July 1-15 Ohio fun

July 1-15, 2015

The first part of July was filled with lots of work for us, a trip to Chicago for Ryan and prep for our nearly month long stay in Wisconsin.

Elena loves her stacking rings.

And bathtime.

And carrots (sort of). I think she has more on her face than she consumed!

Oh I can hardly take the sweetness.

Happy 4th. Elena and I walked down to the Worthington Family Picnic.

Sporting her fancy pants dress (thanks Lesley). 

Chilling before our swim at the community pool.

Warming up in the sun after our swim.

She also loves her sock monkey Jack in the Box (thanks Lucy)!

Hanging out with daddy. 

Beautiful visitor to our coneflowers. 

Another summer bloom.

 Another visitor to our yard, although not so welcome now that they have discovered our green beans and pepper plants taste really good...

 Another rainy walk around the neighborhood.

Her 6 month appointment day. 

She did well with her shots! 

"Reading" books with mommy (thanks Lara for Pat the Zoo)!

June 1-30 Rainy and Sunny Days

June 1-30, 2015

June this year was what I called 'monsoon season' in Ohio. Elena and I took walks in the rain, strolls in the rain and played in the rain puddles. On occasion the sun did come out :)

 Ryan put up a swing in our front yard.


Its a huge hit with Elena. She's a bit small for it, but enjoys nonetheless as you can see!


Oh this face!


All smiles and liking her tummy time more these days.


Her first race. The Gary Smith Classic in Worthington right through our neighborhood.


Visiting the Aunt Leah and Uncle Zac in Troy.


Rosalie and Elena, cousins only 3 mos apart.


A visit from Olivia, Elena's godmother to-be.


"Train" in the front yard. Ceci directed us to our seats and we all had "tickets."


Aunt Leah knows how to make Elena smile!


Cecil making some bubbles.


My girlfriends came over to Leah's for a lovely brunch. Thanks Leah for hosting!

Happy Graduation party day Olivia!


All smiles at Elena's Grandma Parak's house.


Hanging out with Aunt Cindy and cousin Austin.

One of our rainy day walks back in Columbus.

Hey the sun came out for Father's Day!

A little daddy love.

 Elena's first Jimmy Buffett concert in Cincy (out of utero).

Protect those little ears!


Entertaining the crowd.

A little Michigan love (onsie from my cousin Pam).

May 11-31 May Fun

May 11-31, 2015

Fun at home the second half of May. Neighbors, more grandparent time, concerts and parades...

I found my feet!

Love our mommy-daughter time!

Elena is excited about her new jumperoo toy we put together. Her little legs don't touch the ground just yet, but a pillow helps :) Thanks Ken and Carol!

Miss Everly's baptism day. Jenna, Lindsay, Kevin, Everly and Ryan.

Hanging out in the Bumbo chair.

Future buddies. Meeting her new neighbor, Elliott LaFontaine.

Elena's favorite local grandparents (our sweet neighbors, Dee and BJ Porter).

Another visit from Grama and Grampa Parak. Elena's hair is super spiky today (attempted curl gone bad...or good?)

Bouncing on Grama's leg.

4 months old today (and looking a little pouty)!

She did well with her shots today-showing off her little bandaids.

Enjoying a nice day outside.

Ryan and Elena on one of their long walks exploring parts of Worthington we've never seen before.

Watching me plant the garden.

Memorial weekend at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio for Dark Star Jubilee.

Elena's first hippie concert :)

Lovin' her daddy-daughter time.

On our way to the Memorial Parade in downtown Worthington.

Waiting for the parade to start.

A moving flag of people.

May 26 she rolls over from back to front!

Our first time leaving Elena. The Rolling Stones concert at Ohio Stadium.

I am a bit nervous having a sitter for her, but happy to be spending time with this guy (and Kevin, Lindsay, Monica and Scott)!

At Schmidt's Sausage Haus, while trying to entertain her to get some my sandwich ate, we discovered she loves dill pickle spears.

Sunday Funday walking through Worthington. We stopped at the playground. Elena loves to swing.

Sunday concert on the Green.