Summer Summary

Apparently it was a pretty busy summer. So busy in fact that I didn't have any time to keep up with the blogging.  Originally, I was going to skip over recapping the summer, but there are too many good pictures not to share them.  So here are f highlights and memories from warmer times. :)

My amateur attempt at a photo shoot.  I took a photography class and tried putting some skills to use.  I'll keep practicing. :)

We made it to several Twins games again this season. Emma especially loved TC!

No, this is not a shout out to TLC's female R&B singer / rapper Left Eye, this is the typical outcome of Emma's art projects.  She loves to paint and most (some) of the time she gets the paint on the paper.

She was particularly proud of this painting, and in fact, it is still taped up on the wall in our living room!

If Emma wasn't at the park and she wasn't painting this summer, there's a good chance she was doing some baking.  It is a favorite hobby of her and her mommy.  They made these brownies for Father's Day - creative and delish!

Muffins are a common product from our kitchen.  If you've had a muffin that Emma has had her hands in making over the past year, you've probably noticed that it is rare to find one without sprinkles (or as pronounced by Emma, "Frinkles").

We spent several weekends in Okoboji, enjoying the sunshine, boating, and time with family.

We loved spending time outside.  If it we weren't at the park, we were in the yard or taking a walk up and down the sidewalk.  Emma also loved to tool around on her trike.  She is finally getting big enough to pedal on her own, kind of.

Working on a little tricycle maintenance.

We even made it to the Minnesota State Fair, where we caught a close-up of TC, drank fresh chocolate milk, devoured some mini-donuts, and pet livestock of all kinds.

Emma was more excited about TC than the cows.

It was a great summer!  One of the things I most enjoyed was being active with Emma and watching her become so independent in her activities.  She definitely is developing a mind of her own, but at the same time likes to be right by Melissa's or my side wanting to be our helper and doing what we are doing.  She is the best!

Stay tuned for more!  With love from Minneapolis,
Jason, Melissa, Emma