Annabel - September 27th - 7 months and 1 day

Annabel is growing so much. She is eating all kinds of yummy food. Today she had oatmeal cereal with apples and mango for breakfast and for dinner, spinach and potatoes. She eats so well. I just love it when she eats well. It makes my day. She opens her mouth wide and is always wanting more.
She has been sitting up on her own now for a few months. Since she is a back sleeper she does not roll over all that much. However, recently she goes from sitting up, leaning over and getting on her belly to reach something really well. It appears that she is very close to crawling and pulling up.
Earlier last week she starting saying "da, da, da" and by the middle of the week she was saying "ma, ma, ma". Of course we just love this. It seems that she has no clue what she is saying but we just think it is sooo cute! I find that she talks more right before it is time for her to nap. I really use it as a sign that she is getting tired. Not really sure what that means but I have noticed this pattern for a while.
In this photo Annabel is getting ready for a day of football with Dad while Mom got her hair cut and volunteered at the Chinatown Public Library with the Madhatters. Ole Miss beat Florida so there was a ton of cheering which Brodie said scared Annabel every time. She is going to have to learn soon how to cheer for the Rebels!

Jennifer's Parents come to visit - September 18th - 23rd

Jennifer's parents came to Chicago to visit and see the new house. We loved having them here. Just wish we had more time with them . . . and that our house had not be broken into while they were here. Yes - our new house. Someone busted down the back door and took our TV and Jennifer and Mother's purses. All is fine now. While the parents were here we went to the zoo and Brodie and Dad got to go to the last Cubs home game of the season. Below are pictures of our trip to the zoo. The Polar Bears are so cool. We think they really loved seeing all the people looking back at them. It seems Annabel is a little more interested in the little boy's head though.

Another Trip to Chattanooga - September 12th-15th

Napping with Aunt Terri and Nana

Annabel finally gets to meet her sweet cousin, Krista

Ann Elizabeth did a great job on her Chapel Talk. Her main topic was memories and how they shape our lives and make us who we are.

Now it is time to see The Beans and The McClures. It is so hard living so far from everyone.

Playing with my Best Bud - Annabel and Ben

And finally he pushes me over :)

Annabel - 6 months old

Bathing at the new house (mid September 2008)

Eating Mom's homemade summer squash and making a mess while Mom was not looking. (early August 2008)

Playing with my toys in the new house (early September 2008)

Playing with Dad (mid September 2008)

We're Back

Sorry we were delayed in our postings.  We have been busy with the purchase of our new house and getting settled.  We will have more postings/pictures soon!

Reno, NV, Lake Tahoe, and Truckee, CA

August 7th - 11th

We traveled to Reno, NV, for Brodie's brother Mike's wedding. We had a wonderful time visiting with Brodie's family which included the following:

Brodie's Dad, his sister Jennifer and her husband Curtis, Aunt Janie, Uncle Dave, Aunt Linda, Stephen, Uncle John, Kathleen, Uncle Pete, Morgan, Zoe, Logan, Mike, and his beautiful bride Kristin.

The wedding was very pretty and so much fun! Guests enjoyed the musical stylings of Uncle Pete's Band, Pete Nevin and the Deck Heads (a Lake Tahoe ski resort staple), and they were great.  This was my first time to see his band. With a Scottish theme, all the men in the wedding wore kilts. Unfortunately there was a mishap with Brodie's kilt, so he had to wear his civilian clothes.

Annual Girls Sailing Trip - Lake Michigan

Friday, August 22nd, we held our 3rd Annual Girls Sailing Trip. We set sail from Monroe Harbor with the beautiful Chicago skyline as our backdrop at all times.  This trip is always so much fun - thanks to Mary for coordinating it every year for us!

Can't wait for next year ! ! ! ! !