Swimming

Like last summer, Addie and I go to our local community pool 2 times a week.  I don't really give it justice when I call it the "community pool."  It's really a fabulous water park with an amazing toddler pool, lazy river, water slides...it has something for people of all ages!  Patrick joins us if he happens to be home on a swimming day.

Go Cubs Go!

We spent several days last week down in Chicago.  Patrick and I went to a great ball game at Wrigley Field (Cubs 5 - Cardinals 0), and Addie cheered the Cubs on back at grandma's house.   Truth be told, we don't go out often without Addie.  I think we had almost forgotten how simple it is to go out without a child....no stroller, diapers, snacks, sippy cup, bandaids, antibacterial wipes to bring along...  Let's just say we enjoyed our day!  And we knew Addie was having a blast with grandma so that put our minds at ease.

Addie fell in love with grandma & grandpa's cat, Toby.  She chased him around the house and used him as her pillow, literally.

Addie and grandma had lots of time playing together.  While Patrick flew out for work for a couple of days, Addie and I stayed a few extra days with grandma & grandpa.

Auntie Katlyn & Addie

Addie with grandpa

One of Addie's favorite things to do these days is coloring with crayons.  She was in crayon heaven when grandma pulled out the "Big Box" with 96 colors in it!  Thanks grandma & grandpa for a great few days with you!

Road Trip: Burlington, Iowa

We have extended family spread throughout the country, and we never see them as often as we would like.  But when we do visit them or they visit us, we love sharing our daughter with them.  I think for that reason, our trip to Iowa this past week was particularly special.  Adeline really engaged with everyone.  She learned everyone's names and pronounced them pretty well.   When she wanted someone's attention, she would call out their name!   Her memory and vocabulary are phenomenal these days...she is like a sponge absorbing everything she sees and hears.  Addie likes to assert her independence too...she is quite a hoot!

"I think I will go for a walk...by myself..."

Addie's & my first time on a horse!

After I saw these pictures of us on the horse, I realized how terrible it was that Patrick and I wore helmets to protect our own heads but our 1.5 year old daughter didn't have one!....I have no good reason to give you...just that there wasn't a helmet her size around.  But please know that she was only on the horse for a brief time! :)

We spent time with Addie's great-grandpa for part of each day we were in Iowa.  Addie was quite a hit at the senior home!  We wish we could see him more often than a couple of times a year!

spending time at grandpa's office (and doing really crazy things to grandpa's computer)

Going out to dinner with grandma and grandpa

Auntie Kay & Uncle Eric with Addie

Addie couldn't get enough of her cousins Kyra & Ella.  Fortunately for Addie, the girls helped take care of her and played with her all the time! 

Eric & Patrick with Grandpa

Grandpa with his 3 great-granddaughters

 

When I look at this series of photos, I realize what a big girl Addie is becoming, how quickly she's growing up...

Summer's flyin' by...

We spent the day with Henry, while his parents went to 2 weddings in 1 day.  Addie loved having him around the house and for a couple days following, she walked around calling, "Hennn......eeeeeeeee" (in her sing-song voice).

 

Over the Fourth of July weekend, we headed up to the cabin for a couple of days.  Adeline took a liking to having her very own "ice cream in a cup" at the ice cream shoppe!

Our friend Todd was offered a great job opportunity in Greensboro, NC.  Addie will miss "uncle Todd." Patrick and Todd have been great friends for quite a few years.  

Addie and I went to storytime at the "Wild Rumpus."  It's a sweet, quaint children's bookshop in Minneapolis.  Look how perfect this door is for little kids!

At the zoo with good friend Katy and her nephew Miles...fun times!