12.26.2009

happy holidays




Merry Christmas everyone!
This year Anthony and I hosted Christmas at our house. We went out early Wednesday and did all of our grocery shopping, and with the impending snow storm weren't sure our family would arrive. Happily the Krebs clan made it safely on Christmas Eve and we enjoyed appetizers, drinks and good company. Ethan got to open one present on Christmas Eve and it was a new book: "If You Take a Mouse To The Movies" (one of mommy's favorites) and a stuffed mouse to go with it.
On Christmas day we went outside to test out Ethan's new sled. He loved being pulled around in it by "Papa." We played in the snow for a bit and then came in to get lunch ready.
Anthony and I on Christmas Eve
Ethan opening the 1st present
"So Cute"
My new Vikings Jersey from Grandpa & Grandma!


We hope you are enjoying the holiday season with your family!

11.24.2009

hApPy BiRtHdAy!

Anthony and I both took the day off to take Ethan out for lunch and then to Build a Bear to help him make his first teddy bear.
Ethan posing for a picture before blowing out his candle. Yes that's correct Ethan learned how to blow and he performed well on the big day!
"Do you think I have enough cake in my mouth?"
Ethan loving his cake!
Presents...wait this paper looks more fun


Ethan's first birthday was so much fun. We have had such an amazing year watching him change and grow. It was a perfect way to celebrate this milestone. Thank you everyone for making his special day so wonderful!

11.01.2009

ethan's 1st halloween

mommy, ethan and the pigeon pumpkin
daddy and the little scarecrow
ethan and his treat bag from grandpa and grandpa!
ethan helping clean out the pumpkin (he loved touching it!)
our little pumpkin ;)

minnetonka apple orchard

mommy & ethan picking our favorite: honeycrisp apples
ethan in the orchard
helping daddy find the best ones
awe...ethan and daddy
We spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Minnetonka Apple Orchards. We went with our neighbors, Brent, Camie and Caleb. We came home with enough honeycrisp apples to last us until Thanksgiving! Ethan loved the hayride and seeing the farm animals!

trip to charlotte

stealing a kiss from cousin amber
the birthday girl-cousin alyssa
ashly & elizabeth
ethan & grandma delene
grandma delene with all 3 grandkids!

Ethan and I took a long weekend trip to Charlotte over MEA. We had such a great time seeing everyone. We stayed busy doing plenty of shopping, family photos, a birthday party and even my first Cuban restaurant!

Children's Museum!






This was something I was looking forward to doing with Ethan for quite some time. They have a great infant room perfect for a little crawler like ours! I used to take go here often with a little girl named Alex when I was her nanny in college. I'm sure we will frequent this museum often- especially those cold winter months :)

10.10.2009

New Gopher Stadium Tour

Ethan and Daddy on the U of M campus
My dad standing below Brown County (all the counties in MN are etched in around the stadium
Mommy & Ethan with Goldy!
Papa and Ethan (Ethan proudly waved his pennant)
View of the new field- it looks great!


Last weekend, we were lucky to have my dad visit us for the weekend. We stayed busy watching/ checking on all the MN sports games throughout the weekend. We made a trip out the Cabelas in Rogers and besides checking out all the hunting and fishing gear, we also showed Ethan the fish and all the animals displays- which he really liked. On Saturday night we took my dad to one of our new favorite burger places- Smash Burger. (so good!) On Sunday morning Anthony and my Dad went to a gun show in St. Paul while Ethan and I did a little fall clothes shopping. After they returned we headed over the the U of M campus to tour the new TCF Stadium. All of the alumni were invited to tour and when we arrived we thought for sure we'd wouldn't be getting in with the huge line that we saw. However, I strolled up to one of the workers and asked about the wait time and he pointed us to a "secret door" around the corner that was wheelchair (stroller) accessible- woohoo- thank you Ethan! So after cutting about 200 people in line we were inside! The stadium was a great sight to see. It was exciting to think what having the stadium back on campus would be like for students. Although I think about today (it's only October 10th and snow covers the ground) and I think it might be a little cold!
All in all it was a great weekend. My dad was able to see all of Ethan's new abilities and by the time he left Ethan did not want to leave Papa's arms! Ethan can now get around pretty well. He even climbs the entire staircase! We can't believe how quickly we are approaching that 1 year mark. Ethan is such a fun and happy baby that each new stage he enters is our "favorite."
Ethan and I will be traveling to Charlotte, NC for a nice 4 day weekend over MEA. We will be visiting Grandma Delene, Auntie Ashly, Uncle Tony, and Ethan's cousin's Amber & Alyssa. We are super excited to see them and even more excited to celebrate Alyssa's birthday while we are there. Since we live so far apart we don't always get to be there for those special events.

