Julia turns ONE year old!!!

It's hard to believe our little sweetie is ONE YEAR OLD today!!!  She has brought so much joy, laughter, and love in to our lives.  We feel so lucky that God has allowed us to be her parents!!!

A few of her favorite things (in no particular oder) include: kiwi, Baby Beluga, peas, Zoey, singing stuffed animals, Hunter's play garden, crawling, sleeping, playing with Daddy, making funny faces, ham, cuddling with Mommy, baths, The Foot Book, swinging, Grandmas and Grandpas, crackers, cousin Yaya, music, cruising, peek-a-boo, Aunts and Uncles, going on walks, and just being silly.  We love you, Julia!

Easter in Hubbard

We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter with my family in Hubbard this year.  Mom, Dad, Aunt Jane, Grandma Ramona, and the three of us were able to spend the weekend together.  Highlights included: Hubbard's city-wide Easter egg hunt (with Julia in attendance simply as a spectator), yummy family meals, a fantastic Easter service at church, another birthday celebration for Haune--who turned 30 today--complete with a very special triple layer coconut cake made with love by mom, as well as an early celebration for Julia's first birthday!  Whew, we were busy!  Thanks for the great weekend everyone!!!

Hubbard Easter egg hunt

Hubbard Easter egg hunt

Successful first Easter Bunny experience

Great Aunt Jane and Julia

Just a couple pics with our first born, Zoey

  

Sweet Zoey



Easter morning sunrise on the farm





Opening up her Easter dress from Grandma and Grandpa Dubberke



Our sweetie



Our first 4 generation picture

Grandma and Grandpa Dubberke

Mom the Baker and Haune the Birthday Boy

The masterpiece

There's always time for cuddling Grandpa Gene!

Getting ready for her birthday cupcake...

Yummy!  She devoured nearly the whole thing in no time!

(I was attempting to figure out a setting on my video camera when we sang "Happy Birthday" and consequently missed catching it on tape.  :(  Here's a quick video of her enjoying her cupcake though.)

Video taken April 24, 2011

Weekend in Sioux Falls

After the birthday party Friday night, we hit the road early Saturday morning to spend a quick weekend in Sioux Falls with Haune's family.  Upon taking a closer look at our calendars, we realized we'll be on the road 8 out of the next 9 weekends, so stay tuned for more updates! 

The cousins have enjoyed seeing each other more frequently now that the Harrells are back home.  :)  The girls had fun swimming in the pool, hunting for Easter eggs, and simply playing with each other.  Keyara seemed to thoroughly enjoy entertaining Julia and making her giggle.  Although it was a short weekend we really enjoyed the time we were able to spend with our loved ones.

Video taken April 16, 2011

Video taken April 14, 2011

Cousin kisses

Thanks for the GREAT bloomers, Erika!!! :)



She found an egg all by herself.



Yaya quickly got the hang of what was going on...

Out of the 10+ pictures I took, this one turned out the best. :)

Haune's (2nd) Surprise Birthday Party!

Last Friday I decided to throw Haune a little last-minute surprise 30th birthday party with our Rochester friends.  We ended up having a great turnout on such sort notice: 20 adults, 6 kiddos.  This was actually his 2nd surprise party--his family also threw him one in March out in the Black Hills.  Needless to say, he had a great time and had no clue that any sort of surprise was in the works.  Thank you, Rochester friends, for helping to make his birthday extra special!  (His actual 30th b-day is coming up on April 24th--Easter Sunday!)

We are so lucky to have such great friends!!!

2 out of the 6 babes that were here: Kai and Carleen  (Julia slept through the whole thing!)

Fun 1st Week of April

We've been busy simply loving life!!!  It takes quite some time for spring to officially arrive here in Minnesota, thus, Julia's first official visit to our neighborhood park was just past Thursday.  Needless to say, she LOVES IT!  Here's a few videos of her first playdate at the park.

Video taken April 7, 2011

Video taken April 7, 2011

Video taken April 7, 2011

Grandpa and Grandpa Dubberke came to visit us too!  They spoiled Julia with lots AND LOTS of hugs and kisses.  They also couldn't help themselves from brining a couple of early birthday presents (videos below).  Although she may not initially appear to be too thrilled with the singing elephant, she has since learned to love him and he's now a new favorite toy.



Video taken April 10, 2011

Video taken April 10, 2011

11 Months Old!



Playing Around

There's not a whole lot going on here lately, but here's a few pics of Julia doing what she does best--playing:

"I LOVE the garden, Hunter!"