Lilli Jo is Walking!

Lilli Jo took her first steps at my Mom's birthday party last Friday night! I was helping her walk around and she spotted Grandpa Russ. She started to take a couple steps and I decided to let go to see what would happen. Sure enough, she kept right on going to him! She took a few more steps that night and then a few more throughout the weekend.

We finally managed to catch it on video the other night and since then she's been walking up a storm, both at daycare and at home. At first, she wouldn't walk much if you were paying attention to her. I'll admit, this surprised me a bit. Lilli Jo is definitely one for attention! But now she'll walk no matter what.

We're so proud of you, baby girl!!

Mom's 50th Birthday Bash!

Last Friday night we celebrated my Mom's 50th birthday, along with her co-worker, Darius.

Mom and Darius met about 5 years ago and soon discovered that they shared a birthday. Not only were they born on the same day (July 11), they were born in the same year. Mom, here in Brookings, and Darius, in Zielona Gora, Poland (approximately 5,750 miles away).

The guests of honor

The birthday girl

Excellent music, courtesy of The Panhandle Ramblers

Great friends and family

 What's so funny, you ask?

100!

This girl's ready to party!

A father-daughter moment

The Bjerkes

My sister and me with our Dad

 Nichole and me with Mom

I think these two are always up to trouble

 I love this picture!

My Mom and Aunt Shelly at the end of the night. 50 and absolutely fabulous!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

We hope you had a wonderful birthday and a great night!

Summer Fun

 Happy girl

Hanging with Grandpa

Preston LOVES watermelon!!

Turner's Birthday Party

We bought Preston a slip and slide and brought it over for the kids.

They enjoyed it, but I don't think they really grasped the slip and slide concept.

Grandma got this Spiderman sprinkler.

Posing for Grandma with their guns

 Bubbles!

How many of you are picturing that fish on Finding Nemo? Just me?

 Presents!

 Turner's Grandpa Randy got him this sweet ride.

Turner's dirt cake. It was delicious!

I hope you had a great birthday, Turner!!

I'm 11 Months Old Today!

As you can see, Lilli Jo can now stand on her own! She can stand right up in the middle of the room without any assistance from the furniture or us.

She wants to walk so badly and took the tiniest, little step the other night.

Almost there, baby girl!!

It's important to note that just about every time I post on a potential milestone, she reaches it shortly thereafter. As much as I want my baby to stay a baby, I so look forward to her milestones and watching her grow up. Here's hoping she starts walking in the coming weeks! :)

Turner is 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Turner Allen!!
We love you!

4th of July Fun

Tuesday night before the fourth we headed to Bruce, which has become a tradition for the Hovey clan. Mike and Louise, my uncle and aunt, host a gathering every year and their neighbors put on quite a fireworks show.

 The kids had their fireworks show first.

My cousin's daughter, Grace, was quite enamored with Dustin and spent most of the evening with him. :)

Lilli Jo was enthralled with the fireworks.

 Allie displaying her sparkler cheerleading skills.

After spending the previous evening in the heat, we decided to forego the 4th of July activities in Brookings. We filled up the pool and let the kids play for a bit.

We also decided to skip the fireworks display that evening. It was the first time in a very long time that I didn't go and I was slightly bummed about it. But it was still so darn hot out at night that I just couldn't do it. I went to get a drink of water before bed and noticed that someone just to the South of us was shooting off some pretty impressive fireworks. So Dustin and I sat on the patio and enjoyed their display for a bit.  :)

I hope everyone had a great 4th!

Random Fun

 Lilli Jo can't get enough of her brother's puzzle. We took away the pieces so she would stop eating them and this is now her favorite way to play with it.

 Snapped this photo before Preston realized I was taking his picture.

 Then he promptly hid so I couldn't take his picture anymore.

 I'm not really sure what the exchange is here. :)

"Hawk Smash"

That's how it sounds to me when he says it. It could be something else entirely. For weeks he was running  around saying "Pop Bombers". We later discovered that it was Power Rangers.