Minnesota visit

Just a quick update of pictures for those of you wanting to know what I've been up to lately.
We went to Minnesota the weekend of the 12th to visit Aunt Kim, Uncle Jason, Carly and Molly. Well actually we went because Daddy wanted to go to an author signing of one of his favorite books and card games. Mom and I lucked out because it meant staying at Aunt Kim's for the weekend while he went to Minneapolis. We got to be lazy on Saturday morning. It was a yucky weather day so we stayed inside in our pajamas playing for awhile.
A little time to color in the morning.
Back at home trying on the boots Carly is lending me for the winter. Have to make sure they match my hat.
Mom has been brushing my teeth for awhile with a finger toothbrush but she was tired of getting bit so we finally got me a real toothbrush. I love good dental hygeine.

Here is a video of me walking with a purpose to the coat closet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Ss8G8-cZc


We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and for those we won't see we'll miss you!

Halloween etc.

We meant to update sooner, but just didn't have a chance. Blame Mom she's been stealing all the computer time writing papers for class. Finally some time to update though.

My absolute favorite new place to hang out. I LOVE to look out the window and wave at everyone. I only wish I was at the park all the time. I'm glad Gretchen was willing to share her steps with me. Every morning mommy and I wave at Daddy out the window as he drives away to work. It's a great morning routine.

I was trying to figure out how to get my camera to work to take a picture of Mommy working on painting the dining room. Mom and Dad painted the room, while I played with Ellie. She came to spend the weekend with us so she could help watch me while they painted. I wore her out in just a few hours.

Can you guess what I was for Halloween?!? Thanks to the McNeely family for sending me this wonderful gift which became my costume.

My babysitter for the weekend. Ellie is a lot of fun, but boy she gets tired quickly.

Emily, her parents and Gram and Bakka came up on Halloween to watch the Pumpkin Fest parade with us. Emily and I had a blast watching the parade. We're not really sure why our parents dressed us like a mouse and a bug. Mom and Aunt Chris thought it was hysterical to watch how we reacted to the politicians in the parade. I cheered for the republicans and turned my back and cried at the Democrats. Emily hid from the republicans and smiled and cheered for the Democrats. Too funny. Aunt Chris says Emily gets it from her dad...hehe.

Democrat or Republican we can still share a wagon together.

Not sure why Mommy left her slippers out, I think they fit me just fine!

Seriously Mommy and Daddy put this barn here and didn't think I'd use it as steps to get into my toybox. Do they not know me?

What does this coat make me look big? Don't you just love my new winter coat. Wait until it snows and you can see me in my winter coat and snowpants...let's just say CUTE!

Mommy and I had a play date with some of her old co-workers and their kids. Javi is 2 1/2, Marin is just a month younger than me and Tea is not in the picture she was napping. We had a lot of fun making a huge mess of Javi's house. Marin and I did help pick up before we left, but not without our moms making us.

Mommy showed me how to make zuchinni bread. I had the most fun cleaning the measuring cup out after the applesauce was in it. Yummy.

Just counting how many pieces of zuchinni we have. It's a very important job mom gave me.

I'm just trying out one of mommy's favorite games from when she was a kid. The game is called traffic jam and yep that's right you just keep moving cars like they're in a traffic jam. Yep that's right my mom is weird, but I'm willing to try and give the game a shot, as long as it involves my cars.

We'll post again soon, we're headed to Minnesota tomorrow to visit the Minnesota Schahls. I can't wait to see my cousins again!

15 months already

Hello world I am 15 months old now and completely unstoppable! I went to the doctor this week for a check-up not for being sick. I weighed in at a whopping 22 pounds (50th percentile) and I'm 31 1/2 inches tall (75th percentile). Mom was so excited to see I was above average for height, she was hoping some of Daddy's height genes would make it to me. The Dr. said I'm doing well and I certainly was taking a non-traditional route of getting my teeth. I now have 8 teeth and 1-2 on the way. I have my top middle four and bottom middle 2. Then I have random teeth in the back coming in, in no particular order. The doctor thought it was funny. Apparently the bottom front ones don't want to come in. I am getting really good at having my teeth brushed too. In other news I am still very clearly saying hi and bye at home, but at day care I say a couple more words. Ms. Keisha told mom, because she didn't realize I was holding out on mom and dad. At day care I've said thank you and excuse me. At least I have my manners, right?!?

On another one of my sick days (I took an entire week off of day care) Dad took me to McDonald's for a special treat after a doctor's appointment. Mom was at work and not excited to hear what I had for lunch.

Mom and I went to Jonomac Orchard again to meet Uncle Doug, Aunt Chris and Emily. They were there to pick out pumpkins. We were there just to tag along and have fun. Here Emily and I are in the big rocking chair.

