BFF - Gracie and Roxie

I believe Gracie has found her BFF (Best Friend Forever) - Roxie! As soon as Gracie wakes up from her nap and looks down the steps she just laughs and squeals as she see Roxie laying in the foyer - it's very cute! But most of all, Gracie loves crawling over to Roxie and getting a big lick - I know a little gross, but Gracie just laughs and giggles - she loves her BFF, Roxie!

Farmland of Minnesota - apples, baby animals and more...

Last weekend, we ventured out to the farmland of Minnesota and went to an awesome apple orchard with a true farm experience with all the animals - we saw baby chicks, piglets, goats, and much, much more! I think Blake, the animal lover of the family, may have had the best time of the three of us!!

A visit from Gammy and Gampy

Last week, Blake's parents came to visit us and we had a great time showing them our new community here in Minneapolis. We had a fun time, however, the weather didn't cooperate too much and we had to be inside a bit - I think they experienced every temperature while they were here from 50's to 80's. Gracie impressed them with her army crawl and contagious laugh!

Gammy and Gracie - all smiles!!

Lunch at Maynard's and checking out Lake Minnetonka afterwards.

A family shot on our front porch - we don't get many of the three of us!

mmmm....baby food!!

Well, as you can see Gracie didn't like the taste of baby food in the beginning, but now her favorites are bananas, sweet potatoes and carrots!!

Gracie's new trick - Baa, Baa

Check out Gracie's new trick as of the last couple of weeks.

She's on the MOVE!!

Well - It's official, Gracie is on the MOVE!! She is creeping everywhere and has such a happy look on her face as she explores our new home...Of course, she loves everything she shouldn't touch like the speaker wires, heat registers, Roxie's pillow and anything else she can put in her mouth.

Here's a little video from Saturday night (it's a little dark because it was right before she went to bed, but you get the idea) - enjoy!!

Summertime Highlights...

Summer of FIRST!

Gracie's first summer has consisted of walks in our neighborhood, swinging as mommy unpacks and organizes the new house and the most fun of all trips on airplanes and visitors in our new home!!

The below picture shows Gracie with her aunt, Melissa and cousin, Abigail. They came to visit us in mid-May and it was such a precious time together. They were our first guest in our new house and we were able to explore a few spots together.

Aunt Melissa and Gracie (May 2008)

Abigail and Gracie

In early June, we visited Blake's family in North Carolina and this marked Gracie's first plane ride. She was such a gem on the plane...She snuggled up and sleep most of the way which was a blessing! Gracie LOVED meeting her Gampy, Uncle Mitch, Aunt Tricia and all 4 cousins. She was truly entertained by all of activity going on around her. This trip was her first exposure to the heat and humidity. It was in the upper 90's and 100 degree days so we spent lots of time at the pool or inside in the AC. Below are a couple pictures from our time together.

(Seth, Hannah, Gracie, Meghan and Zachary - June 2008)

(Gracie and Daddy in the pool)

(Daddy and Gracie - after a day of golf at the Prestonian)

Then in late June, we went to Cincinnati to visit with my family (she got to meet her Uncle Dan and cousin, Kierstin) and I was able to introduce Gracie to some of our dear friends who we miss here in MN. Below are a few pictures from our time in Cincinnati.

(Abigail, Kierstin and Gracie)

(Kierstin, Gracie and Abigial)

It's amazing how fast a child can grow in 4.5 months. She rarely snuggles up with you now, instead she's squirming and rolling all over the place. She loves her gym mat, swing and her new toy, the jumperoo. We just went to the doctor last week and she at the top of all the charts - 90% and above in height, weight and head circumference - yikes!

Gracie on a roll!!

Gracie in her jumperoo!!

Gracie's first experience at the ballpark! We went to Gracie's first Twins game - I would have never guessed it was indoors, but for a baby it was great, however, the American ballpark in Cincinnati is much better along the river and outside - it's just not the same. It felt more than an indoor soccer game...Anyways, we stayed long enough to make it on the KISS CAM - we couldn't believe it!

Outside the Twins ballpark

Gracie seemed more interested in the baby bjorn than the game...


Gracie loves her highchair...and is a big girl now eating her cereal!