Iowa Trip and Kaitlynn's going to be a cousin!

Kaitlynn and I were able to go up to Iowa for a few days because her Aunt Annie came back to visit from Colorado. We had such a great time seeing her and spending time with everyone that I was sad to leave. We went to the airport to surprise her Tuesday night and it turns out she had an even bigger surprise for us! You too can find out in the video below...
Walking around at the airport with Grammy and Grandpa and saying "hi" to EVERYONE she saw along the way!




On Wednesday we took Kaitlynn to the Omaha Zoo. She loved it but once she got out of her stroller she wasn't interested in getting back in! Her Great Aunt Julie and 2nd Cousin Asha came along with us, too!
She kept "woofing" at the goats and after a little coaxing even petted one for a VERY brief moment!
I told Annie I thought Kaitlynn looked like she could be her daughter in this picture but Annie thought Asha looked more like her! Who do you agree with?!? Ha! We love you Ashi!

Grammy and Kaitlynn on the bench swing
She has just started pretend play in the last couple of weeks. It's so adorable! She takes care of her baby and feeds everyone out of bowls, buckets, etc.
Swinging at Grammy's house. She likes it for literally 30 seconds and then says "Go...Go" as she tries to get out. Maybe next summer she'll spend more time in it.
That evening we went over to Jacquie and Dillard's house for dinner. Annie announced their good news to all of the extended family. The video below shows how excited and shocked they were! I think they were all expecting it to be me. Sorry folks! We'll meet Kaitlynn's new cousin and then think about extending our family!

I made her a Big Cousin shirt that afternoon to help Aunt Annie and Uncle Jake make their announcement!
Jacquie tried to get her to wear these stylin' shades but she would only wear them on her head just like Mommy!
Moochin' food off of Annie and Great Grandma Wiese. I'm sure she was saying "bite, bite, bite"
Not too sure if she wanted to get in the pool. It had rained all morning and the water was pretty cold. She tried it for a few minutes with Julie but decided that was enough. I took her back on Friday and she liked swimming with Mommy a "little" bit better. It did wear her out enough to take a good nap, though!
We did sneak away to visit her other Grandma and Papa a few times, too. We spent Tuesday with them, met for lunch one day and even went out to dinner Friday evening with both sets of her grandparents. We're so lucky that not only do our parents live in the same town, but especially that they are friends and get along great so we can do things together!

Happy 4th of July and 100th Birthday!

Matt had to work so Kaitlynn and I drove up to St. Joe to meet Ry and Sarah for the 4th of July. We all drove up to Mt. Ayr, Iowa to celebrate my Great Grandad and Kaitlynn's Great Great Grandad Loren's 100th Birthday! I spent the entire time chasing her around and it was raining so we couldn't go outside but it was nice to see everyone.
She wanted to try on her patriotic headband before we left that morning but this picture was about as long as it lasted!
Here's my mom, Grandma and Grandad Clouse, Aunt Diane and Uncle Steve. They were missing Penny who lives in New York.
All of the festivities happened to fall right during Kaitlynn's nap time. She was exhausted but with all of the people she just fought off sleep for about 2 hours. I tried, Grandma and Papa tried and even Sarah and Ryan gave it there best shot. Nothing worked until we were in the truck and driving home!
Her car seat was sitting very upright in Uncle Ryan's new truck so her poor little head kept flopping straight forward. Aunt Sarah tried really hard to prop it up using anything she could find, including diapers, burp rags, her hand, etc. Unfortunately, we just had to let it flop. She slept fine so I don't think she cared!

The next day Grandpa Ken surprised us by driving down to deliver a new laptop to us. We were completely shocked and very grateful for their generous gift! The best gift of all was having Grandpa here for 2 days!
Helping Miss Kaitlynn get her shoes on. She wanted to take Grandpa out for a steak dinner to thank him!

My first slumber party!

Last weekend Courtney invited Kaitlynn (and her mommy!) over for their first sleep over. We had a great time and lots of first activities for Kaitlynn! She had her first trip to the zoo, first sleep over, first bath with a friend, and first time swimming in a real pool.

She watched this bird forever!
After we ate dinner we let the girls get out and venture around a bit. Let's just say...there was lots of rock eating!

"Aunt" Lindsey came over to visit for a while.Bath time!

Good morning!Dana made us yummy blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

Here are the girls chattering on the car ride home from the zoo. So cute!

The next morning we went to their neighborhood pool for a little swim. This was Kaitlynn's first time in a "real" pool and she loved it!

Father's Day Weekend

Last weekend we went up to Ryan and Sarah's house for Father's Day. Mark, Diane, Spencer, Grandma, Grandad and my parent's were all able to come, too. We had a great time hanging out together! Of course, Kaitlynn was the center of attention most of the time.
Blowing "bye bye" kisses to Great Grandma and Grandad
Oh...did you want to share that snack with me Grandma?? Check out her adorable hat and dress that my mom made her! She has an orange one with matching hat, too!
"Smelling" the flowers with Daddy and Jersie (Ry and Sarah's dog)
This girl loves her phones!
Playing Peek-a-Boo with Grandma!
Let's see if I can help you boys with your game...
Wow Uncle Ryan!Grandma gave her this purse and she carried it all over the place that weekend. She's becoming such a little lady!
Happy Father's Day Daddy! Kaitlynn drew him a picture which he hung up in his locker at work. Matt is an amazing Daddy and is even going to get to start watching her once a week again this Fall when I go back to school. She's so lucky to get that extra time with him!
She has recently discovered the oars (sp?) that had been leaning up against the tv stand in the guest bedroom as a decoration. She is now carrying them all over the house!
Here's another purse she was carrying our at our house last week.