Addie's 1st Birthday & Canadian Thanksgiving

Addie LOVED her chocolate birthday cake. Her nice big piece was polished off in about 3 minutes.

Addie's buddy Ben!

Addie didn't make it long at her birthday party. She was a party pooper right after dessert was served, so Ben took over and helped open all her presents while she went to bed. It worked out perfectly. Addie was able to re-open them all in the morning, and everything was already assembled (thanks boys).

Addie's dance moves

Kickball Team

Our friends Cristin and Tony organized a kickball team this fall. It has been so much fun!! We are ranked #1. Next week is the true test, if we win, we get really cool T-shirts. So much to look forward to.

More Pics - 3 days away from Addie's 1st Birthday :)

It looks uncomfortable, but this is how Bobo sleeps. Butt up in the air. Even if I try to rearrange her, she always ends up back like this.
Waiting for mom and dad to get home from work!

Addie LOVES talking!

Minnetonka Apple Orchard

This morning, we all (Norm too) went to the Minnetonka Apple Orchard. The drive out there was absolutely beautiful with all the changing tree colors and Lake Minnetonka in the background. Good thing for the Garmen, because we took a few too many wrong turns! We picked a HUGE bag full of Honeycrisp apples. We had a blast. It was a gorgeous morning.

Addie really enjoyed visiting the pigs and turkeys. Too bad I did zoom out just a little bit more. The pig is snout to nose with Norman. I actually think Norm had a better time visiting the barn animals than all of us combined.

Addie picked out her first pumpkin.

Addie - Almost ONE

About 3 weeks ago we had our annual Momentum Bocce Ball Tournament. Despite the crummy weather, we had a wonderful evening. This was our attempt to take a picture of most of the tots present. I'm glad I am only posting the first picture, by the end, the last four our leaning in a heap and a few are crying.

Helping mom with laundry. It's the only way I can successful carry up one load of laundry and one little girl.

Trying to sneak a peak at Daddy's football game that is on TV. :)

Addie - 11 months

Addie and Great Grandpa Martin.

Addie enjoy mommy's birthday cake. Addie thoroughly enjoyed her first piece of chocolate cake. It was gone in less than a minute and she was already signing for more.

Addie wearing her birthday suit. She is teething really bad right now, and consequently had pretty bad diaper rash. We decided to let her run around naked, and man, she loved it.

Addie is standing!

Addie loves piano time. Stef and I try to play with her as much as we can. She likes it when we play, and then let her play after us. She even uses a different tone while she is playing, like singing.

Addie can stand on her own, but sometimes isn't too happy about it. You can tell by her look.

I made these hanging animals to match Addie's curtains and crib skirt. They turned out pretty cute. Addie loves looking at them before she goes to bed.

A race for the Cheerios

Last Saturday morning, I gave Addie a box of Cheerios (I remember seeing pictures of myself, around the same age, LOVING the entire box of Cheerios, not just a handful). Well, exactly what I expected, happened. All the Cheerios ended up on the floor. Addie didn't mind, and neither did Norman. It was a race for the Cheerios and who could eat them the fastest. Addie had total of around 4, while Norman polished off around 40.

This is my new roller backpack for school. It's what I asked Stef for, for Mother's day, and we finally got around to picking one out and ordering it. WOW, do I look like a nerd at school, but I am much happier nerd getting to and from the car. It works great!!!

Garage remodel

Stef was able to go to the first Gopher football game at the TCF Stadium. Amazing!! The Gopher's beat Northwestern for their first win of the season.

My dad and Stefan tore down our garage wall. Always a project going on. When we redid the downstairs bathroom, we noticed the previous homeowners did not put up installation between the basement and garage. No wonder it's always freezing in our basement. We are putting in installation, a new door (our old one was not to code), and sheet rock. Wow, it looks great so far.

Addie sporting her Hopkins Royals apparel.

Addie - 10 1/2 months

I just took this picture tonight, after bath time. She is now able to sit in the bathtub all by herself. She also LOVES to lay on her back. We usually keep the water really shallow. She loves pretending that she is swimming. Addie babbles to us, kicks her feet and splashes her hands. Bath time is pretty fun!

Addie's new post-bath time up do (compliments of daddy).

My family went to the Minnesota State Farm this Labor day weekend. I think we actually managed to get Addie waving bye-bye on the camera.

Addie and our next door neighbor, Grandma Dot. Dot has been battling multiple medical issues for the past 3 years. She is in hospice care right now, so we try and get over for a visit as much as we can. Addie loves playing with Dot's glasses and saying hi to her kitty, Tabby.

Addie's doll house

Thanks Auntie Sarah for the fun polka dot skirt. It's quite hip!

Addie will play for sometimes close to an hour at her doll house. Her favorite is standing up and rearranging (meaning pulling out) all of the furniture, and having someone play nearby, who will put all the furniture back for her. Her favorite person in the house, is of course the baby. When we ask, "Find the baby!", she immediately reaches for her. When she gets up in the morning, or is playing before bedtime, she hurriedly crawls towards her doll house. It's really fun to watch.

She is also learning how to share. Addie loves sharing her toys and food with you. She is not very patient with the food part. If she offers something to you, and you don't take it immediately, it goes right into her own mouth. Snooze you loose!

Addie is crawling for her Canadian aunties

Addie & Norman

I love my dog Norman!!

He let's me pull his hair!!

And just sits there!

We went over to Lake Mills, Wisconsin, last weekend with most of our Eau Claire roomies and friends. Liz's grandmother has a beautiful home on Lake Mills. Addie was able to come along on the girls weekend. What a trooper. Only a few cries on both car trips (5 hours there and 5 hours back). Thank you Liz. We had gorgeous weather, and everyone had a fabulous weekend.