The Great North Idaho Woods

We were able to go north for a few days, get away from the heat, and enjoy some QT with #'s 1-4. Kate spent some very quality time in the water this weekend - both in Payette Lake in McCall, ID and back home in the neighborhood pool. Her first lake experience was fun, cold and sandy. #2 showed her a great time.

Kate Is Up and About

Standing, Teething and Exploring

A new way to play with an old toy.

We're in trouble now...

Who knew knobs could taste so good?

Since the last trip to the mid-west Kate has become incredibly busy scooting around the house, pulling herself up, walking around furniture and chewing on absolutely everything (trying to get those top teeth to join the 2 bottom ones). It has been exciting, fun and challenging!

It has been very hot in Boise this July. In order to spend any sort of quality time outside, Kate takes to the pool; however, whether or not it is actually a pool is debatable. Enjoy! She certainly does!

Joseph Cooper Connell

Our wonderful, long-time Boise friends, Mike and Courtney Connell, just welcomed their new addition on 7/11/07. Baby Joey and Kate have been visiting often now that he is home from the hospital and I'm sure that soon she'll notice that the little thing that Mike and Courtney are holding is another little person like her. It has been great having them around during the day, as Kate enjoys getting out in the afternoons and climbing and drooling all over THEIR stuff instead of ours.

Mid-West Trip July 2007

Another trip to the mid-west included a few nights for #1 and #2 away from #4, Kate's baptism, The Police concert in Chicago and Peter and Kerry's wedding in Milwaukee. It was a lot to fit into 9 days, but we did it with the help of Grandma Bylsma, not to mention Kate's Aunts and Uncles and Lauda and Carlos. Thanks to all of you for everything!

Kate's baptism was a special event on the 4th of July in Uncle Dan and Aunt MaryBeth's backyard. Mr Rhem came over and said a few special words, and was pleased to point out that we were one of a few generations where he was able to perform my baptism, my confirmation, my wedding, and now my daughter's baptism. It was special for us all. In addition, my birth started a tradition of a rose on display at the baptismal fount for all the newborn babies at Christ Community Church (a tradition continued to this day). Grandma B brought a beautiful pink rose for Kate's baptism. Kate wore the gown that my four brothers and I wore for our baptisms, as did most of the Bylsma Grandchildren. And lastly, Kate was baptised on the anniversary of her cousin, Bryan's, baptism 8 years prior (also performed by Mr Rhem). A special day indeed!

Peter and Kerry

As you may know, we've made some delightful new friends here in the neighborhood. Peter and Kerry moved into the hood in February and my first meeting with them consisted of "getting to know you" chit chat over burgers and beer at, none other than, Ben's Crow Inn. Since then "Auntie Kerry and Uncle Peter" have become a constant in our lives and we recently went to their wedding in Milwaukee, WI. Good times. Please enjoy the photos, to include a snapshot at the wedding reception, Auntie Kerry babysitting Kate, Uncle Peter swimming with Kate and of the happy couple on what seems to be a typical summer evening on the back patio. And, oh, I think they might be Packer fans.

Mid-West Trip June 2007

In June 2007 Kate and I went to Chicago/Michigan/Chicago for 3 weeks to see our family and friends and to help Grandma B move. It was a great time and it was nice not to feel our visits with everyone were rushed. Kate was a trooper while Grandma and I packed and sorted for hours upon hours. The morning of our last day in Michigan Kate started crawling. THANK GOODNESS she waited until the end, or Grandma's disaster of a house would have been even more crazy. Enjoy the photos of our visits, to include Kate and her "little" cousin, Wyatt; Kate as Finn's "Share" at Show and Tell; Kate with Uncle Gary and Ella; Kate, Gootch, Jacob and Claire at their ball games; and Kate with BFF, Sydney Panizo! The trip was great, but Kate was excited to be home, in her own bed.

Kate started sitting up in May, right around Mother's Day. #2 was out of town, but of course I fought to get it on camera. This is the true first time, ladies and gentlemen! Well done #4!