We will update this week with a couple of pictures from my and Dad's big weekend and mom and I trying out my new bike trailer.
Monday, June 28, 2010
My Birthday Invite
Mom made this adorable birthday invite, and even though we can't invite everyone (I tried, mom and dad said no). We thought everyone could appreciate the invite.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Father's Day Weekend 2010
We had another fun weekend around the Gerken house. Dad had Friday off to watch USA play World Cup soccer. So we all had an extended weekend. Daddy was not to happy at the referee of the game, I guess our team should have won, but insted tied. I don't much care about the game, but it was fun to play with Dad's USA scarf. I hear we have 3 more weeks of soccer to watch.
On Saturday we got up early and headed to Joliet for Dad to run in a Warrior Dash. I've been to races to watch Dad before and none have been quite like this. I also got my first ride on a school bus. No carseats, no seatbelts, just sitting on mom's lap and looking out the window. It was so cool to be able to see everything passing us by. So we rode the bus to the race site and then we waited for Dad's time to start. Ther was a band playing (Dad said they were horrible). I thought the music was great and we danced around. Here I am posing with Dad pre-race.
See how good Dad looks before the race, now look at after the race. I told you it was like no other race we've been to.
Umm, Dad what is that stuff on your face? You are filthy I think you need a bath.
So you might ask yourself how he got so messy. Well, the warrior dash is a 5K that includes obstacles like climbing over hay bales, up a rope ladder, across planks, jumping fire, under barbed wire through mud, over hills, over cars, etc. Mom and I weren't able to see all of the obstacles, but we did see Dad on the rope ladder, jumping fire and going under the barbed wire. It looked like a lot of fun and I kept begging mom to let me get out of my stroller and play, but she wouldn't let me. Since it had rained for days before the event, even the spectator area was muddy. When we got home we even had to hose down my stroller. (Dad is the one jumping over fire on the right in this picture)
Here's Dad climbing through the mud under the barbed wire. I'm a champion crawler, I bet I could have beaten him at this obstacle.
After the race Dad had to get cleaned up, good thing I brought my baby wipes with me. While he got cleaned up and changed I hung out in the car making some important phone calls and catching up with text messages.
On Sunday we celebrated Father's Day by having Grandma and Grandpa Gerken, Gigi, Uncle Brett, Bakka, Aunt Jen, Isaac, Ellie, Uncle Doug, Aunt Chris, and Emily over. It was fun, but we missed Uncle Andrew, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Jason, Aunt Kim, Gramma, Carly and Molly (I hear this is my newest cousin, but I haven't met her yet). Daddy picked out my outfit for today, and everyone loved my party dress.
Before everyone arrived, Gretchen and I played outside. She played ball and I played cars and bubbles. Big news, I like bubbles now. They used to scare me, but not anymore. I even tried to eat them.
These are the cupcakes mom made for Father's Day. She has been taking a cake decorating class. I guess that is her excuse for why there haven't been as many pictures taken of me lately. Luckily, the class is almost over and we can get that problem fixed. I hear she has an idea already for my first birthday cake, but she won't tell me. Ooh I can't wait to see it!
Sorry no good pictures of the actual event because Dad was busy grilling and mom was busy getting everything set up. I guess I need to learn how to use the camera so I can be the photographer while they work. Hmmm, maybe we should hire a photographer to take the pictures of my first birthday party. Anyways, after everyone left, we watched Aladdin (well Mom and Dad watched while I played, though I did stop to dance whenever a song came on). Notice Dad has ice on his knee....an injury from that crazy warrior dash!
One last picture that dad snapped while I was hosting a tea party. I invited Mommy, Gretchen and Bear, it was a wonderful event with tea and cookies.
I hope you enjoyed my update, who knows what our next update might entail. Mom is headed out of town for a girls 30th birthday weekend while Dad and I are left to hold down the fort. Oh boy it's going to be crazy!
