My weekend at Bernie's...and Durelle's

I had a wonderful time last weekend visiting with my Great- Aunt and Uncle . Here are some highlights from our fun time together!

I went exploring in their backyard. They have much nicer grass than at my house. I had to bring some stuffed animals on my journey.I had to check out this statue of Saint Joseph.

They made this nice path into the woods for me to walk on. Check how tall my Uncle is...I think I barely come to his knees. It took me a few minutes everyday to be sure of him....so tall!!

A bridge over a creek...

...that led to a wonderful swing with a great view of the bigger part of the creek.

So then my dad went gliding with Bernie on Saturday...a plane without an engine for all of those who did not know...
They put me in the front seat and I was not a happy camper at all. I am not ready to go flying without engine power yet..no way!!

Here I am much more content out of the glider.

Bernie explaining everything to dad...Doesn't my dad look cool. He was very excited to get back into a plane and fly again. I think he even got to take control for part of the flight.

This is the tow plane that took them up...I was hoping for a tow, myself. (I am holding on to the end of the tow rope...)

Instead, I think I will hook them up to the tow plane.

Dad and Bernie ready for take off!!

In tow...

...safely making their landing back on the ground after a 35 minute flight.

Mom decided to go up for a ride too. Don't tell dad, but she got an hour long flight.

In a nut shell, we had a great time and I can't wait to go back up for another visit!!

The random places my parents find me...

My parents often find me in the funniest places...

...in my toy bin!

...in my drawers!!

Discovering the backyard....Finally!!

Now that I am finally walking and have kicked the whole idea of crawling to the curb, mom and dad let me have an adventure day out in the backyard. My Uncle Jeff and Aunt Barb brought their new pups over for a playdate with Max and we all enjoyed a beautiful and cool August day in the backyard.

Here I am trying to make it back up the slight hill in the yard. Aunt Barb had to help a little.

I starting to get the hang of it though...

So this was supposed to be a puppy play date but Uncle Jeff decided it would be a great day to start working on a stone wall in the yard. I had fun playing with this stone and watching them work.

This is so much fun. Dirt, sticks, grass... what more could you ask for!

Dad and Uncle Jeff found me some worms to play with. Now I have something else in common with my cousin, Ainsley, we both like finding creatures in the yard!!



Here I am discovering the wall and all the progress they made while I was napping.
This is the stone I was playing with earlier. Dad and Uncle Jeff strategically placed it so that I would be able to play on it. They like to call it "Maddy's rock." I definitely think it is a good posing rock!!

Dad let me help put the kindling wood in the fire pit. Don't worry, I was fast asleep before they lit the fire.

After all that hard work, it's was definitely time for a drink!!

Walking!!!!

So I have officially started really walking in the past few days and my video taped it. I started taking small steps a few weeks ago but I am feeling more confident now and have really started to take off. If I have a wall to hold on to, I can go really fast. Otherwise, I am more tenative and slow, to be expected.

Aunt Lynn bought me this walker for my birthday and I have started having more fun with it now that I can walk.

Random times

I discovered that playing in boxes is fun!!

Dad and I have really had fun this summer. He was home with me since he has summers off from work. I really enjoyed the time with him.

Julia and I have really grown up this summer. We are both standing and taking steps...we have come a long way from playing in our bouncy seats together!!

My Aunt Dianna and Uncle Seth got a dog this summer and she loves to play with little kids.

I am trying to teach her who's really in charge!!

I went to my cousin, Joey's baseball game the other day. They lost, but it was still fun to watch. I got a little cranky towards the end because it was HOT!

Snack time!! Don't I look cool in my shades. They didn't stay on long.

I thought Uncle Jeff's shades were better than mine...

...as he thought mine were cooler than his!

Since it was so hot, we went to the pool after the game. I finally got the go swimming with Uncle Jeff.

Trip to Bloomington

My parents took me to Bloomington, Indiana for the 4th of July to visit some of their friends. I ended up finding some new buddies and had a wonderful time. We were stuck inside on the actual 4th of July because it rained ALL day long!!

Here I am with my new friend Nicholas. He is a little younger than me but he was really good at sharing his jumperoo with me.
I had to show him who's boss...or bossy!!

We had fun in the swing together...mom found out what all 4 holes are used for...2 kids at the same time works out very well!!

Even though the pool in their backyard was really cold after all the rain, I was still willing to go swimming with dad.

On the way home eating my snack...am I a lady or what!!

My first birthday!!

On my real birthday, mom and dad treated me to my first bowl of ice cream-Neapolitan. I started off the treat with my fingers....

not bad so far...

...but my fingers started to get a little cold and I whined at dad!

So mom ran and got me a spoon. I actually did a really good job with it (even though I was using the wrong end).

Then I figured out that it was much easier just to stick my face in the bowl! Yum!!

I had my birthday party over the weekend and I was so excited to see everyone that showed up to help me celebrate. I am sure that everyone came only to watch me shove cake in my face and I sure gave them a show!

My cousin, Ainsley, and friend, Matthew, are experts at the whole present-opening thing. They showed me the ropes and helped me out!

Pause for a photo op!

I loved the huge stuffed elephant.

Granny B made me this adorable lady bug birthday cake!! Isn't it just so cute!

Happy birthday to me!

I started off by eating the junior mints Granny B used for the spots and I wouldn't stop. They had to remove the rest of them so that I would move on to trying the icing...those mints were really good, though!

The icing is yummy too. Here I go...

This is fun!!

What a mess!!! It was totally worth it!

Thanks to eveyone that made my birthday so much fun!! Let's do it again same time next year!!