Fall in Minnesota

Finally, some classic Fall weather this weekend! No snow, rain or ice, just cool crisp air and bright sunshine. We took advantage of this treat by heading to Minnetonka Orchards, about 20 minutes from our house. You may remember some photos on the blog from this place around this time last year. http://addisonbarat.blogspot.com/2008/10/minnetonka-apple-orchard.html. We took Addison when she was just 3 months old, but I have to say this year was much more fun for all of us. The farm is owned by 2 brothers who turn their property into a Fall Wonderland each year, fun for kids and adults alike. We started and ended in the pumpkin patch (we'll carve pumpkins NEXT weekend!), and visited the corn maze, apple orchards, animal barn and took a tractor ride through the trees in between. Of course we also had to make a stop at the hot apple cider and homemade cinnamon-sugar donut shack as well! Addison was in heaven...

Other fun updates include Addison learning to use her fork and spoon (she uses the utensils I used as a toddler), and her new obsession with "mugging" for the camera each time the thing is pointed at her - it's hilarious! See directly below for an immediate example. Scroll down to the bottom for more laughs.

This is her happy face - before we left the house

This is the happy face when we reached the pumpkin patch

Not so sure about the creepy corn maze

Tractor ride - I wish I had my camera DURING the ride, we went through a forest of beautiful golden-leafed trees

The silly billy goats

Apple time!

Let's hope she makes progress on the apple growth chart next year ;)

Kissing daddy through the shower door

Addison's camera face

I can use my fork!

California - September 18-25

We've been a bit delinquent on the blog postings for a couple of weeks, but we have an excuse...vacation! We were in Santa Barbara for Stacy and Grant's wedding, followed by some much needed down time at the beach house in Ventura. Too much fun = too much to write, so that's all we have to say. Enjoy the pictures, they speak for themselves!

Rehearsal Dinner Day

Sorry, this is SUPER dark, but just imagine Addison putting on and taking off her lei

Wedding Day

Celebration

Breakfast at the wharf - morning after the wedding

Beach time

Last day

The last weekend of Summer!

What a beautiful weekend! We've been looking forward to this 3-day weekend for weeks now, especially since we got to stay with Addison since Thursday due to Brenda being on vacation. What a treat! Since it was 75-80 degrees and sunny every day, we spent time outside in the backyard and we hit the beach as well. Back to work tomorrow, but looking forward to Grant and Stacy's wedding and more beach time in just 2 weeks!

Addison talking to her buddy the duck

We found her sleeping like this during a morning nap - how cute is that?!

Taking a break to read a book

Addison writes her first blog posting - A day at the park with my Dad.

Some of you might find this odd but I thought I'd write a posting for once and give my mom a break. I figure it's the least I can do for the best Mom in the whole wide world. She always takes the time to write such wonderful things about how much she loves watching me grow, laugh, play and "All kinda thing like that there."

I'm sure you're wondering where I got that saying from. My Grandpa Allan got that saying stuck in my head the first time I visited California when I was 3 months old and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since. Anyway, I'm writing to let everyone know that I had the most amazing day with my Daddy.

We started out by having a wonderful breakfast together and then he took me for a jog through our neighborhood. After my morning nap we went to the park where I played in the sand, got my tan on and swung on the swing set. The best was when I climbed up the steep stairs leading to the slide. It was my very first time accomplishing a feat of this magnitude. I made it up the entire way without my Daddy's help. He was so proud of me! He clapped and cheered me on the entire way. However, I must say he was a bit nervous when I went down the steep stairs. It was a little touch and go going down the first four steps. Then, on the fifth one I ended up falling off and landing on the sand covered playground floor. It was no big thing though. I got up and dusted myself off and moved on to the next playground adventure. Thanks Dad for such a wonderful day! Love, Addison.

Ok, maybe DJ wrote this but Addison played a big role in the editing room.