Aubrey Jae

Play Date

2012-01-18T08:40:00.000-06:00

T just realized that there are 4 children's museums in CT.
We checked out the closest one and invited a friend from school. Aubrey loved it!

Leland is all smiles these days and also very interested in toys.
But chopping on fingers takes priority over all other activities!

Party Withdrawal

2012-01-08T14:17:00.000-06:00

Aubrey is suffering from withdrawal from all the holiday fun. After two full blown meltdowns, we had to host a last minute party to calm her down. We invited the girls next door for a party that included all of the elements of our favorite parties.... Girls only, Halloween costume, b-day cake and candles, sang "Happy New Year to Us" and Aubrey finally accepted that this party would not have presents. She did ask if she could charge money to attend. A second no from T. Apparently, she appreciated getting Christmas cards with cash.

Jan Hiking

2012-01-07T20:37:00.002-06:00

Following our hike, C said "Do you think we should check the kids for ticks?" Beautiful morning for a hike, but not January weather.

More Fun Traveling

2012-01-03T20:59:00.001-06:00

A few more fun moments from our travels...

Huge smiles when hanging with her friends.

Mega Mall with Papa and Nana

Three trips to see Ronald in two weeks!

Smiles from Aunt Kim

LeeLee's first plane ride.

Nana's Birthday

2012-01-02T21:16:00.001-06:00

We wished Nana a Happy 60th Birthday with a weekend of fun. Started with a mother-daughter morning at the spa for Nana, T, and Kim, and then dinner out with chocolate to follow. We opened the New Year with a trip to the MN zoo where there was a balloon drop for the kids. Uncle Scott took great photos that I'm sure will end up on their blog. And finally... all B-days must have cake!

Cake!

Fondue!

Leland Sits

2011-12-29T21:37:00.000-06:00

Leland is only 4 months and 2 days. He decided that if he just sat up then he'd be able to play with his new toys. T is not ready for her baby to be this big!

Leland Meets Family

2011-12-28T21:19:00.001-06:00

Leland was full of smiles as he got to meet family for the first time...

Grandma Kris

Uncles Matt and Dan

Great Grandma R

Great Grandpa and Grandma Jelly Bean

Great Grandma B

Great Grandma G

Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T20:42:00.000-06:00

Oh so much fun to spend Christmas in Madison with family...

Aubrey was disappointed that we didn't put up of tree in CT, but the wait made visiting trees at other people's houses all the better. Moving decorations on Great Grandma R's tree with Stephanie may of been the most fun, but no photos for proof.

Santa found us in Madison. He remembered that Aubrey wanted a replacement silver bracelet. She lost one at school three weeks before Christmas. What a long wait!

Cookies! Do we need to say any more?

Indoor Park

2011-12-20T20:47:00.001-06:00

Go Pack

2011-12-11T13:45:00.003-06:00

Another Sunday in Packer attire. T is missing out. AJ has been a great big sister lately but she is also in a very serious independent streak this week as demonstrated by leggings and socks she picked out. Retribution for T picking out the dress she wore to the department holiday party last night?

Blue Eyes

2011-12-10T13:35:00.000-06:00

Loving the blue eyes...

Vistor

2011-12-09T13:53:00.000-06:00

They love the surprise visitor...

Turkey Day Feast

2011-11-26T14:29:00.000-06:00

Hunting Cabin

2011-11-26T14:06:00.001-06:00

We spent almost a week at our friend's house in NY. So much fun we plan to go back next year! C was successful this year and Aubrey learned lots about catching deer. When she saw C's catch hanging in the garage, the conversation went like this.... Aubrey says "Eew Gross!" C responds "what did you think it would look like?" Aubrey says "A giant meatball!"

Packaging and Labeling Meat

Playtime

The only two photos of Leland for the week.

Misadventure with scissors!

Week 11

2011-11-12T20:42:00.005-06:00

Fun Weekend

2011-11-08T20:10:00.000-06:00

Aubrey was so excited to have Grandpa and Grandma visiting this weekend. We visited Mystic Aquarium and got to see the same animals as Curious George!

