Baby entertainer

Dear hotel,

Thank you for the awesome baby entertainment device! Our daughter has loved emptying the tissue dispenser and then shredding each individual one! Emptying plus shredding took her almost 20 minutes this morning! What I don't understand is why would would refill the box when all the evidence was still on the floor in front of the area there.....

But, thanks to you I predict more fun in our future!

Sincerely,
The mama

Just a girl

The kids went to the basement to play with granGerry for awhile. When they returned, each was holding a toy they had been allowed to pick to bring upstairs.

William: I picked a lizard that breathes fire! His name is FireFace!
Andy: I picked this soft purple bear. His name is Cuddles.
Amelia (in her sweetest voice): I picked this beautiful bride with moneyer teeth and claws. She also has hosable hair to put out any fires. Her name is Megan* and she has EARRINGS.

Then the kids went on to play together.

*i believe the doll was named already when Amelia selected her.

Sent from my iPhone

Gemma warms up

Gemma is kind of a rough cookie. Several factors are at play here:

1. She has never been a snuggler. She isn't much if a sitter. She is more of a get up and go kind of girl who is busy, busy, busy. She doesn't really want to sit with me for any length of time except on very very occasions. She'd much rather be out climbing, running and chasing the big kids.

2. To a smaller degree, she is a little shy. She likes people, but not lots of people all at once. Unless you are her siblings. Then you can be in her face and as loud as you'd like.

So, when she does warm up to people, it is a very big deal. My family has spent the last few days working on her and after four days we had some success.

Success was so exciting it required documentation!

Mathematics

Tired daddy+ tired baby= nap time

Write it down!

John shot the moon and gave everyone 26 points!

Gemma's first plane ride

Me and my sidekick flew to Grand Forks today in order to attend my grandpa's funeral tomorrow morning. Gemma was a good girl on our two flights. Mama was superwoman and hauled a diaper bag, a suitcase, a carseats and umbrella stroller. And a 25 pound baby with a mind of her own! Big thanks to daddy for taking on the big kids so mama can be with family!

Cute cousins

Gemma and her cousin have matching swim wear. Aren't they adorable?