Beach bum to Cow tails and more!

What a wild and crazy week it's been! M's niece and nephews came last week.
The weather was nice and we were able to go bike riding and to the beach.

While her cousins played in Lake Michigan, K spent her time in the stroller. She wasn't a big fan of the cold water or the sand. She was happy as could be in her stroller watching kids run by and watching the birds swoop down to pick up specs of food from other visitors.

When we weren't bike riding or at the beach K's cousins were playing with her a lot. Naturally K loved all the extra attention from her new roommates.

One of G's coworkers found out that K has become a big fan of Elmo and sent a Chiken Dance Elmo to K. Here she is dancing with it and a baby wipe. She is a trip! M found this Rocking Zebra at a garage sale for a steal and K loves to ride it and screetch to her own tune! We were amazed to find that she can get off the zebra on her own.

Last week Aunt M gave K a brief driving lesson. This is quite humorous being that a few days later Aunt M clipped a deer with that very vehicle and totaled it- the car and the deer. She is fine from the accident and when Aunt M felt bad about possibly killing Bambi's mom, her son reminded her that she probably allowed for some very hungry baby coyotes to have a meal. Kids are quick! I'm not sure if I will take Aunt M up on anymore driving lessons for K though!

Friday Aunt H and I took all the kids to Fair Oaks Farm. What an experience! We had a great time. It's a dairy farm with thousands upon thousands of cattle. We went on a tour of their operation which was mind blowing! (They milk about 50 cows at a time!) Then we had lunch at the cafe. As you expect we had grilled cheeses and quesadillas. Then the kids played on the playground and from there we saw a light that told us a calf was about to be born. So we went to the birthing barn and saw a baby calf born. Amazing! The kids had some amusing comments about that whole experience that I don't think I can share. Before we left we ate some ice cream and then we went home after a long and entertaining day!

This past weekend we went up to WI to help G's dad get ready for his big birthday party in a couple of weeks! G and his brother were able to help with numerous "handy-andy" projects and K helped Aunt E and mommy redecorate a bathroom. ( I forgot to use my flash!) We shopped for new things and then added our touches to this and that. K had her first experience with spaghetti! She liked playing with it and throwing it and then laughing!

K and her grandpa were quite the buddies! She would sit and play with him on the front porch, babble at him to get back to work, showed him her climbing abilities and ate his strawberries! We all had a good time and bonded as we did fun projects! We are excited to go back to the party in a few weeks!

Now we are just recooperating from a long week! This weekend coming up is Father's Day weekend and K and mommy have something up their sleeve for G. You'll have to wait to find out next week!

Great Weekend! And feeling much better!

We went down to Indy this weekend to celebrate our good friend's baby boy's first birthday! It was so much fun to watch him and K play together and interact in only a way that they understand. Several times we would catch him pulling on the few strands of hair that K does have. We would be like "don't pull! She has worked so hard for that one!" Someday in the far future, K will have a full head of hair to brush and braid. K's little friend's birthday was all dec'd out in Elmo and it all looked great! She is very fond of his Elmo chair- this is where she sat to play his piano and lean back for a fresh bottle. She also tried to figure out how their safety equipment worked and was bound to get the darn thing off. We also had a short time on Sunday to catch up with some neighbors and chit chat! Thanks again A and K for letting us stay at your place! You are VERY hospitable!

Thanks to those of you who were actually concerned about us and followed up in asking how we were feeling. We are both feeling much better and done with our antibiotics (which is a relief in itself!) I guess for some people we might have to send copies of our medical bills to prove just how sick we were and maybe even have references- but that's another can of worms that you considerate friends and family don't need to hear about!

Next week we'll have pictures posted from our trip to WI! We post-poned our trip to St. Louis to July for now. It works out better for both parties! We'll post again soon!

10 Months Today!

Can that really be possible? 10 months? No way!


She is growing up so fast- "she's so tall yet so tiny" that's what we hear all the time when we are out with her. When I explain that her daddy is 6'8", then we hear "ooohhhh!" She has been a true blessing in our lives and I wouldn't trade her for anything!


Here are some pictures of her keeping busy in the kitchen! She's quite the little helper!

G and M have been trying to get over a severe head cold that sent both of us to the doctor. We got on some antibiotics and that seemed to clear things up. When M went she found out she also had a double ear infection- boy doesn't that sound fun! Then all seemed to be feeling better then WHAM! Saturday morning comes bright and early as M apparently was passing a kidney stone. Lovely! Hands down that was much worse than labor! We truly are all better now and have NO desire to visit any doctors or emergency rooms anytime soon!

The exciting news is that we found a bike trailer for K at a garage sale for only $10! It is in excellent condition! We are super excited about this since this one retails new for over $200! We've gone for a couple of bike rides and now since we have our annual state park pass and the Dunes is so close, we are going to test drive those bike paths as well. Pics to come of the K in her new bike trailer!

We are unbelievably busy this month. Every weekend it looks like we will be traveling somewhere. This weekend Indy, next St. Louis, then two weekends in Racine, then who knows what! That means PICTURES!!

