Family visit

Here are some photos of family visiting our house this past weekend.  Besides witnessing Katherine's baptism, everyone enjoyed time outside playing, socializing and, of course, eating!

Thanks Aunt Karie for taking these family photos!

Aunt Karie joined us for a walk to the playground before dinner

 

Family and friends getting introduced

 

Bubbles!

  

Chef Matt at the grill

Kate with Grandma Luidens

 

She loved eating watermelon!

Can you see the rubber duck in mid-air?

 

 

Reading a book of Bedtime Stories for Girls from Great Grandma Van Hook

  

Aunt Karie drew this life-like portrait of...guess who?

Nose kiss

 

Playing with Great Uncle Don

Kate with Grandma Van Hook

 

Great Grandma reading to Kate before bed

We had a wonderful weekend - and slept well afterwards. :-)

Katherine's Baptism 7/21/13

Katherine was baptized at Hope Presbyterian Church on July 21, 2013.  Our pastor graciously offered for Bob Luidens, Katherine's grandfather, to perform the baptism.  We had a great weekend visiting with family who traveled to be with us for this happy occasion!

First time sitting in the service - Kate did pretty well, with the usual amount of wiggling!

 

 

 

 

Hanging out after the service - with Great Grandma Van Hook

 

Great Aunt Carol gets Kate to look at the camera :)

Van Hook side of the family!  Left to right: Dave and Abby (Matt's sister and her husband), Emily & Kate, Matt, Shari and Dan (Matt's parents), Marge Van Hook (Matt's grandmother)

Luidens side of the family!  Left to right: Karie (Emily's sister), Bob and Mary (Emily's parents), Emily, Matt & Kate, Carol and Don (Bob's siblings)

  

Summer time

More photos - from the first week of July.

This is what happens when Daddy tries to get Kate dressed ;)

Being goofy (back of the house)

Walking up and down our steep driveway is a challenge for Kate!

We tried playing tetherball at the playground, but Kate didn't get it, and got bopped in the head!

She prefers walking on flat surfaces (cement, sidewalk) but is getting more comfortable walking on grass if she has to - so I needed proof!

Here Kate is enjoying an organic snack. :)

Patriotic PJ's

The new house has lots of opportunities for Kate to practice climbing up stairs!

Peeking over the edge of the front porch

Walking the dog

The Tickle Monster is about to attack...

At the Omaha Children's Museum

 

Walking around the sidewalk that goes through our yard (side of the house)

Front porch again.  Isn't she cute in her dress?

Photos from June

The Van Hooks have been busy lately!  We moved from our apartment to a house across town.  It is bigger, and we are enjoying living in this pretty neighborhood.  Emily has been teaching a summer class, and Matt has been busy doing lots of yard work (now that we actually have a yard!).  It will be a while until we are completely unpacked, but we are settling in.

Now, here's some of what Katherine has been up to!

She likes to swing!

In the summer, every Wednesday is "Wacky Water Wednesday" at Kate's school.  The kids wear bathing suits and play with water toys outside.  Kate doesn't love getting wet, but she's getting more comfortable with it!

View of our house from the back

Walking along the side of the house

We went to the zoo again - here is a tiger roaring at us!

This is a "splash park" near our house.  Again, Kate hasn't gotten totally into the water yet, but she likes watching the fountains and getting a little wet.

 

This is what Kate does if you ask her, "Where's your belly?"  Here she is showing Aunt Karie during a video chat.

Enjoying some ice cream and gelato!

At the park (near the splash park) along with lots of geese.

 

 

Getting ready for the 4th of July at school...