Half of our kitchen is now...

Although we have very little counter-space, we've been blessed with a big open kitchen. A couple of weeks ago, we were able to turn half of it into "Meredith's Kitchen." I found some great deals on Craigslist and we bought her lots of new things to play with. I wish I could say that these new toys have stopped her from emptying Mommy's cupboards, but they haven't. Oh well, I figure that the more we let her play in the kitchen, the sooner she'll be able to cook/bake for us someday!

Our toddler wants to do what Mommy and Daddy do!

Weeeeeeeeeee!

Back in April we found a nearby park right off of our bike trail that has some swings for toddlers. Meredith loves it! We take her there just about everyday and upon first glimpse of the park she says, "Weeeeeeeeeee!" That's what she calls a swing. A few weeks ago, our neighbors put up this swing for her on their swingset. Here's some pics of her "Weeeeeeeeee-ing."

Who does she look like?

It is humorous when people come up to us at school, in South Dakota, at graduation parties, at church, etc and say, "Oh she looks just like you!" Or, "She looks just like her Daddy." Without a doubt, 50% say she looks like me and 50% say she looks like Aaron. Well, it has taken 14 months but it is now easy to determine that Meredith has Kelli's hair, Aaron's eyes, both of our long limbs, big hands, and feet, and other than that, she's just a mixture? What do you think?

Uncle Jonny's Graduation

My youngest brother, Jonathan, graduated from high school in the middle of May. We flew home to attend his graduation. We are very proud of him! He is planning on attending college in the fall, hoping to earn an Agricultural Business degree.

My brother Jon and I. There's eight years difference between us. Notice the colored wall in the background. I felt uneasy at first when returning to my parents home which had a remodeled bathroom, new furniture, different colored walls, etc. I don't like it when they make changes to the house I grew up in. I want that house to stay the same forever! Oh well. I guess it isn't 1990 anymore. Must move on. Sigh.

Here's Jon and his nieces Grace and Meredith.

The original four... plus their offspring. My brother Kasey holding his son Kadyn. My sister Jill holding her daughter Grace. Jon. And then Meredith and I. Our family is multiplying fast! Meema recently told us she'd like eight grandkids. My sister and I told her that by the time we're all done having children, mostly likely she'll have lots more than that!

Meredith's First Day of School!

Back in early May, the high school had a walk-a-thon to raise money for student scholarships. We took Meredith that day and because she still can't walk, she got pulled in her new wagon.

Look closely and you'll find Meredith in the middle of this picture of my first period chemistry class. What a group.

Here's Meredith outside with her Daddy.

Meredith's buddy Wesley came to school too that day! Wesley's daddy is the business teacher. Wesley and Meredith were born on the same day. Hopefully they'll go to school together someday.

She was only at school for about three hours and she got exhausted!

She only went to school for one day and she can already read! ;)

Cousins came!

A few weeks ago, all sorts of cousins from South Dakota came to visit us and help celebrate Meredith's birthday! It was Aubree and Elle's first time here! Wish everyone could come every weekend.

Kadyn, Meredith, and Grace after church on Saturday evening.

THE ORIGINAL "Gehrels Girls" (Aubree, Kelli, Jill, and Elle) with the newest members of the club.

We had a great time biking to a nearby park when the weather was nice.

Rolly Polly and her cousins Grace and Kadyn in the bathtub.