Remarkable!

It is so fun to explore new things with Brianna. She is a hesitant little girl and takes her time to warm up to new ideas, but she definitely gets there and loves it. Yesterday, Brianna and I went to an indoor playground with her cousins, Oliver and Lucius. Check out more pictures here. It was so invigorating because we had the chance to get out of the house plus,the sun was shining in to keep us warm and give some much needed Vitamin D. My sister got some good shots of them playing but as I was going through my pictures I fell in love with this one...

Maybe it's how the sun hits her face or the direction she is looking, but I just love it.

Then today, we were able to go visit our new friend Kyra, born yesterday afternoon, at the hospital. She wasn't so sure at first, of course, but pretty soon she was sitting right next to her just studying her and saying baby! Thanks to my friend Jon, Kyra's daddy, for playing a little with her as I got to hold Kyra. What a difference a year makes (13 months, actually). I remember Brianna's doctor telling us of all the development she would go through in the first year, but seeing a newborn right next to her really tells the story. Congratulations Jon and Heidi, we are excited for your family!

Extension

Apparently only 2 people read our blog (which is understandable since we are pretty boring people!). We are extending the time to respond for the Create a Caption contest. We'll pick a winner on Friday evening. And if you can't (or don't want to) sign in to Blogger you can email your caption to Eme or me.

Get those creative captions flowing!

Caption Photo Contest

It's time for a classic "Create a Caption" contest! Submit a clever caption which you think best represents the above photo and Eme and I will choose a winner Tuesday night (Feb. 1).

What does the winner receive you ask? You have a choice between 3 fantastic options. (Not going to lie we might prefer the 3rd option...but you are certainly free to choose any option you wish!)

1. Dinner and a movie (or games) at our house
2. A Bag of Crap (similar to Woot) or
3. A fun filled evening with Brianna (i.e. hanging out with her while mom and dad have an evening out. A win-win for everyone!).

Even if you might think so, the photo was not staged. Good luck everyone!

Recruits

Eme and I have had such a great time getting outside the past few weekends we decided to recruit some fellow outdoor enthusiasts to join us for some snowshoeing.

So we packed up, strapped in, and headed out on the trail. What a great time!

Brianna even got in on the fresh air this time thanks to mommy!

Cloudy with a Chance of Piano

Elissa  volunteered to teach Brianna the basics of piano. She picked it up quick and if you listen closely you can hear a slight hint of Mozart ;)

The lens is cloudy because the camera just came in from outside. Sorry the quality isn't quite there.

Spin Me Right Round

Eme and I made the plunge and got our own pair of snowshoes today. So we tried them out today for a quick 3 mile hike through the woods at Wild River State Park (which is a few miles north of Afton where we were last weekend). It was splendid even though it was a bit gloomy. And Eko had a great time romping around with us while Brianna played with Grandpa and Grandma. Thanks for watching Brianna for us!

After our hike we came back and enjoyed dinner with the fam and Brianna was fascinated with the fischer-price record player that I grew up playing with. Elissa and Kaitlyn, in turn, were having a great time playing with Brianna and following her around the house.

Living Room Gymnast

I got home Friday night after work just in time for a gymnastics show right in our living room.

She did a left and right leg lift, twirled her right leg and foot, and then sat down for a bow.

The judges gave a perfect "10!" Of course, they may have been a little partial to the contestant ;)

BTW - She loves putting things on and taking them off her hands. Here, she's having fun with mommy's mittens.

Following up: A Jedi's Weakness

I asked her if she liked her chicken and asparagus and she said yes... so it wasn't her food that put her to sleep. Maybe it was the fact that she declined her morning nap, we went to baby story-time at the library to get out of the house and to hopefully forget she was crabby, and this was her crashing. Hmmm, yeah, maybe that's it!

My Jedi Naps

Brianna is amazing. She is a great sleeper, she plays nice with Eko, she is always so bright and cheery... her only weakness is naps. As of late, her napping has been less than consistent. I try not to complain because she sleeps through the night and gives me the rest I need to tackle the day. She has been napping at least once, and if I'm lucky, twice! Today, it's twice! As I write this, I am anticipating a subtle cry that let's me know she is awake (indeed, there is was).

I am so thankful for even the quietest and the loudest of moments.

P.S. She has been all about putting things on or over her head. This afternoon, she insisted on putting Jon's sweatshirt on. The hood was so big on her small head that it reminded me of the cloaks they wore in Star Wars. May the force be with you!

Eko, Snowshoe, Me & You

Eme and I love to get outside whenever and wherever we can. So yesterday, after assisting Michelle shovel Gary & Jackie's driveway and sharing a quick lunch, we left Brianna with Gammie & Gamfie and headed to Afton State Park. This was our second time snowshoeing this winter and it was more fun than the first time!

 A fresh blanket of snow is just so peaceful.

The air temperature was around 5F above zero (which is why Brianna stayed behind) but there was minimal wind, we prepared with layers, and the sun was shining. Our 2.5 mile winter tromp took us up a steep incline, through the rolling prairie of the campground, to the edge of the St. Croix River bank (high above the river), and down through a valley back to our car. If you haven't been to Afton you should make the short trek from the Twin Cities!

Even Eko had a layer of fleece on. Thanks Tim and Lori for helping keep Eko warm!

 Eko also enjoyed soaking in the wonderful scenery.

 It was a great workout and we were incredibly tired when we got home. But it was a grand rejuvenating exploration of God's beautiful winter creation.

LONG LIVE SNOW!

On the Lam

Brianna is really getting around these days. And she loves putting things on her hand and off her hand. So today she combined her two (current) passions in life by putting my winter glove on and crawling away to the dining room.

She was half way across the "state line" when I caught up with her. Then a few minutes later as mild confusion set in, while I was getting ready to grocery shop and Eme was putting together the list, we both looked at each other and said, "where's Brianna?" There are only a couple places she can go and the bathroom door was open so we knew right away where she was headed...

It's a good thing we planned on washing my gloves today!

Hanging Out On the Couch

Pete, Heidi, and Lana came over to hang out and watch the Packers lose to the Bears (so was the plan). Brianna had fun playing with Lana and watching the game with Pete.

Thanks for hanging out this afternoon!