Birthday Dinner and Dance!

We went to Spring Valley for dinner for Sarah's birthday celebration while Nana, Aunt Deb, Ellen, and Anne were visiting. There is a great dance floor there, so we picked out some songs on the jukebox and the girls had fun dancing!

A Cake for Princess Sarah

We are going to celebrate Sarah's birthday a day early because Mom and Deb are coming down with Ellen and Anne Marie. I tried to make a castle cake, and it turned out okay....not as good as it would have been has Mom made it, but it will work for Sarah! I joked I could put a turret in a cupcake and she would have been excited about that. I have a feeling she'll look past the slant of the cake and the minimal decorating. :)

From the Mouth of Little Red and Goldilocks...

We stayed in a hotel over the weekend during the anniversary celebration. The night we checked in, a tall black man was working at the counter. Katherine, as always, made it a point to greet him and introduce herself. The next morning as we left to go back to Breese, there was a white man working instead. She walked through the lobby, "Good morning! Nice - you change colors too!" Without missing a beat, he replied, "Yes I did, thanks for noticing." I'm STILL laughing about that one!



The same night we checked into the hotel, we were waiting in the lobby and an older lady walked through. She had a very hunched back and was using a cane to help her walk. Fortunately, she was wearing a long dress that covered most of her body, but it was still something Katherine or Sarah had never seen before. I was silently praying Katherine wouldn't say anything to offend the woman. Next thing I know, I hear Katherine exclaim, "Oh my goodness!" Cringing, waiting for her to say something to the lady about the way she was walking, I heard her continue, "That is the most beautiful dress I've ever seen!" She lady just smiled and said "Thank you!" while I was filled with pride and humbled - my daughter saw beauty where I had seen only handicap.



Since it was the 4th of July, the popping and booms from fireworks were all over the place. We had referred to them as "firecrackers" to Sarah when explaining what they were. Well, I guess she misunderstood, because next thing I knew, she said to me, "Mama, I don't like the firecookies. They scare me." She says cookies, I say crackers... close enough, right??



Back to the desk clerk at the hotel... the second day we came down (the same day we checked out), a woman was working the desk. Katherine said to me, "Wow, she changed again!" :) That girl doesn't miss a beat!

Swimming Sister-Style

It's neat to watch the girls in their swimming lessons. Even though they are doing different things, they still keep watch on the other one. Katherine and Sarah did a great job on the first day of lessons! I'm so proud of them both.

Swimming 101 - Goldilocks's Way

Sarah was much more nervous about her swimming lessons than her older sister. She spent much of the time holding on to Joseph's arms (poor guy!) than she did anything else. He finally got her onto the diving board at the end, and the next day she was happy as a clam in the water. :) Silly girl.

Swimming 101 - Red's Way

Katherine was a little apprehensive about swimming lessons, but as soon as she got in the water with Elizabeth, her apprehension was gone! She did a great job swimming on the board, fetching the rubber duck, and even going off the diving board (with a little help from Joseph of course!).

The Many Faces of Goldilocks

Sarah's eyes are so expressive -- she can change from contemplative, to ornery, to cute as a button in a matter of seconds. :) I was able to get a few shots of exactly that, and one with Aunt Julie as well!

A Castle Fit For a Princess (or two)

Grandma picked up a GREAT toy castle at a yard sale for $3. The girls absolutely love playing with it - there are sound effects and it says lines from movies and it lights up...everything you could ever ask for in an enchanted castle! As soon as she brought it into the room, they dove right into playing, stocked with princesses and all!

Ribbon Dancers

Aunt Julie brought some ribbon dancers for the girls, and they spent a good amount of time playing with them. They are just as fun as I remember! Sarah had a hard time at first because she kept stepping on the ribbon part, but once she realized it works better standing still (for her at least!) she was fine.

Hillbilly Golf...only in Clinton County folks!

Grandpa has this game called Hillbilly Golf. It's quite fun actually, once you start to understand how to play and score. Katherine decided she would start her own game!

Red, Black, and Blue

There is a rumor that when I was younger, probably about Katherine's age, I referred to Grandma Jansen as the "black" grandma because her hair was black...and my Great Grandma Mumma (Grandma's mother) was the "white" grandma, as categorized by her hair color. Well, here is a picture of the girls with the "black" grandma. :) They all look like they were having quite a good time.

Where there are presents, there are Katherine and Sarah

The girls don't seem to get the idea that presents can be for people other than them! Fortunately, Grandpa and Grandma let them help open some of their anniversary gifts. They even received a glass ornament, to which Katherine exclaimed, "That is just SO beautiful!" Grandpa got the biggest kick of that! :) They got some really wonderful gifts, which were appropriate for such a wonderful couple!

Dancing with Nana

The girls and Nana spent some time dancing during the reception dancing :)

Who Would Have Guessed....

Growing up, Lynn and Tina were more like extended family than just Grandpa and Grandma's neighbors. Who would have guessed our children would end up playing together 15 years later at my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary? Funny how life is completely unexpected but completely wonderful! :) Here are some pictures of the kids playing at the KC Hall during the anniversary reception. Too cute!

The Jansen Family in 2009

Can you imagine the difficulty in pulling everyone away long enough for a family picture?? :) Either way, it turned out pretty good! It's nice to be a part of such a great family. Happy 50th Anniversary Grandpa and Grandma -- we love you!

Four Generations

When I was born I was the 5th generation on my Grandma's side of the family, and now with the girls, they are the 4th generation. It's neat for me and my children to be a part of such a great and loving family - it truly is a blessing, and I am forever grateful for it.

Happy 50th Anniversary Grandpa and Grandma Jansen!

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the 4th of July, and the girls got to share in some of the celebration. I took over 100 pictures, but I'll just post the ones of the girls here. :) Enjoy!

Red, White, and Blue All Over

The girls, in addition to their new outfits, got fun flag tattoos to celebrate the 4th of July too! Needless to say, they lasted a few hours before both had attempted to peel them off and put them on something else. :) But they were fun while they lasted!

Goldilocks in Blue for the 4th of July!

Here is Sarah in her new outfit for the 4th of July!

Little Red in Red for the 4th of July

Katherine and Sarah got new outfits for the 4th of July. Here is Katherine in hers!