4th of July

We spent 4th of July weekend camping with the Winters and 2 other families from Byron.  The campground is near Wanamingo, MN so we went "into town" (a phrase my friend Sue uses often, one I may never get used to) to watch the parade and fireworks.  

At the parade in Wanamingo

Collin takes a snooze on Sue's shoulder

Collin enjoying his first fireworks

Watching the fireworks from the back of Chad's convertible, aka The Rocket. 

Nine years ago today...

Ten Months

I can't believe Collin is 10 months old already!  The time has flown!  He is getting to be such a big boy!  He is pretty much done with pureed foods.  He wants to eat whatever we are eating.  He is into everything using his crazy army crawl and his latest skill of pulling up to his knees.  He isn't standing yet.  He is still a bit of a peanut.  At his 9 month check he was in the 40% for head and height and only 2% for weight.  I wish I could take credit for those genes! Like Will, he is an easy going boy.  We are so blessed!

Chicago

Our annual 4th of July trip came early this year so we could spend time with all the Repedes. While we are sad that we won't get to see Grandpa Repede "march" (on the flatbed of a truck) in the parade or experience the fireworks at the race track, we had a great visit!

Visiting Great Grandma Repede

I love this picture of Mike and Collin.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

While this isn't the greatest picture of me, I think it is funny that our little yogi is doing tree pose!

Jill, Greg and Lois (Illinois Repedes)

Chris, Tom, Kim, Will, Meg, Collin and Mike (Illinois/Minnesota Repedes)

Johnny, Jen, Liz, John and Emily Repede (South Carolina Repedes)

The Robin's Nest

For the past few summers a bird tries to make a nest in the same spot under our deck.  One summer Mike moved the nest so many times the bird eventually gave up.  Last summer the birds won and laid some eggs but Will and a few neighborhood kids knocked them out in their curiosity. This summer Mike wanted to move the nest, but feeling the need to be an environmental advocate for the birds in the newly developed neighborhood with few trees, I asked him to leave it.  Apparently I am an uneducated bird activist.  I didn't realize how territorial our birds would be about their nest and eggs.  For several weeks we could not go on the deck without a robin or two swooping over us, within inches of our heads, until we went back inside. 

As you can see the baby birds FINALLY hatched!  Hopefully our "renters" will be out soon and we'll be able to use our deck again!  

Father's Day Camping

We spent Father's Day weekend camping with the Winters.  Friday was an adventure as I had to work on staff development curriculum writing and Mike was home with the boys packing up to go.  It was an interesting role reversal for the day.  My favorite question was "How am I supposed to watch the boys AND get ready for camping?" I was impressed that he got up at 6am to do the last minute grocery shopping (so he didn't have to take the boys!).  While I loved going to work and coming home with (almost) everything ready to go, we decided that we are all happier campers when everyone pitches in!  Here are a few shots from the weekend:

Will plays HARD when we are camping.  Here is is out cold in his bed, with just his foot hanging out!

Collin practicing a little morning yoga in the grass

Collin's first swim!  He LOVES the pool!

Happy Father's Day!  The boys are lucky to have such a great dad!!

Happy Birthday Baby Chocolate

Caroline Margaret Repede

June 6, 2007

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Little Wonders - Rob Thomas