Happy Father's Day!

Jana started out the day saying "Happy Daddy's day, Daddy!", but by the end of the day, we got a few "Happy Father's Day"s. In fact, (while none of them were around to hear it), she gave me the list. "Happy Father's Day, Daddy." "Happy Father's Day, Papa." "Happy Father's Day, Grandpa." "Happy Father's, Day Grandpa Ray." "Happy Father's Day, Gramps."

How wonderful is it that my daughters have these (and more) wonderful men in their lives that they adore!

We had a quiet day as we sent Daddy out on a long bike ride this morning - his big ride is in two weeks! (Yikes) Then after naps, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a yummy dinner.

The girls haven't been feeling too great this week, but they perked right up Grandma and Grandpa.

Jana instantly started showing off her impish side. I'm not sure if it was Jana or me borrowing the "faster" camera, but I was actually able to catch the tornado's face. (I often feel like all I can ever photograph is her back or top of her head as she doesn't slow down long enough to catch that face we love so much!)



And little Miss Kara Mae was on fire as well.
Kara has become such a character. She had us cracking up all evening. She's in that super speed crawling stage - where she makes her legs go so fast, her arms can't keep up and she wipes out.


Jana went outside to "help" Grandpa keep an eye on the steaks. Look at that proud Grandpa!

I had to laugh at this shot. This is the closest we've come to any kind of "family" picture except for the posed professional pictures. I'm trying to feed Kara, she's yelling at me for stopping to look at the camera, Jana is unfolding her napkin to name and tell us about every Pooh character on there, and Daddy's on the phone with Uncle Patrick (who celebrated his first Father's Day - yay!)

After dinner, Grandma made us some yummy "strawberry cake to eat for dessert" as Jana said repeatedly. :-). Jana "helped." And yes, her helping was certainly not helpful this time. She tried it once, then got scolded; however Grandpa did a little encouraging to see if she'd do it again.


We all sat down for a little dessert - the parts that Jana didn't lick, of course. Kara, however, was exploring. Isn't this sad? Doesn't this cry: "Let me out!" But this is really her favorite place to be. She gets herself up to standing, pounds on the glass, and laughs hysterically as her breath fogs up the window.

Kara's contentment at the window didn't last too long and she was off again. First, it was time to pull Grandma's table runner off.
Sorry Kiddo! You can't hide that impish smile behind the binkie. We all know you're up to trouble.

Then that got boring and she was off again. Where this time? Of course - the stairs!

Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, the gates go back up in our house! After a few attempts to go up from the second stair and a few attempts to sit on, well, nothing, with some near collisions with the floor, Kara got serious and headed up to the unexplored territory - the upstairs.

After the huge climb up the stairs for Kara Mae, we settled back downstairs and Jana decided to start performing for us. She loves this drum - and I'm so glad that Grandma and Grandpa bought it for her ... for their house. :-)



After a fun evening, we headed home and put the girls to bed. While it turned out to be a quiet day, we hope that all the wonderful Dads in our lives know how much we love them. Great Grandpas, Grandpas, Dads and Uncles: Thanks for making us the good people that we are and for being such an important part of this "village" that helps to raise our daughters and make them such secure, loving, compassionate, and spirited children! :-)