delight.

River Rats

Life on the river has changed a bit for Dirk and Lisa. A typical summer weekend used to consist of boating, wakeboarding, drinking and tanning. Now we just gaze happily at the river as we sit on shore. Cullen loves being outside. In fact, he refers to our beach as his "sandbox". He continues to demonstrate his passion for sports - anything with a ball: golf, basketball, soccer, baseball - he loves it all! I truly believe Cullen has Grandpa Mark to thank for his stellar athletic genes. He already has great shooting form with the basketball and shouts "homerun" after a big hit off the t-ball tee. Cullen keeps telling us to watch his "big muscles" as he shoots the ball. And Simone seems to sleep quite peacefully with the breeze coming off the river.

This Saturday we painted our fence with Bob and MaryAnne. A big thank you to them for the labor! We all took turns watching the little ones. Life on the river goes on...

Rainy 4th...

We spent the 4th of July holiday with the Parke and Vogel families. 5 kids ages 2 and under. George and Joanie invited us all to their cabin in Trempeleau, WI - and it was the perfect getaway (just 1/2 hour outisde of La Crosse). The day was busy and it was a blast! No fireworks though. Cullen and Jack made their opinions and fears abundantly clear. Dennis was a little bummed that he had to go home with a bag still full 4th of July goodies.

Summer half gone

C
Well the Fourth has came and gone. Hard to believe that this summer is half over, it has flown by. Simone and Cullen are both doing great. Simone is still pretty easy. Spending her time sleeping, eating and squawking. Cullen wants to spend all of his time outside. Either playing golf, soccer, basketball, or swimming in his little inflatable pool. The only thing that will bring him inside are fireworks....he does not like those. It's nice to know we don't have a pyro on our hands.