2011 Year-in-Review: Part 1

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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

Late June/Early July 2011

Ok all, here's another set of pictures from late June and early July of 2011. We'll cover more details of everything as promised this weekend in the Year-In-Review!

A four generation picture - Mom, Me, Claire, and Grandma

4th of July Weekend, celebrating on the 2nd over at Erika and Joel's. Claire loves running around and playing with Leah when they're together.

Claire Bear's going to be quite the little chef, she always wants a spoon and bowl to stir things

My sleepy, cuddly Claire Bear with her bedtime polar bear

Aunt Erika and Uncle Joel got Claire a swimming pool that she loved!

Mid-June 2011 Pictures

Hello again folks, day three of trying to catch people up on the second half of 2011. These pictures are all from mid-to-late June. Don't worry, the Year-in-Review is still scheduled for this coming weekend, when we'll actually let everyone know what went on more, but in the meantime I'll keep putting up more pictures to move things along.

Claire Bear hanging out with her godmother, Robin, last summer

Claire, Robin, and Adam enjoying the water table

Tanya got Claire a super cute raincoat this summer, and while we were getting ready to go outside she found the Rock Band microphone and wanted to sing

Thanks to Aunt Erika and Uncle Joel for letting us use their burley cart this summer - I got Claire a little helmet and we went bike riding!

Claire hamming it up for the camera right after nap time back in June

May/June 2011

I decided to start going back to shortly after Claire's 1-year Birthday last year and post up some pictures. These are all from mid-May and beginning of June. Enjoy!


Claire Bear eating with her spoon - she's much better now of course!

"Excuse me, dad, but I think I got something on my face."

Tanya and Claire at the Zoo in Fargo, looking at the horses

Claire's always very interested in what the camera does

A nice, peaceful picture of her watching her puppy in the backyard

First post of 2012!

Howdy folks. So we were pretty awful at updating blog in the last half of 2011. Don't worry though, we'll be making up for it. Here are some pictures from Christmas this year, spent in West Fargo at our place. Mom came from Mandan, and Erika, Joel, and Brian all came over from in town here also.

Claire was much more active this year during Christmas, and loved opening presents. Of course she got distracted after every present was opened up, wanting to play with the new things right away.

We're putting together a year-in-review for everyone that should get posted this coming weekend, but for those who didn't know, Tanya will be starting her new job, working at Integreon with me, a week from today. We're definitely excited about that.

Pictures for now, more to come very soon!

Claire and Grandma at Christmas

Claire and Tanya. Her little snowman dress is super cute - Claire's, not Tanya's of course.

Uncle Joel was on the laptop, but Claire decided it was time to crawl up and demand he show her Elmo!

Claire and Daddy - notice the resemblance?

This is what we taught Claire to do whenever the Vikings or Bison score points in football!