New Year's in Iowa City

Grammie Barb, Uncle Josh and Aunt Sara joined us for another Christmas in Iowa City for New Year's. We got everyone's teeth cleaned and fixed, ate too much food, got a little exercise and of course exchanged some gifts (Callie's favorite part)!

Christmas in Minnesota

We headed to Minnesota for Christmas this year and it was definitely a WHITE Christmas! We played in the snow, shopped at Costco, ate too much good food and had great time with family and friends.

Dress Up

Callie is into dress up and no one (including the dogs) is safe!!!

Thanksgiving in Tucson, Arizona

We traveled to Tucson, Arizona for Thanksgiving this year and had a great trip. We took Callie to the zoo and to the children's museum. Justin was happy golfing each day and Callie enjoyed swimming at the pool or in grandma's tub. Rosemary, Cody, Rich and Ruth joined us Thanksgiving day for lots of good food and golf. Overall it was a wonderful trip to the desert - we can't wait to get back to the warm weather in February!

Iowa Football Tailgating 2010

Another season of Iowa football tailgating is in the books. Although the Hawks had some heartbreakers this season there was lots of good food and good times shared by all at the Stanley tailgate this season. The orange fist was a big hit this year and a generator was added to enhance the tailgating experience. Thanks to all those who stopped by and helped us cheer on the Hawks! Here are a few pics from the season. Now it is time to gear up for wrestling and hopefully the next 7 months go fast so we can get back out there and do it again!

Halloween was so much fun this year because Callie got it instead of ding dong ditching our neighbors like last year. She really enjoyed ringing the doorbell and shouting "trick or treat"! Andrei walked into the first couple of houses - it really surprised our neighbors. After he figured out about the candy he started trying to grab more than what was given to him. After awhile Callie decided this was a good idea too! They got a lot of candy which the parents ended up eating - uggg!

Bloomsbury Farm

It was an away weekend for the Hawks so we headed out to Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins, Iowa for some fall fun... farm animals, corn maze, corn box, straw tunnel, pumpkin patch and corn cannon. Callie had a blast - we will definitely go again!

Apple Orchard

Fall means time for the annual trip to the Wilson's Apple Orchard. I was a little disappointed because we missed the Honeycrisp season, but we got lots of other good apples and goodies. We had to do more climbing in the trees this year since it was later in the season, but got to do apples and pumpkins together. We were driving around the orchard gathering our apples only to find that they no longer allow cars during the weekends - oooops!

Visiting Grandpa & Grandma Stanley

We headed to Albion, Iowa to visit Grandpa & Grandma Stanley and help with some chores around the house. Justin and Cody power washed the siding, awnings and porches while the ladies cleaned out the garage and basement. Callie had a great time playing with all of Grandma's dolls. Overall a fun and productive visit!

First Day of Preschool

Here are a few pictures from Callie's first day of preschool at Discovery Cottage Early Enrichment. She was so excited to wear her new "pack pack". I was really worried about the drop off since it was her first time and although she cried when Jasmine dropped her off, she adjusted really well and didn't want to leave when it was time to go home! It is only one day a week for four hours, but I think it is a wonderful experience for her to learn how to play with others, listen and follow directions and be on her own. They do outdoor playtime, story time, snack, indoor playtime, music, art and lunch. I'm so proud of her for transitioning so well and so happy that she is enjoying school.

Mall of America

During our trip to Minnesota we decided to head to Mall of America for some food, shopping and rides. Here are a few "action" shots!

Northern Minnesota

We headed up to Lake Vermillion for our annual summer visit. This year the project was redoing the siding on the boat house. We also had time for some golf, boating, swimming and fishing. We took a day trip to Ely to visit the Fullen family at the Vince Shute Bear Wildlife Sanctuary. Callie and Nikki (golden retriever) were best buddies and spent the week playing together. As usual it was a great week spent in beautiful northern Minnesota!

Como Zoo

Ben & I decided to take Callie to Como Zoo to check out the animals and rides. First we hit Como Town for some rides then headed into the zoo for lots of great exhibits. Callie was so cute saying "hi" to all the animals!

