Art Show: September 26, 2007

Our fridge has become a gallery for all the wonderful works of art Abby creates at daycare.

Her specialties thus far have included: finger painting, water colors, leaf rubbings.

Abby's B/F/F Haley - 9-25-07

We had a date with our newest littlest friend tonight...Haley DesJardins.

She is a very nice girl.

Abby is learning how to be gentle with her new friend.

SCORE! -- 9-23-07: Barbie kitchen

Abby & I were out cruising...when up on North Shore Drive....by the big fancy rich people's houses, what did we spy but a Barbie kitchen set....with a FREE sign...up for grabs!

I felt a little bit strange "dumpster diving"...but I can spot a good score when I see one.

So one spray bottle of Lysol disinfectant later...Abby had a FANTASTIC new plaything...and I had self-justified my decision by determining it was an "Eco-Friendly" choice a la reduce, reuse, recycle.

Another viewpoint on the matter...one (rich) man's trash is a little girl's treasure!

Hide & Seek ~ 9-22-07

We got to spend Saturday with Evan & Emma (and the rest of the Tuma/Schliemann family!)

Abby & Evan & Emma struck up a game of Hide & Seek versus Joe and Carrie.

The kids's favorite hiding spot was behind the sectional.

They would sneak behind the sofa and sent the window blinds a clutering and clanking when they brushed by them but seemed to believe they were very stealthily tucked away.

Rub-a-dub-dub! ~ 9-21-07

Per popular request...I present recent bathtub photos.

Hard at Work: 9-20-07

Abby shows an early knack for academic life.

Sharewood Forest - Sept 16, 2007

Sharewood Forest is a super fun playground in Forest Lake.

We went there today to have some fun in the nice fall sun.

The Kimber-Tom Housewarming Party ~ 9/15/07

My friends Lindsey & Brad just bought a new home in St. Francis. Abby & I made a "cameo" at the Housewarming Party on Saturday....and we are so glad we did! What a fun time!

We got to catch up with our friend Peyton Carlson.
We also got a chance to meet Peyton's new baby brother Grady.

What a sweet boy!

Bri & Peyton

Bri & Abby

Abby got to meet Alex & Aliyah Arndt.

And they all hit it off right away.

Abby chasing Alex.

Peyton got in on the action too...poor Alex got tackled by these two crazies!
Everyone was giggling and having a good time.

Pig Roast at the Boltons - Sept 8, 2007

During Jesse James Days in Northfield, our friends the Boltons hosted a pig roast at their home.
We got a chance to visit with a lot of our friends and their kids.

Here are some photos of Abby playing with Alexis Rezac.

(Not pictured but also present...Olivia Bolton, Breanne Klepperich, John Roehl)

Tuma Family Camping Trip - Labor Day Wknd 2007

We spent the weekend with Joe's family up at Hickory Lake Campground outside of Aitkin. We had a great time. There was so much to do! The kids (of ALL ages) had a great time!

Emma (2), Evan (4), and Abby (1) settling into the camping routine.

Abby & Emma with Grandma.

Abby & Emma on Saturday morning.

The campground had a Gathering Room which had coloring books, boardgames, puzzles, etc.
(Plus....a personal highlight...free coffee every morning!)



Abby loved the playground! There was a climbing wall and a big yellow slide!

Naptime proved to be a challenge.

A very exhausting challenge.

The solution that eventually presented itself was to plop Abby in Auntie Carrie's bike buggy and drive in circles around and around the campground until she zonked out.

Abby & I enjoying the day.

Abby laughing with Uncle Chad & Evan.

Right across from our campsite was a volleyball court...which in our case doubled as a GIANT sandbox. The kids had a blast playing in the sand. Here Evan & Abby are playing Tonka trucks on Sunday.

The campground had lots of little groupings of red adirondak chairs all over the place. Monday morning Abby & I went for a walk through the campground and stopped to play at one set of little chairs before heading for home.