Nothing too exciting...

We are enjoying a whole lot of nothing! This summer we have been so busy and now finally things are settling down. G and M bought K a wagon to haul her and all her dolls around in. She loves it. I think it may completely take over the stroller. K also got her first pair of kicks that she actually will keep on. They are the obnoxious ones that light up as you walk. I swore when my sister's kids were growing up that I would never buy those dang shoes- but, the store only had those shoes in her size! I caved in! She loves them though- so I just try to look past it! Last weekend we went to the fair and K was able to see lots of animals. I think the piglets and horses were her favorites! Then we went to M's parents house (grandma and grandpa's) to pick up the mower blade that grandpa sharpened for us and to our surprise K got really sick. We think it may have been from some bad milk we may have given her that morning. Once it was out of her system she was good as new! We just felt bad for her. M knew something was wrong right away her K crawled up on her and rested her head. K NEVER slows down to do that...not even for a second. She is a mover and a scooter running on full throttle most of the time. Sure enough M passes her off to G and then K blew chunks all over daddy. Nice huh? It's like I knew it was coming!!! I'm brilliant! M's nephew was over at grandma and grandpa's too and he took turns holding K to comfort her. K also dug into an ear of corn! I know G dad is so proud of her now!! She destroyed what was left of the thing- no turning back!
We are about to enjoy another weekend at home. Doing some things around here we never got to- actually that's probably a lie- we will probably do NOTHING!! Maybe a visit from a college friend and her little boy!

Happy Birthday Big Girl!!!

Today is the big day!! The day that seemed so far away not too long ago. When we look back at our past year we just can't believe what a wild and crazy one it's been. We had a beautiful baby girl who is wonderful and everything that you could ask for, changed jobs, lived in four different places in five months, bought a new house, travelled to California, celebrated our 5th anniversary and had an amazing 1st birthday with our daughter. God definitely has given us many, many blessings and has given us strength when we needed it most! We are very thankful and grateful for the family and friends that surround us.

Happy Birthday K! And thank you again to everyone who helped us out this weekend to pull off a great party! We couldn't have done it without you!

Here are some pics from the party and the birthday girl!

These boots are made for walkin'

Yes! She is starting to walk! We are so excited! She first took steps on Monday and ever since she has become a little more brave each day!! Monday is a special day because it is M's mom and dad's anniversary so it will be easy to remember the day K started to walk on her own. Last week she got her first fat lip... I think we were more worried than she was. She cried a little but then we gave her an ice cube and she just thought that was the best thing ever! Aunt E came over to watch her for a little bit on Thursday for M and played and had lots of fun! This past weekend her Aunt, Uncle and Grandma came over for dessert and an early birthday gift.

Here are some recent photos...

Here K is enjoying some ice cold water after a hot walk outside.

This is K having a healthy serving of rubber ducky!

Here K is sound asleep with her elephant she got from Aunt H when she was first born and the Elmo daddy got her for Christmas- they're her napping pals!

House Pics

Here are some pics of our house. I'm not sure why our camera distorted the house picture, but you get the idea at least :) !

St. Louis Here We Come! Came! :)

This past weekend we went down to see K's aunt and uncle in St. Louis! The weather was HOT but that didn't keep us from getting around town and seeing lots! After being in the car seat for five hours K was ready to get movin' and scootin'! She found the stairs in all of about 2 minutes of being there. She tested out all the railings and balusters.

Saturday morning we went to a friend's of Aunt H's who has the most amazing garden ever! They have been featured in several magazines including Better Homes and Gardens and they have even grown one of kinds in their gardens. Absolutely magnificent! K was fond of their fish pond and actually had a fish in her hands for all of about 3 seconds, then it got away! This garden has hundreds of different types of hostas and lilies among other plants! Definitely will go and see this again next time we are down that way!

After the gardens and K's nap we went to the Budweiser Brewery and took the tour. We were able to see the Clydesdale's, their Dalmatian, and the manufacturing buildings. Quite the operation! And of course at the end you get to sample as much beer and their other products as you wish. For dinner we headed to the top rated Mexican restaurant in St. Louis. Pablo Solis. They make awesome Margaritas and the food was authentic! Unfortunately, the band for the night was a jackhammer- after a few margaritas it wasn't so bad :) !

