Kiddie Parade 2011

 Gracie as the Cat in the Hat!

 Evie as Thing 1.

 Jessica made all these cute outfits...she did such a wonderful job.  The kids were sooo cute!  The float was so colorful and creative.

 Evie is trying to keep cool....at least there was some cloud cover or we would have been in deep doggie doo doo.

 Thing 1 and Thing 2.

 Grandma Hofmeister with her two Things.

 Grandma Hofmeister with her Grandgirls.

 Here we go.....

 Cute huh?

It was a ton of fun and the kids looked sooooo cute. Now what should we do next year?

Hoff's Getting Creative

 While I was at work on the 4th of July, Hoff made himself a patriotic box cheesecake. He did not buy any of the canned cherries so I am not eating it.  That's ok cause he almost has it gone already.

Then, over the 4th weekend, Hoff was able to finish up the dollhouse bookcase that I wanted him to build for the girls.  I think it turned out fantastic!  Our next project (well next one I want him to do-hehe) is a entry-way bench. We are getting our ideas from anawhite.com or author of knock off wood blog. Its in my list of blogs if you want to check it out.

Fourth of July Weekend 2011

 Not only did we have leftover fireworks from last year, but Hoff seemed to think we needed 4 more bags full of Missouri fireworks.

 Gracie liked to watch them this year, but she didn't like the loud noises.

 There's a big bomb in that diaper - hahahahaha!

 Evie just watched the fireworks without any excitement.

 Patriotic Evie.

 Patriotic Gracie!

 I worked Saturday the 2nd and of course the 4th, so I spent most of the time with my patients at work. While I slaved away at work on the fourth, the girls and Hoff spent time over at Jeff and Jessica's swimming in their pool.

 I bought Gracie this life jacket and goggles just the other day.  She was anxious to wear them and did an awesome job jumping into the pool and dog paddling her way across the length of the pool! I was impressed!

 Piper and Evie are enjoying the water with Jeff!

 Then, once I got home after work, Collen made her way up to our house and we met Dave and Laurie down at the football field to watch some fireworks.

 The girls did really good sitting and watching the show - even with the humongous booms.

 They always have a nice show.

Then, we went home and Colleen wowed us with some sparkler action.  It was a good weekend, except for the work part. :)

Catching Bouncers

 It was straight out of the storybook of Peter Rabbit and I was Mr. McGregor. I happened to notice a small rabbit in my garden and like fools, we all surrounded the garden and tried to catch this rabbit bare-handed.

 Then, genius Gracie went and got her $1 target net and we tried that.  It got away into the neighboring lot that is full of weeds and Hoff hopped around after it in the tall grass like a gazelle and somehow it made its way back into my garden.

 I finally was able to catch him; hiding under my cucumbers.

 He was a cute little fellow with sharp claws and unfortunately he was a slow hopper.

 The girls got to pet him and then we let the little fella go. Hopefully he don't come back to my garden for some lunch.

 The next night I was watering my flower pots, when a frog came hopping out. Of course, this was the best thing ever to Gracie.  She and Evie played with it for a while (yes in my house)

I told her we had to let it go or it would die.  I felt a little bad.  She lifted the little guy up to her shoulder and cradled it (as if giving it a hug) and says to it while balling hysterically, "I'm gonna miss you SO much!" :( tear. And five minutes later, she forgot all about him.

Horsing Around

 This is what I love about Mahoney State Park.....the free stuff is the funnest! We have done this before,but I don't think I had my camera or something.  The girls thought this was sooo fun! The horses are around a lot of people so they are pretty calm and friendly.

Gracie could've fed the horses all night long.

 Evie was a little frightened and would just throw the grass at the horses. :)

 He's getting you Evie (or smelling your butt- hehehe).

 Gracie just loves horses - she is an animal lover at heart!

 The girls were watching the horses graze in the pasture.

 Hoff announce the great (sarcastic) idea to come back the next day and get the pony rides.  $6 for 5 minutes of riding.

But, the good part is that they both loved it and were smiling the whole time.