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Daddy's been doing some freelance work (my that sounds...romantic, doesn't it? The roving artist). One such outlet is with a previous sign employer. They're getting into vehicle wraps. Daddy does the design work and just loaded some special software with car outlines for properly designing to the size. He mocked up a version for my car.

Although not really. Spendy stuff.

Walkie Walkies

Saturday wasn't great weather, but it wasn't awful either.
After some garage and other sales in the morning we made a stop at Long Lake Regional Park (New Brighton) for a walk.
They had a little museum and a train car. Closed, of course but nice and red for a good photo background.

If I'm not mistaken this is the railroad that your Grandpa Jon worked for when he was in high school. He cooked and would take the train to Chicago and even out west. I'm not going to let either one of you do that when you're in high school. Don't even think about it. In fact, I don't think we want to tell you all Grandpa's stories - "Potato" Jon, running away, motorcycling cross country...No, not yet (although mom might want to collect them...hint, hint).

Just chillin'

The playmat above (thanks Jannie & Gordon!) has been used A LOT. I wasn't sure they'd ever figure out how to grab stuff, but sure enough...Roman's favorite is the giraffe (bottom right, cut off) and Zoe's the purple elephant (to the left of the giraffe).

Sandals weather

Okay, we're just being teased now. We've had a few really nice days. Into the 80's even. Yesterday? 40's. Not right. Not right at all.

About a week or so ago I came home to find the family out on the patio, enjoying the weather.

Roman was bouncing in his jumper, oops bouncy bouncy, and sporting the new sandals Grandma Candy bought him. This would be the 2nd pair of shoes that actually stay on his feet. I think velcro is the key. Those little sandals are SO CUTE. I think half the reason Grandma bought them is because Daddy won't wear sandals. You'll have to talk to him about that. and btw I think I've seen him wear shorts less than a dozen times in the 6 years I've known him.

Below, Roman enjoys a handful of hair. They both like that for some reason.

Meanwhile, Zoe was enjoying her swing. This was the day I realized we had to have two bouncy bouncies. It didn't seem fair that she couldn't bounce along at the same time. Not that she's as spastic as Roman, but hey, she needs the opportunity too!



New tag:

owr= obligatory weather reference, something very Minnesotan

Sleeping and chewing

As previously noted, Roman likes to move around when he sleeps. Another thing he likes to do is pull the blanket up to, and often over his head. It kind of freaked us out at first, but now I guess we're just used to it. No matter how many twists and turns he makes he seems to get himself covered and stay warm. Tonight he was sitting in his chair, not quite ready for bed. I put the newly laundered blanket over him. Within minutes he had it up over his head and started to get sleepy-eyed. A few minutes later:

Meanwhile, Zoe observes from her swing. Lately pulling hair and trying to chew on it is a favorite play activity. Don't you worry little Miss, one of these days you'll have your very own hair to chew on....

R

Z

More family photos

Daddy's got a new fancy schmancy camera, Thanks to Grandma Candy. Bring on the video daddy!

Wednesday's Walk

Around 1 o'clock on Wednesday your Grandma Jane called to see what was up. She and Grandpa Jon got back from a vacation out West late the night before. She was wondering if we'd like to get out of the house, go for a walk. Of COURSE! Getting out and enjoying the weather was a good idea. We decided on a path near G & G's house (have car, will travel). Here you are with G-Jane on a dock on the lake.








We detoured thru a neighboring development and had fun taking you down the stairs. Good thing we didn't have the big stroller!

and don't forget...

Your Aunt Shannon, who has been to see you twice already!

The original twins

Your Uncle Jared and Aunt Amanda will forever be the "original" twins.

Bouncy Bouncy

We've moved from the stationary or semi stationary "bouncy" seat to the jumper. I like to call the jumper the bouncy bouncy seat. That's what it does. Or that's what the kids make it do. Grandma Jane picked one up awhile back and I found one at a sale this past weekend. Dad got her cleaned up and now we have two, side by side in the living room. BOUNCY BOUNCY. It's pretty darn funny. It's kind of going to be sad to see some of the old equipment go. But when we put them in the swing and it doesn't swing, well I think it's time to move on. We're not there yet, but I see the day...

This morning we got up around 7 (my day home with the kids), I brought the kids out to the kitchen and did a little tidying up. Then time for cereal. Good stuff. They were patient...I let their tummies settle a bit before letting them play on the bouncy bouncy. By the time they got to the bouncy bouncy, about an hour and a half later, I figured it was a good opportunity to take a quick shower. As soon as I was out I went to check on the kids.

Here is what I found.

