April 3rd - Aaron's Birthday

Howdy folks. It's been almost two months, and for that we apologize. Maybe one of these times we'll get better about keeping everyone updated.

Claire has had all kinds of fun in the past couple months. She's pulled herself up in her crib for the first time, stood on her own, and even taken a couple quick, wobbly steps (March 18th).

Right now one of her favorite things is to pull herself up on just about anything, including mommy, daddy, and puppy. She also enjoys showing everyone that she's "So Big!" and we're working diligently on perfecting the High Five maneuver.

Today is my birthday, and we went out to IHOP this morning. This afternoon we'll relax at home and then have some Italian food for supper, followed by (hopefully) a game or two of pinochle.

We hope everyone is doing well and having a good spring...and also that all the snow goes away soon.

On to the pictures...


Claire on Valentine's Day


We found this baby at the grocery store and decided to keep her


Claire playing with one of her balls


The first time Claire pulled herself up in her crib - February 25th


One of her first attempts at standing without holding anything


She loves walking back and forth along the couch


She tossed some toys under her bouncy chair and decided to go get them


Claire LOVES reading books...here she's perusing an Elmo story


Bath time!


Claire also enjoys playing with TV remotes...all her toys and she wants whatever Daddy has


Books and toys strewn everywhere...just a typical day


Daddy's birthday!

Claire is 9 months old now!

Hello folks! It's been over a month since our last update, Claire is over 9 months old, and all kinds of things have been going on. As far as Claire's checkup, she's perfectly healthy - in fact, we've only had one instance of her being a bit under the weather, with a two-day fever then a little bit of a rash, which cleared up great and she's back to her normal self. She weighed in at 18 pounds, 13 ounces and 28 inches tall on Monday. (Note: I corrected my typing so she does in fact weigh the correct amount now.)

Speaking of weight, I met my goal of losing 25 pounds right before Super Bowl. Everyone's support has been awesome, but of course I need to give an extra special thank you to both Tanya and Erika, who have been my best help.

I'm obligated to mention that the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl, and I upheld my bargain with Friedo and wore a Green Bay jersey on Super Bowl Sunday. We had a really great get-together at his place, and Robin has a few pictures up on their blog (the link is to the right).

As far as other things, just life as normal with a few fun moments thrown in, but for now I'll just post a bunch of pictures for you all. Enjoy!

Claire tackling Dad on Christmas

Sylva protecting Claire, as usual

Claire and I cooked Tanya breakfast in bed one morning

We saw Glen for about 10 seconds before he was on the floor playing with Claire!

I'm pretty sure Claire has more men than just her daddy wrapped around her little finger

Adam asked if he could hold Claire and take a picture. So we did.

Claire getting tickled by Dad's whiskers

Claire and Tanya

Sylva and Al's dog, Gizzy

This is how the puppies fell asleep

A nice color accent picture of Claire falling asleep in Dad's lap

I left the room for about 20 seconds to get her milk bottle and she emptied out her turtle in that time...she's going to keep me on my toes!

Claire has been drinking water and juice out of sippy cups lately

She has also been working on standing and walking while holding Dad's fingers

Claire has decided to become a Rock Band player

Claire's First Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We're down in Worthington right now, and it's Christmas morning, so I figured it's a great time to put some pictures up for everyone to see. There's some from us at home in West Fargo, some at my mom's place in Mandan, at Uncle Bob and Aunt Viv's in WF, and of course here in Worthington. Enjoy.


Claire in her high chair...oddly enough she never seems embarrassed when Dad tells her she's got something on her face.

Claire playing with the penguin Mike & Jamie Eckmann gave her. She figured out that it makes noise when she pushes it over.

Claire has a bouncy chair that she likes to play in, at least until her legs get tired.

We got Claire a play turtle for Christmas, which she's seemed to like so far.

We didn't have a real tree this year, much to Tanya's chagrin, so we put up her little tree instead and plopped Claire in the papasan.

Matthies Christmas in West Fargo with Grandma Flo.

A tiny bit blurry, but we had to get a quick picture after Isabella and Claire decided to hold hands...with no prompting from anyone else I might add!

Claire and her cousin, Meghan. Meghan had a great time playing with Claire that weekend.

Claire and Mom down in Worthington on Christmas Eve.

Claire and her cousin, Isabella, who is one week older than Claire is.

Another picture of Claire and Isabella.

Claire in her Christmas dress with Grandma Beseler in Mandan.

The two Beseler brothers with their daughters in Mandan.

I ended up playing with Claire, Rachel, and Payton over at the Kor Christmas get-together last night. It was a good time.

That's it for now, I hope everyone is having a safe and fun holiday.

It's been a rough day for me...

...I found myself thinking a lot about Dad today, which is never all that easy for me.

It will be five years at the end of December since Dad passed away. There's so much he hasn't been here for - my wedding, buying my first house, and most notably, the birth of Claire. Of course there are a million other times that I wished he was here as well.

I hadn't heard the song "Everything I Own" by David Gates until after Dad was gone, and to be honest I can't really say for sure why I listen to it sometimes when I know it will make me miss him more. Yes, it makes me sad, but I guess maybe it's just the idea that I identify with, so I listen anyway.

I realize my thoughts are pretty jumbled and incomplete at the moment, but I wanted to post something anyway. My dad had his faults of course, but he was the best man I've known, and hopefully those of you reading this who knew him have good memories to look back on.

Deer hunting season has come and gone for me this year. For many years I couldn't bring myself to go out hunting without Dad, but I've gone two out of the past three years now, and I'll continue to go I believe. If my kids want to learn to hunt, I'll teach them like Dad taught me.

I talk to Claire about her grandpa sometimes, and I like to think that she'll grow up knowing him as much as she can from my stories and pictures we show her. Maybe if I'm really lucky she'll think I'm at least a fraction of the father mine was.

6-months old already!

We had Claire's 6-month pictures taken this past weekend! I can't believe she's already that old... The time is going by too fast!

Here are a few to show everyone. Enjoy!

Hi all!

Here are just a few of the newest pictures we have for the fall. Enjoy!

Claire's peeking out to say hello!

Claire with her cousin, Meghan

We are out at the apple orchard in Worthington, MN. We went to pick out a couple pumpkins for Claire!

Grandma Cheri and Grandpa Paul

Claire next to her first Jack'o'lantern! Thank you Grandma Cheri for buying Claire her pumpkin, and thanks to cousin Billy for the camo!