OK, just one more.

Thanks to the Howards who gave this to Addy for her birthday. She loves it, but I am not sure she knows how to breath while she is playing with it! And as expected, she is trying to eat the water.

Enjoy the multitude of posts! Make sure you make it all the way to the Taos picture!

Our little Sumo...

One More.

We had such a great weekend. It started as we invaded the Trotters house while the Jehles were staying there and the Trotters were coming back from Chanute with a great new puppy, Louis! They will have to send pics, because this could be one of the cutest puppies ever. We spent Friday night outside on thier great wrap-around porch and back yard. Addy's face took a real hit. Can you count all 6 bug bites!?!?!?

Here we are at our weekly outing to City Park Jazz. For those who never visit- we take snacks, a blanket, usually some fun friends, and a bottle of wine to the park and listen to great bands. Addy's favorite part is feeding Dad blueberries. Seriously, she is addicted.

Wow, if I could spend a million days...

It would be in the Outerbanks, in Rodanthe, North Carolina with some of my favorite people in the world. First, I should say that we should all give Dr. Alex Jehle the biggest round of applause ever. He has really busted his tail and has spent the last... well, I don't know how long... maybe a total of 32 years... learning, studying, and becoming really smart. That does include Kindergarten I should add. Second, to add that to celebrate, Alex and Stacy honored us all (Cotter, the Trotters, the Coors, the Bakers and the Hayes') with a fun week in NC. It was truly splendid. One of those perfect weeks that would drive others crazy and yet speaks to the kindred spirits that went on this trip. It involved sleeping in, spending an hour or so at the beach, nap times which corresponded to pool time for moms, eating, cooking, drinking, laughing, playing, sand, saline pool, hot tub, kayak... etc. It involved very little beyond 100 yards of the house. One lighthouse and one trip to the grocery store was about as touristy as we got. The Bakers did some exploring, hopefully that counts for the rest of us.

Here are some pics. They don't really do it justice. For other accounts, see Stacy, Kelly andHeathers blogs. They helped me overcome the post-vacation blues. I got them pretty intensely. I am pretty sure anyone at work would agree that I still suffer from them.

Thanks for all the pictures guys! I was too busy enjoying the coastal life to take pictures of my own, apparently.

Everyone minus Cotter. 17 people in one house. And I think we all really liked each other. Who would have thought that was possible!

Elsa and Stacy

Pool, hot tub and a hammock. Who could ask for more?!?!?

The funny thing about this picture, is that Elsa really likes Addy, and Addy is pretty much head butting her away. They became much better friends by the end of the week.

Cute little butts...

The Coors really got good at Kadima (west-coasters call it Smashball). I think their record was 21 hits.

She lived on sand and blueberries. I am not sure which wreaked havoc on her digestive tract, but either way- she ate a lot of sand.

The view off the balcony, and Eric fishing. Unbelievable.

Really... she ate a lot of sand. Buckets-full- as you can see here.

Thanks Jehles! It really was such a treat spending time with your family and friends! Good luck in Montana!

The last 6 months...

It seems like forever since we have posted. It has been a pretty busy month - full of vacations, funerals, outings, the flu, work, etc.

It started in mid-June with a trip to Taos for my Uncle Larry's funeral. It was bitter sweet- good time with family, although sad for our family who has spent too much times at funerals in the last few years. It is unfortunate that time spent reminiscing, story telling and creating new memories comes at such a price. It was good to see family- it has been a couple of years since we have seen everyone, and much has changed in the last couple of years, needless to say. In an effort to get to vacation pics, see Leigh Ann's blog for Taos pics. You will note the overarching theme to that post is the stomach flu... You can take that story, change the name to Addy, Meredith, Eric, Karen, Lynd, Cori, Tracee, Kelly or Liz. We all got sick over about 10 days, although I am still pleading the 5th for Liz and Kelly- I really don't think Addy was contagious! Sorry anyway! I know the flu isn't fun.

This picture kind of epitomized our trip- Jackie spent hours and hours walking with Addy, playing with her, entertaining her, etc. Chloe was sick and spent hours and hours puking, pooping and contaminating. I love Chloe. She is adorable, and teaches Addy lots of things like how to talk on the phone, how to share, and how wonderful Mimi is. It was fun to see her despite the days and days and days of sickness that followed.

Identity Crisis

Addy goes to bed by about 7:30 every night. On weekends, she sleeps upwards of 4-5 hours a day. (Wakes up at 9, nap 10-1, nap from 3-5, bed at 7) While that is undeniabley great news, it makes for a lot of time in the basement waiting for her to wake up. So... enter my new hobby... making Addy new clothes. Or trying to make Addy new clothes and them giving them to the children whom they actually fit. Any requests????

First piece of clothing... It is huge on Maile, who is 2. Needless to say it was way to big for Addy. And, it looks like she should be in a cult in Idaho or Utah.

Her first pair of pants. They still need a bit of work around the waist. I may have to start over. I do like the fabric combo though.

This is my big success. It almost fits! A bit big though. I think if I make it a bit shorter it will work. And it will be cuter when she is walking. If she ever starts walking.

The new Addy we have grown to love. The Addy with lots of teeth coming in and the periodic melt downs. Although today tooth #3 popped through and she was refreshingly happy! Happy babies make for happy parents!

There is one more dress (2 really- the first will go to Elsa since it was too small, and the 2nd actually fits more like a shirt) but I didn't have the heart to make her try on a 3rd outfit today. Pictures will come sometime...

Thanks Regan!

I was looking for pics of the new Suhay/McManis baby Mia. She is pretty cute. Pretty, really. It is amaxing how round and normal C-section babies are

But while I was snooping around, I found all sorts of cute pics. Thanks for being on top of photos Regan!

Baby bunny!

Addy and Maile playing at our b-day dinner. They are going to be trouble together in about 6 months. In the meantime, Addy just stares in delight.

Maile attacking Addy with the Easter Bunny on Easter. I miss Addy's happy giggle. She loves her bunny.

Birthday girls!! Exactly 30 years apart!

During Addy's b-day party. The only picture of her cute dress. I like stripes.

Addy is 1!

We have been busy!  Mimi came out last week while Eric was in New York and Kansas City.  While Eric was eating and fishing, Addy was learning to walk outside, getting new shoes and growing closer to ONE day by day.  

She has since turned 1 and has really grown up.  She really only likes toys that allow her to move... walker, bike carrier, wagon, etc.   

Unfortunately, she has been super crabby for the last 10 days.  She has not been her cheery self.  We are hoping that her teeth will just break through already!  Let's get this stage over with.  She won't even eat!  And for those who know Ms. Addy- you know how bad she must feel!

Grandma and Grandpa (Sarah and Bob) came out to welcome in the next year with great landscape and a fun party!  

Her party was a huge success.  Everyone came out to cheer her on.  Too bad we missed the picture of everyone singing happy birthday to her.  She was petrified and had this really funny look on her face.  We may do a round 2 of cake trying when she starts eating again.