Here's what we have been up to...

We have been busy, busy, busy. Last weekend we were in Wisconsin visiting aunt Heather, uncle Dave and cousin Ainsley in Madison. While we were there, we had dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Mock. We had a great time (except all the driving of course). We also got to meet the newest member of the Stephany family, Lily Susan. There are so many great-grandchildren on that side of the family now, we had to take a photo op (see below).

This past week, I was in Iowa for a conference and missed Julia terribly (as you could tell from my Facebook posts). I was so happy to see her on Saturday morning. On Sunday, we went to the University of Minnesota Applehouse where they sell fresh picked apples. We picked up two large bags of Honey Crisp apples (invented at the University of Minnesota). Afterwards we picked up Julia's birthday present (she had no idea it was for her).

We have been busy planning her 1st birthday party for next weekend, Saturday, October 3rd. The menu is set, the decorations have arrived and the cake is ordered. We will also be having a small cake on her actual birthday, October 6th. We are very excited to have all our friends and relatives visit for the occasion!

Julia by all the pumpkins at the entrance of the apple orchard/apple house (9/27)

We washed our windows inside and out this weekend; an exhausting task with all the large windows we have. Julia decided the clean windows were a great canvas for her fingerprints.

Julia enjoying cousin Ainsley's kitchen set. She loved hearing all the sounds and opening and closing the doors.

All the great-grandchildren (Julia's second cousins) on the Stephany family side.

Julia lounging with Grandpa Stephany

Cousin Ainsley "assisting" her mommy with folding laundry

Julia doing a little grocery shopping with cousin Ainsley

Cousin Ainsley enjoying dinner at Biaggi's in Madison

Julia absolutely LOVED her spaghetti and meatballs at Biaggi's with grandpa and grandma Mock. She ate the whole bowl! It is by far her favorite food.

Julia all bundled up after a bath

Julia having fun with her toy phone (she loves pushing it around the house)

Julia climbing on mommy (after tearing through the Sunday ad coupons)

Trying to reach some books (which ended up on the floor immediately)

The teachings of cousin Ainsley

These past few weeks have been busy. I haven't posted much because, well, our computers at home hate this blog site. Our desktop does not like this website and I can't load pictures or videos to the blog and the laptop is slow. The laptop won't allow pictures to be loaded from a camera, but if I send them in an e-mail from our desktop to hotmail and then save them on the laptop, then I can load them to the blog. It is a way complicated process that takes a long time and really, I would rather spend the time with Julia and/or work on her scrapbook (yes, I am actually working on it!). So, there won't be as many posts anymore. You can follow us better on Facebook though. I usually update on that frequently and our computers seem to like the site. :) Yes, Mike works for a large electronics company and you might ask why we don't just get a new computer, but we are saving money for a riding lawnmower (also another time saver when we would rather be hanging out with Julia). :)

Ok, enough ranting about our computer issues...

We have had many visitors in the past few weeks. Grandma and Grandpa Mock were here for a conference that Grandpa had, so we took advantage of using the pool that was at the hotel they were staying at.

On Labor Day weekend, aunt Heather, Uncle Dave, cousin Ainsley and Grandma and Grandpa Stephany came to visit. It was Mike's 30th birthday on Saturday, so they all watched Julia while Mike and I went golfing. We had a great time and it was nice to get away for a while without Julia. Afterwards, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and enjoyed some beers with Heather and Dave while watching the first Badger football game of the year.

Cousin Ainsley taught Julia a lot of things while she was here. After she left, Julia was crawling more and now lifting herself up to a standing position on anything that she could. She also became a pro at the sippy cup.


Swimming with Grandma Mock at the hotel


Ainsley's Lession #1: How to stand using a coffee table.



Lesson #2: eat spaghetti (ok, Julia did this before Ainsley visited)

Lesson #3: How to climb on your mantle seat when you start walking and climbing. Ainsley did this multiple times. It was her own little stage!

Lesson #4: how to shove crackers in your mouth while sitting on your mommy's lap (Julia knew how to do this already too, but Ainsley was just reiterating the importance of the milestone!)

Mike's 30th Birthday Cake (no lessons here, sorry)

This was before Ainsley arrived...Julia loves watching the washing machine especially when it suds up.

Need not worry...

I will post soon grandparents! It has been so busy with visitors and also my mom's church group (MOPS), starting up again. Julia is doing well. Now standing holding on to stuff. She stands whenever she can. Not walking yet though. More pictures and info to come soon.