Up North

After a one year hiatus, Ryan and I were very happy to escape up north with Gia and family.  The weather wasn't super warm, so we spent quite a bit of time at the dam.  The sunnies were plentiful, and Cooper had great luck with them.

I had a sun fish hooked, and a musky came up and grabbed her!  We even took pictures of her battle wounds as evidence, but no pictures were necessary.  The little bass I hooked next was victim; that musky came back fighting!  I don't know how, but my pan fish hook set right in the musky's lip, and my cheapo pole and line held their own...

I was shocked.

The kids played non-stop. I love seeing them together, running around and having fun. Gia, Brecken, and Uba played ring-around-the-rosie until Uba was too dizzy to continue.

At the cottage, everything was peaceful, as always.  Ryan and Dave spotted a bald eagle on the pier.

Until next summer...

Circus World

Ember, a close friend from college, had the excellent idea of meeting at Circus World with the kids.  She brought her two boys (4 and 2) and her niece (5), and I brought my one little monkey. 

Kids from the audience put on a show called the Interactive Kids' Circus at the first event, and then we went to the Big Top Circus to be entertained by dogs, monkeys, acrobatics, clowns, dancers (including a dancing horse), and Tiny, the Elephant.  The kids were truly in awe.

 Later, Eli, Makenzie, and Ember rode Tiny while Gianna, Owen, and I watched.  Gia did decide to get in on feeding Tiny until Tiny's trunk came right at that cup of food in Gia's very own hands.  I ended up feeding the elephant.

On top of all of the circus excitement, we had time to play at a little park.

Before we knew it, the little ones were ready for naps.  Gianna was exhausted the rest of the day!

Happy Birthday Grandma and Dziadzia

 XOXO

Love, Gianna

"Vacation"

That is what my mom called Gianna's time at her house, vacation, while Ryan and I were in Key West.  Between visitors (lots of family and friends), treats, and a special trip to the Jelly Belly Factory, I think it was a vacation for Gia!

Great-Grandpa Cerer, Grandpa, and Ice Cream

Reno, Tessa, Leah, and Popsicles

Courtni

Thank you MAM-a and PAMP-a for taking care of Gia, and Uncle Clay deserves a special thank you for giving up his room for five days.  Thanks to all of our family who helped out and visited, and thanks to Erin for the super cute jumpers that Gianna came home with!  Love you all!