So yippee for a short work week and a fun-filled trip to look forward to!

take care,
Elizabeth

9.23.2009

I don't know who is more excited?




So after sifting through some pictures, I came across this one and zoomed into Anthony's face. Apparently being a dad equals crazy facial expressions for him because this is not the first time (remember Ethan's first feeding video?) Oh Anthony, Ethan loves your enthusiasm and so do I :)

9.18.2009

*more pictures*

Watching the fish
Ethan LOVED riding the horse
building those leg muscles :)
The wave machine at the Aquarium
Playing with the boats with mommy

9.09.2009

"Up North"

Ethan and Daddy on the pier at Canal Park with the Lift bridge in the background
Ethan and Mommy with beautiful Lake Superior in the background
Ethan seeing a real horse for the first time- he loves horses in all his books and to hear Daddy make the horse sound :)
Ethan enjoying breakfast in our hotel room in Ely with Daddy
My dad, Ethan and I at the Chocolate Moose for breakfast


This past weekend we enjoyed the long weekend in northern MN. We stayed at the Grand Ely Lodge, where my uncle Joe and my new Aunt Jessica, were married in a beautiful outdoor wedding overlooking Lake Shagawa. It was great to see all my family who made the trip to Ely and for some of them to meet Ethan for the first time!
Anthony and I decided to drive down scenic Highway 1 to Duluth for a quick visit on our way home. I had not been to Duluth since I was a kid and Anthony had only driven through on a business trip. We walked all around Canal park, had some lunch, and explored the Aquarium. Ethan dipped his toes in Lake Superior since it was actually a very warm (85 degree) day. We arrived home Sunday night and were so happy to have another day to relax before heading back to work. We ended our weekend with a nice barbecue with our neighbors, Brent and Camie and new friends Jen and John. Anthony grilled his famous slow roasted pulled pork and everyone loved it!
This week it is back to school week for me- with a whole new crew of kids. It is always amazing to me the amount of growth that takes place in the 4-5 year old transition from preschooler to kindergartner. It is also very different this year for me to watch the difficulty some parents have with this huge milestone- now that I am a parent myself I have a whole new understanding!

Enjoy the short week :)

8.09.2009

summertime


We have been busy so far in August. Ethan has been busy learning many new "tricks." He can now clap, raise his arms up when we say, "so big!" and even signs "more" when he is eating and would like...well more!
We bought Ethan his first baseball cap & he leaves it on for the most part. He looks like such a big boy in this picture- where has our little baby gone?
Anthony, Ethan & I had a great night in our neighborhood for National Night Out. It was this first year our community participated and it was really neat to meet more people in the area. Plus I won a target gift card in the raffle!
Last weekend Ethan and I went home to visit family and friends and finally got to meet my cousin Emily's little girl, Hattie. Ethan and Hattie got to play together for just a short time, as they were on opposite schedules for the morning: Hattie had just woken up and Ethan was ready to go down for a nap. Hattie was a such a sweet little baby, smiling and very happy. We look forward to seeing them again in September at Joe and Jessica's wedding.
Ethan 8 months old & Hattie 9 months old