September/October 2012

Matt started preshool in September!  Hard to believe our boy is old enough for preschool, but he seems to be loving it.

 First day!

 Playing on the playground waiting for class to start!

 To raise money for the school they had a jog-a-thon.  Matt's more sprinting than jogging.

 After the race.

Lily is finally getting big enough, and mobile enough to play with Matt, which for him is kind of a mixed blessing.  Lily likes to play with him now, but on the other hand, she likes to play with his TOYS now too...

 What a clown.  Don't ask him to smile.  This is what happens.  Kind of dreading seeing the preschool official school pictures.

Beating up on Mommy.  Both kids can get in in the action now.

We had a super nice September, with weather into the 70's most days.  Kids got to play outside a lot.

Mommy and Mattie.

We took advantage of some of the nice weather to get down to the Beach Property to do some playing on the beach.

 Digging clams.  Serious business.

My girls.

Lily eats pretty much anything you put in front of her now, and occasionally get quite demanding if she's not getting the food she wants.

Having ice cream.

Ice Cream from Virnig Family on Vimeo.


See what I mean about demanding?



Num num from Virnig Family on Vimeo.

"So Big!" with brother about to perform the tackle.

Getting even.  Not sure what she's trying to rub on him there.

Playing with her new doll.  Thanks Isaac, James and Tina!

This kid just looks like he's about to be up to no good.  As a boy should.

"Hey, what have you got there?"

"Ohh, I want it!"

"Does it taste good? Let me give it a lick."

"Fine if you won't share I'm outta here."

Lily's First Birthday

Well, our baby girl is officially one!  She had a great day, and even got to go down and visit the Medic's who helped deliver her, although I think her brother enjoyed the trip to the firehouse more than Lily did.

 Setup for the party

 Lily's 1 year banner, a picture from each month.  Matt has one like it in his room, and now Lily does too!

 Happy girl playing with a chunk of table cloth.

 This is what happens when big brother takes it away.

 Playing with Birthday balloons!

 Opening presents!

Matt HAD to get in on the action.

 Why do we buy kids toys?  The packaging is usually more entertaining.

 Drums!

 Trying on the fireman helmet.

 

Driving the firetruck.

Lily having some fun with the medic who delivered her.

 Three of the guys who were on shift a year ago were around and got to sing Lily happy birthday.

 "Where's my cake?"

"Num!"

"That was delicious, is there more?"

 Auntie and Uncle got Lil an indoor swing.  I went to the hardware store and bought  4" long, high strength bolts to mount it to the ceiling.  Then I opened the box and found the plastic clips it came with.  Think maybe I over engineered it?

So far Matt's gotten more use out of it than Lily, but it's a lot of fun and I'm sure she'll be swinging around the basement in no time.

Swing from Virnig Family on Vimeo.

Happy birthday again to my sweet baby girl.

ONE!

Happy FIRST Birthday to the baby girl!

"MORE CAKE!"

Midwest Vacation, Week 3

We spent the 3rd week of our Midwest vacation in Iowa with Jamie's family, with her Uncle Mike and Aunt Beth serving as our super host/hostess for the week.   Matt got to do some more fishing, some shooting, and just playing with other kids (pretty much his favorite activity).

Lily and Cousin Madelyn, just hanging out.

Alexis helping out with Lil.

 Finally got a picture of Matt with one of his fish!

Uncle Mike finished up the sandbox just in time for the kids to play in it for the week.

Matt and Brady riding bikes. 

Lily, working on her talking.

Baby Talk from Virnig Family on Vimeo.

Take down!  Alexis is still bigger, but Matt was more determined.

 Sunset over the cornfield.

Matt had a lot of fun playing trucks and airplanes with Johnny.

 Goofball.

 Grandma showing him how to pedal with training wheels.

Lily had a good time with all the people.  Here is playing Peekaboo with GreatGrandma.

Peek W GG from Virnig Family on Vimeo.

 GreatGrandma, GreatGrandpa and all the little ones.

 Lily, hitting the trike!

 This picture just sums up the difference that a few months makes so well.  Madelyn sitting there, Quite and comfortable.  Lily, twisting, wiggling, squacking, and trying her best to make a break for it.

 On the way to go shooting, Matt, Andrew and I came across a snapping turtle in the road.  Side note, I had no idea how quick these things were!  I put a stick in front of him, and he snapped the end right off so fast I didn't even see it.

After target practice.

Uncle Mike made a very cool digger that all the kids had fun with in the sandbox.  Even Lily got in on the fun.

Cousin Brooke was kind enough to AGAIN head several hours north to deposit us safely in the twin cities at a hotel so that we could fly out early the next morning. 

It was a long 3 weeks, but it was a lot of fun to see everyone.  All thing considered both our kids took to the nomadic lifestyle incredibly well, with only a few minor emotional breakdowns along the way.

Thanks to everyone who helped us out and made us feel welcome!

Jake