Cleveland Rocks

We went to Cleveland this weekend to attend Jim's cousin's, Christine's, wedding. Before we left, Annalise geared up for the weekend with a nap.
This is the ONLY picture we took all weekend. Outside the Cracker Barrel in Gas City, IN. Trust us, the bride was beautiful, the bridal party was beautiful. We had a great time at the wedding. We had fun visiting Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Koch and all the rest of the Koch family. Unfortunately, we were just too busy to take pictures.
It was a long drive back to Indiana. When we finally did get home, the monkeys escaped from their car seats.

What is going on here today

It was a pretty nice day today. We were able to get outside and do some playing. The girls were so cute that I ran inside to ge thte camera. When I came back out, they were picking flowers off the mums on the front steps. Our little angel--she only looks innocent. You should she the pruning she did on the yellow mum.
Flower head.
Annalise was more interested in eating the flowers.
Then we came inside and Annalise helped to clean out the dishwasher.
Then she was starving and decided to take things into her own hands to find something to eat.
Spider-baby didn't know how to climb OUT of the fridge.

Growth and Development update

The cheerfulness continues here. Annalise is a completely new kid. This afternoon, she was chasing the neighbor's dog around with mulch (happens a lot around here) and she fell and bumped her face. Of course, no on saw what actually happened because we (the adults) were too busy visiting. We picked her up and she had blood. I thought she bit her tounge. When we got home, I checked her out again and found a new tooth poking through! Her front left tooth is now showing! This is her fourth tooth and she is still is a Jack-o-lantern because there is a big gap between the two upper teeth where one is supposed to be coming in.Also, in the same yard with the dog, mulch and visiting, she took a step without holding onto anyone. I have 2 witnesses! I'm not sure this qualifies as her "first steps' but we are getting there. No DQ blizzards yet, Uncle Kevin. Maybe by the time we come to your house. Oh, and you are treating, godfather.
Evie is still here too. Today, we walked down to the road construction. The workers told us that they are laying sod in the median this week and the road should be Open! Horray! This will make the commute to preschool really fast!

Happy Music for Happy People

In case you didn't know, the REAL Oktoberfest is going on right now in Germany. In our ode to Oktoberfests all over the world, here we are dancing in the living room. Aunt Becky, count them, THREE girls dancing together. How many drinks is that?

The tide has turned

Finally. The Grump that has been living with us for the past week or so must have packed up in the middle of the night and left. In the Grump's place is a sweet and smiley little girl. It's so nice to hear giggling instead of screaming (and sleep until 7 am) She had her year check up on Tuesday. 21 pounds 2 ounces. By Uncle Kevin's estimation, that's actually bigger than Oliver! Amazing. She is also 30 1/4 inches.
Evie remains goofy. She got to take show and tell this week. She had to bring something that started with B. She took a ball that the neighbor's dog chewed up. Good story for preschoolers.

Family pictures

We took a bunch of pictures while we were all together, clean and awake at the same time.These are the responsible parties for the 4 pounds of crumbs under the kitchen table. We also found a quesitonable spot on the new couch. I am sending it out for DNA analysis and the culprit will be notified. Also, as you can see, no one was interested in the camera except for Oliver "Mr. Photogenic" Seibert.

The Taller Girls with their Grandparents. This is a good example of Annalise's mood for most of the day.
The Seiberts of Archbold
The Tallers and their zombie girls.
The Wisconsin Turners (plus only ONE baby on the way)
The Doug Seibert Family. Some of us were looking in the right direction.

Birthday Party

Saturday was Annalise's birthday party. We did what all one year olds dream of. Had Oktoberfest. She did eat a soft pretzel, but we will hold off on the beer until next year. The night prior to her party was a rough one on Annalise and Mom and Dad. There were some serious teething issues and no one slept. She was pretty cranky all day and for her party. We sang her Happy Birthday and she cried. I don't think she wanted all that attention.
Eating frosting. The next day I discovered that the shower curtain in the girls' bathroom was also covered with chocolate frosting.
She cleaned up and then opened gifts. Thanks to everyone for all the nice presents.
Oh, and there were other kids there too. Henry, Natalie, Mike Lupke, Andy Lupke and Evie didn't get into the red cabbage but they enjoyed their brats and breaking the pinata!

