Hello all. As promised, a Year-in-Review post is in order this weekend. However, it comes with a slight deviation from the expected; since there is a good deal to cover, we're doing it in two parts. Also, there are obviously things that happened that don't have pictures to go along with them, so those will be covered in text only. Some folks may know a lot of the happenings already, some of these pictures may already have been posted or seen, but I'm sure there's at least one or two new things in here for everyone.
So, without further ado, the first installment, starting at the bottom of this post and working upwards (so we eventually end with December at the top in the next posting).
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June 2011:
Al and I went down to Kansas City for a long weekend in June. Unfortunately I didn't even think to take pictures while we were down there, although for the most part we spent it hanging out, eating at different restaurants/barbeque joints, and playing games together. We're planning to head down again this summer, so maybe we'll do a few more "tourist" things this time around.
Claire Bear was making really good progress and was able to walk a bit unassisted by this point, although she was definitely shaky still and preferred to be holding on to something.
Tanya and I also celebrated our 4-year wedding anniversary on June 2nd.
It was summer time, and we had beautiful weather, so we tried to spend a good amount of time outside and visiting with others during this time, getting Claire out of the house as much as possible.
One of my favorite pictures of the Bear in her little swimming suit
Playing in the sandbox over at Aunt and Uncle's house
Claire learning to brush her hair
Sylva lying in the hallway - she is wonderful with Claire and puts up with a lot of accidental steps and tackles________________________________________
May 2011:
Claire turned 1 year old this month, big news of course. Tanya's Grandma Florene also had a birthday. Florene passed away in 2011, but luckily the Matthies family was able to get together and celebrate her birthday with her.
Claire got a walking horse and an elephant puppet - she was very big into puppets then and still is now!
Cupcakes!!!!!
Four generation Grove family picture
Claire's Birthday party, walking with the help of the Grandmas and Adam
Paul (Tanya's dad) along with his sisters and Grandma Florene________________________________________
April 2011:
I turned 31 in April. I know, I don't look a day over 35, right?
Anyway, besides my birthday, we had Easter over at the Frieds' house, and Claire Bear kept up her drive towards walking by maneuvering her way around the furniture.
Claire making silly faces on Dad's birthday
Claire's Easter Dress, standing with the assistance of the rocker
Easter over at the Frieds - Grandpa Glen and Aunt Robin getting some time with Claire while Grandma Cathy looks on
Swinging on the playset over at the Frieds'
Standing next to her crib - a great view of the Penguins that Jamie painted for Claire's room________________________________________
March 2011:
More of the same from February happening in March - Claire working on standing and even attempting to walk a bit along the couch and in her little walker car that Grandma Cheri got her.
One of Claire's favorite leisure activities - reading
Elmo will be the theme of 2012's Birthday party for Claire - she LOVES Elmo
Not quite there yet, but almost moving those feet!________________________________________
February 2011:
Much to my chagrin, the Green Bay Packers played in and won the Super Bowl last year, and I lived up to my bargain with Friedo by wearing a jersey during the game. Yuck. Besides football, February found Claire making big strides forward with both crawling and pulling herself up on the side of her crib and the couch. Standing on her own was pretty shaky, but she was definitely moving in the right direction.
Rock!
Daddy's Little Valentine
Not quite strong enough to stand...
Strengthening those leg muscles up in her bouncy chair
All those exercises paid off - Claire Bear working more on standing________________________________________
January 2011:
The year kicked off relatively well. Al was up to visit around the New Year, and while the weather wasn't as nice as we've had it this year, it wasn't too bad.
Claire with short hair and a rounder face in January - wow has she grown a lot since then!
Claire with Tanya
Gizzy (Al's puppy) and Sylva cuddled together
Adam and Claire - Adam loved to sit and hold baby Claire
Claire's first attempt at making Tanya breakfast in bed
While down in Worthington, Claire decided to use sidewalk chalk and draw on Grandma's tires - we don't think Cheri ever noticed
Claire and Grandpa drawing on the garage floor together
Claire and Blue Boy - Cheri's rather tall horse - Claire likes to remind us about "Grandma Blue Boy"
Claire finding an egg down in Worthington
Easter Egg Hunt in Erika and Joel's back yard
Claire likes to cook for us, so we let her stir with a spoon and bowl
Claire and Leah playing over at Erika and Joel's
Playing in the sandbox over at Aunt and Uncle's house
Claire learning to brush her hair
Sylva lying in the hallway - she is wonderful with Claire and puts up with a lot of accidental steps and tackles
Cupcakes!!!!!
Four generation Grove family picture
Claire's Birthday party, walking with the help of the Grandmas and Adam
Paul (Tanya's dad) along with his sisters and Grandma Florene
Claire's Easter Dress, standing with the assistance of the rocker
Easter over at the Frieds - Grandpa Glen and Aunt Robin getting some time with Claire while Grandma Cathy looks on
Swinging on the playset over at the Frieds'
Standing next to her crib - a great view of the Penguins that Jamie painted for Claire's room
Elmo will be the theme of 2012's Birthday party for Claire - she LOVES Elmo
Not quite there yet, but almost moving those feet!
Daddy's Little Valentine
Not quite strong enough to stand...
Strengthening those leg muscles up in her bouncy chair
All those exercises paid off - Claire Bear working more on standing
Claire with Tanya
Gizzy (Al's puppy) and Sylva cuddled together
Adam and Claire - Adam loved to sit and hold baby Claire
Claire's first attempt at making Tanya breakfast in bed