We had a blast looking at pumpkins and posing for cute pictures.

Mom and Aunt Chris took the pumpkins to the car while Uncle Doug was in charge of rallying the troops. Wouldn't he have his hands full if he had twins?

Aunt Chris was kind enough to show me all the pictures I was in. I love to see myself.

On Sunday I hung out with Grandpa Gerken while Mom and Grandma went to a baby shower. He took me to the park so I could play and catch up with Gigi.

Someday I'll be able to climb this slide.

Grandma and Grandpa Gerken got me these way cool rain boots. It took me awhile to get used to wearing them, but now I love them. See those Molly someday you can wear them too!

Mommy and Daddy's little girl from the hood :)

I had Mickey's nose in my mouth and mom thought it was silly so she tried. Dad got a great picture of us. I was supposed to be in bed, but I didn't want anything to do with that.

Yep I definitely needed the boots and rain jacket today. I've been stuck inside all day, it's time for a walk. I have juice, boots, and my coat what else do I need?

I'm going whether you come with me or not!

My 15th month picture with Bear. This year we're going to do pictures every 3 months with me and Bear. It's hard to get me to sit still now though.

I was sort of whiny one night while mom was making dinner, so she got a great idea. She brought the dining room chair in for me to stand on and help her. We made tacos for dinner that night and lasagna for dinner later in the week. I even got to shake the basil into the sauce mix. It was fun reading the directions and prepping dinner.

At bedtime I get a little silly. I love my tea set, but this particular night I thought hmm I have two teacups and two feet, well of course they must be FOR my feet. I tried to wear them, but it was very difficult to walk.

I'm such a silly girl, and that is why Mommy and Daddy love me. I make them laugh a lot!

Daddy and I reading the paper after dinner one night. I think my Dad is just about the coolest thing ever (have to leave my options open, can't say coolest).

Video of me with my teacup shoes!

Home sick

Mom and I are home sick today so it's your lucky day we have time to update the blog. I know, I know twice in one week, WOW!
This past Saturday I went to my first NIU football game. It was so much fun and even better Northern won. There was lots of people watching to do and lots of cheering and clapping. Here dad and I are on the way to the game. It was great weather..well it did get a little warm, in the nineties.
Enjoying the game, well actually half-time at this point.
Mom and I in our NIU Huskie shirts. I was so good at the game that as long as I'm feeling better I get to go to the NIU homecoming game next weekend.
After the game we headed to Dixon for Emily's first birthday party. She got this cool wagon from Gramma and Bakka. So Emily, me, and our friend Connor checked it out.

Emily's party was so much fun we even had a petting zoo. Ok really it was at Gramma and Bakka's farm, but I hadn't seen the goats before.Isaac really wanted to ride in the wagon on the way back to the cabin so we piled in even closer. Isaac had second thoughts about this decision later when he had the weight of 3 kids leaning on him.
Emily's mom made that birthday cake and it was made out of baby food. Very cool. They even let her play with fire...my parents didn't let me do that for my birthday.
Emily's parents gave us goodie bags and inside mine was a sucker. Mom wasn't sure about me having, but Dad had a different idea. This might explain why I'm a daddy's girl right now. Needless to say I ended up with a sticky neck, hands, arms, and hair. A bath was definitely in store for me after that mess.
This may not be the best picture, but this is very important. See that pink coat, well it's AMAZING! I mean seriously have you ever seen anything so cute? I love this coat, I mean really love it. In fact every morning once I'm dressed I try to get it on and insist that mom and dad put it on me. I begrudgingly give it up at day care, but Ms. Keisha has to hide it from me or else I try to wear it all day. It doesn't matter if it's 90 degrees I still think the pink coat is necessary. Here I am modeling it in just my diaper. I am borrowing this from my cousin Carly and apparently she was just as attached to the coat as I am. I don't wonder why it's fuzzy, warm and just the cutest thing you ever did see.
So here is how a sick day is spent at home with dad. I may be sick, but a good pair of shoes and a cute purse can definitely make a person feel better.
What, why are you looking at me like that, is there something wrong with my outfit. I think the purse matches.
Here is how a sick day is spent with mom. She was cleaning her and ad's bedroom and I insisted on playing in Gretchen's kennel. Mom said she had to post the picture of me climbing in the kennel so no one would think she put me in there.
I have cheerios and the remote, what else could I need?
Here are mom's amazing (best yet and probably ever) deals. All of this food cost her $1.24
And all of this food cost her $1.50.

Ok well mom says I have to get my rest, so we'll talk later. We hope you enjoyed the blog post and I'll try to post again soon. Next week mom and I will be up to no good since Dad is leaving us for a week for a training.