Life at the Calkins': August 2012

As we all waited anxiously, telling stories.... A cry is heard from the room... FINALLY! Baby has arrived! Kerina's Dad jumps up, as if there truly was a fire under him and runs for the door. Tears of joy run down all of our cheeks to hear this magnificent cry. Now... none of us knew the sex, it was a secret to all! Until... the Dr. screams, at the top of her lungs... IT'S A GIRL!!! and we all scream back... IT'S A GIRL! and jump up and down with joy. It was absolutely adorable to watch the Grandparents huddle around this door together, to hear more cry's and their sweet girl Kerina's voice... LOVE!!!

Mila and Tony... gazing at each other. She was sooo alert and looked around the room at everyone!

Sister Josie... Loving on Mila!

And there is nothing more special than a Grandma!!! Kathy was so excited to see her new Grand baby... Lot's of tears of joy!

Mila... Starring right back!

And... another Grandma... Lot's of love in the room

Clara... Playing her guitar! "like Brandi Carlyle" she says :-)

It's so nice to have hot days and warm nights. We got to enjoy this one with Papa Keith.

Clara got to stay up waaaayyyyy past her bedtime to make some S'mores. SUGAR!

It just wouldn't be right if it wasn't all lined up perfectly... Chad's Smore bar....

DELICIOUS!!!

Another hot day = water fun...

We can't keep Natalie off this slide... She got a little taste of it when she figured out how to climb up the ladder one day and took a ride down the slide....

Now, we have to block the bottom of the ladder so we don't have any trips to the ER!

Thirsty?

No problem.... We have plenty of water... who needs a cup!

And plenty of snacks and a helper to boot!

We hope the sun sticks around for a LONG while!!!

Happy Birthday Grammy!!! We were all paid a special visit and got to celebrate Grammy's birthday with her... Finally! To much time goes by.... to fast!

Clara made Grammy a special b-day card and drew pictures of all her chickens. Since she couldn't remember all their names, she got creative and made up some of her very own!

Thanks for coming all the way over "THE HILL" to see us!!!

Clara was in heaven... Swinging, running, throwing balls... and of course, every morning, reading lots of stories in bed with "Gram's"... This is Clara's new fangled version of Grammy!

Natalie even got a few laps in with Grammy...

After lot's of stories.... They finally came down for some breakfast! Notice... It's not even oatmeal!

The Manke's invited us out to stay with them at the lake for a few days! Chad was excited to get his pole in the water after a nice day of golf!

Cioccia enjoying her margarita after our nice, peaceful run...

Nate is ready to fish!!! Hurry up!

This might be a fishing call....

And this might be a fishing story!

Either way... Aaron didn't care... He just wanted them out of this tube so he could have a turn!

And just as the kids were called in to get ready for dinner... FISH ON!!! I have alot of pictures of these two on the dock, naked, looking at this fish... But didn't think they were to appropriate! Nate just cant' keep his hands of his Peeper! Except when running....

Streakers!

Seriously... Could they glow anymore???

A little entertainment from the best Uncle ever!

And a little smooch while dining....

Please note... Just how sweaty these two are! Fun times having a slumber party...

Chad & Clara... Bonding in the middle of the lake...

Troy boy... Bucket head!

Manke Brothers....

And while they were out... They got an awesome view of the eagle dipping down for some chow!

Just happened to have my camera out....

VERY cold sprinkler... And the little ones loved it. No screaming when this kid gets a little water in her eyes....

Rocks... But this time she wasn't going to put them in her mouth.... Shocker!

She was going to wash them! I CAN'T wait for her to get over the need to taste everything...

Last night.... Last shot's of fireball... with wonderful friends!!! Thank you Mankes!

We came home to 90 degree weather... No more lake to cool down in. Natalie was standing at Chad's feet saying "up, up, up" and he's saying noooo... So she took it upon herself to handle this...

She walked down to her little slide, grabbed the stool and took it back up to Chad and stood on it so she could crawl up him herself! What a smart little cookie!