On Saturday we got up early and headed to Joliet for Dad to run in a Warrior Dash. I've been to races to watch Dad before and none have been quite like this. I also got my first ride on a school bus. No carseats, no seatbelts, just sitting on mom's lap and looking out the window. It was so cool to be able to see everything passing us by. So we rode the bus to the race site and then we waited for Dad's time to start. Ther was a band playing (Dad said they were horrible). I thought the music was great and we danced around. Here I am posing with Dad pre-race.See how good Dad looks before the race, now look at after the race. I told you it was like no other race we've been to.Umm, Dad what is that stuff on your face? You are filthy I think you need a bath.So you might ask yourself how he got so messy. Well, the warrior dash is a 5K that includes obstacles like climbing over hay bales, up a rope ladder, across planks, jumping fire, under barbed wire through mud, over hills, over cars, etc. Mom and I weren't able to see all of the obstacles, but we did see Dad on the rope ladder, jumping fire and going under the barbed wire. It looked like a lot of fun and I kept begging mom to let me get out of my stroller and play, but she wouldn't let me. Since it had rained for days before the event, even the spectator area was muddy. When we got home we even had to hose down my stroller. (Dad is the one jumping over fire on the right in this picture)Here's Dad climbing through the mud under the barbed wire. I'm a champion crawler, I bet I could have beaten him at this obstacle.After the race Dad had to get cleaned up, good thing I brought my baby wipes with me. While he got cleaned up and changed I hung out in the car making some important phone calls and catching up with text messages.On Sunday we celebrated Father's Day by having Grandma and Grandpa Gerken, Gigi, Uncle Brett, Bakka, Aunt Jen, Isaac, Ellie, Uncle Doug, Aunt Chris, and Emily over. It was fun, but we missed Uncle Andrew, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Jason, Aunt Kim, Gramma, Carly and Molly (I hear this is my newest cousin, but I haven't met her yet). Daddy picked out my outfit for today, and everyone loved my party dress.Before everyone arrived, Gretchen and I played outside. She played ball and I played cars and bubbles. Big news, I like bubbles now. They used to scare me, but not anymore. I even tried to eat them.These are the cupcakes mom made for Father's Day. She has been taking a cake decorating class. I guess that is her excuse for why there haven't been as many pictures taken of me lately. Luckily, the class is almost over and we can get that problem fixed. I hear she has an idea already for my first birthday cake, but she won't tell me. Ooh I can't wait to see it!Sorry no good pictures of the actual event because Dad was busy grilling and mom was busy getting everything set up. I guess I need to learn how to use the camera so I can be the photographer while they work. Hmmm, maybe we should hire a photographer to take the pictures of my first birthday party. Anyways, after everyone left, we watched Aladdin (well Mom and Dad watched while I played, though I did stop to dance whenever a song came on). Notice Dad has ice on his knee....an injury from that crazy warrior dash!One last picture that dad snapped while I was hosting a tea party. I invited Mommy, Gretchen and Bear, it was a wonderful event with tea and cookies.I hope you enjoyed my update, who knows what our next update might entail. Mom is headed out of town for a girls 30th birthday weekend while Dad and I are left to hold down the fort. Oh boy it's going to be crazy!Sunday, June 13, 2010
Trucks, Cars, and Farms...what more could a girl ask for?!?
I've been busy the last couple of weeks, playing, working on my crawling and my standing. Mom and Dad thought we should update with some pictures and video though of what I've been up to.
I am very mischievous these days. I have taken a liking to Gretchen's food and Mom and Dad don't like that. One day mom ran out to the car to get groceries (she was gone like 15 seconds) by the time she got back I had shut the back door on her, to buy myself some escape time. By the time she got the door open with all the groceries in her hand I was making a mad dash out of the kitchen. Mom knew something was up so she ran after me and she busted me. I had four pieces of dog food in my mouth. I have to work on my escape better. I also really enjoy taking all the books off my book shelf. Often times when mom and dad can't find me I'm sitting in the dark in my room reading my books and taking them off the shelves. I'm such a good reader, so they don't complain.
While Dad was at another work conference Mom and I headed to Dixon for my cousin Emily's Baptism. Here I am with my Aunt Jen and the cousins who were there that day. I really like Emily's hair, so I'm trying to pull it in this picture.
Isaac loves to play with me. He even unloaded what he was hauling so he could give me a ride.
I also brought my car to show Isaac and then he showed me these cool dump trucks. We had a good time playing together at the farm. It was a little wet to play at Bakka Park so we just played on the patio instead.
Mom and I have Fridays in the summer off so we get to hit up all the garage sales early in the morning. This past Friday we hit the jackpot. We got a little people farm, a little people car wash (with all the cars, animals, and people) and a fridge farm all for $9. Mom later found out brand new the toys are worth over $100, yep we're bargain shoppers. While I napped mom washed it all and boy was I excited when I got to play with all my new toys. I even decided to wear my farm girl outfit today to fit in with my toys!