Sunday morning we walked to a local diner for breakfast and then went to downtown St. Charles. It's a great little town with shopping galore! Lots of shops line the main street in historic buildings. Being that it was 96 degrees and who knows what the heat index was- we only spent about an hour and a half there. We will have to hit that up again next time as well!

We had a great trip and we are already talking about "next time..."!

Thanks Aunt H and Uncle B for a great time!!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great 4th! M's favorite day!

We went to Aunt E's family cookout at her mom and dad's and then headed over to the parade in Crown Point. M grew up in Crown Point and going to the parade was something her family did every year growing up so it was fun to do it all over again with K! The very patriotic dress that K wore was from Aunt E and Uncle G. After the wonderful parade we went to M's parent's house for dinner and a fun visit. K took a brief nap before the fireworks that night. We went to the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point and met up with Aunt E, Uncle G, K's cousins, and Aunt E's family to watch them. The fireworks were magnificent! The finale was rushed a little due to rain coming into the area, but we got back to the car fairly dry.

11 months and 1 to go!

It's amazing to think that in one month our baby is going to be a one year old! God help us! We have been super busy around the house planting, seeding, laying sod, watering, watering, and more watering! We organized the garage more, but there is still more to go on that. What a project... just when you think you've made progress you turn around and there's more. Ugh!

Last weekend we went to G's dad's birthday party. It was a HUGE success! Lots of family and friends came to celebrate his 65th birthday and what a good time! K liked dancing to the music and playing with the red ball! We enjoyed meeting new people and catching up with family. The day couldn't have been a nicer day- the weather was beautiful- 75 and partly sunny with a cool breeze! It's doesn't get much better than that around here in the summer! We all chuckled a little when we saw that G's dad had the same looking shirt as G had on that day! Like father, like son! Between the times we went up to help out and the party, K made a new friend. J was so nice and playful with K- it was hard for her not to love her! Next weekend we are going to St. Louis to visit M's sister and brother-in-law. We are looking forward to getting away and some R&R! Hopefully I'll get some photos of the house up soon!

Father's Day Weekend!

We couldn't wait to update the blog! We had the best time this weekend! Saturday we went up to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. There we all participated in the C.S.I. Experience exhibit. We solved the crime without a hitch. Blood splatters, fingerprints, scene evidence, the autopsy and DNA matching were just some of the items we had to put together to solve the crime. Then we walked around the museum to other exhibits and then lastly did the Coal Mine Tour. We are just glad that we are not coal miners! Way too dark and too shallow of a work environment. That evening we walked to Giordano's Pizzeria and had the famous stuff crust!
I think K liked it just was much as we did!

Saturday night we watched the Navy Pier fireworks from our hotel room window. Beautiful! K slept through the whole thing- maybe next time. We found that K loved to look out the hotel window (on the 32nd floor!) and just stare out at all the fascinating things around us! Sunday morning we walked around the city a bit and took in all the scenery. It's such a magnificent city! We then headed to Millennium Park. It finished construction in 2005 and cost an estimated 500,000,000 buckaroos!

We took lots of pictures by the "bean" and at the water walls. K enjoyed stomping through the water between the water walls and watching her reflection.

After a brief morning nap, K treated Daddy to a Father's Day Brunch Cruise on Lake Michigan. We were lucky enough to get a window seat and take in all the Chicago views from the lake. K loved oohing and ahhing at the sail boats and watching the waves out the window.

The brunch and entertainment was outstanding!

Definitely would do it again for a special occasion.

After the cruise and brief spin on Navy Pier we headed home. We had Father's Day dinner with M's mom and dad and brother and sister-in-law. It was a nice dinner and good company! K was quite the lover with grandma and grandpa as well as Aunt C and Uncle P! Once Aunt C gave her some lovin's and a good piece of bread it was all over! :)

Now G has to go back to work and M and K are going to pick up Molly (our golden retriever) tomorrow. Molly was on vacation too at the farm (M's parent's house) for the past week and a half. They were nice enough to watch her last weekend while we were in WI and this weekend while we were livin' up Chicago! K sure does miss her buddy and will be happy to see her again!