The Duke

Not only to I have the best husband and kiddo, but I also believe I have the best dog. The Duke is going to be 5 years old next week...that's 21 in dog years, right? Until Christine came along, he was my baby. He's definitely had to take a step down (poor guy!), but he's handled the past year very well! Here are some updated pics of Christine and her "doggie." Happy Birthday Duke!

On Christine's birthday

He loves her and is protective of her

Seriously, could the two of them be any cuter?

Rudolph

When I picked up Christine from daycare on Tuesday, the first thing I noticed was her big red nose. Apparently, she walked out the back door, where there was a step, and landed face first on the outdoor rug. She has a rug burn on the tip of her nose...but she's still smiling!

Christine finds the weirdest places to play. Today she pulled out one of the drawers from toy storage, took everything out of it, and then sat in it to play.

We also tried coloring for the first time. It wasn't a huge success, but I think she got the concept and it took up a little bit of time. It's been raining for WEEKS (at least it feels like it) so I am trying to be creative with things to do indoors. We usually go for walks and play outside.

EnterTRAINment Juction

Christine's 6th plane ride landed her in Cincinnati, OH. Brian and I had to go to Cincinnati for an all company meeting and we brought her along. Grandma and Grandpa Walden came to Cincy to get Christine and they took her back to Indiana for a few days. It was really hard for me at first, but then I was so busy it actually turned out to be OK. Plus, Christine had a blast!

Then Grandma and Grandpa Sampsel, Great-Grandpa Sampsel, and Gloria (Great-Grandpa's friend) came down from Beach City to hang out for the weekend. On Saturday we went to EnterTRAINment Juction. For those of you in Ohio, you should go! I'm not big into trains, but it was fun and Christine had a lot of fun as well. It's this huge building with model trains everywhere and they have an area for kids as well. http://www.entertrainmentjunction.com/

Daddy holding Christine so she could see the trains.

Christine and Great-Grandpa Sampsel. I love this picture!

4 Generations

hanging out in the kiddie area

Sleeping after a long day!

A little note about the above picture...

So, Christine woke up at 6am hungry, so I had to run down to the hotel lobby to warm up a bottle for her and when I got back I fed her and decided to just leave her in bed with us. Brian wakes up and says "are you really going to leave her in our bed?" I think he was somewhat annoyed. Then Christine rolls next to him and cuddles up. I waited a few minutes and asked Brian if he wanted me to move her back to the pack-n-play and he said "I don't care" which in Brian language means, no. I think he like snuggling with his little girl! :) When I got out of the shower this is what I saw and I HAD to take a picture.