Daddy and Anna Time

Today was a beautiful day to be outside and that was daddy's plan with Anna. He heard through a friend about a catapult(sp) in town where they were launching pumpkins. He thought it sounded like something he and Anna could enjoy together. Turned out to be quite the event in the valley. It was surrounded by kid activities such as zucchini car races, bean bag toss, pumpkin painting, straw hay bale scramble, and many more activities. As they were doing there thing I was enjoying the free time getting a well needed pedicure and some little, quick errands that, of course, go much more quickly when done alone. We all arrived home at the same time and Anna was fast asleep. Good job Daddy! Troy was able to mow the lawn and I was working on laundry. Anna has been trying to get her back mollars and as usual getting all the great side effects. So needless to say she slept almost 4 hours. When she got up we decided to do dinner out as a family which I don't think we have ever done. Applebee's hit the spot and Anna was great! So thankful for her adorable way with people. Also ran into some family while there. All in all it was a perfect family day!

Sunshine and Good Times

Friday afternoon Anna had a special guest, a playdate with sweet little Madden. She is the granddaughter to my Aunt's best friend Edna. Madden wasn't so sure what her grandma had in store for her but after a good lunch/snack they were best buds! It is always fun to watch Anna interact with other kids her age. Madden and Anna are only 3 days apart. Afterwards, while we were waving our goodbyes Anna found her kitty soaking up the sun and her doggy Zeke ready for a little pat so we hung out for a few minutes ourselves enjoying the beautiful weather.

It was a great way to start up an afternoon and finish the day! Thanks for the playtime Madden. Hope we can do that during your next visit with Grandma!

Ice Cream, You Scream.....

Anna has had a lot of first's but after finishing a very good lunch and it was such a beautiful day I decided to have her try her very own ice cream cone. Another first for Anna. I assumed she would know what to do but I ended up laughing at her curiosity and complex attack on the subject!

What is this and as you can see she didn't really know how to hold it.... hummm?

Dipped her hand in it but didn't really care for that approach.....

Ahhh, the edible ice cream holder....

Perfection! Delicious to the last bite! Way to go Anna!

Dress up

I spent most of my Monday morning cleaning out our spare room closest to make room for all of Anna's old clothes. While organizing Good Will and Clothes Line stuff I came upon this adorable dress. It was handed down from a family friend who has three sweet little girls. It was a 3T so didn't think it would fit her this well. And boy did she act the part of a beautiful princess. So cute!

She didn't like playing the damzell in distress but she wore her pretty dress for hours! Tiffany, great dress!

Pretty's for Anna

On Friday I had to run into Target for a few things and decided to get some fun hair brets for Anna. Her hair is getting so long and we are going to try and grow the bangs out. So we have had a lot of "pretty time". She likes to show them off...not! Too busy for pictures! Got lucky on this picture.

So she was also trying to sneak a few before nap time. Notice her trying for her pocket! Nice try little one!
More! That is what she wanted! She carried around this bag for hours. Don't worry Anna there is more!:)

Anna

This is a wonderful time to review our week so far. Anna and I hung out on Monday morning trying to make sence of this laundry that has appeared out of no where?:) As of a couple a weeks ago we found that Anna loves the Sprout channel on Direct TV. Thank goodness for that! So much diversion and learning all at the same time! She later spent an hour with my mom and that was nice to get a couple things done. Grandma has been so busy this summer that she hasn't gotton as much Anna time as she would like!

Tuesday was Evergreen Fair day with our dear friend Debi. It was a great fair and lots to see. Anna didn't nap until we got in the car and headed home at 2pm. Such a good sport! Lot of yummy fair food and the exhibits were wonderful.

Wednesday was an unexpected day. Took the car in for an oil change and grandma came and took us to see G.G. and all her friends. They had a special guest, Nick, the Saint Bernard. So cute. Watched the little fish in the fish tank and ate a sugar cookie! Off to Costco for food, and to finish it off Papa met us at DQ for lunch! Anna is such a fun little person and I am so thankful for her everyday! Sorry no pictures but we've been too busy!

Playing with the McMoran Twins

Anna had a very fun day from start to finish. Her and daddy went on there first outing alone since Anna was born. Where would he take his little girl you might ask? The hunting and fishing stores. It was great to get my floors cleaned really good and get some busy work done for our special dinner guests. Anna came home fast asleep in daddy's arms so it was a good trip! She took a great nap and was ready to roll when Ally and Abby came with their mommy and daddy for dinner! I didn't know what to get the new home owners for their house so a dinner out was our house warming gift.

