WoW

Okay, I think I am finally caught up. It was been a quiet weekend around here. Joe has been in Iowa since last Sunday helping a buddy with some projects. We are excited for his return today. Leah is at Grandma Mary's for the weekend and expected back later today. So, since Friday evening it has just been me and Amber. She has me wrapped around her finger-- she just knows I am in the room, starts to cry and doesn't stop until I pick her up! I will enjoy this time as I know that it will not last and too soon she will be getting ready for kindergarten like her big sister is this year.

Amber is 5 months!

Amber is doing great at 5 months! At 5 months:

• she is interacting with play
• she is moving objects from hand to hand
• she is sitting unsupported consistently for a brief time
• she is trying to scoot when on her tummy (usually succeeds in moving about 2-3 feet)
• she is really trying to roll over, but just not quite there yet
• she is eating rice cereal - and tries to feed herself...I put the cereal on the spoon, then she takes the spoon from me! Last night when I was feeding her- she added another step-- she would drop the spoon when it was empty!
• she is so very interested in what we are eating
• she has found her feet
• she is reaching with her hands to explore faces (makes my heart melt)
• she is still working on the teeth- those two bottom teeth are doing a disappearing act!
• she has, unfortunately, exeperienced her first cold and double ear infection- she was a trooper though it all!
• she has experienced her first: time in the lake, 4th of July/fireworks, wedding
  

My Cousin's Wedding

My cousin, Jim, married a lovely young lady, Sam on July 17th in Duluth, MN. The wedding was beautiful. It was so much fun to see my extended family especially getting caught up with those that live so far away. It was great that so many of them were able to make it to the wedding. I just love how we can stay "close" when we live so far from each other. I hope that our kids will feel the same way.

Leah was one of the flower girls and she just had so much fun getting all dolled up. She was just in love with Sam and her lovely dress. She did follow her around a few times during the day! Leah had so much fun through the day and topped it off with dancing until she finally was ready to collapse. She did make it until 10pm! She had just a blast playing with all the girls (there are only 2 boys in the 10 babies in my extended family).

Amber was awesome. She was quiet during the grooms dinner, wedding and reception...really couldn't ask for anything more. She even had her first taste of water from a cup!

On Sunday, we walked down to Lake Superior where the girls had fun playing in the lake, the rocks and the sand!

Leah and Chris (Best Man/brother to groom)


Leah, Sam (bride), Jim (groom)


Amber was really into drinking water from this cup!

Leah and Sam getting hair done

Leah, Jack, Katie

Vows

IT'S OFFICIAL

Awww....

The family!

Love this picture- probably the best one we have of the 10 of us!

Love this one too!

This girls: Delila, Taylor, Thea, Anna, Amber, Leah, Kaitlyn, Brooke

Amber's first wedding!

Sisters- Barb, Susan, Vicky (mom of the groom)

First Dance

The Wedding Party

Dancing...

Cousins

Lake Superior

Leah's First FRIEND sleepover

A couple weeks ago Leah had a friend sleepover for the first time. They had a lot of fun. First they spent some time playing outside on the slip N slide and the water hoses. Then they came inside and changed into PJs at about 6pm! They started singing and just being girls. After dinner, they settled in for a movie (Barbie: The 12 Dancing Princess). At about this time, Leah had to change her PJs...silly girl. We put them into Leah's room to sleep (on the floor together) around 9:30. I finally told them at 11pm that it was time to sleep!! Leah was still up by 6:30am and I heard her wake Kaylee up as well! They had a fun morning with more play on the slip N slide.

Slip N Slide

Leah loves to play on her new slip N slide. Here are some pictures of her and her friend, Michael, enjoying the slide.

Other stuff from this summer

We have been so busy this summer so far. I can't believe how time is flying by and soon it will be Labor Day and then time for Leah to start Kindergarten! Oh, that will be a happy/exciting/sad day!! We were at Target and the Back to School stuff is already out. I think that day is coming way to soon. My girl is growing up.

Leah is having a fun summer. At daycare, they are going on a field trip every week. She has gone to Wild Mountain Water Park and to see Toy Story 3 with many more planned! We are trying to teach her to ride her bike without training wheels- any suggestions? She is having fun playing outside and with her friends. She got a slip-n-slide yesterday and is loving it (will post pictures later). Leah is also in ice skating and gymnastic classes this summer and loving both of them.

Amber is sprouting. I am truly amazed by her daily changes. It is so exciting and fun and I am just trying to take it all in. As Amber is becoming more interactive, it is also fun to watch how Leah loves to play with her now! Leah is also very proud that she is able to lift Amber up from the floor and carry her. This makes mom a little nervous, but Leah does do a good job!

We started Amber on rice cereal last week. She has done quite well except for tonight she would have nothing to do with it!

Leah had her first sleepover tonight with her friend Kaylee. They are having a great time. Took them awhile to go to sleep (not until just before 11pm), so, hopefully they will sleep in!

4th of July

Some highlights from our 4th of July weekend at the cabin:

*Jim, Barb, Dan, Tiffanie, Thea, Delila, Jim, Renate, Joe, Andrea, Leah and Amber

*Visit on July 5th from Steve, Linda, Kris, Nico, and Mike

*Leah loves being at the cabin and spending time with her cousins

*Amber seems to love it as well. She is definitely more content when she is outside!

*But, she did not seem to like her first touch of the cold lake water (which was actually rather nice especially since it was rather warm)

*celebrating my parent 40th anniversary a little bit late!

*Rain on the 4th (just during the day)- swim at the hotel pool

*Boat rides

*Fireworks

*Campfires

*Smores

*playing in the lake

*relaxing

*Leah was a jumping machine at the pool, but when it comes to jumping off the dock into the lake she is hesitant. Asked why she won't, but Delila will jump in off of the dock, Leah's reply is "well, she's 2 and she doesn't know any better"

*Nonna takes Thea and Leah to the Eveleth parade and they come back with quite the loot!