Fish!

We have three little water lovers! Watching the kids at the pool this summer has been one of the biggest highlights for me. Emily and Addison have been getting more and more adventurous in the water. They absolutely love their goggles, and are very proud of their swimming skills. Elizabeth only lasted in the star float twice, and she wanted OUT! So she has been spending the summer in her tank top tube that she can walk around in, which she loves.
Here are a few videos from back in June...

Backyard Play with the Rices

Back in June we had the Rices over for some sprinkler and Popsicle fun in the sun. The girls love their Dale and Rose and I love my Wendy. It's always so nice to have a chance to sit down and watch our kids wear each other out!

Elizabeth was pretty new to standing, and showed off her new skill lots while watching the big kids play.

When Addison was done playing in the water, she went inside and put together this great outfit, finished off with upside down sunglasses (her time-tested signature style) and Rose's blue sparkle shoes.

Dudette's tired

Standing!!

An *almost* Lost Jewel

I almost forgot to post this picture from back in May. I like to think Addie is sharing all the secrets of dress up and imaginitive play with her little sister.

Motor Skills

We're on the move here in the Palte house! Trike riding, scooting, and WALKING all over the place!

Emily used to get very frustrated with the tricycle. Pushing the pedals, steering, watching where she was going...it was all just too much. I wanted to try to help her out by pushing the trike so she could focus on steering, but she wanted to do it all herself, so I all I could do was watch. I could tell she REALLY wanted to learn how to ride. Our sidewalk is slanted, and she was learning how to ride downhill, but whenever she turned around to come back uphill, she would give up in frustration. For the last month or so, she has been pedaling backwards and forwards across our front patio, which is nice and flat. Yesterday, I asked if she wanted to bring the tricycle down to the sidewalk. She put her helmet on, got on, and started riding...and didn't stop! Yeah Emily!!! Good for you! Nice job sticking with it!






While Emily gravitates towards the tricycle, Addie has always gravitated towards the scooter. Addie has been practicing the scooter quite a bit, and is getting really good at coordinating steering, balancing, and scooting!







And, last but not least, we also have a WALKER! Elizabeth has been taking more and more independent steps over the last month, but starting last week, she really truly became a walker. Her little toddle brings smiles to all of our faces, especially hers! She is so proud of herself, and we are so proud of her! Go Elizabeth! (Just a note on this video - she began her first symptoms of Hand Foot Mouth on the day it was taken, and she wasn't feeling great, so she was getting really frustrated that I kept walking away from her and that's why she cries at the end. I will try to get another walking video soon!)



Here's a video of Elizabeth taken the week before, when she was using the baby stroller as a confidence crutch. As you can see from the way she's flinging the stroller around, she would have been fine taking steps on her own, but it took her another week of practice and confidence building before she started truly taking steps on her own.

June Fun

Addie's flying high with Dad

Trying to get Elizabeth to walk, Chris would always find a toy she was really attached to and then hold it just out of her reach. One evening in June, the toy was this magic wand.

Go get it!

A step! Hooray!

A little Frozen humor, since Frozen has been a favorite in our house for quite some time now, especially since Addie bought the movie with her birthday money back in April.

We went to a friend's house and did tie dye, and the outcomes were magnificent...

Elizabeth and I were always up to something fun while the big girls were at their Wednesday fun mornings at Little Lights. One morning, Elizabeth found this bucket on the deck, so I filled it with water and let her splash around.

The bucket splashing gave me the idea to bring our kiddie pool up to the deck, where we have some shade from the awning. That afternoon, all three girls splashed around.

Grandpa John came over for an afternoon visit and read stories to the girls. It was a big hit for the girls, and Grandpa became a regular character in their imaginative play.

DeeDee also came over for one of her frequent visits, and we walked along the cottonwood trail, where, of course, I had to have everyone pose for a a few pictures. I especially wanted to get pictures of Elizabeth by the tree as she was wearing a hand-me-down outfit that had once been worn by Addie in front of our tree. Click here for a blast from the past.

Oh June, the beginning of summer. Warm winds, not scorching hot yet, everything green, summer excitement in the air.

Father's Day

Our kids are so lucky to have a fun, caring, involved, devoted, silly, loving Dad. We celebrated Father's Day this year by heading up to Fort Collins for a hike down to Horsetooth Reservoir. It was so wild to re-visit a spot where Chris and I spent our early years together, this time with three children! We love you, Chris! I'm so blessed to have you as a partner in parenting, and the girls are so lucky to have you as their Dad!

All set for the big hike

Smelling sage

Addie liked being the leader. "Follow me!"

Down by the water. "We made it!"

The biggest dandelions we'd ever seen

My proud little hiker, Emily

Emily was really into the lichen on the rocks

What a great day, and what a great way to celebrate an awesome dad!

Hello Kastor!

Emily, Addison and Elizabeth were super excited to have Kaia and Kastor over for a playdate last month. Emily and Addie had a great time holding and doting over baby Kastor, and all three girls had a fun time playing with Kaia.