April in D.C. - Easter Weekend

April out in D.C. was amazingly fun! Here is a quick summary of the 200+ pictures that were taken...

Uneventful flight out to Maryland, Mia slept the whole time!




Once out there, it was playtime with the family. Mia was so excited to see her cousin Hannah again!

And there is nothing quite as fun as banging a spoon on Uncle Tim's noggin!

Not sure what to think about this crib, but Hannah seems to love her mobile!

Lots of fun time at Betsy and Dan's house, but it was also great to get up early for breakfast at Tim & Tida's place! Then off to the Dulles Air and Space museum. It was a great trip and so many neat things to see (including this ridiculously fast "blackbird").

Dan explained it all to Mia... WOW!!!

Then up early in the morning for a sunrise Easter service at the Lincoln Memorial.

What a beautiful morning!

Quick photo op before the service...

and after!

Still in our Sunday best, we hang out while the Easter bunny is busy in Betsy's basement.

Still waiting we went outside to play around and take some pictures!

The bunny finished up and hid candy ALL OVER the basement! Mia was too focused and spent the entire time taking chocolate eggs out of the bouncer ;)

After a delicious easter dinner we all piled into the car for a walk in the flower gardens!

What a great Easter weekend with the Strey family!

Ashland in April

Dan had to work a show in Ashland, WI so Mia and I packed up and joined him for a little family time. Mia had all her outside gear ready to go. Unfortunately, it snowed the entire time.

Lucky for us our hotel had a pool!
Everyone got to enjoy the pool. Even Dan was willing to get up early on Saturday before his show for a little dip!

What a great weekend - and what a great face!

Hotel rooms are great. They are also the place that we learned Mia knew how to get her own snacks out of their bottles... such a clever gal!

Just an overnight adventure but what a fun time!

April

We are out east visiting family and "helping" my sister with her new little baby. The quotations are due to the fact that, yes, I brought a toddler with me :) She is wonderful though. The first day there Betsy and I packed up the kiddos and headed out to the national zoo. Mia was still a little jet-legged so she was a little sleepy in the stroller.

Her favorites were the lions, elephants, and llamas!

Then she got tired & hungry so we decided to get something to eat before we reached critical mass.

Back at the Christenson's house, the cousins liked playing with each other. Mia didn't really know what to do with Hannah but loved to try and figure her out.

Naked baby time and bathtime are fun everywhere!!!


"What is she doing in there... do you see those fish?"


After lots of sugar, Betsy and I were little silly so we drew fabulous mustaches on our pointer fingers so we could have "fancy mustaches"Mia was forced to join in the silliness too :)
Betsy made a delicious birthday cake for Mia for her birthday - but I think she was still a little scarred after her first cake experience. She was having none of it!
Hannah was such a little sweetie. Just like Mia she was the most awake in the morning... yeah for caffeine!


Tim and Tida were over to play with the little ones quite a bit as well. And today Hannah decided that this was the most comfy position in the world... now that is relaxed!
Still out here for a few more days so stay tuned for more pics... I know sleep will be lost in the anticipation :)

March

March was filled with a lot of outings. It was a pretty cold one but we couldn't stay inside and at home all the time. We made many trips to the aquarium, coffee, friends homes, visiting family, and anywhere else to maintain sanity ;)

Still working on mastering using utensils... pretty much consisting of holding it in one hand AND picking up food with that same hand. At least we've stopped throwing the plates on the floor :)

Mia loves to read and destroy stuff... this basket is the best of both worlds.

Poor little gal got a little sick and had to go home from daycare...
and has learned to love her pillow and blanket!

Out for coffee and book club with Jaxton.

We couldn't stay in all the time so a few walks were in order. Luckily the Hadiari were willing to brave the weather with us! They are a tough bunch!

All you need to do is just bundle up a little.

Reg really had Ella and Sammy packed up in the Stroller well!

Sometimes you are too tired to even roll over! I love this picture!

Out for breakfast and making some strange faces...

I also got to go to a pharmacy conference in Seattle. Lots of learning...and lots of good food!

Friends in Seattle!

Best YATZEE game EVER!!!

Jamie and I went out to see the sites and eat some seafood.

Meanwhile, back in Minnesota...

Mia was busy playin' with Jaxton and taking multiple baths!

February

February Summary

SuperBowl at Eve & Eric's House was a great time

Don't worry - the kids destroyed - i mean redecorated it with their toys :)
Dan is apparently a pirate

Cold day - Time for the aquarium!

Kat and Ang are fun friends to bring along

Thanks for the Valentine's Day card Daddy!

Who loves walking and talking more than this gal...

NOBODY!

Kristin's Baby Shower

I see something...

Ahha - I got you pop-up book!

BATHTIME

Baths are great - and so is not getting to the brush soon enough

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

(not a skill we are excited for her to master)

It has been forever since I've blogged. I think these summaries are going to be a majority of my entries. I love my man and little gal so I spend most of my free time there but want to keep showing them off :)

Mia's 1st Birthday

Mia turns 1 on Wednesday but we had a party for her on Saturday. I think this picture proves it was a success! Thank you to everyone!