On Saturday my friend Kayleigh, who is 6 months older than me, came over to play. She is shy and it took her awhile to warm up to me; I guess part of that could be because I was really excited that she came and I couldn't stop touching her and the neat buttons on her shirt. I guess no one can call me shy. We had a fun afternoon until I got grumpy. What can I say when I'm tired, I'm tired, I hear I get that from my mom.
See all four of my teeth. I'm pretty proud of them and know mom and dad let me have cheese. It is sooooo yummy, and I found out Gretchen likes it just as much as me!
In other news I started standing on my own this weekend. It started with just a few seconds, but now I can stand for almost a minute, but usually when I realize that I'm doing it I get nervous and grab for something or sit down. Mom and Dad keep saying how big I'm getting.
And now some vidoes. The first one is of me demonstrating how I can climb stairs now. The one bad thing is I climb one stair and then want to sit down, which usually means falling backwards.
This video is of my trying out my rocking chair for the first time. The very first time I sat in it I figured out how to make it rock. Yep, I'm a genius!
Uncle Brett came to visit this past weekend to watch World Cup Soccer with dad, but he had some free time to play with me too. We were so busy we didn't get any pictures, but did get this fun video of the two of us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKHyP3n8hLo
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A Relaxing Weekend
Before the new update, I forgot to post my 10 month picture! Can you believe it I'm 10 months old, almost time for my first birthday party! 
Last week was a long week of everyone in our house being sick, so we decided to spend the entire weekend at home relaxing, catching up on sleep, and getting healthy. It was so much fun and now we all feel better.
Mom fed me prunes for the first time and I liked them. They were so messy that I decided to try to condition my hair with them. Bonus after doing that I got to get a bath; what better way to cool off. It was a hot weekend in DeKalb and Mom and Dad said no air conditioning yet.
Mom is so excited about all the hair I'm finally getting that she decided to try out a new hairstyle. 
Gretchen and I love to play together, but she loves to play run away best. I don't understand why she always runs away from me. I even pick up her toys and bring them to her, but she just runs and hides. I even help her by emptying her toy basket for her, I'm such a good little sister.
I think Gretchen's tail is the coolest thing ever. It swings back and forth very fast, it's like it's tempting me to grab it. I can't help myself.
Ha. I got the tail, now what do I do with it? Luckily Gretchen tolerates me very well. Lately though I'm not allowed in the kitchen when she eats because I like to interrupt her eating and she doesn't like that. I also LOVE her water bowl. It's soooo much fun to dump over and splash the water on the kitchen floor. For some reason Mom and Dad don't think it's as much fun as I do, and I even heard Dad's mean voice a couple times this weekend. I don't like that voice. He told me NO! Wait until I tell my Grandmas about that, they are not going to be happy that he was so mean to me.
Gretchen relaxing from the tiring weekend spent with me. I guess she didn't want me to take any of her toys, she was guarding them all.
I love to stand at the door and look out. Usually I bang on the window and talk to everyone walking by. There is always something to watch at the park across the street.
Mom fed me prunes for the first time and I liked them. They were so messy that I decided to try to condition my hair with them. Bonus after doing that I got to get a bath; what better way to cool off. It was a hot weekend in DeKalb and Mom and Dad said no air conditioning yet. Mom is so excited about all the hair I'm finally getting that she decided to try out a new hairstyle. 
Gretchen and I love to play together, but she loves to play run away best. I don't understand why she always runs away from me. I even pick up her toys and bring them to her, but she just runs and hides. I even help her by emptying her toy basket for her, I'm such a good little sister.I think Gretchen's tail is the coolest thing ever. It swings back and forth very fast, it's like it's tempting me to grab it. I can't help myself.Ha. I got the tail, now what do I do with it? Luckily Gretchen tolerates me very well. Lately though I'm not allowed in the kitchen when she eats because I like to interrupt her eating and she doesn't like that. I also LOVE her water bowl. It's soooo much fun to dump over and splash the water on the kitchen floor. For some reason Mom and Dad don't think it's as much fun as I do, and I even heard Dad's mean voice a couple times this weekend. I don't like that voice. He told me NO! Wait until I tell my Grandmas about that, they are not going to be happy that he was so mean to me.Gretchen relaxing from the tiring weekend spent with me. I guess she didn't want me to take any of her toys, she was guarding them all.
