Baby Girl & Boys

At the park near Shane & Kim's house -

I can't believe pretty, baby girl is already 11 months old. She is sooo much fun and makes us smile all day long! What a precious time....we are blessed she is a part of our lives!

Eli peekin' through the hole in the tree house.

Pretty girl!

Playing in the dirt with big cousin Eli...showing her how it's done!

Swinging with the big boys!

Pie Baking Adventure

One of the goals that I had for myself this summer was to learn how to bake a pie from scratch. It's something I've always wanted to do...just forgot that I wanted to do it...then didn't have time to do it...soooo, summer break seemed like the perfect time to experiment! I enlisted a cohort, Madison, to join me in my adventure!

It took us a couple of tries to get the pie dough the right consistency and our meringue wasn't as fluffy as I had hoped...but now we will be pros when the holidays roll around to make the perfect pie!

We concluded our adventure with some pretty tasty pies...but the best part for me was getting to experience this "first" with a great gal! Thank you for sharing this with me, Madison! I hope you had as much fun as I did. What's next on the menu? :)

Eli's Project: Egyptian Death Mask, Step 1 & 2

Finally getting around to starting Eli's project! It is a multi-stepped process involving sculpting clay, cutting cardboard. paper mache, and painting..whew! We finished steps one and two...waiting for the decopauge to dry now...next step, painting and detail! A quote from Eli: "I didn't know it would be this much fun!" Makes it all worth it!

Kansas City & Cousins

Just returned from a few fun-filled days with the other Shankle's in KC. We stayed downtown near Union Station where Science City is located. Really neat area! The kids got to go to Science City, eat at the Crayola Cafe, visit Kaleidescope (sponsered by Hallmark - free craft activities - super cool!), and Eli even got to get his Egyptian "fix" when we visited a nearby museum that had a visiting Egyptian exhibit. Good times! Thanks for inviting us Shawn & Kim!

Madison riding the bike across the tight rope at Science City. Newton's Laws in effect! Though Noah, Grant and myself all gave it a try...Madison was the brave one, she made it all the way across and back! I have to admit...it was a bit scary even though it is not possible to fall, the mind plays tricks on you! :)

The boys - electrified - at Science City

In the planetarium at Science City getting ready to watch the movie - a bit more educational than we hoped...but still fun!

Eli in heaven with the "critters" in Science City

A serious game of checkers between Noah and Grant in Science City

I love this picture! Make me believe it, Shankle's! ;)

We stopped for ice cream at Sheridan's after Science City...here are the boys with their GINORMOUS straws!

Scoping out Science City for our next day's adventure!

The boys at Kaleidescope at the mall in downtown KC making sunglasses!

Eli posing in front of his beloved Egytian tomb!