Amundsons

Jacob has been in LA for the past month. Charlie and I went to pick him up from the airport today. I didn't tell her why we were going there or that he was coming home. Partly because if the flight was delayed I knew she wouldn't understand, and partly because I wanted to see what she would do if she just "happen" to run into him. The announcement is loud so it is hard to hear what she first says. But it is "Hey... that's my daddy." I'll let you know when she let's go of him.

As my waist is showing direct consequences of the "summer of ice cream", I had decided we were done. And then when we were playing outside I heard it coming down the street. Ding ding ... hello... ding ding ...cute little tune... Fall will be here soon, I will just put a sweater on.

This past weekend we all headed to Southern Illinois for the Kettelkamp family reunion. Before we got there we decided to make it a 3 day tour and saw as many relatives along the way as possible. There was fishing at my Uncle Rogers pond (or better know as "the great lakes" in my family). Here was the finally score: Mom--- 0 (but she was the photographer) Dad---- 0 (there is no excuse for him) Charlie-0 (she was completely grossed out by the whole experience and once a fish was caught she wanted nothing to do with it. She loves fish so I thought she would love this. However apparently she loves fish and seeing them gasping and struggling was not what she considered a good time.) I however caught 3. Yes that is right... I am the woman! Ok... so they weren't very big, but please note the fly rod. Not easy my friends. We spent some time at my Uncle Richards Farm. Where she got to sit in one of her favorite things. A tracker. This is what she considers a good time....

The next time you are heading to the zoo. Stop and check your watch. Make sure that it is after 5pm. Today we wanted to go to the zoo but with various projects going on we didn't make it there until after 5pm.... it was awesome. If you have never been to the zoo in the evening, you need too. Very few people, cooler weather, great free parking and best of all the animals are out moving around so much more than during the heat of the day. I don't think I will ever go before 5 again. The flamingos... the apes... watching those silly bears... and of course the HIPPOS!!!! Papi made a better stroller.

1 kid + 2 grandparents + 1 amazing day at Grants Farm = a 4 hour nap

Charlie has found that a washcloth can make a great blankie for a hippo. And when there are multiple hippos, there is a need for multiple blankies. Plus then there are fewer washcloths for one of her least favorite activities, washing her face. Here she is telling me to "shhhh... hippos are night night" while she is rocking her baby to sleep. Also note worthy for anyone who does not want to get yelled at if they come over to play, she is very particular about who gets what bottle. For instance the above milk bottle with the pink top is only for baby. The below purple bottle is only for hippos. Apparently hippos are fake lactose intolerant and need soy. Tucking them in, and making sure that their toes are covered. Sweet dreams Hippos.