Ouch!

Belugas!

Enjoying fall sunshine.

Leland gives away smiles!

Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T14:52:00.000-05:00

October Snowstorm!

2011-10-30T14:25:00.000-05:00

Record breaking snowstorm! Not sure we want anymore record breaking weather events. We lucked out in that our power was out for less than 24 hrs. Temp in the house dropped into the 50s and Leland loved the cuddles. Note the tree in front of the house hanging on our power line. It lost several branches but not the one that would have taken out the line. Many people at work went a week we no electricity and low temps were below freezing. We had a family sleeping at our house for two nights. What a Halloween!

Snowing?

2011-10-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

Picked out a pumpkins in the snow. Then went home and picked out a sundress to wear while carving the pumpkins. That's a 3 yr old!

Congrats!

2011-10-27T14:03:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Patrick and Sara!

Head Up

2011-10-26T14:20:00.000-05:00

West Visits CT

2011-10-14T13:33:00.000-05:00

We had so much fun with Cousin West last weekend...

Photo Shoot

West's Pre-Birthday Party

Windy Morning at the Sound!

This photo makes me laugh...
West looks happy
Aubrey is being literal like her daddy:
holding the picture UP and no one has told her to smile yet.
Note the microphone: Aubrey just gave it West as a b-day present and is now guarding.

Leland Smiles!

2011-10-12T13:57:00.000-05:00

Leland shows off his smile, especially for Daddy.

Missing Daddy

2011-10-11T20:48:00.004-05:00

We missed Daddy last week while he was traveling. Here is Aubrey on the phone with him. Leland was pleased to have him home and rewarded us with his first true smiles today. Hope to get a photo soon. But in the mean time...

6 weeks

2011-10-10T20:43:00.001-05:00

Nana Sandy and Great Grandma visited this week. We celebrated Leland's 6 week b-day by spending the warm, sunny day at the coast. Aubrey was confident that we should visit Ocean Beach again and that we should be prepared to swim next time. When will it be summer?

Apple Orchard

2011-10-03T21:20:00.000-05:00

It was a very rainy weekend (or week for that matter), but since it is fall, we ventured out to an apple orchard. Aubrey was the only one wearing a sundress on the cool day and she did inquire why we didn't have friends going with us (visits to the orchard always included lots of friends when we were in Madison), but all in all a good morning.

Daddy Day

2011-10-02T21:06:00.001-05:00

C celebrated his is B-day by making dairy-free, fairy cupcakes so that T, Leland, and Aubrey could enjoy them. Then Aubrey showed him some Yoga moves. What a great Daddy!

Can we sing Happy Birthday again?

That's good Daddy.

Try this pose Daddy.

Awesome

2011-09-28T20:32:00.001-05:00

I'm

toad

-ally

Awesome

Weekly photo shoots

2011-09-19T22:48:00.000-05:00

Two Weeks, Huh?

Toes?

So Sweet

Not in the mood for a three week photo shoot.

I said... Not in the mood for a photo shoot.

Our Fire Place

2011-09-19T21:44:00.000-05:00

We are enjoying evenings in front of the fire place in our new home. As Aubrey is demonstrating, it's a great place to sit while on skype or sending texts to friends and family back in the Midwest.

Sunday Afternoon Football

2011-09-18T21:39:00.000-05:00

Note: Daddy's eyes are closed too.

Long Island Sound

2011-09-11T13:26:00.000-05:00

Our first good view of the Sound...

Grandparents Visit

2011-09-06T10:10:00.002-05:00

Grandparents converged on our house today, but we missed not having Grandma Kris here. Aubrey loved the attention and the opportunity to show off baby Leland. Papa Max asked Aubrey how many babies she has and she gave him a look and responded "One." Papa pointed to her pile of babies and she said "I have 1 real baby and 3 doll babies."

