A little of this and that

We had a nice relaxing weekend. After the 4th of July being crazy and then birthday party madness and visitors, it was good to be home in our jammies for a good part of the weekend.
Patrick and I spent the day at the pool on Saturday. He was just a wee bit tired when we returned. He also bonked his nose on the couch arm when running to lay down on it. I gave him some frozen corn to place on his nose and he promptly fell asleep on me with corn in hand.

Sunday we enjoyed a little time outside since it was finally cool enough. Annika enjoyed the swing (almost fell asleep in it!) and this girl loves basketballs. She is so funny when she carries one around as it is just about as big as she is!

Notice how Patrick played with the smaller basketball?


Patrick showing me his ouchie toe


Had some fun with my macro lens



and that last picture is so the life of a dad. garden tools, kid, baby monitor and baseball bat!

1 year

How did this happen? Who let my baby grow up? Who turned my babe into a beautiful and smart little girl?

She giggles at angels, and her brother.

She give kisses to every character in a book.


She cries at 8pm every night to let us know she is ready for bed

She is not only walking, but hopping and running as well.

She loves anything with fabric and will carry it around like her most prized blankie.

She goes to bed without crying and wakes with just a whimper

She is passionate and affectionate.

and she is 1!

The Carlson clan

We enjoyed a great overnight visit with the Carlson Clan. 5 kids are a little crazy, but we are used to that! Patrick just adores the boys and Annika loves to take in all the action. Miss Nora just sits back and then quietly imitates what everyone else is doing!

After a fun photoshoot and pizza last night, we hung out at Oxbow park today.



Miss Nora

Mr. Leif

and Mr. Jacob


Patrick was so tired from a long week that instead of napping in his own bed he crashed on the chair.

Love my sleeping babies

Enjoying the 4th of July

This year we spent our holiday a little differently. We still enjoyed boat rides, the lake, playing cards, panpakes (according to Patrick) and staying up far to late. But we had the pleasure of enjoying these things with our friends Ali and Art.

Why they were interested in traveling through the back country of Minnesota to spend the weekend with us is beyond me, but we are glad they did!

Happy 4th!

Patrick left this week to hang with Nana and GB in South Dakota. So Annika is our only little babe here. Kinda fun to be down to one kid! She had on her dress for the 4th, and once again (ugh) she requested photos!


then she wanted something a little frillier (is that even a word?)

Lucky dadn't hadn't mowed that part of the lawn yet.. I may not let him either! I love the weeds! (well at least for photo ops!)

playdate fun

Shay and Alyssa were over the other day. The kids had a good time together, and of course by the end of the night no one wanted to leave!

They were all moving the entire time!

Always my little observer. I just love how he tucks back his hands and just take everything in.

Sometimes it is hard to wait your turn

11 months

ok, this is the best I have. My little 11 month old has been little Miss cranky pants every time I try to take her photos.


not sure it was much better than this or this.

pathetic little thing isn't she?

I swear she does have happier moments, just not when I need them!

So, 11months. only a couple short weeks before her big birthday bash. Oh this one will be fun, I have some great things coming. So, what has she been up to this month?

Walking has been the big thing. She took her first steps right before 11months. Now she is just practicing them. She'll now walk without being prompted, but is still not sure of herself.

Other tricks include kissing everything. Mostly characters/babies in bookes. But also all of us, baby dolls and just about anything that looks like it needs a kiss. She mostly does a wide mouth kiss, but will sometimes do cute little smacking sounds with it. She even attempted to blow a kiss today.

She is a climber. Climbs on anything she can. She is a waver. So cute to see her wave at cars as they drive by or really anyone she sees. She squeals at puppies especially.

She loves to eat. Most days she can't get enough. She loves strawberries this summer. We went to go pick some and she was covered, and so was I.

Unfortunately she has also been sick again. A trip to the ER, a first for us. Turns out it was just Roseola. Apparently pretty common in babies. high fever and yucky rash though. Also a couple more teeth are about to pop out soon to make a total of 8.

She didn't quite hit 18lbs yet, little thing.

well, lots of fun and smiling pictures up next month for sure!