Birthday and Kitten Fun

Sunday was Stan's 30th Birthday. We had dinner at my sister Jody's house. I made Stan a Pina Colada Cake (so YUMMY!)

He got some clothes, a book and some games. But the present I worked hardest on was his compilation of 30 Memories of Stan.
I think he enjoyed it, even if he figured out my surprise early. It was fun for me to read others memories of him. I can definitely tell he has made a positive impact in many people's lives, and I am so lucky to have him as part of my life.

Jody and Cace got a new kitten Chloe. Stan was happy to snuggle with the kitty since his mean old wife won't let him have a pet. I claim that he can have a pet any time he wants, as long as it can stay outside!
Miriam LOVED playing with Chloe. Most of the time Chloe managed to stay far away from her. But when she did get close, she usually got beat up. Miriam does not know what it means to be gentle. I guess that's a baby thing.

Family Campout at the Lake

This past weekend we had our annual Hornberger Family campout at the lake. This year, everyone came. Except of course my oldest sister, Melissa, who decided the trip from Canada was a little far for an over night campout. We went to Table Rock Lake in Missouri, close to where we grew up. Most of the pictures are of Miriam, but I can hardly help it with such adorable subject matter.

She had a lot of firsts, but that's not hard to do when you're only 10 months old.

It was her first time in a swing.

She loved it.

She swung alongside her cousin Ella for a quite a while. (That might be why she threw up her dinner a little later).

She got to play in the rocks with her Aunt Meredith.

She kept trying to eat them (no surprise there).

It was also her first time on the boat. She liked the boat.

She did NOT like the life jacket.

Eventually the boat put her to sleep.

Stan water skiied and I wake boarded. Thanks to my brother Jared for bringing his boat and taking everyone around!

Back at the campground...

Stan was master cook again.The rest of us were master eaters.

Jared brought his hammock and the kids love playing it. Here's a good shot of Menley.

Miriam got stuck in her playpen since her mom didn't want her crawling around in the dirt and eating the bugs.

I think Grandpa's glasses are a little big.

All in all, it was a fun time. We had a little bit of rain. Not enough to spoil it, but enough to cool things down just a little. Fortunately I came away with only 2 mosquito bites. It was a lot of work for one night though. Maybe next year we'll make it two.

Experimenting with Careers

Every stage of "babyhood" has it's own ups and downs. The part I love about the stage Miriam is in is right now, is how she explores everything. Lately she has been exploring possibilities of future professions.

She can now reach the piano and gets in some daily practice.

She found Stan's juggling bean bags and had fun trying that out. I'm not sure that one is in her future, but it was fun watching her try.

We dressed her up in a "Cinderella" dress and she was perfect at throwing a princess fit.

She could start a new show on Food Network, "Eating with Style."

Whatever she decides to do, I'm sure she'll be great at it. She is one very cute, independent personality.

Best of Friends

Yesterday, my friend Renee and I decided to take the babies swimming. Anna is 3 months younger, and not quite as chunky as Miriam, so when the swim diaper came on, we had a good laugh.

I can't help it. When you get two babies together and they start interacting, it is just so entertaining, I have to capture it on camera.

First Anna finds Miriam's knee. Must be tasty.

Then she finds the strings on her swimsuit.
Then she finds her toes.


You can see that just because Anna isn't crawling yet, that doesn't keep her from getting to what she wants.

Renee and I are of course hoping that they'll be best of friends. They already seem to enjoy each other now!

Trouble

It's official, Miriam is crawling. She has been for a few weeks now.



She is also pulling up to stand on everything she can hold onto, including the plant stand.
I was in another room, cleaning up and came back to find her with her mess. I was so impressed that she managed to pull the stand over, but the plant landed upright. I think the dirt on the floor is from her digging in it.

Because she is pulling up on everything, she is also having lots of accidents and acquiring many bumps and bruises. Notice the bruise on the left of her forehead.
Also notice her first tooth on the bottom. The second is on it's way up.

Ahhh...the fun has begun. I've been thinking how tiring it is chasing her around, keeping her out of trouble. Then my brother decided to remind me that it's not so hard yet. I am watching my 15 month old niece, Lydia, this morning and she walks and moves fast. I'm okay with crawling for now.

Joys of Being a Kid

Friday I finally returned some babysitting favors to my sister Rebecca and watched her kids while she and Tony went out for the day for his Birthday.

Before the older kids got home from school, it was just Miriam, Savannah (almost 4), Menley (5) and I.

They jumped on the trampoline.

They played in the baby pool.

They played in the sprinkler.

Do you remember when life's joys were so simple?
I think they still are, we just don't always take the time to see it.

Childhood is great, whether your living it yourself, or witnessing it through another.