Little Sis is getting married...

So, can you tell I have a love/hate relationship with this whole blog idea? I mean, really, talk about inconsistent posting. Anyway, wedding bells will be ringing next September as my sister prepares to walk down the aisle. Aww...they're so cute!

Did you know I am married to an Ironman?

It's true...he'd specify that he's only half-way there, as he just completed his first Half-Ironman this month. His ultimate goal is to complete a full Ironman, and while I'd love to see him reach that goal, I am no less proud of him regardless of the distance.

It has been quite interesting observing his developing passion towards this crazy sport of triathlons. I admire the patience, discipline, and dedication it has taken for him to learn about the sport and, in only a couple short years, have already come this far.

I admit, I occassionally get tired of the never-ending training sessions, but when raceday comes, I am so proud and happy to cheer him on and see him approach that finish line. Michael, I am so proud of you...70.3 miles on a hot, hot day in July, and you did it!! I love my Ironman.




Us pre-race (and pre-sunburn...yikes!)



Michael's wave getting ready to start...can you see him? Yeah, me neither...



Heading to transition after a really great swim



Heading out for a 56-mile bike ride

Next up: a Half-marathon (13.1 miles)

There he is! Coming in to the finish line!!

Guess who's got some teeth!

So, our little Anna bug started cutting teeth a couple months ago, and we noticed that she had left a couple tooth marks on the railing of her crib. Fast forward to a couple days ago, when we were shocked to see that the cute little teeth marks from before have multiplied to become quite the collection...yikes!

Our little teether is 9 months old today...how is this possible?! I love this time with her right now, and I cannot believe how quickly she is growing up. I also cannot believe how my heart keeps growing with love for her every day.




One of her new favorite activities: swing time at the park

Anna meets the backyard...

Recently, Anna got to explore our backyard. We really went out for an evening stroll to look at our plants and flowers, and Anna (new crawler that she is) decided she wanted to check it out a little closer, despite being in her sleeper....she loved it!





Isn't this the sweetest little profile?! (nevermind the piece of grass stuck to her mouth)



This girl loves her some daddy time!




See? Pure bliss!

No, honey, we can't eat the weeds...

Anna's thoughts on possibly inheriting my calves...

Hanging baskets looking good before the real summer heat kicks in

My faves!

Our basil is doing much better in pots this year

So, this was obviously not part of our backyard adventures, but soon after, Anna had her first experience with the town fireworks display...she was fine until the grand finale.

getting caught up...

alright, alright! 6+ months later and I'm ready to post on here again! I think I've taken more photos these last 6 months than I have for most of my life combined. Sharing them, however, is a step in this process I have quickly forgotten about. Without further ado, here is a look at what's been going on in our household this past half-year:


Most recently, we were able to take a family vacation to southwest Michigan. Anna had many firsts on this trip...among them, experiencing a swimming pool:










Michael heading into Lake Michigan...brrr!!



Anna and Grandpa...and just a few of the seagulls that were everywhere!

Another of Anna's firsts: discovering plastic water bottles. These things were highly entertaining for her...which made me love them!

Outside a random shop on Phoenix Street in downtown South Haven.

South Haven lighthouse...accompanied by seagulls ;)

South Haven Harbor on opening night of Harborfest

What?! We're both in a picture?!

Anna discovery #3: grass :)

Ahhhh, her daddy always gets the best smiles out of her!

Thus ends the visual tour of our vacation photos. On to more randomness:

The look Anna gives me when she's tired of riding in the car (man, she's still cute)

One of her many expressions

Oh, she loves her Zany Zoo!

One of my favorite things that she does is to prop up her legs like a little lounge queen when we go for walks in the stroller.

Going a little further back now, this was the Carmel Sprint Triathlon Michael competed in (and did incredibly well, I might add) in April

Anna has taken her sweet time getting used to baby food...this girl really just loves her bottle! So, here we have a little girl who was interested in playing in her new high chair...just not eating.

Go Cubbies!

The next several are from our trip to Vegas with friends. It was great to get away for a few days, but we did miss the little one!

Fountain show at the Bellagio

We stayed at the lovely Paris our last two nights :)

Hanging out around Fremont Street ("Old" Vegas)

and this is what it looks like flying over the Midwest

When I look at this photo, I want to close my eyes and pretend we were actually in Paris!

Fun!! This was taken from our lounge chairs poolside :)

First time trying homemade baby food (sweet potatoes)...little girl did not approve

She did, however, think that the handle of her Easter basket was simply delish.

Getting some TLC from daddy while recovering from one of her (soon-to-be-many) ear infections

First trip to the ER...that's right...bronchiolitis

First time going to BGI's Spring tent sale, and she's not too impressed yet

ER trip lead to some at-home breathing treatments. You can't tell in this photo, but that mask is a pink dragon, and she was not a fan.

Amazed as she finally discovered the crib soother that had been hanging on her crib for weeks.

Whew! That, friends, is a visual recap of this first half of 2011 for us. We are loving watching our little girl grow and begin to experience the world (we are also enjoying the small glimpses of our previously "normal" life every now and then!). Given the fact that it's taken me three separate attempts today to actually finish this post, I think I will try to keep up a little better! Be back with more soon?!?!