He Kicks Butt Yet Again

Well we all know my little brother is pretty darn amazing. Well, maybe not when he's picking on me. But...Leo got discharged from speech therapy today - wahoo! He is only two and a half and talks like a kiddo a year+ his age with virtually no errors. Mom says this is SUCH a feat for any little kiddo, let alone one who had a cleft palate. We were told this huge success at his age is uncommon - couldn't have better news this Friday! Thanks to all in our Leo fan club for always cheering him on! He enjoyed his celebratory grilled cheese at a cafe in the city with Momma. Way to go little brother.

See ya, Dad!

Our daddy had to go to California for work for a week - so we decided to do a little partying while he was gone. We camped on the fold out couch and watched movies, decorated for Halloween, and did some pumpkin patch hoppin'. And - it was Uli's 4th birthday!!

Dad may have been sending us pictures of palm trees and beaches the whole week, but hey - we know how to play.

"Happy Birthday to Uli"

Houston and my new cousin

So - I am quite the little traveler. I got to go on a plane with my mom to see my new baby cousin, Anderson William who was born in August. I loved seeing my Auntie Kelly and Uncle Will and of course, Dori! We made our way around Houston and I got to see the ocean! Well, the Gulf. It was the first time a sea enthusiast such as myself has seen a jellyfish - way to go Mom, stepping on one and stuff.

All ready to board! The people on the plane

commented to Mom how well-behaved I was. Mom

seems to think I should be like that all the time.

Here we go!

Just a little morning snuggle with my new cousin.

Some pottery paining - it's kind of what we do when 

we visit Will & Kelly. I gave the store lady a tutorial

on color mixing. I sure did.

Yup, I am in a bubble. At a mall. 

Notice me chomping on my gigantic candy necklace while

Uncle Will inspects his receipt in the background? That candy

store, I tell ya - it'll make you spend $17 on 

Sour Patch Kids! 

Harry Potter Baby!

We baked a cake for Kelly's birthday and I, yes, imagine that,

helped blow out the candles.

Grace and Mom in Galveston

Uncle Will and his best Karate Kid

I loved the ocean!

Mom snuggling with Anderson

"My mom and my sister went to Houston and all they

brought me was this t-shirt." - Leo

....."and I even sent her this cute video while she was gone!"

Movin' on Up

Well, world  - the day has come. I turned 5!!!! Can you believe it?! I had a friend birthday party (I've been asking for one for years, so Mom & Dad finally gave in), had all my grandmas and grandpas there, my cousins and school friends - and oh, there were ponies! Mom and Dad said I don't get another party until I'm 10. I think I can hold out - it was worth it. 

Mom made a little slideshow and we have to upload it, but until then - here are some pictures!

Surgeries, who Me?

Well, Leo had to have a couple surgeries. Again. But hey - he's Superman so he did great. And me? I partied with my Auntie and cousins at the pool. I even got to stay at Auntie Debbie's. What a treat that was. I even gave my Uncle Pat a lesson in My Little Ponies. I know he loved it. So, back to Leo. On Monday, Leo had his surgeries. By Tuesday afternoon, he was running around the yard playing with bubbles. That's my brother. Mr. Resilient. We love him. Oh, and I guess he got a little funny with some medicine at the hospital. Something about a doctor giving him happy juice and letting him borrow his iPad? 

Stay-cation

Instead of heading up to Star Lake for the usual summer's end trip, we had a wonderful week in Dubuque at Grammy and Poppy's. I mean, really - they pretty much have their own campground, a.k.a. - the backyard. We made smores, helped Poppy in his garden, had some bike lessons from Uncle Will, went on the river and even experienced one of Dubuque's finest - the waterpark. Oh, and did we discover waterslides. Did we ever. 

Mom & Dad Will Take Us Here Someday....

So, we get to play with Grammy and Poppy while Mom & Dad go to this thing called Lollapalooza. And I can say the word so nicely - if you ask, of course! See, in our house - we kind of like music. It's our thing. Mom & Dad say they will take me and Leo to Lollapalooza with them someday - probably when we are about 7, but until then they were cool enough to take pictures and videos of our favorite bands so we could see them. We can't wait to get our t-shirts. Mom says she got one in my favorite color, blue and Leo's favorite color, orange. My Mom will take over my blogging responsibilities, now...

For Grace & Leo - Lollapalooza Day 1

Ready to start the day! At Buckingham Fountain

The first band we saw was American Authors. They are new and it was great to see how excited they were that everyone knew their music. That's one of the things we like about Lolla - you get to see how happy people are when they work so hard at just doing what they love. Dad wanted to get this video for you - he's pretty sure you know this song...

And then - we saw our friend Anne and cousins Rachel and Chris! That's another fun part about a music festival - you get to enjoy great times with friends. 

Then, your silly dad wandered off because he wanted to see Atlas Genius from the front row. He eventually found Anne and Mommy, but we let him party with the teenagers. He wanted to get you this video - 

The afternoon went on and we saw some more bands, and then got ready for the headliners. Headliners are bands who have been playing awhile and have a lot of fans. Many of them could play songs for hours and hours. For Mom, Dad, and Annie - this was the favorite part of our day. We saw New Order and these guys were as old as your Poppy (that's old!!) and they sounded absolutely amazing. We'll have to tell you about 80's music. That will be a trip. Annie and Mom had a whole lot of fun dancing. 

The last band of the day was The Killers. You know how much we love this band! They always seem to come out with a new album when Mom and Dad have a big life event. And one of those was you, Gracie. Mommy used to sing this song to you as a lullaby when you were a few months old (a much quieter version, of course).

And then, we saw a woman with a tattoo on her back. And Grace, can you see what it is? It's a little girl wearing your owl backpack! Don't worry - mom won't be getting a tattoo like that. But, they were also going to Lollapalooza with their kids tomorrow - the kids are 8 and 6. A girl and a boy, just like you guys. We can't wait to go with you someday. And that's another great thing about Lollapalooza - you meet some neat new people.

And fireworks ended the day! More tomorrow! We love you two!

-Mom & Dad

Days 2 & 3

Although we can't take credit for this picture, I guess this is what it looks like 

when a rock star shows up for his own concert. Go Mumford & Sons.

And then there was this guy. He's not even 20 and he's singing

songs like he's sung them in a past life. Amazing, Mr. Jake Bugg. 

Get practicing, kids - you have a lot of work to do! :)

More family! We played a little with Cousin Mark before we saw The Cure.

Mom looks a little excited here, huh? Well, she was about to see one of 

the first bands she ever fell in love with. She bought albums, CDs, put

posters on the wall, listen to her "headphones" on family road trips. It

was THE band. What a way to end Lollapalooza. The Cure. We can't

wait to take you guys here someday so you can find your own bands to fall in love with. 

Love, Mom & Dad