Clap Your Feet

2011-09-05T13:31:00.000-05:00

Photo Shoot at One Week

2011-09-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

We never got the perfect photo of our little guy, where he is sleeping with an angelic look on his face. However, we did manage of few good facial expressions during this photo shoot.

What is all the commotion? I'm trying to sleep.

I'm the center of the attention.

Is it really necessary to pose me on my tummy?

I said I was sleepy....

First Week Party

2011-09-03T07:21:00.001-05:00

Aubrey hosted a First Week Birthday Party for Leland. She was the perfect host, making the invitations and cake, greeting neighbors at the door, proudly showing off Leland, and thanking people for coming.

Party Prep with Aunt Kim

The Perfect Host

Our Baby

2011-09-02T07:45:00.000-05:00

It is very important to not miss out on opportunities for attention...

Our Baby

Our "Baby"

Loves

2011-09-01T07:53:00.000-05:00

Pre-school

2011-08-30T09:57:00.000-05:00

Aubrey was very confident on her first day of pre-school. She was simply very excited to be going to school and meeting friends. T was the nervous one, waiting at the hospital with Leland to hear about the big day.

First Day of Pre-School

Aubrey with Papa and Nana

Aubrey and her teacher

Orientation Day Last Week

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-29T09:22:00.001-05:00

Leland was born right before Hurricane Irene arrived. The three of us at the hospital feel as if we "missed" Irene, as the view from the hospital room did not have a single tree to indicate the strength of the wind. Aubrey stayed at the house with Papa and Nana and survived 30 hours without electricity. Many are still without electricity. Here is their visit to the hospital...

Family Photo

Leland content in Big Sister's arms!

Nana Sandy

Papa Max

Proud Big Sister

2011-08-28T23:50:00.000-05:00

Aubrey and Leland

Leland Michael

2011-08-28T23:43:00.004-05:00

Leland Michael
August 27 at 5:46 p.m.

8 lbs. 9 oz and 20 inches

Update

2011-08-27T13:51:00.002-05:00

T woke C at 7 this morning reporting contractions. Things progressed quickly as C made last dash preparations, with Papa Max's help, for the coming hurricane. No, not Baby Boy, the real deal. It looks like the Hurricane Irene will pass just west of us Sunday morning, bringing wind damage and flooding.

T and C did make it safely to the hospital this morning. Things progressed nicely but have slowed of late. T is taking a nap. By the the looks of things, today will be Baby Boy's day.

There was a lot of hurricane talk over the past 2 days as we awaited the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Aubrey had many questions for us last night and wouldn't go to sleep until she had a headlamp so she could "find mommy when the electricity stopped". We're thankful Nana Sandy and Papa Max are home with Aubrey during the storm. Someday, this will be quite a story to tell!

Dinosaur State Park

2011-08-20T16:15:00.000-05:00

Mommy - Aubrey Day

Another Visitor

2011-08-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

Papa D just happened to be driving by and spent a night at our new house. So exciting to have another visitor.

Driving the Truck

Pizza

Anticipated Addition

2011-08-04T22:06:00.003-05:00

Baby brother could arrive any day. I think Aubrey is excited to be a big sister. Here is her depiction of our family.

Visitors

2011-08-02T21:50:00.000-05:00

While preparing for the move, we talked about having lots of visitors at our new house. One day Aubrey burst into tears and blurted out "What are visitors?" I imagine she was envisioning monsters invading our house. Now she understands that visitors are friends and family from WI/MN and she couldn't be happier than to host visitors. We got to host our neighbors from Madison!

Togetherness

Mystic Seaport

Library Bus

2011-07-21T21:44:00.000-05:00

Mansfield has a library bus for checking out books in the summer. Our circle happens to be one of the stops and thus they arrive at our front door every Thursday morning. Aubrey loves it!

The Bus

Her own library card!

Free Labor

2011-07-19T20:27:00.003-05:00

Many thanks to Gramma Trouble, Papa Jeff, and Farmer Lee for helping us move! We then put Grandma and Grandpa to work for a full week. They even removed the wall paper from our dining room! Our only payment to them was the opportunity to watch Aubrey eat her first (and second) ice cream cone. We won't mention how many time we visit the UConn Dairy Bar in the next few weeks.