Enjoy the weather!

What a two weeks!!

Mother's Day weekend we went down to Indy to have K's 9 month pictures taken. They went really well! While we were down there we stayed with good friends and their 11 month old! He is such a little stud! We also had the chance to meet up with some neighbors that we miss so much! Luckily we will be down there again to visit soon as our friend's little guy will be turning the bug numero uno and our neighbor's son will be graduating high school! Party! Party! Party!

Here you can see K taking a bath with her little boyfriend! They had a blast together and I know K can't wait to see him again at his big birthday party!

G and K showered M with wonderful gifts and we had a great first mother's day together!

Last Tuesday we had a VERY strong storm come through our area and we lost some large limbs off our oak trees in the back. The winds blew the grill and patio furniture over and left quite the mess with broken branches all over! We also had lost power for almost 17 hours! Uck! With G's brother's and cousin's help we created a large pile and had a bon fire on Saturday!

Sunday we had some friends over to grill out...however we didn't realize that it was going to be so cold out you could see your breath!! Saturday it was in the 80's and Sunday in the 40-50's. Oh the great Midwest! It was good to catch up and relax.

Today we had a surprise birthday party for M's mom. M's sister and kids, brother, aunt from NM, and dad's cousin along with G's cousin were all here to celebrate! It was fun to pull one over on her! She had no idea! :)

Other than that- K is getting closer and closer to walking every day. She gets a little more brave as she cruises around the furniture and for breif moments stands on her own.

This picture was too cute not to share with everyone! Of course she'll leave her hat on in the house but when we go outside she throws it off like it's dirt on her little locks. She is too much sometimes! :)

Here we are!

I'm sure some of you thought we may have fallen off the face of the earth! We have just been super busy around here and updating this wasn't high enough on the priority list. However, we are now back in action and we will do our best to update it now more often.

Since last time we wrote- we went to CA! The best! I love CA!!! Must move there!!

K was a trooper on the plane! Much to our relief! Most of the way there she slept and then when she wasn't sleeping she played with M and G. Being that we were at the very back of the plane, there was a constant line for the bathroom...K thought this was the best thing ever! She had grown men playing peek-a-boo with her!

Thursday when we got into CA we were able to catch up with G's cousin. It was a great visit! We went to dinner and K nearly choked on a biter biscuit- what a way to introduce K to her cousin!

Hopefully we will see eachother again soon!

Friday we met up with G's good friend who was getting married. He was a trip. Nothing like the non-shilant nervousness of a man who is about to get married! He filled us in on all the 411 of the wedding which made us really excited for the big day to come!

WEDDING DAY! The wedding was absolutely breath- taking! Amazing! Beautiful! Never seen anything like it before. It was held at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside, CA! It's a beautiful location, beautiful flowers, beautiful chapel, beautiful, beautiful , beautiful!!!

Here is a picture of G and K in the courtyard of the Mission Inn and a picuter of G and K with happy newly weds.

K was so good at the wedding. She "ooh" and "awww" at the groomsmen going up and down the aisle seating people. Pretty hysterical. She had all the people around us crackin' up! Then she flirted with a little red head boy named Denzel. What a cutie patootie! He was an older man as he was 10 months old! :)

Sunday we went to G's cousins in Laguna. What a beautiful family! They also have a grandson who is just 3 weeks older than K and she of course was all over that!

Although she did get a little freaked- out by his screetching! Too cute though! Then as they were climbing up the stairs K nearly pushed C over. Evidence below! :) G's cousin M's mom was there and she is quite a hoot! She is so wise and kind and gets around like a 20- something and I believe she is in her 80's. She would make us laugh when she said the little boy sounded like a "barn animal" when he screetched! It was a great visit with everyone and we are looking forward to going out there and visiting again soon!

Monday we went to Santa Monica Pier! Now, if visiting this place doesn't make you want to relocate in an instant- I don't know what will!!! G and K went on a Carousel ride at the Pier and then we walked up and down checking out the amazing views. While we were there MTV's show "Next" was filming. That was interesting to see! What a production!

Since we've been back we have been busy unpacking, cleaning the basement, putting up cabinets in the laundry room and building an accessory to hang clothes. K has been fond of looking out the window to watch the trees sway and looking at the construction workers hardly working. A new thing she has picked up is walking behind her push walker. Every once in a while she'll want to do it and she cruises around the family room and kitchen. It's pretty funny to watch as she learns to balance and keep up with her pushing!

That's all for now! We hope all is doing well and look forward to hearing from you!

Easter Weekend

Now that Easter has come and gone it's starting to really feel like spring. Well not really, it's too dang cold outside! Winter freezing cold! K is in her new dress from Aunt H. She wore it to service on Friday! She did really well at church other than trying to sing along with the vocalist.

Then on Saturday we went to Uncle G and Aunt E's for Uncle G's birthday. We were able to see Grandpa and Miss D as they came down to celebrate as well! It was a good time to see K's cousins as well. Aunt E made her famous beef sandwiches which are to die for! A great end to a great visit!

