Happy Birthday, Russ!

It just so happened we arrived in Iowa on Russ's birthday.  Not a bad way to spend the day...see your parents, reunite with your little girl, and get a trip to the famed Happy Joe's Pizza.  And, to top it off, we then went to see Great Grandma Kappeler, who surprised Russ with a cake!

Vivi was on hand to supervise the lighting of the (32!) candles...

...and to assist in extinguishing them.

She also learned a new trick: dunking your cookies into a glass of milk.

She was very focused and authoritative in all aspects of the birthday celebration.  Russ is getting new golf clubs for his birthday; I'm sure she's busy reading up on different drivers and putters, and will be of great assistance in selecting the perfect set.

Happy birthday, Russ!  Vivi is very lucky to have you as her dad!

Viva la Vivi Indeed

Hola, amigos!  Russ y yo fue a Mexico!

Yes, that's right.  Russ and I went to Mexico...without little miss.  She stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Otto's house in Iowa for a little over a week while we swam, had cocktails, and lived without air conditioning in the Caribbean (another story for another blog, Interweb).

I missed her so much.  And, being the good parent I am, I took along a photo to look at when I missed her too much.  Now, some parents might have taken a family photo, or a photo of their angel smiling innocently.  Me?  I took along this little gem...

That's right.  Vivi after eating Pop-Rocks for the very first time.  Awesome.

Russ found some in a store, and brought them over to Todd and Michelle's for the grill and chill.  Little Miss Unsuspecting wolfed them down at first, because they are candy, and delicious.

Then, suddenly, a change in expression.

...and then...wait for it...one more time for the home team...

Ah, you can't help but laugh.  Every time I was in Mexico and missed her, I looked at that picture and laughed my head off.  I am so glad to be home, and to be back with my home girl.

Memorial Day Revelry

On Memorial Day, we went over to Todd and Michelle's house for a big grill-out!  Vivi immediately commandeered her godfather.  When Todd and Michelle are around, Russ and I are basically chopped liver.  It's pretty cute.

They spent some time digging in the dirt.

I believe they were looking for dinosaur fossils.

According to Vivi, they found an entire dinosaur skeleton!

Imagine that!  Right in the Castle's backyard!

Then, Vivi channeled her inner frat boy (or girl), and taught Todd to play ladder golf.  In her words:

"First, you swing it around and around..."

(never mind that she was making Todd stand IN FRONT of the ladders--we like to shake things up)

"...and then I'll throw it REALLY FAR..."

"...and you catch it with the ladder!"

Not exactly the Cambridge Rules for Ladder Golf, but...we'll take it!  It was a very nice night.