Bye faded blue!

Ice cream

Aubrey's first cone!

Moving Weekend

2011-07-14T21:35:00.001-05:00

After months of preparing, we made the big move across the country. Aubrey handled the change like a pro. Lost a few nails to nervous biting and refused to say bye to family and friends in Madison. She is settling in quickly to our new home.

First of many unspoken goodbyes

Our entire house into one moving truck!

Inseparable Buddies

Plane Ride

Our New Home

July 4th

2011-07-06T21:17:00.000-05:00

Pancakes by Papa Daryl

Fun with big girls!

Ice Cream = Favorite Uncle

Family Photo

Strawberry Picking

2011-06-30T15:20:00.001-05:00

Yum!

Side trip to Anoka Dam

Vacation Highlights

2011-06-29T22:22:00.000-05:00

A great week fishing and hanging out with family and friends in northern MN. This year was the year of the tent caterpillars and cheese-puff fried fish.

The Whole Group

Family Photo

The Girls Painting

Walleye of the Year

Northern of the Year

Friends from MO

Aubrey's First Fish

Baby's First Fishing Trip

Vacation Photos

2011-06-29T15:14:00.003-05:00

Did I go over board with the pics?

Beach Fun

Fishing

Hanging Out

Campfire

Aubrey's B-DayParty

Three Years Old

2011-06-13T14:32:00.001-05:00

Check out these incrediable photos from GAL! Aubrey is now a big girl at 3 years old. And although very tired from her parties, she wanted to help daddy put together her new art stand.

See backdated post with most photos from GAL

Strawberry Cake

2011-06-12T14:04:00.000-05:00

Aubrey loved hosting everyone at her house to celebrate her 3rd birthday. Nothing is better than a with weekend full of friends and cake!

Homemade Strawberry Cake

Balloons and Presents

Cupcakes and Tea Party

Pinata!

A-U-B-R-E-Y

2011-06-11T21:18:00.000-05:00

Aubrey spelled her name on her own for the first time, and then exclaimed "I'm a girl and J.D. is a boy!"

Sprinklers

2011-06-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

Summer is finally here! Aubrey was so excited to run through the sprinkler...

Memorial Weekend

2011-06-01T14:17:00.001-05:00

Cousin Weston made a stop in Madison on his way to visit family in northern WI. Then Aubrey and T checked out the Memorial Day parade.

Cabin Weekend

2011-05-25T21:49:00.000-05:00

Fun weekend at the cabin with Papa J, Gramma Trouble, Patrick, and Lou Dog, including a rainy Saturday afternoon playing Hi Ho Cherry-O and a perfect Sunday morning on the boat in the sun.

Smiles with Family

Bear says Aubrey's grown

Spring Tulips

2011-05-15T21:39:00.002-05:00

As you can see, Aubrey is a very proud big sister. Baby "Snowball geeky boo-boo", as Aubrey calls him, is growing nicely. Here's a link to our backpost of the ultrasound

A Smile for Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:18:00.002-05:00

International Crane Foundation

2011-05-02T15:08:00.003-05:00

We finally visited the International Crane Foundation. Lots of fun but would have been better with more sun and less wind (or maybe even our winter jackets).

Cranes

Hippos

Farm

2011-05-02T14:16:00.002-05:00

Another fun visit to the farm...

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

Photos from GAL....

Easter Eggs

2011-04-26T22:31:00.007-05:00

T painted Aubrey's nails pink and the Easter bunny brought her a chocolate bunny. Rewards for being a big girl. Check out the other fun events from the weekend.

Finding Eggs

Painting Eggs

Play Time

Big sister!

2011-04-18T21:32:00.000-05:00

Aubrey will be a big sister in August. She was really hoping for a baby sister and is now accepting that it will be a boy. She wants to know why we can't pick what we want. Daddy is pretty happy its a boy!

