September 27, 2008 - Brewer's baseball!

Colin's first tailgating experience and braving a Brewer's vs Cubs game at Miller Park!



Thanks to Melissa, Nick and Lisa for making it a fabulous afternoon!

September 27, 2008 - enjoying a book

Colin enjoying a book before his evening bath, I mean, don't you sit around reading naked frequently?

September 25, 2008 - Matey, ARRRRRR!

Take a guess as to what Colin plans to be for Halloween :) Let's just say that it was a toss up between a monster and a pirate and we've been in full swing pirate mode for a few weeks!

I ordered Colin's costume online so here he is trying on some of the accessories the day it came in the mail- his pirate hat, sash and loot bag (yes, I even let him play with the sword, as long as he's "helping" people as he plays pirate :)

Colin's funniest thing is that he only likes to say "Matey, ARRRRR" and will correct you if you say it the other way around.... he's his own pirate, that's for sure!

September 19, 2008 - POTTY TIME!!!

It's a (mama of a toddler boy) dream come true! Colin is pretty much fully potty trained, and I have to give Colin credit for really wanting to do this to be a "grown up"!

Of course, there was a lot of talking about the potty and practice occuring over the past few months, but only when Colin was interested so when he said he was ready to wear underwear and stop wearing diapers, I didn't skip a beat to give him all the high fives to get him excited about it! :)

September 18, 2008 - flower craft

Thanks to Aunt Lissa for this fun foam sticker flower craft! Colin loved making these flowers (and then hiding behind them...) and they are proudly displayed by him in the kitchen!

September 14, 2008 - Wearing big boy pants to school

SO PROUD OF COLIN!

Colin chose to wear big boy underwear to school today. The pic is just him holding up an extra pair for effect but he wore them for most of the morning and made it to the potty the second time without any accident!

September 7, 2008 - digger driver!

WOW. That is all Colin and Mama have to say about Uncle Jim inviting Colin over to help him drive his John Deere tractor/digger around. Colin got to move the levers, steer the wheel and pick up and dump a load of dirt several times!

Thanks Uncle Jim for the fun digger driving!

September 7, 2008 - Colin meets his new baby cousin Kivrin!

Colin meets his new baby cousin Kivrin for the first time and loves her! He is very gentle with the baby and a good helper to the new parents- here is Colin helping change Kivrin's diaper, helping tickle Kivrin's toes and helping keep Aunt Lissa's lap warm while Uncle Dan cuddles Kivrin for a while (okay, so in this one he's actually somewhat engrossed in a tv that they had in the family support room for Grandma's services)

September 5, 2008 - books from Auntie Marissa

Colin had a great time with Auntie Marissa the other night while Mama had to fly to Minneapolis for work. Marissa took him to the bookstore and spoiled him with some new books-- one of our new favs "Too Many Toys"! Our other favorite thing this fall... our striped hoodie!

September 5, 2008 - remembering Grandma...

Our Grandma S (Colin's Great Grandma) passed away today... she would have turned 92 this coming January and lived a long, blessed and amazing life full of love.

We already miss her immensely and are so fortunate that we were able to spend time with her recently even though we lived far apart now.

Love you always Grandma and can't wait to tell Colin all of the wonderful stories of growing up with you in my life so that he will know you as well...

August 24, 2008 - new fav animal

Colin loves to act like vicious lions and tigers lately; click here to see his favorite animal video in action!

August 23, 3008 - Baby Kivrin Anne, our new niece/cousin is born!

The most possible exciting news came about 3:30 am Saturday early morning when Lissa called Mama to tell her that she was at the hospital and going to be having she and Dan's first child soon!

Kivrin Anne was born on August 23, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. She weighed 8.5 lb and is 20.75 inches long.

Such a beautiful little girl!

Aunt Leigh Anne can't wait to go visit her for the first time this weekend and Colin is excited to meet his new baby cousin in a few weeks too (Colin gets to hang out this weekend w/ Papa so Mama can fly to KS to be extra help/support for the new parents!)

CONGRATULATIONS MAMA LISSA AND DADDY DANIEL AND WELCOME BABY GIRL KIVRIN!!!

See Kivrin grow at: www.kivrinanne.com

Here's some pictures of Kivrin's first week in the world... Mama had a wonderful time meeting her new niece, visiting and helping the new parents on her trip to KS!

August 21, 2008 - playing hookie at the art museum

Okay, so we didn't really play hookie today... Colin's day care was closed for teacher training so Mama took off work for a fun day with Colin before she left for Alex and Jason's wedding in Minneapolis for the weekend. We were able to spend some time with David before he left for NYC to start grad school as well!! At the Milwaukee Art Museum overlooking Lake Michigan on a perfect day!

Amazing architecture of the Quadracci Pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava

David and Colin taking a rest before we go to check out the Gilbert & George exhibit

Outside the museum and on our way to a fabulous lunch sitting outside at Buckley's Kiskeam Inn (where you must try the green bean blue, tis fabulous!)

August 16, 2008 - summer festival food favorite

grilled corn in the husk.... (and ok, the peas are actually from home :)

...and even better than festival food, hanging out w/ Mama and listening to the festival music!

August 9, 2008 - Cool Superman

Colin loves his Superman shirt from Daddy... and loves even more to be a 'cool dude' with his shades on this summer

August 8, 2008 - tree hugger

Colin (and Mama's) favorite song atm... which he sings extremely loud in the car holding his hand as his microphone- thanks Lis and Dan for the introduction (and Dan for the french verse translation below :)

en français
Et le jackalope a dit"Je voudrais être un yétiPour voler dans la nuitEt m'en aller loin d'ici"Mais le yéti a dit"Je voudrais être un monstre marinPour pouvoir rentrer dans la merDe tous les requins"
en Anglais
And the jackalope said"I want to be a yétiTo fly in the nightAnd me go far from here"But yéti said"I want to be a sea monsterTo return to the sea
Of all the sharks"

August 2, 2008 - fauxhawk

It's Colin's new look

August 2, 2008 - saturday at the library and farmer's market!

Colin and Brendan participating in the actions of the story hour
Leigh Anne holding baby Katie who is getting so big!
The boys share the stroller bench while Katie takes them for a ride
At the market- Brendan and Colin sharing some popcorn

Colin met Brennie and Baby Katie at the library this morning for a story time and lots of playing at the train table in the children's room while the Mamas caught up and then we all went to the 'Stallis farmer's market for some yummy produce (and maybe a lunch of hot dogs and snow cones :)

July 31, 2008 - sprinkler fun

Colin loves swimming but is still skeptical of the sprinkler and the hose; he was cautiously trying out the sprinkler tonight while we tried to save our very dry front lawn!