Twins game

Dad & Ben took us to our first Twins game at Target Field and we had first row seats! The stadium is awesome and it was a beautiful night for a ball game. Lots of good food, drinks and we came home with a ball and bat after harassing the Athletics players in the dugout between innings.

Mucastine County Fair

4th of July

Grandma Barb came to town for the 4th of July and Aunt Jane took us out on the Coralville Resevoir. Callie enjoyed her first fireworks downtown Iowa City. Lots of good food and good times shared by all.

Rainforest Cafe

We headed into Chicago and had another great weekend with our family. We saw the renovation of the Stanley home, ate at Portillos, jumped on the trampoline, went to the park, got ice cream, did some shopping and went to the Rainforest Cafe. The boys even got in some golf. Callie really enjoyed the animals at the Rainforest Cafe. She loves trying to keep up with her cousins and talked about Avery and Lila the whole trip home.

Our dogs...

June is the birthday month for our dogs - Remington (13 years) and Benelli (4 years). They are both wonderful dogs and bring so much joy to our family.

Mall of America

We met Uncle Josh & Aunt Sara at the Mall of America to take Callie on her first rides. Overall she had a great time with the exception of the flying bus (see photos)!

Max & Shirley's 60th Wedding Anniversary

The Stanley's met at Meskwaki Casino in Tama, IA to celebrate Max & Shirley's 60th Wedding Anniversary. It was a great opportunity to visit with everyone - we are looking forward to the next get together!

Memorial Day Weekend

Off to the movies

Over Memorial Day weekend we decided to try our first movie at the theater, Shrek Forever. Callie did great - even danced in the aisle during the last song!

Potty Training

We are in the early stages of potty training at our house. As of right now we are only pooping in the potty, but hoping for more soon. Callie requires books, privacy and lots of cheering afterwards!

Cousins come to town...

Corey, Audra, Avery, Lila & Elsie came to town for a visit. We swam in Grandma's hot tub, went to the park, got ice cream and celebrated Chad Beatty's graduation. Another great weekend with family.

Go Hawkeyes!

Mother's Day gift

Our nanny Jasmine helped Callie hand paint a flower pot for Mother's Day. It was the perfect gift!

Callie's 2nd Birthday

I can't believe Callie is two! She really enjoyed her birthday this year and after her party talked about "birthday" for several days afterwards. We practiced saying "two" for so long that when the big day arrived she proudly stated she was "three"! Guess we will have to keep working on that. Justin and I can't believe what a big girl she has become - we are so proud of her and are amazed everyday how much more we love her!

Easter

Easter was so much fun this year. We started with a visit from the Easter bunny at our house then headed to Grandma Rosie's for easter egg hunts and lots of yummy food! It was a joy to watch Callie enjoy all of it and also to share the day with friends and family.

Callie's custom playset

Justin made Callie a custom playset including a playhouse on the bottom, enclosed twisty slide, swings, rings, steering wheel and telescope. We are hoping it helps to keep Callie and the neighbor kids busy this summer!

Town & Country

We went back to Minnesota for the weekend and took Callie to Town & Country for Easter festivities. They had all kinds of activities: face painting, egg hunt, easter bunny, pony rides, dj with dancing, food, chicks & bunnies. She had a great time!

How old are you?

Fashion Diva

We were heading to the grocery store when Callie discovered her sunglasses in the car. She wouldn't take them off the whole trip to the grocery store. We now leave the sunglasses in the car and she wears them everywhere we go... day, night, rain or shine!

Callie 22 months

Callie is really into singing... her favorites are "e-i-e-i-oh", "head, shoulders, knees and toes" and "itsy bitsy spider."

Sledding

The weather was finally warm enough to take Callie sledding. She loved it and kept saying "more-y" every time we got to the bottom of the hill. Dad and Mom got a good workout hauling her up the hill!

Callie 21 months

Callie 20 months

Who knew parenting was going to be so hilarious?! Callie makes us laugh everyday. She answers everything with "why-ya?" and states "up here" and points where she wants things or wants to be picked up.