20 week ultrasound

T's belly at 20 weeks

Spring Fun

2011-04-10T20:51:00.001-05:00

We are enjoying the few spring days that have come our way....

Swinging with Grandma and Grandpa

The big swing!

Beach in Chicago

New Bike

2011-03-14T21:45:00.008-05:00

Papa and Nana came to visit this weekend and brought an early B-day gift. Aubrey loves her new bike and rode around the block several times each day. Wish more toys lasted as long as this bike Papa fixed up.

First trip around the block.

Smiles!

Fitzwalkerstan

2011-03-13T18:55:00.001-05:00

Protests continue to grow. Over 100,000 people this weekend. Anger growing, but still a family friendly event, tractors and all.

Week of Trips

2011-03-06T21:23:00.001-06:00

Two trips in one week! Photos do not convey how much fun Aubrey had at the WI Dells. Hours splashing in the waterparks and 2.5 hours in the wave pool. One day later we left for a lab retreat in northern WI. Do we dare say last snow of the season....

More swimming please!

Walking on top of snow pack!

Path

2011-02-27T21:20:00.001-06:00

Aubrey shoveled a path to our house. It went all the way around the entire block!

Children's Museum

2011-02-25T20:48:00.000-06:00

A fun weekend with Cousin West included a trip to the Madison Children's Museum and a short walk around the capital to see the protests. Also note the change in Aubrey.... Aunt Kim convinced her to where pig tails and a head band!!!

Friends Visiting

2011-02-14T22:09:00.000-06:00

Bea and Leon were back in WI for a visit. We had a great time at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Eating Second Breakfast

Fixing the Car

Riding the Bus

Go Packers!

2011-02-07T22:06:00.002-06:00

Good Luck Jersey Worked

Phones are so much fun!

Best Seat for Viewing the Game

Eagle Watching

2011-02-03T22:37:00.001-06:00

I am big too!

Over there!

Gymnastics

2011-01-26T19:01:00.001-06:00

Is gymnastics in our future?

Jumping on a big trampoline while watching a big girl flip on the trampoline next to her. Could life get any better?

Doll House

2011-01-22T14:13:00.006-06:00

Papa Daryl gave Aubrey an incredible gift... a handmade doll house. Papa made the Lincoln logs for Uncle Matt and Uncle Dan when they were little. Shingles are off the shed at the "AJ" farm, hand cut by Great Grandpa AJ and Great Great Grandpa about 70+ years ago. Aubrey loves it! She says the family likes to sleep on the roof.

Christmas

2011-01-12T13:55:00.000-06:00

Bounce

2011-01-10T15:01:00.000-06:00

Did you know that Aubrey likes to jump?

Swim Lessons

2011-01-02T16:31:00.007-06:00

Aubrey has been taking swim lessons with daycare. She has many many new skills... puts her face in the water, back floats, kicks, monkeys along side and climbs out unassisted, and jumps in independently. Aubrey also has a partner in crime when at daycare.

Video proof...

December Fun

2010-12-22T16:10:00.000-06:00

Our posts have been lacking of late, but our time has been filled with many fun times...

First Snow

Santa visits our house!

Christmas Preparation

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T20:51:00.003-06:00

Aubrey drew a chicken for Thanksgiving. Note the two eyes, smile, feathers, tail, and four legs...

Halloween

2010-11-10T16:22:00.000-06:00

She wanted to be a princess, but refused the scratchy dress. Good thing the bee still fit!

To Grandma

2010-11-02T05:00:00.001-05:00

West is One

2010-10-21T13:00:00.002-05:00

Pancake party

Fun photo from GAL

Weekend of fun

Fall boating

Jumping

2010-10-18T21:59:00.001-05:00

Have we mentioned that Aubrey likes to jump?

Apple Orchard

2010-10-06T21:30:00.000-05:00

Fall is not complete without a visit to an apple orchard...

