It's been 17 months

Okay, so maybe I took a little time off. A lot of my friends have been busy and regularly keeping their friends and families updated with their lives, and I have not. So - starting now and at least for another few months, I'll do the best I can. I'm sure many of you have not lost too much sleep over my non-updates. God bless Facebook (which, I've been sucking at as well).

As I looked back at the older posts, it really just breaks my heart - my little mullet-head, hardly speaking, diaper wearing, little pickle. Now - she's hardly that, however, she's more. I won't go through our last 17 months in detial, just a little summary.

Oh yeah, Sophie is 3. We moved to Oxbow. I still work and travel on a semi-regular basis. Aaron is still doing what he does. We are happy and healthy and busy and crazy.

October, 2009: Good bye 4324 46th Ave. s:

Hello Schnell Drive:

Aaron & I in Florida (January, 2010) - we still look the same.

Oh yeah - we still have Roonie. And Roonie & Sophie have a real love/hate relationship. It's like they're real siblings.

Okay - so maybe a little past few month history hightlights with the family:

Christmas with the Halverson cousins:

Christmas with the Brakkes:

Happy 3rd Birthday to Sophie!

Easter (2010) at Hannah & Ava's (John & Angie's in Arkansas)

Latest big event: Baby Ruby Mae Halverson (Sister to Lucy & Stella)

Okay - that's it for now. Sophie is growing up so fast, and she's so funny! I want to share her funny little self with everyone. Yes - I want to be that mom.

Dancing in my room!

Loves the dancing & smiling for the camera!

Balloons - big time hit!

Hot Tamales + Car Ride = Sleepy Girl with Red Lips

It's Winter!

Okay - so mommy has been lacking at updating this. I've been very busy actually. With gymnastics, the snow and getting ready for Christmas - I think she's forgotten to show me off. So, here I am preparing for the winter! I have my fluffers jacket on - it keeps me warm. These pictures were actually taken at the last Bison game of the year - on November 22nd! We tailgated as much as we could - but mommy got cold, so we hung out on the bus and ate chocolate...you can see I tried to leave some for latter on my chin.

Gymnastics

We're doing another round of gymnastics. This time, she's really getting into it.

Butterfly Fairy

Haloween was so fun this year. Sophie was a butterfly fairy. We didn't do that much trick-or-treating, dad was in the field and mom decided to go out with the girls. Sophie came to work for a little bit - where she showed off her costume. Then she stayed with some friends over night - so it was a big day for her. She probably ate more candy that day then she has in her life.

Mommy was a grim-reaper. This didn't scare Sophie - she still gave me a kiss buy buy.
Sophie is actually very cool - and has some poses. Here's her "sexy pose".

It's fall. Here are a few of Sophie's favorite fall activities. The park is always a favorite!










Coloring is a new thing - we've discoverd that Roonie is a fan of crayons as well.















Sophie also just wants to wear her jacket and play outside. We are having a blast this fall!!

18 month pics - GO BISON

Football season is upon us! We decided to capture little Sophie tailgating for her 1 1/2 year photo shoot. Oh my - 1 1/2 years old.

She LOVES Bison games - she even sits through the entire thing. What a trooper. Fan for life!

There are more photos from this little session, but here are some of the best.

Pumpkin Patch

Auntie Staci has finally asked nicely "where's the frickin updates?" So - I've finally broken down and posted some updated photos.

Early September, Sophie wanted to go to the pumpkin patch and see what all the fuss was about. This was also a good opportunity to show off the ever growing mullet.

Como Zoo

We went to Como Zoo with mommy's friends from college on 8/02. It was a great day! I saw so many animals and got to meet some new friends. Lucy & Stella came too!

I rode on the carousel with mommy - it was so fun. I giggled when I saw daddy each time I went around.

Cousin Time!

I also got to hang out with all of my cousins at the park on 7/20. We had a great day. I loved the swing. Uncle Eric laughed at me when I started to "run" while swinging. I probably won't let Eric push me though - I saw my cousin Lucy fall off.

Then we went to dinner. Hannah showed us all how to put on lipstick.

