5 Months

Alana turned 5 months on March 8th. She continues to prove that she is such a good little girl. She typically has very little to complain about. She is always "talking" away. Shawn claims that she has finally rolled over from her stomach to her back on Thursday, March 18th, but since Mom didn't see it, it didn't happen. We really haven't been out too much lately so here are a few pictures that we took earlier this month.

SuperBowl 2010

For our annual SuperBowl party, we traveled to Poplar, WI to our friends, Scott & Anna Harms' house. They were very gracious guests and the kids were very thankful that Ethan & Addison were so generous and shared their toys. We were of course also joined by the Kroening family: Kyle, Robin, Miles & Henry (just days old); the Maio family: Matt, Sarah & Genevieve. All the children were very well behaved and the parents had a great time catching up.

The Super Kids: Ethan; Genevieve; Miles; Addison; Henry & Alana

Alana loves the exersaucer!

We know. We're the world's best parents. Alana kept grabbing for our beer bottle.

She gave us "the lip" when we would take it away from her. Too funny not to snap a pic.

Henry Alana & Addison - just 12 days apart

4 months - February 8, 2010

Alana turned 4 months on February 8, 2010. She is talking a lot and rarely stops smiling. She is a very good little girl. She is working really hard on rolling over but just doesn't quite get there yet.

Brewers Fan Fest

On January 31, Shawn, Melissa & Alana ventured down to the Midwest Airlines Center to the Milwaukee Brewers Fan Fest. Shawn's mission was to meet his idol, Robin Yount. Unfortunately, we missed the opportunity as all the tickets were given out already. We did manage to get a prime spot in the Ryan Braun line. After standing in the same line for over 4 hours for his personalized photo card, Alana & Shawn got a picture with Ryan Braun. The World's Greatest Dad even had Ryan make the card out to Alana, "his newest fan". Overall, we had a great time. Shawn is very excited to teach his little girl all about the Brewers.

An Amberg Weekend

We finally ventured up to my parent's cabin in Amberg, WI on January 22, 2010. We spent Saturday morning at the land ATVing while the dogs were chasing us through the snow. They were exhausted after running over 5 miles. Alana hung back at the cabin with Grandma Kathy. My dad & brother, Jeff, went bear hunting in Canada last fall. Brewer & JoBu were excited to check out their large game score.

Daddy's Little Girl

Shawn wore this little baby t-shirt when he came home from the hospital 30 years ago.

Lunch with the Krazy Kousins

Alana was invited to join her Grandma Mary, Aunt Laurie Allen, Cousins Sandy Peterson & Kathy Hayden for a really fancy lunch at Lake Park Bistro. Melissa was only invited to be Alana's means of transportation. We started off at the condo for coffee and hot chocolate and headed out for the delicious lunch. Alana was wonderful for the nearly 3-hour lunch. She was not impressed that we were staying for dessert but survived things just fine. Thank you for including us in your tradition!!!

Alana and her bumpo

The Rest of Christmas

We started off Christmas Eve at Shawn's parents condo around 4pm.

Afterwards, we went over to Melissa's parents to open gifts with all the kids. They were estatic to see us because then they know it is PRESENT TIME! Better watch out for all those bows flying through the air!

Jenny had made this Santa in high school art class and

Daryl gave it away while cleaning out the basement.

On Christmas morning, Shawn, Melissa & Alana exchanged gifts at our house. Shawn got a Robin Yount signed baseball bat while Melissa got some bling for her ears. Alana got a few toys and a car seat.

Around noon we went over to Melissa's brother's house for Christmas with her Mom's side of the family.

Around 5pm, we left Jeff's house to travel back to Shawn's parents' condo to celebrate Christmas with his Dad's side of the family.

How the times have changed....

On December 23rd, the Maio family was gracious enough to host a mini Shorewood High School reunion. Ben Sattell was in town for the holidays along with his family, Flowers, Hawk & Moses. Also in attendance was Bilal & Usnije Hamden with their daughter SuSu; and, of course, Matt, Sarah & Genevieve Maio. I love the picture of the big boys and their children. Please notice that our daughter is sticking her tongue out at Ben and he sticks his back out at her. The things that he is teaching her...hmmm

Santa's girl