Soccer at Vetta

 The indoor soccer arena, Vetta Sports, had a free family day so we took a trip to play a little soccer with the girls.  They also had some other fun activities like balloons, face painting, coloring contests, etc.  The girls had a great time.  Brindi got some big balloon butterfly wings she could wear and then told the man Brooke would like a flower rose which Brindi somehow made hers as well.  I also got in on the action and got a balloon cross-bow that actually shot balloon arrows.  It was pretty sweet!

 We finally got out on the field and had a pretty good time kicking the ball around.  Both girls seemed to enjoy it.

KC Trip

Robert invited us to join him for his radio affiliates day in Kansas City.  His radio station is an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and this day was set up to say thank you to all the affiliate stations.  We met them on a Thursday night and headed straight to the Athletics-Royals game and enjoy great seat just up from the third base courtesy of the Royals.  The next day was the affiliates day and Robert and me went to the stadium to participate in the program.  They provided lunch and then was treated to personal Q&A with the Affiliates Manager, Public Relations and Broadcasting Director, one of the VPs, Coach Yost, and the Royals Broadcasting crew.  It was pretty cool to have that behind the scenes experience.  We then headed to the Royals Hall of Fame and then down on the field for the Royals batting practice.  It was awesome!  We also met Luke Hochevar and talked a lot about hunting.  He is originally from Wray, CO where Roberts radio station is located.  He signed a couple balls for us and then we headed back to the stands to watch the White Sox batting practice as we waited for our wives and kids to arrive at the game.   We both forgot to take our camera but we did get a couple pictures with our phones.  But it was sad we didn't get any others!

We then watched a great game between the White Sox and Royals.  Also, as you can see we spent some time at the playground at the Stadium.  Brindi was really good and have a ball.  Brooke was good but was very tired with the late nights.  Both girls loved the firework Friday activities.

 

 As you can also see, the girls left us very little space to sleep.  We tried to get them to sleep in a pack and play and the chair but some how they weaselled their way into our bed and pushed us to the edge.  Rotten girls:)

Final Days of Summer

 There was a little break between the last summer session and the fall semester so I took a day off to enjoy one of the few last days of summer.  We took the day and headed to the Zoo to see the new sea lion exhibit.  it was a pretty cool experience with the underwater tunnel and getting up and close with the sea lions.

 Silly picture.

 Another silly picture.

 And another silly picture.  She is officially in that stage where every opportunity to make a goofy face she takes it and never does a real smile again.

 We were able to see on of the new baby monkeys which look a lot like a alien.

 Brooke has always loved animals, much more than Brindi ever did at her age, so the zoo is a fun place for her.  I actually think Brooke enjoys it a lot more that Brindi.  Brooke gets so excited for all the animals especially the monkeys and fish.

 Awe, a good smile from Brindi.  What a beautiful girl we have.

 Trying to do a father and daughter photo but Brooke did not want anything to do with it.

 These two pictures were taken by Brindi.  The Butterfly area is by far her favorite place.

 Hanging out with my little girl.

 Brindi also had to take a picture of me.  She is quite the photographer.

Brooke's 18 Months Stats

BROOKE'S 18 MONTH STATS Joe got to take Brooke to get shots this time and she knew exactly what was going to happen. She stood by the lobby door and then when they went back to the doctors room she ran the opposite direction and cried when she had to go in. After it was all said and done though, she made it through. She weights...23.2 lbs (51%) Is 31.6 inches tall (31%) Has a head circumference of 46.8 cm 

Brooke is a lot of fun to have around. She makes us laugh when she gives us a scowl. She sticks out her lips and just stares at you. She is really into pushing the limits. She likes to see what kind of reaction she can get out of you. Her big thing right now is she'll be sitting on your lap or sitting by Brindi and will just reach over and pinch you, after you tell her no she will reach over look you right in the eye and pinch you again and then continues to stare at you. Like she is just begging you to do something about it. The funniest thing about it is then when she gets put in time out she bawls like you have completely broken her heart. She likes to follow Brindi around outside and loves the tramp. She is always trying to pick the tomatoes and brings them over to share. She does a pretty good job sharing, but it is usually when she is good and ready to do it, she doesn't like to be forced. She likes to dance around in circles, play chase, and play pick a boo in the car. She is a little bit like Linus in Charlie Brown because she will carry her blanket and pacey everywhere if you will let her, but she knows when it is time to go because she will throw her blanket and pacey down and head for the door. She understands everything we say, but we are struggling to get her to really start talking. She REALLY loves animals and thinks they are funny and wants to pet all of them.She loves walks and always tries to get in the stroller when I open the garage.

Luau

 One of my interns was doing her internship at a local parks and recreation department.  For her major project she implemented a Luau pool party so I just had to come and evaluate the program:)  Obviously the girls had to come with me.  It also gave Celeste some good alone time.

 We started out swimming for about a half hour in the kiddi pool.  Basically the only thing we did was the slide.  Brindi was so worried about the slide and had to hold my hand the first couple of times going down.  Brooke loved going down it on my lap.  Anyways, while we were still eating (smoked hog) Brindi took off without us and went back to slide and did it all by herself several times.  The picture below is one of those times.

 The main event was a hulu event with a group of Polynesians showing us how to dance.  Brindi loved getting up there and did really well following the instructions.

 I tried to stay out of it and just watch the dancing but was finally roped in during the last dance.  I was one of only three men and we were suppose to dance with the other Poly women.  Basically we stood behind then and were suppose to mimic their every move.  I think I did a pretty good job but I am sure if was a pretty funny thing to watch:)

Check out the link below for a video of Brindi dancing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=106O6ThGtCE&feature=youtu.be

Summer Leaves?

 We always thought the fall was the time for leaves to fall but this year has surprised us as our cottonwoods are unable to handle the dry dry dry summer.  These pictures were taken in July.  But we took the opportunity to jump and roll in them for fun.

Swim Lessons

We enrolled Brindi is swimming lessons for two weeks.  We should have done this last year as she loves the water but is deathly scared of putting her head under the water.  She loved going to swim lessons and did really good.  I honestly think she was the best in her group but I also think she might have been the oldest.

Her instructor praised her at the end of the session for how well she did and how comfortable she got at putting her end under the water.  She was also the only kid that was able to float on her back without help.  She is really hoping to start lessons again this fall.  I guess we will see what happens.