My apologies for being so bad at updating this blog lately! I promise to do so after the holiday crazies dies down.

For the moment, I just want to thank everyone who sent message, phone calls, cards and plain old good thoughts in honor of what should have been Lila's first birthday yesterday. We miss her so much, and there's a terrible empty space in our lives. Really, the best thing anyone can do is to acknowledge and remember her life.

Some amazing friends also sent a generous donation to the Children's Hospital CICU (where Lila was cared for) and The Courage Center in MN in Lila's name on her birthday. This holiday season, please consider donating something (a small gift, money, or time) to a worthy cause in honor of the babies and children that can't be here.

Much love to everyone this holiday season.

What's up, Doc?

Ivy's preschool planted carrots in the little garden outside. They didn't get very big, but she was so excited to get to "harvest" them! She even at one, and saved the other two for us.

We got tons of great photos at Disney, and I'll get them posted- I swear! For now, here's my favorites.

The Davis' came for a long weekend visit! Ivy had a ton of fun hanging out with Evan and we all went to the Aquarium and a day of city stomping.




snack break







How cute are they?

Berries

We went berry picking at Wards Berry Farm. It was sweltering hot, but we got lots of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Yum!





Ivy hugging her berry haul.

More Storyland

Since we went to Storyland late in the day, we got a free ticket to come back again. This time Daddy came! I really like it there- aside from the fun rides, everything is based on classic children's stories and there's little playhouses for kids to run and play in, and even some animals!

You could "milk" this cow! Ivy thought it was strange that only water came out.


On the Polar Coaster roller coaster


Flying Fish!


The spinning turtles


Flying Whales!


This entire play area let you enact the Nursery Rhyme of "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe". Behind the shoes, you can see a little door you could knock on and a table with sticks on it. Way in the background you can see a big fake tree with a cradle rocking in it.


Ivy and Daddy as Little Black Sambo. Except he seemed to be re-named just "Little Sambo" and his tale was a little abbreviated.


The tigers merry-go-round. Unfortunately, they didn't turn into butter.


Ivy as a Dutch Boy with his finger in the dike.


Flying shoes!


No great falls here!


Trying the porridge at The Three Bears house.


Who's been sleeping in my bed?



On the way out, there's a little tree, and you can write your name on a leaf and hang it for the other kids to see.

Diana's Baths

We did a little mini hike (about 1/2 mile) out to Diana's baths to see the natural pools and mini falls. Even Lola got go!