Happy Anniversary!

Yep, your parents have celebrations too.

One day after your birthday is our anniversary - 4 years this year. That's all? Yeah. But we've been together for 7 (no foreseeable itching on the horizon).

Your Grandma Candy watched you guys this year and your dad and I went out. I got some free (woo hoo!) passes from the library to go to the observation deck on the Foshay in downtown Minneapolis. I had no idea it was even there. Apparently it has been for awhile. It was a rainy afternoon, but by the time we got there it was dry enough to take in some views.

 I didn't have my camera with me, so we had to rely on the cellphone for a record of our visit.

 Which made for an unsuccessful shot of the two of us. Oh well.

 But I did get one of your dad,

And he of me.

I was feeling very non Mommy and grown up (but couldn't help think about you and talk about you all evening!!). Some day (far off!) we'll bring you up there too.

Pee-paw

 Sometimes you're "peepaw", sometimes you're "gampa",  other times you're "pops" (just kidding on the last one - for some reason your PeePaw relating a Rodney Dangerfield line sticks in my head: You know when you're in trouble when they start talking about you like you aren't in the room. "What are we gonna do about Pops?")
At any rate...Peepaw stuck a leaf on his nose the other day, trying to get you to warm up. Not sure if it worked, generally it's time that does that. You remain cautious with people until you're sure they're okay.

Apparently you're okay, gampa. Roman got on your lap and let you read him a book.

Tow Mater! Cars again? Yes, Cars again.

Update:Girl in the Draggin' Tutu

From Grandma Jane a few days ago:
Responsorial in today's Bulletin Board about the "Girl in the Draggin' Tutu" blurb. If only this lady knew the backstory. Our interesting life is more about turning up the volume on the TV when your dad is snoring too loud in his recliner and turning the volume down when he is not.

from the paper:

This 'n' that

Mama Meg of "St. Paul's glorious East Side": "Saturday's note from The MOM in Stillwater about The Girl With the Draggin' Tutu (very cute title, btw) really made me giggle — especially the part where she said she '... put the tutu on my head like a lampshade.' Now, I think many (possibly most?) people might have written '... put the tutu on my head like a HAT' — but it sounds like The MOM has a far more interesting life than most people. Love it!

And it's become a theme.

A few days later Zoe walked into the living room wearing a pair of shorts on her head.
A new toddler trend indeed!

Cooler weather has arrived

Go ahead, Zo. Pick those flowers. The season is coming to an end. Not that I really ever stopped you from picking Dad's flowers before.

 Oh what fun, a see saw!
Or, below.....

 ...just kind of sad. Needless to say I let you see if you could figure out why it wasn't "up down"-ing. No, not really.

This was a good score- a chalkboard found in a down the street neighbors yard. Gee, I hope they meant to be getting rid of it. :) Yeah, it was on the trash heap. Plenty good for our backyard 'yard'!

And the sedum is blooming. When I first got this years ago I had no idea it bloomed. I just like the thick, succulent like leaves it has during the summer.

But it's awfully pretty in it's own right.

Lets step back a week (2)

 A Tinkerbell book! A Tinkerbell book! With flashlight/wand that makes different sounds. Pretty nifty. Although I've hid the book because you just aren't ready for the delicate popups yet, Zoe.

And Roman got a really awesome Cars book, complete with dashboard and steering wheel. The stuff they make these days is really awesome (and you've got an aunt with great taste!)

Filmed for posterity (Dad on the right)

An attempt at getting a photo of you two with Shannon and Ryan.
Not. Quite.

Daddy's closeup of Sheriff.

The book - and Roman admiring Zoe's new Jessie the cowgirl pajamas.

So much fun.

Including Zoe's new Tinkerbell doll. I couldn't get Zoe to give it a hug on command, so Roman will do!

A  cool bag to boot!

Let's step back a week

 Your Aunt Shannon started off the birthday festivities the weekend before the official anniversary or your arrival into this world.

You had NO problem digging into all your cool goodies.

 Or ogling the box.

 Zoe enjoyed wearing her hat during the experience and took to her new Tinkerbell cellphone like an old pro.

Your Dad was just as excited by this Sheriff car from Toy Story as you, Roman. And your Mom is getting sucked into it too. I had to check out what WalMart had on the shelves last time we went. We've amassed something of a collection of these things (and I'm not even going to count the ones your Dad has been buying and storing in the garage these last several years).

 Cars? Pshaw, I'm still good with my phone.

 See??

Setting the scene...

for your 2nd birthday party!

Miss Kitty came over to assist with the decoration of the important celebratory food: cake!

First some cupcakes decorated like the aliens in Toy Story

And a sheet cake just in case...

And doubly in case ANOTHER cake, fitting with your adventures of this summer: dirt and worm(ies). Complete with red wagon on top! Nice job Dad and Kitty!

Your dad spent some time creating a really nice "Happy Birthday" banner for you too, complete with all your favorite Toy Story characters.

And Grandma Candy provided the supersized cardboard cutouts we used to decorate the garage - good thing your birthday is in September or we wouldn't get to have more than a few people over at one time!

More pictures, and hopefully some video to follow. After having a week off and spending the time on some great adventures (away from home and at home), I'm WAY backlogged on posts. That's okay,just means we don't have to do anything exciting for awhile. Although I should report on milestones. Roman: repeating everything. Zoe: smart cookie too - she spilled her cheerios this morning in the living room and went to the kitchen to get the broom to sweep them up. Atta girl!

more time at the sculpture garden

You guys stopped to check out a puppy that was enjoying the garden as well.

Nice 'uppy!

Safety as a pair - no need to even hold Dad's hand!

We found an interactive sculpture. Zoe would have no part in it, but Roman gave it a whirl.

For a moment.

Then it was Ryan and Shannon having fun. Or should I say Ryan trying to practice his "underdog" push while Shannon was on the "swing"?

Uh, not gonna work. ;)

The two way glass was a fun place to play peek a boo with Shannon.

A nice little walk.