This is dear sweet Abby having a great time with Anna and her hair, but don't worry it didn't hurt. Anna played so well with the girls. It was fun watching them all interact. They are the sweetest little girls and a joy to have around. A great visit with the proud parents, Donny and Ami was so much fun!

Children's Museum!

Thurday morning was one of those go, go, go mornings and the visit to the museum was an unplanned visit but a fun one! After having a well needed visit with my old roomate visiting from Idaho, Carolyn and her little guy, Archie! We stopped by the museum to turn in some paper work to renew our membership and while waiting we did some exploring. Anna enjoyed the toddler area very much!

They have a great book collection and Anna checked it out!
And a darling play house with a baby inside, of course.

And you can't stop in without a look at all that water flowing! Very fun time!

Go Seahawks!

After our visit to G.G.'s we dropped daddy off at the Seahawk game. He couldn't resist the urge to buy Anna a jersey! So when Anna woke up on Sunday morning she got her present and ran around the house! Loved it! Your looking at the future Seahawk fan in action! Let the brain washing begin! Go Seahawks!:)

Special Delivery....CORN!

Saturday morning we made our way to visit G.G. and Gino and Mardel to make our delivery of fresh corn. Plus a good visit! Poor Uncle Gino had to work in his office and little Anna missed him. She is at his office french doors making funny faces trying to get him to come out and play!

But Aunt Mardel and G.G. made a yummy snack and that helped alot! Her and daddy getting in on all the goodies! Always great food when we come for a visit!:)
After Anna took a nap we brought her out on the deck for a visit with G.G. It was a beautiful day and a great visit. Anna loved climbing up in the chair and play like a big person. And going after all of Aunt Mardel's lovely plants. I think some got a pretty good pruning.:( An excellent day! Thanks for having us and I hope the corn was a hit at the birthday party for Michael!

Grandma Patsy Came to Visit

Wednesday was a fun day for the Olsen girls! Grandma Patsy came and spent the day with us! Whenever she comes there is a goodie bag in hand! Anna gets so excited. She loves her grandma and the special treats that she brings. She gave her grandma loves and then curiosity got the better of her. In the treat bag this time was a cute summer dress from Aunt Kay and two very fun books from grandma. After the excitement calmed we went to the grocery store and then had a special lunch at Dairy Queen! We stopped and picked some corn for her to take home and that's when Anna couldn't keep up with us anymore and she was our like a light! I had a good visit with Patsy while getting dinner ready and Anna took a long nap.

Anna is showing off one of her books that plays music when you touch the button!
And it isn't a complete trip to the DQ with out getting a delicious Dilly Bar to take home after a yummy lunch! She had it after dinner tonight and had no plans on sharing! Thank you grandma Patsy for the special visit!

Hot Summer Days!

Anna had a busy day. We got our day started with a visit to Great Grandma's and afterwards while walking out the door here comes grandma and cousin Shelby! Wow! Was Anna a happy little girl. So we came back in and walked G.G. to her lunch table. We were getting ready to leave but Anna didn't want to go with out Shelby. So it became a little girl day. Those really are the best made plans, when they aren't planned at all! We made a quick trip the grocery store where we picked up something for everyone to eat for lunch. Had a silly lunch watching Shelby make her lunchable pizza construction. After lunch we talked Anna into a nap and Shelby and I played air hockey and ate yummy ice cream cones! When mom came to pick up Shelby, Anna woke up and to her happy, sleepy eyes Shelby was still there and Grandma had arrived. Smiles all around! They visited for a few minutes which of course did not sit well with Anna so I pulled out the "SINK". All the tears went away when the water started going in!

Anna is just getting started! Don't be shy, go and get a little wet! Her sippy cup was near by but the water from her tap was much better....

I think she got a little wet......but there's the sippy cup!

She is all dried off and cozy with her cover up and Winnie! She is announcing to me that she is "alll done"! We still managed a quick bike ride over to grandma's house for dinner and our neighbor joined us for the ride home! What a fun, unexpecting day!

Sunday at the Sandbar

This morning Anna woke up in such a good mood we knew we could really make a day of it. So after her big breakfast and a long nap we packed up some snacks, toys, and went to the Sandbar.

What a beautiful day and Anna was so excited that daddy came along this time! Usually this is a week day thing for us girls and the dogs.
I built little castles and Anna would knock them down just as fast as they went up!

