halloween, snowmen, first tooth and golf...

Isabelle had a pretty fun filled fall. We visited a pumpkin patch in Dayton that offered a couple photo opportunities. Unfortunately our favorite part about the farm was shut down. In years past you could feed the cows and goats. Oh well, still a fun spot. Isabelle played in the corn pit, pumpkin bounce house and we did the huge pumpkin slingshot. 

 

We bought some fantastic pumpkins and made some pretty cool jack-o-lanterns.

 

Isabelle decided to dress as a pink power ranger this year. We went to Halloween store to shop for costumes and she got pretty freaked out about all the creepy stuff. I actually had to carry her out of there. She is a pretty tuff little girl but not when it comes to creepy halloween decorations.

 

We trick or treated around the neighborhood with our friends the Ohme's and a whole bunch of the neighbors. There was lots of candy  to be had but Isabelle got freaked out by on really creepy house. I tried to get a picture of it but you can really capture it in a picture, between the scary figurines, the smoke machine and the loud horror movie music it was a bit too much for a few kids. 

 

We tried golf lessons for the first time this winter. Last summer Isabelle rode on the golf cart with me and came to the driving range or putting green but hadnt really golfed. She seems to really enjoy the lessons and I think we will spend a little more time on the course this summer. Isabelle also took tennis lessons this winter. I think she really likes tennis too.

 

The early November snow brought a snow day and an early snow man!

 

Isabelle's creativity never ceases to amaze me. She can make up games to play in just about any situation. We built a little fort with the early snow and eventually Isabelle fitted the fort with a kitchen, complete with cooking grates and leaves for fire, a refridgerator and a bed. Not a bad little fort. The warm weather wiped this fort out so we will build a bigger and better one when we get some more snow.

 



 The tooth fairy finally arrived! Isabelle had watched some of her friends and classmates lose many many teeth. I think she was wondering if hers were ever going to fall out.

 

 

We are all ready for Christmas. The cookies are all made (and mostly eaten).

 

first grade, state fair and other fun stuff

Isabelle is now a first grader! She is enjoying first grade and was very happy to some close friends in her class.

To celebratet the end of summer we took in the state fair with Auntie Stacy, Uncle Bryan and Natalie. The kids had a good time at the little farm hands exhibit, they got to milk a cow, shear a goat, plant a seed and earn some money as a farmer (all pretend of course). Thankfully we hit this exhibit early and didnt have to wait in the enourmous line like last year. The girls also had fun on some rides and of course we won Isbelle some prizes in the midway.

 





Isabelle started basketball for the first time this fall.

 



 

Below is a picture of her putting up what would turn out to be her first basket!

Isabelle participated in the GRE family fun run and kids race, she likes winning medals!

 



We went to Apple Jacks apple orchard and Isabelle got to ride a pony! She is really excited for her horse camp next week.

 



Grandpa Steve bought a cabin in Outing, MN and we got to visit for the first time. It was a little chilly but the leaves were gorgeous. We got some nice photo's in the leaves unfortunately the little guy was sleeping so the family shot is missing the little guy.

 



what have we been up to for 2 months...

Its been a busy summer and its almost over. Isabelle spent much of this summer being a big sister.  I dont think Gina and I could be more proud of her for quickly learning how to be a wonderful sister. She is so thougtful, caring and helpful around her brother. We are very lucky to have 2 kids who adore eachother (for now anyway).  

 

 

 

 

 

In the last year or two Isabelle has turned into a pretty adventurous eater. Before kindergarten we were stuck with hot dogs, chicken strips and mac and cheese. Now she is open to so many different things. She loves tacos, cheeseburgers, rissoto, cous cous, quinoa and whole bunch of things that I never imagined she would eat. As a litte girl she used to hide meat in her cheeks instead of ever actually swallowing it. She loves cooking in general and really loves watching the show at benihana, last time we were there she had some sushi, she didnt like it but I was happy she tried it.

