Go Grandma Go!

 Mommy took Friday, July 29, off work -- and took us on a "special trip".  We decided to go cheer for Grandma Banana and Grandma Karen (and their friends) as the "Pink Pedal Pushers" crossed the MS Tram 300 mile bike ride finish line in Rochester!

Since we were cheering for the Pink Pedal Pushers, we decided Pink was an appropriate color to wear -- and there is no shortage of PINK at our house!  We also decided to make our hair match Grandma's -- Mommy bought us a can a pink hairspray!

When we got to Rochester, we made a quick stop at Aunt Joan's for a picnic.  Then, we drove to the finish line... and waited... and danced... and cheered for ALL the riders.  When we saw Grandma, we cheered REALLY loud!  We even brought Grandma 3 pink balloons for her great riding!

After the ride, the team went back to Aunt Joan's for showers.  We helped Grandma cool off in the pool while she was waiting :-)

Way to go Grandma Banana!  We are SOOO proud of you!

Red Octopus Soccer & Baseball

It is that time of summer... baseball and soccer!  We joined the "Red Octopus" Park & Rec team at St. Ambrose every Monday and Wedneday in July to learn a little more about soccer and baseball... and we're really starting to figure things out!

We love playing catch with Daddy -- Mommy just doesn't have the skills :-) 

Brooke really wants to play with us, but she's still a little small -- so she brings her "little" ball, and plays on the playground with Mommy.  One time, she was playing with Daddy at the playground when the "game" against the parents started.  We told Mommy we wanted Daddy to play with us... 

so Brooke got Mommy again!

Brooke's Soccer Ball

Go Team!

Check out our "buns" & gloves!

Red Octopuses & Coaches

Close-Up

Kylie at Bat

Neela at Bat

Practicing grounders with Daddy

Throwing back to Daddy

CATCH!!

Movie Stars!

Ms. Tracy and her family brought the girls back some fun shirts from California -- complete with neon letters and glitter!  They met Mommy at the back door in their new shirts -- and were THRILLED to model them!

Meeting Baby Joe - Joey - Joseph - LB :-)

Our "old" neighbors welcomed their "new" addition on July 4th!  Baby Joseph (AKA Joe, Joey and LB) showed up when Greg, Michelle and Sophie were supposed to be at our house for fireworks and ice cream :-)  We walked to their "new" house to see them - and meet Joe. 

The big girls were THRILLED Michelle let them each hold Joe, although I think it made Grandma nervous. 

The girls miss having Sophie next door - and Sophie seemed very happy to have visitors to play with her!

Congratulations!!!

The BIG Wedding: Cory & Miranda

We LOVE weddings!  We love the pretty dresses, the party, the party, the dancing, the party... 

Before we can go to a wedding, we have to get all dressed up and take lots of pictures!

Family Picture - Where's the camera?

Soooo much BETTER!

Brooke & Grandma

Neela, Mommy, Kylie, Grandma & Brooke (4 out of 5??)

The Girls with Uncle David & Aunt Renee

Mommy & the Twins

Mommy's Girls

The girls with Grandma & Papa... another 4 out of 5!

CHEESE!

Beautiful Kylie Rose

Another beautiful girl!

It was another HOT day for an Estochen family wedding when Daddy's cousin, Cory, married Miranda in Sioux City.  We spent most of the wedding in the shade on the hill - so we did not ask a lot of flower girls questions :-) 

After we got to the reception, we had lots to say - and lots to do!  The dancing was our FAVORITE part, but we didn't mind the glow-in-the-dark bracelets, either!

Neela & Big Papa

Brooke dancing with Big Papa

Brooke & Uncle Chuckie

Brooke & Hunter (the Ring Bearer)

Brooke, Grandma & Cory (the groom)

Kylie & Big Papa

Kylie dancing with Uncle Chuckie during the Wedding Party dance!

Kylie & Cory

Chuckie and "his girls" (Just ask the professional photographer!)

Neela & Miranda

Neela kept waiting, and waiting, and WAITING for the Chicken Dance!  Kylie & Brooke went back to the cabin to sleep, but Neela HAD to wait!  After requests from Cory and Uncle John, the DJ FINALLY played the song -- and Neela was the HAPPIEST girl there!

Five minutes later, she was asleep on Mommy walking to the car!

Exploring Ponca State Park

On Friday, we headed to Ponca State Park to get ready for the "Big Wedding" - Daddy's cousin Cory was getting married on Saturday, and we had a "cabin" for two nights!  The cabin had 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, vanities in every room, a dishwasher, central air, 2 decks, a flat screen TV, a giant fireplace, a gas grill... it was awesome!

The community pool was located in the state park - it was 95 degrees - and we took full advantage of it!

Brooke, Kylie and Neela got a chance to show off their swimming lesson skills to Daddy, Grandma, Papa, and Renee.  Daddy and Renee got to show off their "diving" skills to the girls -- and everyone got to cool off!

On Saturday morning, we decided to check out other parts of the park.  As you enter, three towering rocks and a waterfall greet you.  We walked over to see the "rocks" with Grandma...  We enjoyed being able to run up, down, up, down... and try to get our hands wet in the water!

After the rocks, Daddy came to take Kylie for a "surprise" trip.  Brooke, Neela, Mommy and Grandma checked out the interpretive center.  The girls started rowing their boat, then decided steering was more fun!

But, you'll never believe what Kylie was up to!  She was learning about SNAKES!!!  She also was trying to make friends.  After zoo camp, she decided she could be much more brave without Neela at her side!

And... Brave was her word of the day!  Check  out how close Kylie got to the snakes...

Now, that's close!  And she LOVED it!