Just havin' a ball!!!

Proud Daddy! He was very excited because Chloe actually fell asleep on his chest... Karissa used to do that all the time with him, but for some reason, Chloe doesn't very often! This time he wanted a photo :)
If you leave your shoes where Karissa can get them, be prepared to have her try them on! Dad's flip flops are a bit too big!!!
I couldn't decide which of these photos I liked better, so I posted them both! Joel was standing on the landing and tossing her up in the air - I was in the living room and it looked hilarious from where I was - so I had to take the pic! We weren't even late for church because of it!

Sisterly love... Karissa is so good with Chloe - she always tries to help - especially when Chloe is crying. I can tell she wants to play so bad, but doesn't always understand that Chloe can't yet! It's really sweet to watch them, though. From where I stand right now, I think they will be really good friends... How fun to watch them grow up! They are both so precious.

Chloe...

Funny how time gets away on you when it's summer time, and you have an 18 month old to run after! I have been way less diligent at keeping up with my blog since Chloe was born - sorry to those of you who check often! Chloe loves her bath - she looks kinda stunned in this pic, but that could be because of the flash :)
Smiles are becoming more and more frequent - though her first one was on July 4th. Joel finally managed to catch some on camera today - I've been trying for days but she only gives me her best smiles when she's about to nurse!

Chillin' out in the "farm" chair. She likes to look at her animals sometimes - I think she gets bored cuz she's always in the same place - up where her sister can't smother her!!!

Our New Maid...

Amazing how quickly they catch on!!! She loves to clean! Give her anything - a rag, a piece of paper towel - and the duster if mom leaves it lying around... funny how one day she'll end up hating her chores...


This one's for you, Oma! Oma got them matching pjs a little while ago and the night was actually cool enough that they both had to wear them! Of course, we couldn't really get a good picture without Joel "pinning" Karissa down... she doesn't like to lie still! Especially if there is a sister next to her to give kisses to!

(p.s. - check out the next post, too, it's a new one!)

A Visit from Auntie Char

This last weekend Char Barkman came to visit! It was short and sweet, but a ton of fun, nontheless! Chloe loved to snuggle with her - sorry the picture is so dark, but I didn't use flash for it and Char wouldn't let me post the other one I took! :)
I wanted to get a pic of Karissa in her dress from Guatamala that Grandma and Grandpa got her... she doesn't like to stand still for pictures anymore!
We took Karissa and Chloe to Crescent Park to play in the water... We tried the water park but Karissa hated that - freezing cold water spraying her in the face just wasn't quite cutting it :) So we took her up to the little wading pool and Char tried teaching her how to splash with her feet in the water... Karissa was more intrigued by all of the other kids playing in the pool, too...

Thanks for coming Auntie Char! We had such a great time - hope to see you again soon!!! (When will you take another business trip???)