Annual McCulloch Open in Wisconsin...

Izzy pretending to sleep...she loves having an audience
Great Grandma Linda
Great Grandpa Marcks

Honey Cheerios from a bowl...she was double fisted and loving it
Laughing at Great Grandma Betty singing to her
Captivated by her bedtime stories with Grandma Laura

She loves, loves, loves being read to...she points, turns pages and has big eyes the entire time
Bob and Mike on the course
Family pic
Steve and Grandma exchanged hats!

This past Labor Day weekend we made the trek up to Wisconsin for the Annual McCulloch Open. This year was the 25th Anniversary of the event, so would couldn't miss it. The men golfed while the women shopped and cooked. We also made a special visit to Mike's Grandpa Marcks who met Izzy for the first time.

This was quite a fun weekend for Izzy, as she started pulling up and climbing/crawling OVER anything in her way. So much fun...and I can't believe she's already 11 months old!!!

Book Club / GNO...

Last night I enjoyed a few hours away from home: the unofficial book club / girls' night out. Book club has been on hiatus for most of the summer and last night was our attempt at starting it up again. I feel like book club always ebbs and flows. But so does life....life happens. So we're officially re-committed to reading. Reading is fundamental, you know.

Weekend in Michigan...

All the second cousins: Taylor, Grace, Allison, Andrew & Dylan
Grandfather, Mike & Dad
Nana & Grace

Self portrait, per usual

Dad's new toy, his kit car: '67 Cobra

Pre-race with Izzy

Kim, Grace, Kelly & Izzy
Sue & Ken (& Iz)
Kelly, Iz and Sue

Last weekend we made a road trip up to Michigan for the annual Crim Race. This is usually a weekend filled with family and friends, and this year was no different. Sue & Ken Peters were in from California, the Wolverton crew were in from Grand Rapids, Nana & Grandfather Keel from their new digs, Carla & Jim from down the street, the Delaneys and Kim & kids from Chicago....plus MANY more. I was not a good picture taker this weekend, so I apologize for leaving so many faces out. Anna prepared a YUMMY spread all weekend, so my attention was paid to all the good food (and full coolers :).

The running race was HOT, per normal Crim weather. Ken finished the 10 mile, and the rest of us finished the 5k. This was Taylor's first year running (she did very well) and Dylan's first year running as well. Maybe I'll get some more pics soon from other family members...so stay tuned.

Grandpa Bob's Birthday...

Doing what she does best...rolling
Her legs are always crossed like a little lady
This game was fun - Grandma Laura would talk into the box, then Izzy would mimic
Bubby
Playing with Grandpa
Stinkin' cute

Yesterday we spent the day with Mike's dad to celebrate his birthday. Izzy played with lots of fun toys (each house brings her fun, different toys to play with!) and experimented with many new foods: birthday cake (strawberry), pudding, and mashed potatoes. Yummy!

August at the lake...

Grandma Berger
Driving the boat with Grandpa Berger
Catching some rays
We spent last weekend with Mike's mom at the lake. The weather was beautiful and relaxing. Izzy always snoozes extra long while we're there. Makes for lots of great sunning time for mom & dad! Izzy had a great time showing off her new *army* crawling and lots of waving & talking. Was a fun weekend!!!

Daddy's last swim class

Last week was Mike's last swim class with Izzy, as he is starting back at school to get his MBA on Thursday nights. I will be in the water next week alone with Izzy, which will be her last day of class. We decided not to sign up again until next summer, as it's quite a deep pool for me alone with Iz & the summer is ending (hence, no more pool days). This was such a special activity for the two of them to share, as Mike was a swimmer for so many years...and now he's passing on his love for the water to our little Aqua Babe. Until next summer....

Home alone...

Izzy playing...Baxter snoozing
She will lean over and be flat as a pancake to reach something...no need to crawl!
How could you not love these cheeks?!?!

This weekend Mike was away on his annual boys' baseball trip...so Izzy and I had a quiet weekend home alone. We shopped, we jogged, we played on the swings, we went to the pool, we walked with the dogs...and simply - we had a perfect weekend together. We even had a surprise guest tonight - Aunt Jaime!!! Her Lukester is spending some time with his grandparents...so she came over to love on Iz. What a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

Chicago Cubs...

Ange, Kel, Jen & Mary

It was a beautiful day at Wrigley Field

Catching some rays
We met in 7th grade band :)
Our seats were AMAZING...a few rows behind 1st base. Thanks to Jenny's boyfriend, Mike.

A little liquored at Casey Moran's after the Cubs beat the Pirates. We spent a LOT of time here. Notice me drinking a beer with a straw. Believe it or not, that wasn't the worst decision I made all night :)

Daddy missed his little girl...

Izzy swinging
Getting a pep talk from daddy
She liked this much better
Trying out the slide

When Izzy and I returned from Chicago, Mike was amazed by how much Izzy had grown since he had last seen her on Thursday. Mike clearly had missed his little girl...he was smooching all over her and Izzy basked it all up. She really is daddy's little girl :) As soon as Iz woke from her long snoozer we took off for the pool, where Izzy got lots of swim time with her daddy. She went underwater many times and snugged up with Mike. Then we decided to try out a local park to see her try out the swings. Izzy liked the swing for a few minutes before she started crying. She enjoyed herself much more on daddy's lap. Mike then showed her the entire playground and tried out all the slides. I'm not sure who enjoyed the park more....Mike or Izzy :)

Girls' weekend in Chicago...

Erin, Izzy & Mary
Izzy with Jenny
Ange & Iz
This past weekend Izzy & I took a long 3 day weekend trip to Chicago. We spent the night with Erin & Brent on Thursday night and enjoyed a yummy breakfast in the city on Friday. Saturday we headed up to Gurnee to spend the night with my sister. Kim and I were able to hit the outlet mall for some good bargains while Taylor babysat Iz. Saturday morning I left Izzy with my sister and headed into the city for my very first Cubs game with Mary, Jenny & Ange. I forgot my camera (very unlike me) in the diaper bag, so I am waiting on pics from my girlfriends to post soon. We pre-partied at Murphy's across from Wrigley Field, watched the Cubs beat the Pirates, and then spent MANY hours at Casey Moran's. It was a very long and FUN day. Sunday morning my sister drove Izzy back to the city to (briefly) hang with the girls before we headed back on the road for Indy. Izzy is now sleeping (happy to be in her own crib again) and I'm waiting for her to get up so we can head out to the pool.

As most of you know, whenever I leave town without Mike, he tends to do fun house projects. One time it was a putting green in the backyard. Another time it was our infamous Rock-N-Roll bathroom. Once he even built me a dining room table & benches! This time Mike tiled my bathroom (pulled up both laminate flooring and carpeting) and painted our back hallway and 1/2 bathroom (no longer the Rock-N-Roll bathroom it once was) and is starting to tile the floor. It's funny, the putting green is now gone and grass is growing in its place. And now the Rockin' bathroom is gone and a soft celery green now fills the walls instead of the concert tickets & album covers. Seems he may be maturing in his home improvement decisions :)