Summer Time is Finally Here!

Lots going on in our world since my last post:

- I had appendicitis and had to get my appendix removed and was in the hospital overnight and out of work for 5 weeks in May.
- Jack's 5th Birthday: had a roller skating party with friends and hotel/ waterpark night
- Our house is STILL for sale - we have had tons of showings and lowered price a few days back but nothing since our first offer/inspection fell through in April.
- Went to Pequot Lakes to visit Papa and Grammy Ford for the weekend.
- Henry's 3rd Birthday, June 8th - went roller skating in the morning and the Nicollet Commons Splash Pad in the afternoon.
- Jack finished preschool at Echo Park Penguin Preschool last week.
- I got accepted into St. Kate's Nursing program starting in September!
- I am taking two classes this summer before I start the Nursing program so it's a little less busy.
- Ben and I celebrated our 6th Wedding Anniversary, June 16th. We went out to dinner at one of our favorite places; Psycho Suzies in northeast Minneapolis.
- Went to Stillwater for Father's Day
- Lucy started walking a couple of days before her birthday and now she is running!
- Getting excited for July because my Dad, Barbie, Mikayla and Blake will be here at the cabin in Siren for a month!

Lucy is 1!

My sweet little baby girl is already one year old today! I cannot believe how fast this year went by. It's so fun to watch her change but it's so sad to see it happen so fast. Her recent triumps are; taking two steps by herself, poked through 4 teeth, saying "MaMa" and "DaDa", transitioned from formula to whole milk, just started to make kiss noises, claps when shes happy, eats basically everything we feed her, will sit through and listen to a board book, and is starting to get more hair and its curly :).

Girls trip to Florida

Last week Lucy and I had the opportunity to go to Florida for a few days to see my Grandparents in Bradenton and my Mom in Naples. This was Lucy's first airplane ride and she did great on my lap and made lots of friends. The highlights of the trip included walking on the beach with Grammy Jean, watching Lucy enjoy the sand and ocean waves on her toes, having the best salmon/crab cake dinner ever! - at Anna Marie Island Oyster Bar, exploring Sanibel island and the Naples Pier with my Mom and of course the beautiful weather. It was sunny and 75-82 degrees while we were there. Lucy was such a good traveler but we really missed our boys. :)

                                          Grammy Jean and Lucy

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view from Grandparents house

                                      Bradenton Sunset

                                         Grandma Wendy and Lucy

                                    Fun in the Sun in Sanibel!

                                 Oooh I just love this sand between my toes!

                                             Naples Beach

Happy girl

Do we really have to go home?

2012 - a year of many changes and opportunities!

- At almost 8 months, Lucy is crawling, sitting up, has two teeth and trying finger foods.
- Ben plowing lots for MN DOT.
- I am enjoying my new part-time job at Fairview Southdale Hospital as Nursing Assistant.
- Painted kitchen cabinants and replaced hardware
- Jack and Henry got a real dirtbike for Christmas from Grandparents in Texas
- I am transferring to St. Catherine University for Spring Semester and hoping to get into Nursing Program over next few months.
- Missing Ben's Dad, especially a tough time for the family around the holidays, but are thankful for all the blessings we have.

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