Stealing from other people's blogs

We have gotten so ridiculously behind in getting pictures off of our camera that I am resorting to stealing photos off of other people's blogs - of my own child?!?!?!? Above is the handiwork of Ryan's cousin Leah, taken at his other cousin Krista's wedding in Minnesota last month.

And this one is compliments of our friends Drew and Renate, parents of Bennett (cutie in the background dutifully munching mac-n-cheese). We got away to Galena with them and our friends the Scholtens last weekend. All told, there were 6 adults and 5 kids under 5. It was great.

Please do stay tuned (if you're the faithful sort) and I will make it my personal goal to download pics from some other great weekends so far this summer, including Door County w/Aunt Aimee and 4th of July at Gramma & Grampa's. Hopefully I'll get to this before the snow flies!

Summer Fun @ Gramma & Grampa's

Linnea's been blessed with two weekends at Gramma & Grampa's house so far this summer, and thoroughly enjoys soaking up the sun around their beautiful pool.

The onesie above reads, "What happens at Gramma's stays at Gramma's."

She even has a cache of toys that wait for her there - a favorite of which is the Radio Flyer wagon pictured above from Great-Gramma Branca. She loves to rattle it all around the house carrying an assortment of random objects.

And try as they might to fatten her up, even at Gramma and Grampa's house, she remains a devoted fan of her favorite food - fruit of any kind. She actually seems to survive on the stuff. It's somewhat of a medical miracle.

First Trip to the Zoo

Linnea's Park

Kitty-corner from our house is a park that Linnea has only recently discovered. She can see it from the bay window in the dining room and has taken to standing there, signing "please" repeatedly - and with vigor.

The expression on her face above could be interpreted positively or negatively, I suppose, but trust me - she LOVES the slide. It inspires excitement rivaled only by balloons at Trader Joe's and/or books of any kind.

New Game

Linnea is in a stage where she likes to play with the shoes Mommy & Daddy leave by the door.
Poor Maya.

Playin' around

Linnea spent some time at her little friend Elle's house last week while Mommy went to an appointment, and Elle's mommy was kind enough to snap these adorable pictures for us.

If you look closely below, you'll see the book is in Russian.... what a genius!Gotta love the strut...

Easter Egg "Hunt"

Okay, so "hunt" might be a bit of an overstatement. Last weekend, Linnea and her little friend Elle wandered around Elle's backyard for a bit and managed to pick up an Easter egg or two here and there. There was a whole lot of coaching/coaxing involved, and they were equally as intrigued by the grass blades as they were by the eggs, but it was an attempt, nonetheless.She looks excited here not because of the candy inside (actually, Elle's mommy Tatiana, below, had filled them with various organic cereals and animal crackers) but because the egg makes a neat sound when she shakes it.

Here she is enjoying a dry Cheerio... a 13-month-old's version of a Peep???

Soon to follow - actual Easter and the **cutest** little dress-up outfit ever...