I love to stand at the door and look out. Usually I bang on the window and talk to everyone walking by. There is always something to watch at the park across the street.Here are some videos of this weekend since many of you haven't seen me in awhile I wanted to show you how big I'm getting. I even play with cars now! Mom and I are getting ready for some girl time this week since Dad is leaving us Wednesday to go to a conference. We are hoping it is much less eventful than his last trip.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Daddy's Finally Home
Daddy left a week ago Saturday for a work conference in Charleston, SC. He was gone a REALLY long time, or least I thought it was a long time. He didn't get back until this past Friday night (I was already asleep). He had some trouble with connecting flights and rather than getting home at 10 he didn't get home until midnight, mom was really tired waiting up for him. Mom and I had a good week, but I know we were both excited to have him home.
Trying out a new toy we got from a garage sale while Dad tends to the garden. I can't make it go by myself yet, but mom likes to push me and I love it when we go fast. After my fun day outside mom and dad said I was filthy and it was straight to the tub. It was the dirtiest I've ever been. I bet there are lots more days like that this summer.
On Sunday the weather was so nice that we got all sunscreened up and headed to the park (not the one right by our house, but a bigger one). Dad found these new sunglasses in a hand me down bag, what a find! Yea, I know I'm cute.
Dad might think twice about leaving mom and I home along again because we did some renovations. The minute dad left we started prepping the bathroom. It went from seafoam green and plane jane to very fun and up to date. It is much nicer now. Dad was surprised when he got home, and I think he likes it.
We were having a great week and getting lots of things done around the house and then Tuesday night happened (not a good night for mom). Gretchen ended up being really sick (mom doesn't handle cleaning it up well) and I ended up with pink eye. My eye got gunky, red and puffy. Mom took a picture on her phone and sent it to dad so he could see. It looked like I had been beaten up. I got medicine right away, which helped, but now I'm still fighting a cold. It was a long rest of the week with waking up in the middle of the night coughing and nose running. But the one nice thing was after the rough Tuesday night we got to stay home and in our pajamas most of the day since I was contagious and couldn't go to day care. It was a fun day.
Now that I can crawl and stand up really fast I get into lots of trouble!
At Hopkins Park, where walked to on Sunday afternoon. Dad showing me the slide, I'm still not to sure about it.
I always love a good swing though.
Ready for the walk back home from the park. It was hot out (90 degrees), good thing I have my juice to quench my thirst.
Trying out a new toy we got from a garage sale while Dad tends to the garden. I can't make it go by myself yet, but mom likes to push me and I love it when we go fast. After my fun day outside mom and dad said I was filthy and it was straight to the tub. It was the dirtiest I've ever been. I bet there are lots more days like that this summer.Friday, May 7, 2010
Gramma Kitson's very memorable 60th Birthday
Sorry it has been awhile since I last updated. We have been busy. Last weekend Mom, Dad and I headed out of town to Wisconsin Dells to celebrate my Gramma's 60th birthday (wow 60 whole years, I'm not even one, that's a lot of years.) Gramma's surprise birthday weekend was a blast, but the real "excitement" making it so memorable came when we are all safely home.
Here I am at home after the weekend sporting my new shades that Gramma bought for me for her birthday. Does this mean I have to buy her a gift for my birthday, hmmm.
Friday night we all went to MooseJaw and waited for Bakka to show up with Gramma, she thought he was just taking her away for the weekend. Little did she know we were all waiting (all 15 of us). Gramma sporting the funny hat they give you at the restaurant.
Here I am eyeing dad's flight of beers. Yummy, when do I get to try those?
The cabin we all stayed in had 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a foosball table, a pool table, and a 12 seat theater. Dad and I got to enjoy a They Might be Giants video in the morning while we waited for everyone else to wake up.
Saturday afternoon I had my first experience in a pool and wearing a swimming suit. I look cute in my swimming suit, but I'm still unsure of the pool. My bathtub is much warmer and smaller, pools are going to take some getting used to, but I thought my raft was kind of neat.
Mom and I all warmed up with our towels. I was much more content to just watch everyone.
Later after the pool, we got all cleaned up and into our jammies. Mom and Dad let me stay up a little late because my afternoon nap was 3 1/2 hours long. It's tiring hanging out with all my cousins. Isaac and Carly found a frog outside and they were trying to show me it. I didn't really understand, but I think everything they do is really cool, so I just follow along.
