Just Another Day at the Office

Snowshoe Enthusiast

Last weekend, while we were getting ready for another winter adventure, Brianna was checking out the snowshoes! She was a little more interested in the large rubber band that holds them together than the actual snowshoes, but nonetheless, it was cute watching her trying to figure out what these new "toys" were!

Then we headed North, so Grandma and her cousins could hang out with Brianna while Jon, Jeff, and I ventured outside into the perfect Saturday afternoon. It was so beautiful out - who could resist being outside in this great Minnesota day! To top it off, we came back to a wonderful valentine's dinner with the family. Thanks to Grandma, Elissa, and Kaitlyn for helping watch her. I could tell she had tons of fun!

Learning to Accessorize

I guess there are a few things that come instinctively to girls - one being the importance of accessorizing. Cars, cardigan, and purse... what more do you need right? Brianna loves putting things on her hands as well as items around her neck. A few nights ago, I witnessed these three items coming together, it was just too perfect to pass up.

She also, as we mention frequently, loves playing and/or antagonizing Eko. I caught this shot of them in their matching outfits, lounging together! FYI - Her pants are wet from crawling through the wet kitchen floor, not because I neglected to change her diaper.

Brianna is getting to be quite the talker. She communicates pretty well already and just chatters all day. It's so fun to see her reactions to everything she discovers.

Night of Low Light

Since moving back to Minnesota a little over 2 years ago Eme and I have rekindled our love of the outdoors. We always find peace and rejuvenation while visiting Gods wonderful creation. We like to visit state parks all 4 seasons of the year to hike, bike, snowshoe, and cross country ski (although not as much of the skiing as we'd like).

We have a wonderful black lab who loves to be outside with us and a wonderful daughter who is learning to enjoy the outdoors as much as we do. The 4 of us have had some pretty amazing adventures together!

Last night Auntie Mick Mick and Uncle J were kind enough to watch Brianna while Eme, Eko and I headed out to Afton State Park for a moon and candlelit adventure. The moon wasn't out for the evening, but there was enough light from the luminaries and the glow from the nearby Afton Alps Ski Area. The park rangers lit luminaries stretching over 2 miles of trails for hikers and snowshoers. We regrettably forgot our camera so you'll have to enjoy our experience through the lens of the words above and my camera phone images below.

This picture makes the path look quite dark, but it was actually quite bright with the luminaries and the light from Afton Alps reflecting off the cloudy sky.

Half way through our adventure the rangers had a bon fire with s'mores. And then had hot cider and hot chocolate back at the visitor center when we finished.

The distant lights (which were actually only about 1/2 mile away) of Afton Alps.

I am cut off and it's not the best picture quality but it still represents how much fun we had last night!

Sit Tight

Sit tight dear dedicated followers of the bonkoblog! We will announce the winner of last week's Create-A-Caption contest soon.

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.