The Salove Family: Catching Up Since Kate's Arrival!

Now I know what my neighbor meant when she said that it would be exponential, not double, when we had two kiddos! It is definitely busier than before! But, Kate is sleeping well at night, and we are all settling into a nice new routine. Chris is back to school this week, and will finish in the spring. I have started up with my MOPS group again, which is a fun break where I can spend some time with other Moms and Grace can play with other 'Moppets' her age!. We are looking into some fall/winter activities for Grace (swimming, gymnastics, Awanas), and right now just enjoying the slightly cooler weather, getting together with friends and their kids at the parks in the morning. So, although it has been more challenging to get the blog updated (last post was July 20th), we have been taking lots of pics and video of the girls.

Grace has been a very good big sister. There have been a few rough moments, but all-in-all she has handled the transition really well and we are very proud of her. She likes to help at diapering time, has replaced more lost pacifiers than I can count, and is pretty good at consoling Kate when she cries.

First bath! July 28th.

Sweet, ever-patient Emma...
having another baby in the house hasn't fazed her at all.
I think she's kind of over it!

July 30th

Katie-bear montage!

August 2nd.

Matt, Sarah, Anna and Mila came to visit the first week of August.

Grace and Mila loved jumping in the pool together!

Cousins

Snooze time. August 7th.

Sisters. August 7th.

Watching a show. She watched the whole thing like this.

:) August 8th.

August 15th. Kate is 5 weeks, Grace 25 months.
Crazy how fast they grow!

She's actually NOT allowed to swing on Kate's swing like this,
but couldn't resist the photo op. Augus 17th

My blue-eyed baker.
Since Kate's arrival, she has been wanting to help me in the kitchen more, too.
We've made alot of cookies and brownies these past few weeks!

The weekend of August 20th/21st, Jimmy, Kym, Austin, Byron, Carter came to visit. We had so much fun while they were here, taking in Roaring Springs, the Fair, and pool time and a BBQ at Grandpa Tom's
We even packed baby Kate along (in her bag!).

Chris, Grace, and Austin on the yellow slide.
She talked about the "ye-wee swide" for a week afterwards!

Austin, Byron, and Kate

Austin, Byron, and Carter - so cute!

We had a big event while they were in town - Byron lost his very first tooth!
Thankfully, the tooth fairy knew he was visiting us in Boise and left him some money!

Jimmy and Kym

Uncle Chris launching the boys into the pool - they loved that!

Austin does the 'pencil dive

Uncle Jimmy and Grace

Kym, Grace, Byron, Carter and Kate

A pic before they left. Thanks Hamby family for coming to visit - it was a blast!!

Making breakfast. The apron she is wearing is 3rd generation.
My Grandma Sandau made it for my Mom, I wore it,
and now Grace loves wearing it when we cook together.
August 25th

First haircut! She did great. This place has it figured out. Cars and 4-wheelers to sit on, lollipops, and cartoons playing. She was definitely due and it turned out so cute. She left with a cute new purple barrette and pink glitter in her hair! August 27th

Beautiful girl with her new 'do!

Daddy and Kate

On August 29th, my dear friend and neighbor Kally McIntyre hosted a beautiful baby shower for Kate.
We enjoyed chocolate kahlua cake, ice cream and wine and Kate was snuggled by all.
Thank you Kally for a beautiful welcome for baby Kate
and thank you to all the great ladies who made it so much fun!
We are so grateful!
L-R, Karen Lowe, Kammi Hopstad, Jodi LaBrie,
Amanda Lumsden, me & Kate, Kally, Stacey Hopstad, and Krista O'Very

September 2nd

The Boise Balloon Classic was held Labor Day weekend.
On the last morning, the wind was right and the balloons came our way and went over our house
September 3rd