K woke up Sunday to a basket from the Easter bunny that had a light up phone that plays tunes, new shoes and clothes. Then we got ready to celebrate the day with family. Sunday we went to WI to see great grandma. She was doing great and made a delicious dinner! K also got a basket full of goodies to keep her happy! Again, it was great to see everyone! On the way home we saw M's parents for a short time. Too short- but we were exhausted from the crazy weekend. We will see them more as well as her other aunts, uncles and cousins this coming weekend when we celebrate her cousin C's birthday. Until then-

Can you take me higher? If not, I'll go on my own.

K is doing stairs! Yes- we were just as shocked! Who knows- maybe tomorrow she will be potty trained! (hahahaha...I like to be wishful!)

Now would probably be a good time to break out those gates! G and M are looking forward to the Easter weekend! K met the Easter bunny this past weekend. She pulled on his whiskers and I think made him a little nervous of being decapitated in front of the other little, eager chittlin's. It's was funny. Then he restrained her arms. Picture will soon be posted with any luck!

Spring has Sprung!

K and her cousin C are haning out this week! This is just the start-

Happy Spring!

With spring upon us- so comes spring cleaning! We are going to be very busy this weekend as we have come up with a very ambitious list of things we want to get done. It's those last things to get unpacked and organized that we are straggling with! K and M went to grandma and grandpa's to try to take some pictures with the baby lambs, however K wasn't having it with the big sheep "baa"ing at us. She was freaking out so we settled with a stuffed animal instead.

I had to laugh when I walked into my parents' front room to find K in this position.

"You're under arrest- Put your hands put where I can see 'em"

The past two weeks she has really mastered crawling. We thought previously that she would skip it all together- but just as we said that she was moving! She is crawling up on things and people. We know we're in trouble when we walk into her room and see her standing in her crib looking back at us and grinning! I think it will only be time that she will be stumbling around like she was drinking something stiff from the bottle! :) G already thinks that she sometimes crawls like she's drunk.

Well wish us luck on our ambitious undertakings for this weekend!

Big Birthday Weekend!

It started out on Friday with M's sister and bro-in-law coming into town. They stopped in to see the new house and go out for lunch. We had a great time. M's mom and dad came out with them- mostly to see their granddaughter!














Friday night Aunt E watched K so mom and dad could go out for G's birthday! We went to Strongbow and had a wonderful dinner- alone! :)

Saturday morning we all got up early to head up north to WI! K got a lot of attention from her grandpa! They were playing on the floor, playing the piano and of course bouncing! That is K's favorite thing to do! BOUNCE!
We all went out to dinner Saturday night to the famous Corner House in Racine, WI. It's G's favorite place to eat when we are up in that area. Since it was St. Patty's Day they had a bag piper play in the dining room. K sure did check him out head to toe! I think she was a little curious why that man was wearing a skirt like her! :)
We went back to D's house where we watched some basketball and then stayed for the night. K did really well sleeping after a crazy day!

We woke up Sunday to the smell of breakfast, ate and then were on our way up to surprise Great Grandma!

















K didn't quite make it all the up to Great Grandma's before taking a little siesta. As you can see she is holding on to "Leap's" hand as she drifts off to sleep!







On the way up to Great Grandma's we picked up cousin B and then took the back roads.



Great Grandma sure was surprised when we showed up! She treated us to cake and ice cream and some old photographs and nostalgias from the 1800's. She is doing great and is looking forward to the spring!

After a long weekend we were happy to get home safe and sound!

Our little pookie!

I haven't sent out pic's of K lately so I thought that I would put a bunch on for ya'll.


She is growing and playing a lot as you can see! G and M are getting ready to do the big overhaul of child-proofing the best we can! G's birthday is Friday! He's going to be the big 2-8!


So to celebrate we are going to go out to CA next month. Not really for his birthday, but for a very good friend from college who is getting married! We are excited- yet a little nervous about a 9 month old on a plane. I'm sure we are going to make lots of friends on the flight :)

This is K's new train set from Aunt H & Uncle B!






She gives the animals kisses :)

Here's K waking Molly up from a good afternoon nap...as you can see Molly is thrilled!

K figured out that her hood is pretty funny at times!
This great outfit was from Aunt M!

After the intense playing it's always good to take a break!

Blog? What blog?

We've forgotten to update this for a while now...Sorry!

We finally made the big move and are pretty much settled in to the new house! We love it! It's just the right size and has all the wonderful things we love in it!

K is doing really good. She is trying to crawl forward although it seems that scooting backwards is her favorite! She's climbing all over G and M and anything else she can! We are thinking perhaps she'll skip the whole crawling thing and move on to walking...which is fine with us. We did a little research and it appears that all those rumors about "if they don't crawl they won't be as intelligent or coordinated later on in life, etc...." are just that- boink. She scoots around and crawls up on things and does everything else that a 7 month old should be doing and the pediatrician thinks she looks and acts great! That's always good to hear as a parent!

Well, there are more boxes to uncover so we best get going!

Here's a flashback from about 4 months ago!