These boots are made for walkin'

...and that's just what she'll do!

Chloe has been crawling for a while now and has recently back-tracked in the way of trying to walk. We thought she had just given it up completely until Sunday. She was standing idly next to me and Britton was vying for her attention a few feet away....Chloe just TOTALLY walked 6 or 7 steps over to him like it was no big deal! She proceeded to spend the whole day trying to walk and would giggle and squeal with 'I'm so proud of myself' grin on her face! She took the next couple of days off. I think she was overwhelmed by her prowess and just wanted to be a clingy baby again. But she is back at it again! By the way, we must gush, she is not even 9 months old! What a little sports star!

In this video she's not getting too far...she's a bit too excited!

Chloe has also been...eating all big people food, doing the motions to "Wheels on the Bus", showing everyone that she is "sooooo big!", quacking like a duck, playing pat-a-cake and clap your hands, waving "hi" and "bye", dancing, pushing me away when she wants to play alone, giving her baby doll many many kisses, giving us only some kisses, jumping on the bed and, interestingly enough, refusing liquids.

...and after...Her new favortie game: destroyer of clean folded laundry
First trip down a slide

Reading with Grandpa (reading is her favorite activity)

Big Girl

In the last few weeks we have really seen a transformation in Chloe from baby to big girl. It's crazy to watch how she now interacts with people, kids and everything around her! I miss my little baby but am excited to watch her grow...even if it does involve more demands from her.

Britton has been working for 1 week and really is excited to dive right in to the legal world. Today we begin moving into our new home.... hopefully we'll have the house organized enough to get some pics up within the next couple weeks or so!

new big girl shoes!

Ike her new buddy

friends playing

The Bar is History

BRITTON IS DONE WITH LAW SCHOOL!

Ok, now that's out of my system. Once Britton finished with the Bar we took a mini 2 day 1 night history oriented vacation (the only one we get this summer). It was a surprise for my Mom's birthday (which is actually the 29th). All in all it was a total blast and I feel like I reconnected with my Midwest roots!

Chloe was pretty excited about the trip --- and her last ride in her baby car seat!

First we hit Hannibal, MO - the home of Mark Twain.
The highlight was the Hannibal Caves --- the same ones that Injun Joe hid in!

Then we stayed at a beautiful Inn at Fort Madison, IA on the Mississippi River. I have actually been to a lot of forts in my day and this was by far the most impressive.

Nonny trading her birthday presents at the Trading Post

Chloe was the lookout for any Indian Attacks

To the right is the view of our Inn from the Old Fort.


Our Grand Finale Destination was Nauvoo, IL - home of the Mormons before they hit the West with their addition of multiple wives. There was a great Museum explaining the roots of the Mormons, a movie and a horse drawn wagon tour of the town... and the reconstructed town as it was back in the day - a very beautiful place!

A view of the Mighty Mississippi from Nauvoo

Chloester and the horses & the burial sight of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism

A long time gone

Since our last update we've been very busy with visits and visitors...we took a trip to Grant's Farm, had a great family reunion in Peoria (where Chloe polka'd the night away with a real polka band!), a visit from cousin Anita and brothers Paul and Blake. We celebrated Britton's 27th birthday with a little trip to Six Flags... or as Britton might see it, "a little slice of Heaven."

Grant's Farm - Chloe really thought the display of old carriages was exciting

Tuckered out after the Farm

Family Reunion - First Skinny Dip

Happy Birthday Daddio!

Playin' - First Ponytail

Drumming

Britton is currently studying away for the bar.
I've been painting furniture, starting sewing lessons and searching for houses.
Chloe has been refusing to eat food that she can't pick up with her own hands, exploring new territory in the house all by herself and sleeping through the night...my personal "little slice of Heaven."
She has become completely obsessed with reading books.
Here she is reading with her uncles!

She's even in charge of turning the pages...cracks me up every time!