Family Fun in the Fall

In my efforts to bring this blog into 2009, I present...random photos from our fall 2008 family events.

Before a date with my sweet love. (Thank you, Shauna!)

On Pearl Street, jammin' with the CU marching band before a big weekend game. (Thanks for the photo, Meg.)

For M's birthday, A gave her a nifty little fishing pole. This fall, they made several visits to the catch-and-release kids' fishing pond a few blocks from our house.

So proud of themselves. What cuties.

Whoa there, little fella.

E thinks she might want to try her hand at fishing...

...but then quickly realizes she feels the same way I do about fishing.

With the girls at the fabulous Lohse wedding (from left: Meggan, me, Kelly, Natalie, and Julie)

M's first big climb on her own. Way to go, macho girl!

Another Munchkin Masquerade

For Halloween this year, M was a blowfish (her request many months in advance) and E was a frog. A and I created the blowfish costume together. After many conversations and sketches, I turned a pink sheet from a thrift store into Mr. Blowfish 2008. Very fun. Very what-in-the-world-am-I-doing. E's outfit was purchased at a garage sale for two dollars. Once we put it on her, we realized it was a tad too small, so we cut open the feet and did not make her wear the frog-head hood. Plus, it was blazing hot for the end of October, so she got to John-Travolta-style with her zipper unzipped. Niiiiice.

Playgroup Halloween party

Headed to our fourth Munchkin Masquerade
M with her buddy J, a.k.a The Hulk

Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Pumpkin with Little Miss Frog and Pinky the Blowfish

She's three!

A few weeks after E's birthday, M hit the big number three. She is our full-of-life, full-of-imagination, delightful little girl who's growing up right before our eyes. She loves asking questions, dancing, and playing with her friends (both kids and grown-ups). M, we love you, precious girl, and we thank God for who He's making you to be.

Swinging with Daddy

On a date with Shauna

Rockin' it Barbie-style (thanks, Jonathan and Brittany, for the Target gift certificate!)Making princess cookies

Much concentration required

A night with Julie!

Love you, M.

That's right, folks. I'm three. (Celebrating early with extended family.)

Helping Mommy make the long-awaited piggy cake

(Thanks, Aunt A, for the last-minute piggy assistance!)

Celebrating with friends.

Happy three-year-old M

She's one!

E turned one. She embraced it wholeheartedly. It's been an amazing first year with you, little girl. We love you and the joy you bring our family. Happy 1st Birthday to you, sweet daughter!

The one-year-old

Hand-lickin' good

She started out with clothes, but, you know...

The aftermath

Up North!

To continue our summer fun, we moved from one family lake cottage to the next. We then had a lovely couple of days with A's side of the family. We walked to the candy store every day (this has greatly impacted M's life), and we watched a ton of Olympics every night. Fantastic family times.

A with M on the same dock he used to walk on as a wee one

M loved every minute she got to spend with her cousins

My coffee-loving father-in-law, whom I love

Oh, how I love this child
Rockin' the kids' table

Blonde children of the world: unite!

The line-up

Granny and her great-grandchildren

The extended clan

M having tea with the ladies