Our garden is actually producing some things! We have peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, and onions. Our watermelons have even begun to grow! The girls love to go to the garden. I snapped these pics yesterday and last night. We picked, weeded and watered. I'm not sure who got watered more - Caroline or the garden! 
I don't think I have ever seen a 1 year old go so crazy for corn on the cob! Caroline only has 4 teeth, but she managed to almost clean off her cob. Madeline of course had corn with her butter. There is nothing better than pics of kids eating corn on the cob! Isn't it adorable! 
Corn on the cob is a hit at our house! Madeline loves everything about it from shucking to eating! Caroline got in on it yesterday. She ate it both raw and cooked! She loves her corn as much as her big sister. Madeline and I were rolling with laughter as she carried this cob of corn around all afternoon outside! 
Chocolate Milk Cow
I took the girls to the Johnson County Fair this week to see all the animals. It was Caroline's first fair and she of course went crazy for all the fur! Madeline was especially interested in the cleaning and grooming of the calves and the horses. She asked several questions about why and how they were making them so clean. "Daddy's cows definitely do not look this clean!" She also wanted to come back for the evening horse show, so we came back as a family. Throw in a few rides and a snowcone and it was a very fun day/night!
Madeline has really been wanting to be independent when it comes to food prep. She made us all sandwiches this week. She made is clear that the only help she wanted was opening things and getting plates down! 
Denny took Madeline to the Washington County Fair tonight. She had been begging to go and we were planning to go as a family. However, Caroline has had a grumpy day, so we decided it could be a Daddy-Daughter Date. They both came home so excited to tell me everthing. Denny is ready to take her again tomorrow. Madeline's favorite part was the "big" ride. She rode it 3 times after Denny worried the first time that he scared her for life. I love to see them have fun together.
Friday Night Movie Night is our favorite family tradition. Caroline even got in on a little this week. She crawled up on the couch just like her big sister. Oh, we are in for a lot of fun with these two!
We had a playdate with our friends the Hagen's. Kaleena and Madeline played mommies going to hotels. They had a really good time.
Madeline's friend, Lydia, came to play for a day last week. They had such a great time together. They played dress-up, princess castle, and we went swimming. It was such a fun day!
Madeline has found her new favorite thing to do at the pool -- go off the diving board! She absolutely loves it. She has now developed fancy jumps that she does as she goes off. This one was taken when she was showing Daddy how brave she was. This was one of 25 jumps that day! We're so proud of how well she is doing in the water now.
Denny and a couple of friends went to the cubs-cards game in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. He brought the girls home t-shirts. They both tried them on right away!
We had very special visitors a couple weeks ago. Uncle Brad and Andrew came and spent the day exploring Kalona with us. We had lunch at the Tuscan Moon, went to some quilt shops, Kalona Bakery, Yotty's, Stringtown Grocery, and had the best blueberry pie ever from the Amish Bakery. It was a very fun day and a great way to explore Kalona a little more. 
I want to ride too!
Madeline is wearing shirt she saved and saved for.
They really talk to each other, it is so wonderful!
Caroline having some fun too!
All aboard the Hawkeye Express!
Isn't this so cute?
Which one is Jack and which one is Madeline?
Madeline's buddy, Jack, came to spend the day. We were supposed to swim, but since the weather has not cooperated this summer we had to go with plan B. I took the kids to the rides at City Park. It was our first time there and they had a ball. Along with a little bit of dress-up (always for these two) and Yotty's famous ice cream, it was a very fun day!