Fetch time for the dogs and Anna helped daddy with that. When we got home Grandpa Ed stopped in just in time to joined us for a late lunch with grilled cheese sandwiches. Anna enjoyed that very much! A clean up bath and a quick bike ride over to grandma's house, Anna retired for the evening with a smile on her face!

Corn on the Cob!

Saturday night dinner at Grandma's house! Fried chicken, scallop potatoes, and fresh corn on the cob! Anna's first ear specially picked by cousin Shelby and grandma!

Anna watched papa eat his with such gusto that she stopped watching.....

And started doing.....Yummy!

Anna's climbing!

While in Eastern Washington last weekend Anna decided that climbing on the coffee table was fun! So now that we are home everything is free game. I thought this was a safe start in our baby friendly den. I suggested it and off she went!

Climb, Anna, climb!
Success is satisfying! SMILE!

Now Anna has her very own seat to watch tv! Way to go Anna!

Summer Time Fun

It has been awhile since our last entry but it's not because we are not busy enough! What a fun summer we have been having! With wonderful road trips to Eastern Washington, hosting the HOT summer family reunion in our newly dressed up backyard, and lots of biking, walking, and catching up with old friends on the sandbar. What a summer we are having!

Anna riding in the back seat of daddy's truck. Daddy wanted to make sure all her buddy's would entertain her for the long trip home from Eastern Washington!
Anna spent plenty of time running and playing in her backyard with her doggy's! Yep, those are delicious potatoes in the background.

On the really hot days we managed to stay cool on the back deck of our house along with AC in the house. Anna was sporting her first summer skirt! So cute!

Down and Out

Our poor little Anna has had a heavy duty week of teething. Her first year mollers are showing her no mercy. Runny nose, fever, bottom rash, fever, and just plain exhausted, this poor little girl has been put through the ringer. But her first moller did arrive on Thursday and that has relieved a lot of her pain. Now if only the other ones would a little more nice to my baby. This is actually a good photo taken on our way out the door to get her bangs cut. We both needed a break from being couped up in the house. It really helped Anna to be out and around people plus the tylenol.

Tulip Time

Well, it is tulip season again and our first time enjoying them with Anna! Daddy insisted so we agreed to wait until the traffic had died down. Luckily we have some awesome friends that allowed us to park in there yard so we could make this a fun experience. This tulip field is right in front of their house! Anna had fun just enjoying the dirt and the pretty flowers! Look everyone.....NO HANDS! Good job Anna! And a big thanks to our friends for letting us park at their house so it made it even more fun!

Happy Birthday Anna!

It seems just like yesterday that we brought our little Anna Marie home for the hospital and now she is a whole year old! Since her actually birthday fell on a Wednesday we celebrated on Sunday with our family! It was a fun time with yummy food and delicious cake! Anna loves her bathes with her rubber duckies so that was the theme of her cake.

She got to play with all her cousins and she was so glad to see them all!

She wasn't too keen on getting her hands sticky. She smashed the cake but she wanted someone else to feed it to her. Such a silly birthday girl! Happy birthday to our one and only sweet baby Anna! And a big thanks to all that came to enjoy the festivities it is very important that Anna know her family and enjoy them! Thank you!

Happy Easter!

Anna enjoy her first Easter very much. With special gifts from Grandma Patsy and Aunt Kay. Nothing like having special books to read and fun drinking cups to play with to remember family. With all the excitement she didn't get much rest but stayed in good spirits and really that's all that matters. Anna ended her day with her new toys and books after a good dinner. She had a fun bubble bath a warm bottle and she was out like a light. Happy First Easter Anna!

T'was the Night Before Easter......

Saturday night was a fun night for Anna. It was her first encounter with a little girl about 6 months older than her and she found it quite interesting and fun. We had a wonderful gathering at our close friends house. It was a great time with lots of good food, conversation, and fun times for the little girls. Anna was given an opportunity to ride this beautiful horse and at first it was a little scary but she hung in and ended up having a very fun time. Go Anna! Also a big thanks to our dear friends for having us all over! It was such a great time and maybe a new tradition?

Soaking up the Toy Box!

It was just another busy morning around the house before heading into town and what better thing to do than to jump/fall into our toy box, right?:) I was going back and forth down the hallway doing Anna's laundry and was just sneaking in to see how she was playing and this is what I found. A very happy girl that was quietly enjoying her favorite show, Super Why, in her toy box. I was careful not to surprise her so the first photo was from the family room. Then I approached her and she was just as happy so I have a feeling Anna has made her own special spot to sit in daddy's den. Enjoy Anna, you silly goose!:)