Mom, I'm so TIRED. I didn't expect nap time that early but hey, whatever works.

Really Late Edition or is it Early?

Finally we get to evoke The Holy Trilogy! Thank you Roman for giving us the perfect picture!
Daddy is such a fan of Star Wars (his two Persian Cats are named after Ewoks!) You gave the Chicago Bull Look (from here on out to be dubbed CBL) and did it ever look like Yoda. See below pic for the before shots. That might have to be the 1st Halloween costume!

Family

Up from Chicago...

Grandpa Mike, Uncle Jared, Aunt Amanda, Daddy & Zoe

Yeah, I'm calling him Daddy as long as I can. And Grandpa Mike just because we use no last names here. I'm partial to calling the grandparent by the last name, but maybe that's old fashioned

Zoe, Grandpa Mike and Uncle (!) Jared.

No matter what I did, I couldn't get Roman to look at the camera.

Until now.

Grandpa, Zoe, Shannon, Jared, Amanda, Daddy, Roman

Ham!

Zoe & Roman meet Grandpa!

Why the sad face?

Zoe! Quit gnawing on my head. (and mom, put down that camera and rescue me!)

tummy time

Bad senior yearbook pose

Not on purpose, mind you. But it looks like one of those fake poses the photographer makes you do, only you don't feel comfortable doing so..it's a POSE for goodness sake.
This wasn't a pose. Just a glance over the shoulder at mama.

Watching barges on the Mississippi

Wednesday we took a walk along the ol' mississip(pi) and happened to see a tug pushing several barges. Is that right, a tug pushing?

It doesn't show too well here, but Roman and dad watch as it goes upstream from Harriet Island in St Paul. Don't get me started on Harriet Island- is it really an island?

p.s. I can't wait for GREEN surroundings- leaves on the trees and all that.

Caption me

this one never made it before or at Easter. I was hoping it would make daddy's cartoon, but alas, we ran out of time.
Make your own caption. Mr. Roman just looks like Mr. Wise guy here.

Ms Zoe's ready for the summer sun

I think we've turned the corner, weatherwise. Winter be gone! And if you know anything about Minnesota, you know this is a major topic of conversation. A major topic of our mental well being. And only a Minnesotan would appreciate this: Only 4 more months until the State Fair.
ugh.
4 Months? The State Fair marks the end of summer. 4 months? It's not even begun!



We had nice weather this weekend and this week is looking good too. This past Saturday we took a walk in our neighborhood. Mama just has to remember to appreciate what we DO have and stop being so negative (it would be nice to be in a quieter neighborhood...it would be nice to be SOMEWHERE else). Appreciate what you do have. Often easier said than done.

At any rate on our family walk we talked about all the walks we could take this summer. Pushing the stroller. Stopping to enjoy the sights. Daddy pointing out the turtles and the eagles and whatever else he notices. Mom doesn't notice these things. Someday we'll figure out what she notices...It isn't aminals (much to dad's chagrin when he points out a falcon or a _______ - mama's brain shuts off as if he's talking about car repair or science). Okay, mama's tired right now but feeling woefully delinquent on blogging.

Our goal is to get out and explore the Twin Cities. There's lots and lots of paths out there for us to explore. We have cars, we can drive there. It always seemed kind of odd to drive somewhere to walk, or to bike, but hey, I don't care. And we can explore neighborhoods that we might someday want to move to. Someday. In the meantime we'll appreciate our humble abode.

So thanks_for our humble abode, walking paths and our cars.

Serving time...

Every night.
Mr. Roman is a twisty turny roving sleeper. The other morning I found him tangled up. This is not unusual. Only this time I thought to take a photo. A blurry one, but a photo nonetheless.
We watch too many movies. I always think of Back to the Future. Marty McFly goes back in time to his mom's childhood home. His uncle is just a baby. He tells him to get used to the bars (on the crib) because in the future he's got something of an incarceration issue. Don't get used to those bars Roman!

Happy Easter!!!

Not quite sure what Zoe's thought was here, but Mommy says you get the inherited "Chicago Bull" look. Apparently Daddy gets that, I know Grandpa Mike gets that and Uncle Rob. Its a Dads side of the family thing. But when we first saw this picture we thought of Different Strokes - "What you talkin about , Willis?" - from Arnold. And the bunny ears just screamed to include Elmer!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail..♫

Note Roman in the background. He knows when the camera is out. What about me?


You get your chance Buddy.

One must TOUCH the bunny.

Zoe contemplates the carrot. Oddly enough it's what she had for dinner later that night.

Roman couldn't wait for his.