Packages

Annalise has been receiving packages in the mail for her birthday. Erica and Clay sent a bathtime boat. It came with fish. One was an octopus that had comb tenticles. Without being shown, Annalise lifted the comb to comb her hair. I guess she is picking up a lot of things when we don't notice.
She really loved the toy. Evie liked it too, but got tired of it after the 100th time that Annalise put all the fish in and then took them all out.
Annalise also received books from the Grilz family. She liked them well enough...
...but was more interested in the curly ribbon.

By the way, Uncle Mike and Aunt Denise, we received your package too. In true Taller tradition, we are going to wait until after dinner at her birthday party to open it. Truthfully, it's killing me and Evie to have an unopened package sitting around.

Pinata!

We are gearing up for Annalise's big birthday bash on Saturday. We are having an Oktoberfest themed party complete with pretzels and brats and beer and hammerschalger and a pinata?? Evie decided that we needed a pinata for Annalise's party. We think she got the idea from "Clifford's birthday" book.
So we have been working hard on the pinata. Mostly, it was a parent project with a small audience. Today Evie did her part and painted the pinata. We will fill it with candy and break it at the party.

Happy Birthday Annalise!

Wondering what it is like to live in the life of a one year old?First you wake up and are pretty happy that it's morning.
Then you realize that it's your birthday! Horray!
All these fancy toys, but the best are the plastic containters and the flour sifter.
She tried to ride Evie's bike...maybe next summer.
A quick afternoon ride in the swing.

Then it was birthday cake time. She wasn't so sure about the open flame.
Slowly, she started to get into it.
And managed to get a few bites to her lips.

And also a nice few sprinkles and pink frosting in the hair.

Look how far we've come!

Look at this beautiful girl. It's hard to believe that a year ago, we were just meeting her.
Needless to say, she sleeps a lot less now.

A new trick

Why bother going around the coffee table when you could go through it?

Annalise's Birthday Party--Take one

Jim had to go out of town on business this week and will miss Annalise's birthday. He had to catch flight this evening, so between work and his trip to the airport, we met him for dinner at a "Fancy"--not McDonalds--restaraunt. The girls all wore pretty dresses for the occasion. Annalise commemorated her birthday by having her first milk through a straw. (Mom forgot the sippy cup at home).

she did pretty well until she got too much in her mouth and then spit it all over herself. Her bib was soaked by the end of the meal.

Mostly, she just chewed on this huge hunk of bread.
Evie ate Mac and Cheese and managed to keep herself pretty clean in the process.
We even made a little cake so dad could enjoy birthday cake with the Stinks. No, she didn't shove it all in her face, we are saving that for her other birthday parties.

We miss you Dad!

Shower weekend

This weekend, we welcomed the Kling family from St. Louis to visit us. They came to help prepare and suprise Katie at her baby shower.The little girls had a tea party while the moms got ready for the grown up party. McKenna is on the left and Campbell is on the right. The little girls enjoyed yogart covered raisins, water, and cheerios.
The three bigger girls pose on the Taller girls' new basement slide. This is our winter diversion.
The big girls at the shower. Mom, Katie, Marissa, and Kathleen.
This was the spread. Looks pretty good if I do say so myself. It was a good chance to use all the china, silver, crystal, and other stuff that normally doesn't see the light of day.
Katie and Jenni
Post shower, we all went over the Lupkes for dinner and to watch the Notre Dame game. It looks like it will be a rough season for the Irish. Notice that the Taller girls are wearing Purdue T-shirts.
Jenni, Tim--the future dad, and Marissa take a break
Katie--mom to be, and Chris.All the girls who were able to stay awake until the second quarter.
No naps and all the excitement left some people pretty worn out. Note, she is an offical jack-o-lantern. She got another tooth yesterday, but it wasn't one of the top front. She got her upper left SECOND incisor. Don't worry, the other 3 top teeth are on their way.