 

We havent had time to get out on the water at all this year, we havent been to a cabin or gone camping. Hopefully we will get back to that next summer when Ethan is a little older. Thankfully Auntie Patty and Uncle Kyle have taken Isabelle out a few times, she loves the water and boat rides. Mostly she loves her cousins and has a blast whenever she is with them.

 



Isabelle's cousin Natalie is finally old enough to really play with her and they have a bunch of fun together. I think Isabelle likes being an older cousin almost as much as a big sister! 

 

Isabelle is so fancy...

 

Biaggi's is one of Isabelle's favorite restaruants, she loves the sgetti but mostly wants the bread you can dunk in the cheese.

 

Isabelle got her very first pedicure last week. I think she looks a little nervous in the pictures but she really liked it and wont stop talking about going back! 

Summer Fun

We are almost a month into Isabelle's first summer at home.  She spent her first 5 summers in daycare. This year she gets to stay hang out with Mom, baby brother and of course Sophie.

Its hard to believe but soccer is over already! We had a really fun season and Isabelle made some new friends in the process. She ended scoring a few goals which she really enjoyed. This will be her last year in co-ed soccer, if she plays next year it will be all girls in the under 8 league. 

 Isabelle and her friend Emma did an art camp at the middle school last week. For 4 days they spent a couple hours working on different projects, I think they had a good time. They stopped me into stops at the park both days that I picked them up.



Unitl kindergarten Isabelle was a pretty picky eater, she just didnt like many things. Eating lunch with a bunch of her classmates everyday really served to broaden her horizons, shes now into taco's, burgers and lots of other good stuff. She really like hardboiled eggs...? yesterday for breakfast she got her favorite...egg man and fruit. 

 Isabelle has taken one dance class throug community ed but has never wanted to join an actual dance class which is wierd because she dances all the time.



One of our goals for the summer was to get Isabelles training wheels off. She had never really shown an interest and we hadnt pushed the issue. Then one day she just says she wants to try. 20 minutes later she was off on her own biking like she had been doing it her whole life.



Along with summer comes carnivals. Isabelle is a total carnival junky. HSe loves the rides, she loves the games, she loves the food, the lemonade, the petting zoos, the whole bit. She loves carnivals. This year she got to take Cousin Natalie on her first carnival rides. They had a blast. We also met Olivia at Father Hennepin and got to ride some rides with her. This week we will hit the 4th of July carnival in Coon Rapids and do it all again.

What a difference a school year makes!

Here is a picture of Isabelle on her first day of Kindergarten.

Here is a picture of Isabelle on the last day of kindergarten. 



It is absolutely amazing to see how much our little girl has grown up in the course of one school year. She is such a bright, fun, smart and caring little girl. We are very proud parents. It is a little sad to watch her grow by leaps and bounds but mostly I am just excited to see who she will become and what adventures she has in store for us.

The Okey Dokey Brothers, Soccer and a Birthday

Isabelle's school hosted the grammy award winning Okey Dokey Brothers for a private concert at the school adn another show that evening at the High School. Isabelle absolutely loved the show and her new CD. We waited in line to get the CD signed and she thought that was pretty cool. On a related note, I lost Isabelle when teh concert ended. The show ended and a rush of peoople got between Isabelle and I. It took me about 4 minutes to find her and it felt like the longest 4 minutes ever.



Isabelle is in the middle of her 3rd year of soccer. She has a ton of fun during practices and of course when we have snacks after the games. She doesnt like the games as much. She does really well but hasnt scored a goal yet. We are working on her aggresiveness a little bit.

With summer weather comes the POOL! Isabelle has already had one good week of pool weather. We were going to buy a larger semi permamnet pool but ended up gettting a trampoline instead. The little inflatable pools will have to work for at least another summer. She seems to have plenty of fun in them.

It is really hard to believe but isabelle turned 6 last week. It has been a really un and unforgettable 6 years. It is absolutely amazing to watch her grow up and turn into such a sweet, kind, caring and fun person. We celebrated with some of her friends at a bowling alley and had our family over for another party. Isabelle got more toys than she needs, she was especially excited about the accessories for her American Girl Doll. Her doll (also named Isabelle) got several new outfits, a bike and horse with a stable.