Friday, September 26, 2008

his and her dollies

Louis and his dolly, pushing a heavy load: an empty plastic bucket. Whew! What else would a kid do at 7am dressed in PJ's and rubber boots?

Annabelle and her dolly. "Oh, dolly, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways....


One: to squeeze you with a squeal...


Two: to squash you into a pillow. Go to sleep!

Three: to feed you bananas. Open those pursed plastic lips and EAT!"

Friday, September 19, 2008

ode to the brussel sprout

Well, howdy-doody, look at that....peas and pumpkins growing together. We planted a second round of peas a few weeks ago and they turned out great. Such a luxury to munch a pea in September.

Cast away your childhood memories of brussel sprouts lingering, mushy and bitter, on your plate! These tasty b.sprouts are fantastic and we're sure to grow them again next year. With only a little help from butter and salt, even Louis gobbled them up.


As if we thought the garden work was winding down.....usher in 10 cords of firewood to start chipping away at. This monstrous pile will last us 3-4 years, so no rush to chop it all up this weekend! Winter, we're ready for you now.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

king carrots

More butterflies in the garden...

Now those are some nice carrots!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

jam session

Inspired by the awesome band at Uncle Chris' wedding, Louis started his own band and rocks out in his undies.

wedding

Brother Chris and Jessie got married Sept 13 at Gale Woods Farm in MN. Before the big event, we had some drizzly fun at the Arboretum.

Lucy and Louis share an umbrella (or, a rainbrella, as Louis calls it).

The little bobsie twins pose on the bench that Jason's great-grandma donated at the Arb.


Annabelle takes off down the hill with Mama's bouquet. Louis wonders how he suddenly got left buddy-less.

"I'm too cute to get in trouble."

Lucy and Louis cut a rug while munching on caramel apples. Louis sports the newest raging fashion in stubborn-dresser 3-yr olds: swim trunks at a wedding.

No pictures of the lovely couple who got married?! Hopefully other relatives will pass on some pics OTHER than these three kids. I guess we were too busy chasing that blue blur (a.k.a. Annabelle)!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

goodbye summer

It's hard to believe we took this picture only last week. On a hot and muggy 90 degree day, a flock of monarch butterflies descended upon these native blazing stars in our garden. Ever since that day, the temperatures have been in the 60s and geese have been flapping and honking their way south. Welcome, fall.

Friday, September 5, 2008

happy birthday

Here's a pic of the birthday girl, just 3 days old.

No time for sleeping on the birthday! Off for adventures at Copper Falls State Park. Louis takes a gander at the waterfall.

Jason and Annabelle take a close look at the river bed.

One-year olds are too cool (and crabby!) to ride in the backpack. She'd rather strut down the trail with her swank new water bottle (and swank Mama).

No smiley sparkly pictures of Annabelle poised perfectly in front of her birthday blueberry-apple cobbler. As most mealtimes go with a 1-yr old, our "party" was a bunch of whines and moans as she sprayed food all over the place and loaded her pants! This is why it is best to have multiple parties so that there is a chance that ONE of them will be loads of smiles!


Wednesday, September 3, 2008

brother, bearded

Chris, as Abe Lincoln, at the RNC.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

almost (one)


A pre-party cruise

Is this the right number of fingers for one?

Cousin Emma brings out the cupcakes

Frosting first, of course

Boo hoo, cousin Will wishes he was one

"Hmm, but in only 9 months I'll be one -- that could be OK."

What on earth could this be?

None other than a ball

And this?

A smart little bag!

I can't wait until it is actually my birthday!