Thursday, November 20, 2008

October 2008

October is a big month for us. Lily's birthday is at the end of the month and of course, so is Halloween. Most of the month is spent talking about these two occasions and how many more days until either one of them. Most of the month Lily was dead-set on being a princess for Halloween but there was still a lot of discussion about costumes. Check the end of this post to see what she, Josh & Jacintha were for Halloween.

October was also a big month for Jacintha. She's grown two teeth (on the bottom.) She sits up on her own and rolls across the room. One day, mid diaper change, I ran upstairs to get a new diaper and when I came back down she was across the room! Lily swears she didn't drag her across the carpet. She also started eating baby food with a spoon. Lots of firsts this month.



Lily's birthday cake

Always the princess... Lily poses in the dress up clothes she got for her birthday from Grandma & Grandpa Binning.



She sits!

She plays!

She laughs!

Lilian with Great-Grandma & Grandpa Binning

Halloween with Curious George & The Man with the Yellow Hat

Halloween with Mama & Princess

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

September 2008

It was a perfect September, still feeling very much like summer but knowing that fall is just a week or two away. All you can do is take advantage of it all- the daylight, the warmth, the easy way of leaving the house without coat or hat. We spent September hanging out in the backyard, going to the park, and visiting with friends and family.

Jacintha found her voice this month. She jabbers and jabbers away. She squeals when Lily comes in the room and her arms and legs start swinging and kicking like crazy when her mom or dad come near.

Lily is loving being outside... running down the block, riding her bike, and playing hopscotch are some of her favorite activities. Two big things happened for her this month. She learned how to pump on the swing, making herself go higher and higher and she is now riding tandem on a bike with her mom or dad. She loves the tandem. It is what she wants to do every night after dinner.

Below are some highlights of the month...

Our neighborhood park: voted best sunsets in the Twin Cities

A visit to Spring Hill Community Farm, our Community Supported Agriculture Farm in western Wisconsin. Josh and Lily picked raspberries and Jacintha and I washed green peppers and rosemary before we helped packed up the veggies to bring back to Minneapolis. Lily got to help see if the hens had laid any eggs and she found one!

Future Farmer of America?

In mid-September we were lucky enough to have the girls' great-grandma Binning and great-aunt Judy come for a visit.

We also got together with some of the crew from Josh's college trip to India back in '96.
As you can see, there's been a bit of a baby boom. Thanks for hosting, Erika!

The end of September brings the annual Harvest Festival at the neighborhood catholic school. This is a real pleasure for a small town girl like me. Our friend Martha lives to houses away so we've started to me a tradition of it. There's a cake walk, book sale, fire truck rides, a beer tent and bingo to name a few of the activities. This year Lily was very excited about the rides. A big difference from two years ago when she cried the whole time she rode the helicopters with her dad. Here she is in Martha's garden before heading over to the fest.
On the carousel with her favorite horse

On the ferris wheel with daddy. Wayyy up there!

Listen to Jacintha talk!

Jessica & Patrick's Wedding

Colorado Springs, CO
8/8/08 : 8pm
Jessica & Patrick say "I do" beneath mountains and rainbows.










Back at the hotel after a long and wonderful day.

Friday, September 12, 2008

July 2008 - Binning-Condon 2nd annual

In July, the Condons and Binnings came together for the 2nd annual get-together at Scott & Jenny's cottage in Wisconsin Rapids. Jaden and Lily ran around like crazy, Reece tried to keep up, and Jacintha watch the show. The wind might have kept us out of the lake, but it didn't keep us off the lake, with Scott tooling us around in the pontoon. Dad cleaned out the horseshoe pit and Randy set up the croquet and the yard games were in play. Marilyn brought her famous chocolate-cherry cake for us to celebrate Randy's birthday. Check out some photos from the weekend below.

Josh & Lily try their hand at captain.

Jacintha's first boat ride.

no comment.

S'mores



Thursday, September 11, 2008

June 2008 - Graduation Day!!

At long last, the day we've been waiting for since the day he began 2 years ago. Josh now has his Masters in Social Work. Who's happier? Josh or Kari? The feelings mutual, i'm sure. This day marked all the hard work Josh put in, all the days at the library, and all the times he had to say no to friends and family. This day also recognized the pride we feel for him and relief we all feel that it is now over. Definitely a day to celebrate!

He's certified, Ladies & Gentlemen

Josh's Graduating Class of Social Workers



Future Social Worker?

Happy! Happy! Happy!

What better way to celebrate than with a pinata? Let out all those built up frustrations and put them behind you because school's out FOREVER!



June 2008 - Camping

Here are some photos from the Annual Lang Camp-out. This year it was at William-O'Brian State Park near the St. Croix river. Josh had class so had to miss it this year, Kari & Jacintha made it out for the day, and Lilian got to stay over with her grandparents & cousins. She came home with lots of campfire stories- swimming, s'mores, flashlights and ice cream were the main topics.

Jacintha's 1st camp outing (8 weeks)

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

The kids

Lilian with cousin Austin

Lilian with cousin Jordan

Ready for a swim!