Summer 2009

So sorry I have been horrible about updating this lately! We have been quite the busy family and I just haven't been doing much. Our business started in May when they finally took my Dad in for triple bypass surgery. Allie & I got to spend some time down with Mom, Kim & Brent in Rochester while he was in. Stressful time but Allie's big smile and happy personality kept everyone (including other families) occupied. Thank god for that! Surgery was a success and Dad is feeling much better...just bored!

June brought us graduation parties...afternoons with old and dear friends...deck building parties...

June also brought us our big decision to put our house up for sale. Allie & all her toys are creating a space issue & we really just want to get out in the country somewhere with some space for Matt and Jasmine of course...farm boys should never live in the city! We have been cleaning and finishing those last minute projects. The sign officially went up last Monday. There were 2 showings last week right away & another 2 scheduled already for this week. Keep your fingers crossed that it will go quick!

Miss Allie has had a few big accomplishments of her own...She can pull herself up (well maybe with a little help, but almost on her own). Here she is watching Daddy fix some siding on the back of the house. And her biggest accomplishment to date is her new crawling expertise. We're really in trouble now. She never sits still!

We hope everyone else is having as fun of a summer that we are! I promise to keep this more up to date in the days and weeks to come.

Allie's First Twins Game

Sunday morning Allie woke up bright and early. She knew it was the day we were gonna head down to the cities for her very first Twins game! Right after she ate her breakfast, she took out her Twins baseball and started to play!
We got to the Dome early...wanted to relax and enjoy the warmth that just a few short miles south of us actually had! We met up with Uncle Nater and our friends Mike and Lizzie, hung out on the plaza and watched all the crazy Twins fans.

Allie was pretty good through most of the game. She didn't eat much and didn't sleep much since there was so much going on, people and noise everywhere.

After the 7th inning when the Twins didn't feel much like winning (why do they always lose steam and WHY can't they ever win when we are at the game???), Allie decided she had had a long enough day at the ball park and that she needed a nap!

What Is This Stuff?

What is this stuff? I'm having fun hanging out in Grandpa's yard, sitting in the grass, playing ball with Jasmine.

HMMM...I supposed I could get used to this. Its fun to grab and stick in my mouth. Is it as good for me as those brussel sprouts you make me eat?

No...I'm thinking not.

Spring has Sprung

SOOOO Happy that Spring is FINALLY here. Of course that doesn't mean too much up here in Northern Minnesota where there are still snow piles in the backyard (sure wish they would go away so we could clean up after a Jasmine filled winter!

But that does mean we get to start wearing our cute spring clothes and experiencing so many new things that we couldn't do in the winter...

Easter weekend took us to Southern Minnesota to visit the grandparents. Allie experienced quite a few firsts (and from the looks of it so did Shawn...nice shades...they fit you well!)

First Talegating Party...of course it was right after the first trip to the Channel Inn for lunch...

Our first visit from the Easter Bunny...doesn't she look like she is having so much fun in that basket?

Her first pretty Easter dress and white MaryJanes...too bad she drooled all over the front within seconds of putting it on...


This is just the first of many "firsts" as spring and summer approach. We can't wait to share them all with you! HAPPY SUNSHINE DAYS!

Good-bye Grandpa Pete

I am so proud that my little Allie got a chance to meet her Great Grandpa Pete before he passed away this past Saturday. I wish she could have known him like I did...kisses on his bald head, Saturday Band Wagon , peanuts & red licorice, and Friday nights at the Moose Lodge ("I'll have a fill-et mig-non red please"). There are so many great memories of him and I can only hope that Allie gets to spend time and know both her Grandpa's as I knew mine!

We love you and miss you Grandpa

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Just want to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

And we hope you have a very Happy Birthday Grandpa Stanley!

We would also like to say that we are glad you are feeling better Grandpa Dick, and are so glad you are at home now! We hope to see you soon!

Goin' Swimmin'

We took Allie for her first swim last night and I don't think she really knew what to think about the whole thing! Our friends Phil & Amber, and their two little girls Madeline & Ella are up visiting for the weekend and invited us to join them at the Edge waterpark. Allie did well, at least no crying, and even got to go down her first waterslide! We're looking forward to this summer when we can take her out swimmin' more often!