Seattle Surprise!

So our trip last weekend was actually a surprise trip to Seattle! It was so much fun to knock on our families doors' and say hello! We got to see both sides of the family, and enjoyed doing so many different things. It was my neices first birthday, and that was the highlight for us, she is getting so big! Other highlights would be the science museum, pumpkin patch, grandparents and great grandparents - playing with grandpa on the floor and lots and lots more! Below are a million pictures, some with captions........... Enjoy!

Michaela LOVED hugging Reagan, and she wasn't always interested! And Michaela and Grandpa Kresge snuggling after bathtime!


Pumpkin patch and the cho cho train...... this picture looks like my parents about 24 years ago!


Having a snack on the plane, and Papa and Michaela reading the Friend.


Grandma Raylene holding both girls off in the car with LIPSTICK!


Jammy babies! And Michaela's first brownie beater.


Michaela's new passion, trains with Grandpa Sam and Papa with her and Halloween hats.


Reagan and Michaela at the Science center, in big foot's footprint and at the water table!


Trampoline Fun and Sticker buddies!


Great Grandpa's cane and playing peek-a-boo with Grandma Fife!


This was too cute, Michaela was afraid of Ganda the dog, but she eventually got close enough to give her a bummy love! And wrestling with grandpa!

Loads of Posts and Pictures

So we will be out of town later this week, with Jordan at a Networking event. I have been told that before I board the plane, there should be enough pictures to hold off the grandparents for an entire week! So here they go, four or five entire posts complete with pictures! Hope you all have a great week.-Samantha

Homecoming Weekend

This weekend was homecoming for the Hawkeyes. I do not know who they played, nor do I know if they won (sorry Devin Winn....) but I DO know that we had a blast before the game! The MBA's hosted a tailgate at 7 am and we went with all the school spirit we could find around the house. It was a blast and OF COURSE, Michaela stole the show......

Just a little view of the stadium - 3 HOURS before game time!


This is the street we live on. People park here and walk the one mile to the field.


Michaela showing off her face tattoo. Happily it didn't come off, so she got to wear it to church today! (did anyone get the sarcasm???)


Michaela and daddy, happy at the tailgate.


Here is Michaela's hat the clown made her. Yes, the yellow balloon is part of it!


This kid made my day when she knew how to hold a football.

A nipple on her....... Nipple.

About a week ago, Jordan and I heard Michaela laughing in the living room. Curious to see what was so amusing we headed that way. She met us in the hallway, like this...........

I kid you not, we did not set this up! She had a cup nipple on her, well, nipple! We laughed so hard and then posed for a million other pictures, some of which we set up. But I SWEAR, the first time was all her!

A few of her favorite things....

Latley, Michaela has been into rubbing feet! I kid you not, she has always been obsessed with lotion, and rubbing it all over herself, but a few weeks ago she wanted to rub it on my legs. For some reason, I wasn't too keen on the idea, but she threw a big enough fit that I finially gave in. Who would have guessed that sugh a little girl could give such a wonderful leg and foot rub?! So now, when she comes to me with her big brown eyes and says, "loosh?" (Lotion) I smile sweetly, and say, as you wish my love!!! It doesn't get any better than that! This is my mom, with Michaela, enjoying her new favorite hobby!


Beautiful girl on a beautiful day!


Talking on the park phone. Michaela calls it the "PakTak", (Park, Talk)

A Mile in MY Shoes!

The other morning, Michaela decided it would be funny to wear my shoes. I thought it was too cute!


Who KNOWS what this face is all about?! Perhaps she didn't like my joke about her having huge feet?!


Getting her balance....


And off she goes!

Making Cookies!

A few nights ago, Michaela kept asking for cookies and Jordan joined in the multiple request..... so I gave in and started to make them. Of COURSE Michaela wanted to join in and for the first time I let her! It was so much fun, she was such a great helper! She keep saying, "me cook mommy, me cook!" She didn't make it to the finished product, instead she fell asleep, but I had so much fun playing with her! What a great little, wonderful friend!

Play Day at the Zoo!

Today was FREE DAY at the zoo! Our whole play group went to Illinios today to enjoy a day of nice weather and a great zoo! Michaela's highlight was the train, and mine was her petting the goats! Enjoy the pictures!

Picture overload!

If you had to sum up Michaela in a picture, this would be it. I see: ATTITUDE, SPUNK and DETERMINATION and the CUTEST BUMMY IN THE WORLD!

So anyway, we walked to the park the other day, and I took a million pictures. I thought she looked especially cute this day, I just absolutley love her little Gap jeans! Well, here are a million pictures of one day.......

I am not sure if she insisted on pushing the stroller so that her sup was easy to get to, she could steer or that the fascinating wildlife (you can't see the aunt we followed for ten min.....) were at her fingertips!





Just look how grown-up this baby is! She had such a good time. No real other news to report, fall is upon us so I am getting the craft, baking and sweater wearing bug! Enjoy the rest of the week!

More Pictures

To some of you, it may seem like I post ALL THE TIME! To Grandparents, I don't post enough. So here are some more from yesterday, we went to the pet store to play with the puppies and the park to play with the slide and chalk. Enjoy Grandparents!



One of my new favorites......



Puppy Fun!


Good times at the park!


Beautiful 18 month pictures...

Especially for the Grandpas!

By request of Grandpa Jon, and dedicated to Grandpa Kresge, and a Happy Birthday to Grandpa Fife - Here are some Michaela pictures/videos! She loves her Grandpas!

This is my favorite song about adoption and I thought I would share it with you..... it makes me cry everytime I hear it!