Eyes Wide Open

It’s 10 p.m. on Saturday night and my girl is sleeping like a log. After a long week of busy days, I certainly should be too. However, I can’t. As I lie in bed and stare at my beautiful baby girl and look over at how peacefully asleep John is, I can’t stop thinking about how lucky I am.

On a daily basis I get bogged down in the stress of things, whether its work, the house or just the fact that there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get the things done that I would like to. However, I also seem to find at least moment daily to be thankful. On this night, the moments just won’t stop coming.

I have the most amazing little girl on the planet, who loves her Momma so much it is unmistakable. The reason I have this amazing little person in my life, is because of the love that started with her Daddy. I am so incredibly lucky that the universe brought John and I together when it did and that God blessed us with a baby, our girl, Autumn.

Old Man

My bear is 7 and 1/2 years old already and definitely slowing down. He will soon have to keep up with a crawling and later walking baby who will steal his toys right from under his nose. Then eventually throw his ball and frisbee for him! Charlie is such a good boy and is such an important part of our family. We look forward to Autumn's big brother leading the way on family hikes for years to come!

Thank you - Thank you very much

This is Autumn harnessing her inner Elvis - just like her good friend Audrey!

Our hearts belong in Bayfield!

Friendship

How do a 5 and 1/2 and 8 month old express their friendship? Well they explore eachother...

Sometimes this means clawing at eachothers faces...

Then realizing that may not be pleasant for the friend being clawed, they instead try planting a giant kiss on thier friends face!

Ah...the joys of friendship! And so it begins...

Sunday Chillaxin

Autumn and Daddy take a Sunday afternoon snooze in Gramma Sandy's recliner. We will soon say goodbye to this wonderful piece of furniture, and may need to replace it someday with one just like it in our new home (HOPEFULLY soon!).

Bathing Beauty

Earth Day with Daddy

We started the day out by visiting Jill's good friend Hillary and her beautiful children (minus Gracen), including Jill's "own Godson" Giddy, Sissy (Nevaeh) and Gallen (who has gotten SOOO BIG!!!). What a treat. We are just sad that Mommy missed it.

Then we stumbled upon an Earth Day Festival taking place at the U of M with Duluth's own Cloud Cult headlining. Autumn was able to hear some incredible music and listen to Daddy talk about the importance of taking care of our planet and his admiration of Mother Nature!!!

Glanville Love

Hanging out with Counsin Jaxx and Mattie, and Auntie Jen!

Beverage of choice

From left to right: Autumn (moma's milk), Mom ("the other" a red blend) and Dad (New Belgium pale ale)

Read Head???

Reluctantly Adorable

Headbands - to do them or not to do them - that is the question?

First Swim!!!

A3 - Moma's good friend Katie and Autumn's new friend Anna

Spring Hiking

Whether it's Gooseberry Falls...

Or the Lakewalk...we enjoy our family hikes! We are so excited for this warm weather and now that Autumn is a bit bigger, to do some serious outdoor education with our girl! There is so much to see and touch and smell, it's a lot for Mom and Dad to take in and enjoy...imagine seeing it all for the first time!

We are so thankful to live in this incredible community full of great trails throughout the city, not to mention this BIG BEAUTIFUL LAKE! I can just imagine playing on the beach this summer, with Autumn lubed up in sunscreen, and going for her first dip in the mighty Gitche Gumee. Yes, we will be patient for it to be a bearable temp - likely August. Until then we look forward to many explorations of Hartley, Chester, Lester, Piedmont and the SHT!!!

5 Months!

Time flies... Today we celebrate 5 incredible months of life that we have so graciously been able to share with our sweet Autumn. I can't even describe the amount of joy this little person has brought to my life. I was a pretty joyous person before Autumn but this, as we often try to describe to others, is a whole new level!

Autumn - I love the way you nuzzle my face when you get tired and how you curl up in my neck to fall asleep. I love our cuddle time and how you respond to moma's belly laughing with big smiles! Your Daddy and I love you so very much and are already so proud of the amazing young lady you are becoming! We can't wait for tomorrow and every incredible day with you that follows in this one precious life!
- Love, Moma

Dear Friends

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. As we reflect on how wonderful it has been as new parents to have so much knowledge and experience to tap into from our friends (and family) that have children - we feel really blessed. We also look forward to several new little ones to join our circle of family - friends VERY soon!...


This is Autumn and her friend Audrey (aka A1 and A2) - note the little ladies already holding hands :-)

I love you, Gramma!

Autumn is babbling away these days. Yesterday we spent some time at Gramma's house and after a gassy meltdown, Autumn made it all worth it when she said what sounded like "I love you gramma"!

The Village People will no doubt be recruiting Autumn...

Great Grandma Furey's Surprise 80th Bday Party

Great Grandma Furey turned 80 on April 2nd this year! She didn't want any big to-do on the day of (Good Friday), so her grandchildren organized a surprise birthday party for her the following week, April 10th in Frazee, MN - her hometown. We invited all of the family and some of her dear friends to join us at Uncle Pat's bowling alley. We had a great time with family, friends, food and fun!

Grandma has always wanted to take a hot-air balloon ride so we all chipped in and got her a gift certificate!

Cousin Sophia loves Autumn!!!

I love my Auntie!!!

Drop Beats Not Bombs

Autumn loves drumming with Daddy!