We're Baaaaaack!

Finally- it's about time I got this blog up and running again! It's been almost a year!! And what a year it's been. Our Simone Marie is getting so big (she's almost 3!) and we are just loving every day with her. I'll probably do a different post as far as my health updates...but all has been fabulous. So, here is a "quick" synopsis of the last year, with the most recent pics being at the top. August 2012:

Above: The State Fair! It was even more fun this year because Simone was big enough to go on all of the kiddie rides. She had a BLAST.

The mini-Giant Slide was Simone's FAVORITE. Belly laughed the whole way down.

We went up to Detroit Lakes for Ashley and Brady's wedding- so fun and Simone's first!

Dancing with Daddy on the dance floor. She loved stomping in those cowgirl boots!

We of course had our annual trip to Grand Rapids, MN in August with Nicole's Dad, Kathy, Sean, Brenda, Liam and Luke. We look forward to it so much every year.

Simone's first face-painting!

Enjoying the beautiful lake with Grandpa Pat. July:

We went up to Duluth with our friends Chris, Jenny, Braden, Jesse, Beth and Nolan to see Thomas the Train! The kids absolutely went nuts.

I feel so lucky to still be friends with these chicas after all these years!!

I think we actually got it in June, but Simone got her first swingset! She loved it. She played on it almost every day this summer.

4th of July at our friends Chris and Jenny's house!

Simone loves mowing the lawn with Daddy.

June:

Goofballs.

Simone's first pony ride at Grand Ol' Day!

Took a couple of trips to the MN Zoo

Simone loves hanging out in her whale pool!

She also loves her trips to the park! May:

We did our 3rd annual Race for the Cure! Such a wonderful, meaningful, emotional day.

About to cross the finish line!

BIG step- Simone got her first Big Girl Bike! She got on that thing and rode it right away...took her about a second to get it down!

Greg's Grandma's 90th birthday party! Such a wonderful celebration and so nice to get the whole fam together! April:

First kite-flying session!

Easter at Grandpa Pat and Grandma Kathy's

At the Macy's flower show!

First egg-coloring session March:

We took our second annual trip down to Bonita Springs, FL to visit Grandma and Papa. Greg's brother Steve, Krista, and Baby Warren also came down! Above- squirting Mom in the pool.

Simone LOVES the beach and the ocean.

A little light reading by the pool.

The whole fam!

Simone's first Disney Princesses on Ice! She was absolutely mesmerized. We're going again this December! February:

Going to "Night Trains" at Bandana Square for cousins Liam and Lukes birthday party! January:

Mom's birthday! Dang, I'm getting old...:) Just happy to celebrate another HEALTHY year!!

Celebrating Mom's birthday out with friends!

Simone's first time painting with water colors! So intense...:) December 2011:

Christmas!!

Who knew playing in the shower could be so fun?? With cousin Luke.

Christmas with Grandma S

It was such a mild winter that we were able to head out to the Como Zoo lots! Enjoying the conservatory with Grandma Joanie.

Awwww. Just got done looking at the Tigers with cousin Liam.

Ok, I can't remember if this was January or December...but we were SO proud to be Baby Warren's sponsors at his baptism!

The bros and their kids

Having fun outside while Mom and Dad put up the Christmas lights!

Went to see the Macy's Christmas display, and Simone met Santa for the first time! A little leary of him, but she did give him a high-five. :)

Snow is fun! November 2011:

Thanksgiving at Aunt Carole's!

With cousin Amy!

Thanksgiving at Grandma and Papa S's house..and we got to meet Baby Warren for the first time! Well, there ya have it. I plan on keeping this thing MUCH more up-to-date from now on! More to come soon from my surf trip!!