It was pretty hetic to get everyone fed without getting kicked out of the Blue Moose.

Sophie, Hannah, Stella, Lucy & Ava

At home

So, maybe mommy hasn't been that great at updating this. I decided that I need to take things into my own hands. This first group (Pictures taken: 7/13/08) is pretty much just me hanging out at home with Roonie (which by the way, I can almost say). RTD & I get along great - she ignores me when I snuggle with her, and give her kisses.

I've also started to realize that when mommy grabs that box type thing and pushes a button, something happens. I now believe that maybe I should just start doing it all myself...taking my pictures that is. I don't know the difference between video & stills. It really doesn't matter.


After I got my jammies on - I wanted to make sure I got one more snuggle from mommy.

4th of July

What a big weekend! We went to Grandma & Grandpa Brakkes to play. SO much fun. Sophie is such a fish - she really enjoys the water! Pools, Sprinklers & Lakes...so much fun!

Sophie LOVED to eat bacon, peanutbutter toast, grapes and pretty much everything else. Hanging out on the patio was so relaxing!

The neighbors had an old kiddie pool that Sophie played in. This was a HIT.

Sophie even got to drive the pontoon with Grandpa.

Grandma & Grandpa had to water some trees -and boy that sprinkler looked fun. Sophie had a blast running through/away from it. Mom forgot that she was right in the line of fire too.

After her nap - Cora Strickler came over. Sophie & Cora played in the swing and got reaquanted again.

Sophie & Cora - - - Kisses!!

After all of the excitement of the actual 4th of July - we rested up, and went to visit Cora and the rest of the Stricklers at their camp site. So many little girls! It was fun to watch them share sippy cups, see if they can make their moms freak by walking by the fire, and eating whatever falls on the ground.

It was a perfect evening to take a walk on the dock. Sophie - with a new found excitement for water, just had to dip her toes in the lake. We don't have a photo - but we ended up using this opportunity for bath time as well.

SO MUCH FUN!!

Ouch

Ouch. The laundry dry rack thing got the best of Sophie's cheek this weekend. She eventually got over it. I don't think daddy has yet.

Take me out to the ball game....

So Excited - Our neighbors called us up and asked if we wanted to go to the FM RedHawks game on Friday night. They said "we owe" them...so, we agreed that we'll take their free tickets, drink free beer, and hang out with them for a while. We do owe them after all.




This is Sophie's FIRST baseball game. She was so happy to be there


She cheered for the RedHawks the entire game!

She really is a student of the game. Watching very closely. Learning all of the players, stats, etc. so busy.

Hawkeye didn't make a great impression. But, what do expect when a huge red bird comes up and tries to play with you.

Gymnastics - Olympics 2020

Yesterday was Sophie's first day at gymnastics. She LOVED it. Pretty sure she'll be in the Olympics some day. Her favorite event is the balance beam.



When we were in a circle, and did "Bop Till You Drop", Soph did her own thing for a while. She eventually got into it - but her favorite part was watching all the kids.


She met a boy at class - and I think she's already flirting with him....she'll laugh at anything!




She was so busy - she tried just about everything!

After Gymnastics - we went our for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. We probably should have ordered her her own salad bar - she ate a few plate-fulls of her dads! Playing makes a girl hungry I guess!

Her other "new trick" is smiling on command. It's not just funny to see her do it, but her smile really shows off her new teeth.

It must be summer....

Big weekend - The old Brakke's played in the annual Randy's Bar Golf Tournament (and did okay), while Sophie spent the day at some friends.

The next day was a perfect summer day! We played outside. Sophie is getting so good at running - on the cement. Well...maybe we have an accedent every now and then. She's really getting her 'summer legs' in shape!

It's Almost Summer!

Mommy was gone for a few days this week - but got back just in time for the nice weather.

Sophie got home from daycare (a little early on Thursday - mommy was really excited to pick her up), and played outside.

Sophie's favorite things outside are:
- Rocks
- Roonies Pooper Scooper
- Roonies Chain
Daddy says that Sophie wears her jeans like her mom....

The mullet is growing like the grass in her back yard (long in some places, nothing in other places).