king carrots

More butterflies in the garden...

Now those are some nice carrots!

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)!

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.

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!

brother, bearded

Chris, as Abe Lincoln, at the RNC.

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!