Emily and I hung out a lot over the weekend. I really am 3 months older even though it doesn't look like it. A couple of times people even asked if we were twins, silly people.
Gramma got Carly, Emily, and I these sunglasses, and we tried to take a picture all together, but those other two kids wouldn't cooperate. This was the best picture. I, of course, sat perfectly still with the sunglasses on and just waited for the photo. Mom and Dad were so proud of me.
A cute picture of Mom, Dad, and I outside of Paul Bunyans, which is where we ate for breakfast and will never eat at again. Everyone looks so happy in this picture, who knew that less than 10 hours later 9 of the 16 people who ate there in our group would have horrible food poisoning. Dad luckily didn't get it, only Mom did so he was able to take care of me while Mom was sick. I've never seen Mom so sick. Dad even had to take me to day care and pick me up because Mom laid on the couch all day long.
We stopped in New Glaris, Wi on the way home so we could go on a brewery tour. Here Daddy and Uncle Doug are trying to make it look like Emily is holding me off a big rock. Silly Daddy's
Me on my first beer tour. It was fun and a nice break from the car ride.
Daddy and I enjoying the weather and the view outside the brewery while he enjoys his beverage. So like I said once we got home, Mom got sick as well as lots of other family members. Luckily they are all doing much better now. To add to the "excitement" of the weekend Ellie scrapped her ankle while at the pool and earlier this week it became infected and now she has a really swollen, red ankle and is on lots of medicine. I don't think we'll be doing any more big family trips for awhile after all the memories we've made from this trip. I had fun though.
Have a great weekend and mother's day everyone.
Here I am at home after the weekend sporting my new shades that Gramma bought for me for her birthday. Does this mean I have to buy her a gift for my birthday, hmmm.
Friday night we all went to MooseJaw and waited for Bakka to show up with Gramma, she thought he was just taking her away for the weekend. Little did she know we were all waiting (all 15 of us). Gramma sporting the funny hat they give you at the restaurant.
Here I am eyeing dad's flight of beers. Yummy, when do I get to try those?
The cabin we all stayed in had 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a foosball table, a pool table, and a 12 seat theater. Dad and I got to enjoy a They Might be Giants video in the morning while we waited for everyone else to wake up.
Saturday afternoon I had my first experience in a pool and wearing a swimming suit. I look cute in my swimming suit, but I'm still unsure of the pool. My bathtub is much warmer and smaller, pools are going to take some getting used to, but I thought my raft was kind of neat.
Mom and I all warmed up with our towels. I was much more content to just watch everyone.
Later after the pool, we got all cleaned up and into our jammies. Mom and Dad let me stay up a little late because my afternoon nap was 3 1/2 hours long. It's tiring hanging out with all my cousins. Isaac and Carly found a frog outside and they were trying to show me it. I didn't really understand, but I think everything they do is really cool, so I just follow along.
Emily and I hung out a lot over the weekend. I really am 3 months older even though it doesn't look like it. A couple of times people even asked if we were twins, silly people.
Gramma got Carly, Emily, and I these sunglasses, and we tried to take a picture all together, but those other two kids wouldn't cooperate. This was the best picture. I, of course, sat perfectly still with the sunglasses on and just waited for the photo. Mom and Dad were so proud of me.
A cute picture of Mom, Dad, and I outside of Paul Bunyans, which is where we ate for breakfast and will never eat at again. Everyone looks so happy in this picture, who knew that less than 10 hours later 9 of the 16 people who ate there in our group would have horrible food poisoning. Dad luckily didn't get it, only Mom did so he was able to take care of me while Mom was sick. I've never seen Mom so sick. Dad even had to take me to day care and pick me up because Mom laid on the couch all day long.
We stopped in New Glaris, Wi on the way home so we could go on a brewery tour. Here Daddy and Uncle Doug are trying to make it look like Emily is holding me off a big rock. Silly Daddy's
Me on my first beer tour. It was fun and a nice break from the car ride.
Daddy and I enjoying the weather and the view outside the brewery while he enjoys his beverage. So like I said once we got home, Mom got sick as well as lots of other family members. Luckily they are all doing much better now. To add to the "excitement" of the weekend Ellie scrapped her ankle while at the pool and earlier this week it became infected and now she has a really swollen, red ankle and is on lots of medicine. I don't think we'll be doing any more big family trips for awhile after all the memories we've made from this trip. I had fun though. Have a great weekend and mother's day everyone.
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