Going to school??

Caroline received a backpack with her name on it when she was born and she has really taken a liking to it lately along with the hat she received at Grant' Farm. She likes to wear them both at once along with my socks and shoes. It is amazing that last month what a word explosion that she has had. She is like a little parrot so we really have to be careful what we say. Today her new word is cinnamon (I think because she really likes the smell of it and she likes to get in my spice cabinet). She knows so many names of people and the words to songs. Her favorite right now is Happy Birthday followed closely by Itsy Bitsy Spider. It is something new everyday. It is truly amazing how much they learn. I am working on putting some videos below so keep watching as they are taking a while to upload. Enjoy the pictures!

Grant's Farm in St. Louis

We did a trip to Grant's Farm in St. Louis which is essentially a large farm owned by the Anheuser-Busch family. So we decided to go on this visit not knowing what was going to happen with the Busch family!! Caroline had a great time riding the tram, pointing out the animals, petting the goats and seeing the Clyesdales. Also in St. Louis, Caroline had her first experience running through a sprinkler which was a big hit (once Grandma did it with her!).

The Big St. Louis wedding

Trying on goggles (backwards!)

Wearing Grandma's bracelets

Well my youngest sister Katie is now married. We spent a week in St. Louis and had Katie's bachelorette party, helped with last minute details, went to the rehearsal dinner and the big wedding!! Katie looked amazing of course and Caroline, well Caroline actually made it down the aisle. Though it took her and Luke (my cousin Erin's little 3 year old) almost 5 minutes (literally) to walk down the long aisle, she made it! They both received a standing ovation at the end of the aisle. Whew, Momma was relieved that was a big stress on my night and then so was the maid of honor speech for which I happened to be called up to do while I was changing a poopy diaper in the back of the reception hall. You can only imagine the shock at hearing my name being called and I came running forward holding Caroline with a diaper bag slung around my shoulder. Talk about embarrassing. Well I made it through it and we all had a great time!! Katie and Kevin make a wonderful couple and we had a great time. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of the wedding since both Trent and I had our hands full but hopefully I will get some very soon. I will try and post pictures tomorrow of our trip.

August Days

We have been having an amazing summer -- beautiful weather and warm days! With a busy one like Caroline we have coming up with new ways to entertain her. Who would've thought that a box and crayons would've provided so much entertainment! And she had some fun hanging out with Aunt Laurie in her bike basket. Oh to be a child again!

Mommas Don't let your babies grow up to be cowgirls...

This weekend our neighbor girl Lily turned 2 years old and had a cowgirl / horsie party. Well the kids loved it! Caroline loves anything that involves a rocking horse so that was all she needed. Nevermind the cake, the presents, the balloons, the singing. I think she may grow up to be a cowgirl -- a modern cowgirl -- one that can talk on the phone and ride the horse at the same time! We shall see...

Our little ballerina

With her magic wand...
Andrew, Jordan & Caroline


Wiped out!

Today is Thursday, just a regular old Thursday and like every Thursday, we were going to Laurie's clinic (or gym as the mommy's call it) and we (well really, I) decided Caroline was going to be a princess for the morning. So she dressed up in the little tutu that Gaga (Grandma Tammy) gave her and away we went. Caroline smiled at every mirror she passed and admired the fine toole of the tutu as she sat scrunching it in the car seat. She was the star of the show at the clinic today complete with her pink ballet looking shoes. It's always fun to be princess for the day, don't you think?

Hieger Family Reunion

Caroline on the swing
Caroline, Brady & Lindsey
All the little cousins
Alex and Caroline

We attended the Hieger Family Reunion (my mom's side of the family) in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Fifty - five (give or take a few) members of my family including aunts, uncles and cousins attended from Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Switzerland and us from California and we had a blast! Since nearly half the group was kids and close to fifteen kids were under the age of 7 you can imagine it was non stop action. We went tubing down the river, to a water park, hiking and white water rafting (kids over 7 and adults). Caroline didn't know which way to turn because there was always someone to play with. Many of the nights the kids put on a "show" including acrobats, singing, dancing, you name it and Caroline definitely thought she should be a part of that action -- kicking, clapping, dancing -- it was great! Kudos to my Aunt Marlene for organizing the 12 and 10 bedroom log cabins we stayed in and for getting all the food for that many people. After doing this for over 30 years now, they have it down to a science. It was wonderful to see everyone and catch up with my family and meet some of their little ones that we had not seen. We miss you all already!!