Picking Apples

Smiles with Papa Daryl and Grandma Kris

Vacation

2010-10-02T21:13:00.006-05:00

Our week in the mountains was so much fun! Thanks to Tony, Danielle, Raelynn, and Ethan for hosting us. Aubrey wanted to stay. She burst into tears when we told her we were on our way to the airport to go home.

Friends in WY

Rocky Mountain National Park

Summer Memories

2010-10-01T20:49:00.001-05:00

Here are a few memories from the summer...

Daycare picked up a trampoline (primarily to deal with Aubrey's non-stop jumping). Originally we thought trampoline equals safety hazard, but in less than a week we had one at our house too. Aubrey has spent many, many hours jumping during the summer.

Aubrey helping cousin West eat hot food during our July visit to Mpls. She couldn't be more excited.

As a previous post indicated, Aubrey will never tire of watching videos of these three girls.

Dos Equis

2010-09-18T22:35:00.000-05:00

Aubrey says the alphabet:

Sailing

2010-09-15T22:30:00.001-05:00

Aubrey's first sailing adventure on Lake Michigan.

Photos by Aubrey

2010-09-08T22:51:00.000-05:00

This collage is photos taken by Aubrey. No after the fact photoshop by T. Not even cropping. Even better, Aubrey said while taking the photo of C and T smiling "How about you hold hands? Say cheese! That's a good one."

Sunday Mornings

2010-09-07T22:26:00.011-05:00

Sunday morning was a great Mommy, Daddy, Aubrey day!

Pancakes!

(Note dark windows due to 5 am start time)

Favorite things while waiting for daylight:
1) Puzzles and 2) Shenna-Josie-Lily video (see upcoming post)

8 am hike at Lake Farm and stop at the fishing pier

Superior birder in training

A lesson in bird ID

We ended the morning at Taste of Madison. Sorry no photos.

Camping with Big Girls!

2010-08-24T22:00:00.011-05:00

Last weekend we went camping with friends from Iowa at Governor Dodge State Park. Aubrey got lots of attention from her friends Shennah (7), Josie (5), and Lily (3). The best way to describe the weekend is to say that Aubrey had so much fun that naps each day began with many tears.

Always busy with so much to do.

All of the Girls.

Hiking to Stephen Falls

Our family at Stephen Falls

Week of Travel

2010-08-16T19:37:00.003-05:00

T spent the entire first week in August up north, training field technicians on trapping techniques for small mammals and missing Aubrey. Night 1 away was not so bad. Night 2 away and Aubrey decides that if she has to be a big girl and go to sleep without T than she is going to be a big girl and sleep in a big girl bed. C accommodates by dragging the bed upstairs. Night 3 away and T is seriously considering driving the five hours home. Nights 4 and 5 away and C simply says... I survived. Night 6 away and Aubrey, C, Gramma Trouble and Papa J head to the cabin and T joins late that night. Wow what a week! But it ends with a weekend at the cabin, where there was lots of...

swimming,

boating,

and fun at the lake.

Camping with Leo!

2010-08-05T22:09:00.000-05:00

Checking out the tent

Classic Leo (with truck) and Aubrey (shoes off)

Aubrey at 2 - pics

2010-08-02T22:04:00.001-05:00

Thanks GAL for the awesome pics!

Friends at the Zoo

2010-07-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

We recently visited Minneapolis and went to the Minnesota Zoo with some of T's friends from high school. Papa Max and Nana Sandy came too, with Aubrey's Cousin Weston in tow. What fun!The kids in action (L-R): Aubrey, Calin, Lily, and Kayden

Break time at the wolf exhibit - the frozen lemonade was a hit!

Saying goodbye...

2010-07-20T22:04:00.000-05:00

...is always easier with chickens around. Bea (in blue dress) has moved to New York with her new brother Leon, dog Emma, and Papa Fred and Mama Nicole.

And Mia (in pink, between Else and Noa), her brother Emilio, and Papa Tom and Mama Katia are off to Nevada. Aubrey and her daddy and mommy sure enjoyed spending time with them and hope to see them all soon.