Playing Hooky at Target Field

Milo played hooky today, taking in a Twins game with my dad and sisters. Unfortunately, the Twins lost, but a great time was had by all!

Milo and Papa

Being a turkey with Auntie Meg

Milo and Auntie Ry

Swimming Lessons

This past Thursday was Milo's first swimming class of the spring, and it was a smashing success! A year ago at this time, Milo screamed the entire first class, and that was with Tod in the water with him. Last night, he couldn't get in the pool fast enough, this time without either of his parents. He was literally bouncing up and down and clapping and smiling the entire time. I couldn't tell you how many times the teacher had to tell him to stay on the top step because he kept inching his way down the steps. He had a blast and has already asked several times to go back. What a difference a year (and a week in the pool in Florida) makes!

Florida 2011

We just spent a wonderful spring break in Orlando. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there, and we had so much fun! We played a few rounds of golf, spent a lot of time at the pool, visited Sea World (twice), Downtown Disney, and Magic Kingdom, and rode the monorail and boats all around Disney.

We were also able to spend time with Grandma Kris and Papa Tom, Tod's brother Tim and his family (including cousins Quin, Skyler and Grant), Uncle Rocco and Aunt Mary, and last but not least Carrie and Carlos. Ry, Meg and Alex were also there for part of our trip, so we had fun spending time with them as well.

Needless to say, going back to work and school today was NOT fun!

Finishing a popsicle by the pool

Wearing a silly Orca hat at Sea World

Shamu!

Sea World (take 2)

Family photo at Disney's Contemporary Resort

Riding the race cars at Magic Kingdom

Ping pong by the pool

Milo riding his new dolphin friend, who he named "Rider"

Milo feeding Rider his leftovers from dinner (Shamu got some too)

Riding the boat at Disney's Bay Lake

Mickey!

Riding the train at Downtown Disney with Quin and Skyler

Waiting for the train with Quin

One last photo before heading home to the Frozen Tundra

"Camping"

Every winter, the 7th graders at Breck spend a weekend at Wolf's Ridge Environmental Learning center in Northern Minnesota. Tod was asked to be a chaperone this year, and decided to take Milo with him! Milo absolutely loved "camping" and in particular making friends with all of the "big kids." Tod took him everywhere he went, and Milo was just like one of the kids. In fact, he even raised his hand during a lesson one day!

I'm not sure what prompted Tod to bring Milo in the first place, but it was a wonderful experience that Milo will be talking about for a long time! On Sunday night when I was putting him to bed he asked me, "Mommy, now can YOU take me camping?" Yikes!

In the dorm room

Getting some fresh air

The dorm building

A beautiful winter view of Lake Superior

NOLA 2011

This past weekend I met up with some of my Northwestern friends in New Orleans. What a city! It was my first visit, and I already can't wait to go back! New Orleans has such a reputation for being a party city, but it is so much more than that. Great food, great music, culture, history - it has it all!

We did several typical New Orleans tourist activities: a horse-drawn carriage ride through the French Quarter, eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde, drinking Hurricanes at Pat O'Briens, and a walking tour through the Garden District (who needs a tour guide when you have Jill and a Blackberry?). In addition to the aforementioned beignets, we enjoyed New Orleans fare such as BBQ shrimp & grits, po boys, and king cake. Other highlights included jazz at the Ritz and a drink at Lafitte's Bar (the pirate Jean Lafitte's old blacksmith shop, which is lit entirely by candlelight).

I have fun with these friends wherever we go, but having our 2011 reunion in New Orleans made it all the more enjoyable. I can't wait to see where our next get-together will take us!

(thanks for the pictures, Maggie!)

Holiday Aftermath

As we prepare to take down the Christmas tree and put away the rest of the decorations, I can't believe the holidays are already over. Where did the time go?

We hosted Tod's family on the evening of the 23rd with a fun Feliz Navidad-themed dinner, and then headed north to my parents' for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My mom's side of the family came to celebrate on the 26th, so it was a four-day Christmas for us! Milo and I were sick with the stomach flu on Christmas Day, so that was a bummer (it is really pathetic to hear a 3-year old say, "mom, I need the bucket!"), but we both recovered rather quickly and were able to enjoy the rest of our vacation. We stayed at my parents' for much of the following week, enjoying activities such as sledding, skiing, skating and playing hockey on the lake, going on winter walks, playing games, watching movies, and just relaxing. It was great!

We had Meghan and Alex over for a low-key New Years with fondue and a good movie. The perfect way to do New Years if you ask me!

We recently had Milo's 3-year portraits taken, so I have included some of our favorites below. I have also included some pictures that Milo took with his new camera!

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family! We hope 2011 is good to you.

This is Milo's favorite blanket (i.e. his "bockey"). He LOVES this picture!

Guinness from the view of a 3 year old...looking pretty terrified!

Murphy by Milo.

Milo's 3rd Birthday

Today was Milo's 3rd birthday. We started the day with a few gifts at home, met Milo's cousins for some games at Chuck E Cheese, and then came back home for lunch, cake, a dinosaur hunt, and presents. What a great day! Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us. Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Taking inventory of some of his gifts

Riding the Chuck E Cheese Bus with John

Milo and Ella concentrating on an important game

My very own Thomas cookie...yum!

Cousins lining up for the dinosaur hunt

Getting ready for the dinosaur hunt

Dinosaur cake

We were all curious about how the bakery made the

dinosaur body and the mountain...it was cupcakes!

Milo got big and little versions of Goldy the Gopher

He was particularly intrigued by the musical cards!

Auntie Ry and Uncle Sean were tossing him

around in his new fleece blanket. It did crazy things to his hair!

Hilarious!