It's Been a Long Time...

Samara and her first taste of a chocolate cookie, all by herself. Looks like she likes it!



Samara, cousin Kameron, and Auntie Tanya, at a family get together this summer.



Mara going for a ride, lookin' pretty excited!



Trav and I.

Trav and Kameron, after a water balloon (Kameron) vs. water hose (Trav) fight.

The 'Men' watching the kids.'

Grandpa Jim reading to Mara.

WOW!!!

That is all I can say! Samara has just taken off in the past two weeks. She is doing so many new things that I just hate ever leaving her! She mimics everything. At night, we read and she holds her Junior Asparagus and I showed her to how to make Junior fly, with noise, of course. The she grabbed Junior and made him fly, noise and all. She also loves to make her cars tg Vroom! She likes to make kissing noises and is working on how to sign I love you. She signs for 'more' and 'eat' very well and without being asked. She likes to wear necklaces and watches and brush her hair. She follows commands very well, like 'come here' or 'stand up'.

And...drumroll....she is taking 3-5 independent steps!!! Yeah!! All this in the just the past 2 weeks. It is like a million synapses just fired and connected and Boom! There she goes, from being my little dependent cutie to an independent mama! Oh where has the time gone?

Around the House

I have some random pics from the past few weeks. We have been busy! Sundays are reserved for bike rides and picnics, which I absolutely love. I get my workout in and get to hang with my two fav people! Fantabulous! We also added in some around the house shots, some racing shots, a family picnic/reunion (from this past weekend, and many others...).

Tearing up Daddy's side of the bed. That is what he gets for leaving out the Kleenex!

Samara watching what's happening outside.

Samara has mastered crawling into things, standing on them, teetering on them, and generally making me scared that we will be on our way to the ER soon!

The race course, courtesy of Travis.

Sunday Picnic with the belly girl (after seeing this pic, I promptly packed away this 'too short' shirt).

Trav...'nough said.

Samara with her cheese and crackers for our snack. She especially loved sharing with Trav and breaking up the crackers all over the blanket.

Samara with the Mississippi River lock and dam behind her, on our way to Northfield.

Samara pointing at something and Trav pretending he knows what it is.

Mommy and Mara.

The Fam: L-R Top row: My stepdad, Jerry; uncle Steve; uncle Bill; Grandpa Darrell; uncle John. Bottom Row: My mom, aunt Jane, aunt Cindy, Grandma June, aunt LuAnn.

Mara, having a pretty great time after tacos and a cupcake.

The Whole Family: L-R Back Row: Brother-in-law Tom, Sister Rachel's boyfriend Will, Stepdad Jerry, cousin Thomas, uncle Steve, uncle Bill, Grandpa Darrell, uncle John with grandaughter Mady, cousin Gretchen's husband Gary with son Riley, cousin Amanda.

Front Row: Sister Shelle with son Michael, sister Rachel, Trav and Samara, Me (croutching), mom, cousin Andrew, aunt Cindy, Grandma June, aunt LuAnn, cousin Gretchen. Dogs Jersey and Murphy.