What's new (and old) this week!

Forgive me for not yet getting vacation photos up here -- this week has gone by in a blur and now we're getting ready for a weekend on the lake in Cumberland with my parents.

In quick news --
Shawn did indeed get a part in the upcoming La Crosse Community Theatre Play, Epic Proportions and will be rehearsing most nights between now and Friday September 8th when the play opens.

Megan had her 9 year check up appointment and is officially 4 foot 8 inches so she only has half a foot to go before she's officially as tall as her mother. The only concern we had was her recurring bloody noses and her large tonsils causing her discomfort and making her snore. As I expected the tonsils aren't really a concern at this point since she has been quite healthy this year and we haven't noticed any actual obstructive sleep apnea, and we were told that at this point we could pursue treatment for the bloody noses at any point that they become "too annoying." We also signed up for a healthy lifestyle program (I can't remember the official name at the moment) and Megan and I both received pedometers to wear and our goal is to work up to 10,000 steps in a day. After yesterday, I know I won't be able to get there without lots of walks, stair climbing, or dancing (thank you desk job).

Megan is also thrilled to be going to spend some time with her Aunt Ellen, including some time shopping! (Shopping is more fun with Aunt Ellen than with mom, trust me on that one.)

Nessa continues to learn new things every day and once in awhile she'll come out with new words and then promptly refuse to say them the next day (the look she gives makes me think she does this on purpose). The cutest thing she does lately that I need to try to get a photo of is that she dances around like a ballerina with her hands above her head and she puts her head down in "somersault" position (some day she'll surprise herself by following through!). Of course she's also full of the not so cute toddler demands of doing things her own way and has become proficient at throwing herself on the floor as well and I'm sure this will make my parents smile this weekend as they remind me of my own childhood tantrums.

In the what's old this week there's the birthday thing I had on Wednesday. I didn't think about it too much before my birthday (we've been a little busy) and I don't objectively think 35 is really that much of a milestone (or seriously that old either but I am feeling my age these days ... not to mention spending money on hair color) but I found myself thinking back to how I felt on my 30th birthday and the thoughts and plans I had for the next 5 years back then. To say a lot has happened in the the last 5 years would be an understatement!

More photos and updates coming soon -- I promise -- after all, I'll have to do something with myself this next week while Shawn is at rehearsal! :-)

Spa day photos

Well nearly a month ago now (!) all of the "Groth girls" had a wonderful spa day in honor of our Mom's birthday and Mother's day (it obviously took us awhile after Mother's Day to find a day that worked). So on Monday July 10th we all met up in the cities for a day of pampering -- mom had a complete pampering package, we all had spa pedicures together, and Megan and I added manicures as part of her birthday treat and megan also got her hair cut! Then we all went to a VERY late lunch at Macaroni Grill. It was quite a day and next year I think we should just schedule an overnight event! :-)

Here are a few photos of us getting pampered and of our beautiful toes afterwards.

Above is Ellen, Tami, Heidi, Karen, and Megan getting pedicures.

Above is Megan during her haircut. Megan was thrilled to be included in Spa Day! :-)

Home sweet home!

I really love travelling -- really, I do. But, coming home is ever so nice too.

We had a wonderful week (but a tad too busy -- our own fault for planning so many things) and we have many great stories and a few good pictures that I hope to get posted soon. Some of the great stories are the ones we'll be able to tell Nessa over and over again as she gets older. Just like my parents reminded me quite often about the terrible tantrums I had while at Disney World as a 4 year old (I think), we now have the start of stories to let Nessa know that she wasn't always a pleasant traveler. For starters, she really hated the tour mobile in Washington D.C. so we did a lot more walking than we planned on while we were there (which would have been more pleasant if it were about 20 degrees cooler and we had a few more hours). Then just to prove her mother wrong (well it's my theory anyway) Nessa slept all the way on the way to the Baltimore airport and then slept again from the La Crosse airport to home but did not sleep at all on either of the two flights! Fortunately she didn't have any prolonged tantrums or crying episodes either so she merely managed to exhaust her parents and not annoy too many other passengers. :-)

Before I go wade through my unread email, I need to send a huge THANK YOU out to all of our Brooks family members -- Kevin and Jo were so very welcoming and gracious to let us stay in their home for the week, Max shared his toys with Nessa and they played together impressively well, and Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bob were grand babysitters! We appreciate all of that and so much more!

More soon -- Tami

Off on a grand adventure

At least that's what we're telling Nessa -- tomorrow will be the start of a grand adventure...

I had hoped to get some more blog posts done this week but it's been crazy busy with Shawn working late while the rest of us go to swimming lessons AND trying to get ready for our trip.

We'll be flying from La Crosse to MPLS to Baltimore, renting a car, staying in Annapolis with Kevin, Jo and Max, going on day trips to Philadelphia, Hershey and Washington D.C, visiting a few friends, and spending lots of quality time with the Brooks family!

We live bright and early Saturday morning and will be gone for an entire week and then plan to recover for a day or two -- so expect some great updates around my birthday (August 2nd for anyone that doesn't know or remember!)

Until then be sure to include us in your daily prayers -- for starters prayers not only for safe travels, but also for both our own sanity and the sanity (and kindness!) of our fellow travelers! (flying with a toddler, yikes!)

Be well --
Tami

Megan took pictures of Nessa walking outside

Megan took pictures of Nessa walking outside with her squeaky shoes on ...

Happy Birthday Megan!!!

Yes, my wonderfully silly beautiful young lady of a girl had a birthday yesterday. I think I resisted posting this yesterday because I just can never believe how old she's getting -- those birthdays just keep coming. It seem like just yesterday I was telling her she couldn't turn 5 and now yesterday she became a 9 year old!!! I wonder if it's this hard with all children or just the oldest child.



Megan and I went out for our traditional birthday lunch (Mexican, mmmm) and then in the afternoon we celebrated with an icecream cake from Cold Stone Creamery (Megan's favorite). Megan also had a friend stay overnight (that's her hand ;-) and her friend's name is Megan so at least that's easy to remember. I took both of them to ChuckECheese for pizza and games for a couple of hours and then they watched a movie and did other fun girl sleepover stuff. I think they had a good time and they don't even seem TOO tired this morning. :-)

Megan -- may you have another wonderful year full of happy surprises and beautiful blessings.

Happy Birthday Jake!!!!

It was Jake's first birthday today and we celebrated with him at his very own park! :-) (And the best part is that his park will move with them when they move soon!)

Here are a few of the best pictures of Jake that I managed to take today when I wasn't preoccupied with a very tired Nessa. I'll post more photos and news from our busy weekend soon.










Have a great 2nd year Jake -- we love you!!! :-)

Another Great Thing About Being A Dad

Shawn here. Now that Nessa's walking, I've discovered a couple of new Things I Like About Being A Dad:

-- Nessa bringing me a book to read to her (even if it means interrupting my own reading).

-- Nessa walking over to me and giving me a hug, or lifting her arms for me to pick her up. I cannot yet describe the feeling that comes over me when that happens--it's too powerful, too immediate and too overwhelming for me to put it into words just yet.

I love being a Dad!