July 1, 2007...
Kayla & Tristen came down to visit.

We got a chance to go out on the boat and do a little bass fishing. (a/k/a sunnies)




Abby got a belated birthday present from Auntie Kari & Uncle Tim and Jordyn Goddard...she got a floatie for swimming and this sweet little towel hoodie poncho thing! She looked like a pink princess version of a wizard! She waddled all over the house in it...it was hilarious!

Tristen tried it on too...to make Abby laugh!

June

Abby loves her swimming pool so much. She loves to kick and splash and crawl in and out of it again and again and again. Joe was working on some landscaping and Abby was getting very bored...so we set up her pool under a shade tree and she supervised Joe's hard work in the sun!

Here she is singing a song...presumably an "Ode to the Pool"
Abby and I have actually started taking swimming lessons at the F.L. Junior High pool through community ed. She totally loves playing in the water and playing with the other kids in her class...but she seems to sort of want to do her own activities, not necesarily follow the instructions provided.

Joe points at me...I point at him.

whatever.

Also of note, my peony that I bought from some lady for $3 a few years ago actually BLOOMED. It was goregous! To think...it started it's life in a cool whip bowl...wow!

We have been trying to spend some time out on the water as a family...but Abby has developed an intense dislike for her lifejacket. (I mean she REALLY hates the nasty little thing and can throw a complete FIT!) We will be very pleased when she grows into the next size jacket, as it will hopefully be much more comfortable for her! (And will allow us to spend more boat time together!)

For Father's Day we went up to the Tuma cabin...here are Abby and Millie riding together in the backseat. (This is Joe's "proof" that we need a new, bigger truck. Look how peeved Millie looks,)

And up at the cabin, Abby again wanted to swim in her pool!!

Some snaps of Abby and Joe clowning around on Father's Day!

She is so fun!

1 Year Portraits

First Birthday Party - May 26, 2007

I had my suspicions that Abby would be a "party girl!" (Insert apples falling from trees comment here.) So on Saturday when she was a total sweetheart the whole day, even going so far as to perfectly time her naps, I really should not have been surprised!

We started our day off by finalizing last minute details and putting out decorations.

There were many prestigious guests to the big party. To mention just a few...

Grandma Kathy

Uncle Chewy

Auntie Jamie

And, of course, Millie.

And her good friend Loomis Hjemvick.

The party was SO fun! We had a great lunch! Featured menu items included several of Abby's notable favorites: cheese hot dogs, seven layer salad with EXTRA PEAS, and fresh fruit with EXTRA BLUEBERRIES!

And of course...CAKE!

There were lots of pretty presents to open! Abby was very clearly very spoiled!!

A BIG hit, was the BIG yellow doggie from Auntie Carrie & uncle Chad.

Other faves: Abby's hot new bikini & her very own swimming pool!

And a SUPER fun, SUPER LOUD lawnmower from the Schlichtmann family!

Abby & Evan & Emma got to spend some time playing outside.

And finally, we had decided to plant a tree in the yard to commemorate Abby's turning one. We can watch it (and HER) grow every year!

May 25, 2007: Birthday Outing - Como Zoo

Turning ONE is oh so FUN!

For Abby's first birthday we spent the day as a family & decided to venture out to Como Zoo. We had a grrrrrrreat time!

We saw Monkeys!


We saw an Ostrich!



We saw Zebras & Giraffes!
Oh my!



But...without a doubt...the highlight of the day was the POLAR BEARS!!
Abby LOVED them!

Every time one would move about in their habitat, she would SQUEAL out loud with delight and start clapping her hands!

We almost think she thought they were really BIG versions of Millie the dog!