Grace is growing up so fast. She told us today that she's found a place of her own and will be moving out soon. It does have a lovely view!

Dance, Dance, Dance... and I'm spent!

"Mommy- I'm trying to talk on the phone here! Geez!"

Another mini photo shoot.

Christmas Day

For the first time since leaving home for college we woke up on Christmas morning in our own house! It was very special to us and Grace had a ball. After opening presents at our house we went to see Kyndal at Aaron and Courtney's house and played with her new toys. We ended up at Mamma B's and Papa Buford's house for dinner and one more present opening session. Merry Christmas!!

Getting ready for Christmas!

We struggled and struggled with our halloween costumes this year and then Jenny came up with this crazy idea to paint ourselves as Smurfs! We got the whole family involved and it was a hit! (Too bad I chose to do these pics in black and white!)

Today the Thome family took a day trip to the Pumpkin Patch in Paris, MO. It was our first time and we had so much fun! Grace was MUCH more interested in the animals than in the gourds. I suppose she'll be an animal lover.

These are a few shots from my first attempt in a "real" photo studio with a white backdrop. I can't figure out what to do about shadows!!

Lazy summer days...

Thank you so much Andrea and Andrew for the new stacking cups! Grace played with them on and off all day!

1st Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday Sweetie! We have had the best year of our lives watching you grow. We love you so much!

Congratulations Jaci! You are such a beautiful bride!

We headed to Minneapolis this weekend for my friend's wedding. Grace got to experience her first flight! She was such a good girl! But, of course, didn't sleep a wink. ;)

I have been afraid of raising a Tom Girl that likes sports and turning out a female basketball player. I just COULD NOT relate! But football???? Oh no!

Today would have been Greg's 33rd Birthday so in honor of his obsessively favorite number and color we released 33 green balloons into the warm July sky. It was a wonderful tribute to a truly wonderful person.

We headed back to Omaha to celebrate the 4th of July with Glenn's family. It was the rare occasion that the entire family was there- a perfect photo op! Judy and Duane hosted a fun 4th BBQ complete with a live Serbian band! They played their rendition of God Bless America and Michael was not shy about his patriotism.

Hello out there! I know it's been forever, but the more behind I get the more overwhelming it becomes to get caught up. (I'm sure it's a very unique and unusual feeling that no one else ever has!) :) So, I decided to just start with something and work my way back as I find time. Lots has happened since my last post. Glenn and I made the decision to move back to Monroe City to be closer to family. We felt that it was way too important for Grace to have aunts, uncles, and cousins to stay in Iowa. So we're here and hopefully I'll have pictures and commentaries on the ins and outs of the decision-making/moving events. You will most likely have to read backwards over time to get totally caught up! Sorry for the long wait but I'll try to get back into my regular posts!

We spent the day at The Landing today with Jenny and Alan and the kids. Grace had a lot of bonding time with Alan's daughter Kenadi. She walks all around the pool with her little float and is quite the attraction for the other kids. She also tried her first ice cream cone! What a mess! Needless to say, we were all very tired when we got home.

Ducks

This was Grace's first trip to the cabin! There were ducks that wanted to be our friends and wouldn't go away. Grace went after them, caught one, paused for a picture, then tried to tear off it's head!! Then is was Red's turn! Fun times...

(Note: No ducks were injured in the making of this blog.)