Video Updates

Julia continues to enjoy the life of a baby.  Her current interests include playing with her new bug, laughing at Dr. Seuss' The Foot Book, and actively exploring her environment:

Video taken February 16, 2011

This evening we participated in our final Baby Swimming Class--all three of us had a blast these past 5 Wednesdays!  Here's a quick video taken before "class" started.  You'll see our friends Wendy and Sawyer making their video debut as well--we've taken several Early Childhood Family Education/Community Education classes with them and needless to say these two kiddos love smiling at each other.  I had hoped to get a bit more pool time on video, but my battery thought otherwise.

Video taken February 23, 2011

And finally, Haune took this video of her earlier this evening.  She LOVES to scoot/roll all over on our hardwood floors and typically thinks it's funny to get stuck under the bed, couches, etc.

Video taken February 23, 2011

The Harrells are HOME!!!

Approximately 6 hour drive to Omaha--check.  Dropping Zoey off at the babysitters (aka Grandma and Grandpa Dubberke's) for the weekend--check.  Packing up the car and heading to the airport with Mark, Gloria, Sonya, Eric, Julia, and myself at 11:30 p.m.--check.  Encountering a solid sheet of ice upon crossing the border back into Minnesota driving less than 50 mph on I-90--check.  Welcoming Chris, Erin, and Keyara Harrell off the plane from their 3 year missionary trip in Sierra Leone, Africa--ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS!!!!  We were so thrilled to be able to make it to Omaha this weekend to witness the Harrell family's arrival back to the states.  We had a blast welcoming them home and spending time with them all.  Chris' family made a delicious brunch for the gang on Sunday giving everyone time to visit thus allowing an opportunity for the cousins to play with one another.  We are so thankful for the Harrell's safe return, the love that they shared with the youth while living in Africa for the past 3 years, and for all of the future memories we will share with them now that they are living back in the states.

Video taken February 19, 2011

Video taken February 19, 2011

At the airport waiting for the Harrells...

Aunt Sonya and Julia

(Sorry this picture is dark, but you get the idea.)

Sisters/cousins

Welcome home!!!

Video taken February 20, 2011

Video taken February 20, 2011

Video taken February 20, 2011

Kisses from Yaya!

Grandma and Grandpa's girls

Yaya wanted to "hold" her baby cousin, but it proved to be a bit more difficult
than anticipated due to the fact that Keyara weighs only 3 more pounds than Julia.

My friend Sarah made this Nebraska tutu for Yaya.

Still happy after a long car ride home.

When we dropped Zoey off at the farm, Dad had to (attempt) to feed Julia in
the high chair he and his 3 sisters used when they were little.

Winterfest/The Past Week

We've sure been busy this past week!  Apparently here in Minnesota, people just don't simply tolerate the bitter cold winter months, they actually EMBRACE them!  The past 10 days have been hoppin' here in Rochester for the 8th annual Winterfest.  There's TONS of fun activities planned throughout the city to encourage people to get outside and have fun.  All of the profits from these activities go to various non-profit organizations.  The activities we particpated in were: The 5K/10K Frozen Goose Run (Haune volunteers with the Optimist Club here in town that puts it on... all of the proceeds went towards children's cancer research), The Polar Bear Plunge (Haune's US Bank team--"The Frozen Assets"--jumped in a local lake to raise money for the Special Olypics... in the video he's the one on the far left doing the cannonball), and the Ice Walk/Social Ice where there were lots of different ice sculptures and a 100 foot bar downtown in the Peace Plaza which is located right in the middle of the Mayo Clinic.  Below are pictures and videos from Winterfest:

"I'm all ready for Winterfest!"



Video taken February 12, 2011

Video taken February 12, 2011



Frozen Assets in action

The Frozen Goose Run

A small section of the 100 foot ice bar



One of the many Ice Walk sculptures located downtown



We have also signed Julia up for 5 weeks of baby swimming lessons through the local community education program.  She LOVES the water and has a blast each time she gets in the pool.  (We have a lot of fun too!)  We think we may have a little fish on our hands...

Video taken February 9, 2011

Video taken February 9, 2011

And finally, here are just some pictures and videos of our gals having a grand old time around the house:

Video taken February 8, 2011

Video taken February 8, 2011

Big sister is always watching out for her little sister

Grandma and Grandpa Dubberke sent a singing Valentine's Day Bug to our little Bug

She sure does get a kick out of it!

Nine Months Old



Prunes and Playing

Julia really gets into eating prunes:

And she LOVES playing!

"Thanks for the great blocks, Kair family!"

Had to throw in a Zoey picture too, just for good measure.

Weekend in Sioux Falls

This past weekend we traveled to Sioux Falls to spend time with Haune's side of the family.  We stayed with Great-Grandma Marcella... and just in case you're wondering if it's possible for 5 adults, 1 baby, and 1 dog to live in a single bedroom apartment for 3 days--IT IS!  :)  And it was very enjoyable as well!  :)  In just 3 short days we were able to visit both Mark and Gloria's sides of the family--we loved it!  Here's a few pics/videos of the little lady:

Video taken January 28, 2011



Great-Grandma Marcella

 Video taken January 28, 2011

"I love Grandpa Mark!"

"Silly Grandma Gloria..."

Great-Grandma Donna

Video taken January 29, 2011

Julia and her cousins: Evie, Dani, and Jon



Video taken January 30, 2011