Strawberry Point

We recently enjoyed a family reunion at the stomping grounds of my Great-Grandmother, Strawberry Point, Iowa. The highlight of the town, aside from the old-time soda fountain with great sodas and floats, is the giant strawberry in the middle of town. If you look closely, you can see Talia and Christ and Talia and I sitting beneath it. Don't be jealous of all the places we've been!

Jumping Bean

Talia has been a fan of jumping since before she mastered this art, although it wasn't long after walking that she figured it out. Here she is literally bouncing off the walls and taking a moment rest before jumping some more. I guess she takes after her mother who was nicknamed "Irene the baby bouncing bean" or "bean" for short.

Carni Gal

Talia had a great time at our Fourth of July Carnival and was able to master some of the rides for the first time. As you can see, she is a convert, and will probably enjoy carnivals for years to come!

Birthday Babes

Here we are with three of the four Maher babes (Lennon didn't make the shot) to celebrate the youngest Mahers' birthdays. We always love going to see our good friends and hope the girls will grow as close to one another as their Mom and I have.

First Brewer's Game

After Christ's success with the Cub's game, we decided to travel to Wisconsin for a Brewer's game. Thank goodness for the Kid's Zone area as Talia is not as much a Brewer's fan as she is a Cub's fan. Either that or she did not have enough beer this time because Mom was there to regulate. As I can not drink in my current condition, Christ had to make up for all of us. Will his work ever end?

Zookeeper Talia

Another fun trip to the zoo with our little animal! We spend almost as much time here as the pumpkin patch! Talia wants to go to the "yoo" almost every day, so we try to oblige her every now and then. Hey, at least we are out and about!

Talia Wonder

Is it Talia Wonder or Sugar Talia I see tickling the ivories here? Talia enjoyed making beautiful "music" for everyone following her Aunt Caitlin's wedding and looked oober stylish while doing so!

Bucket Girl

Talia has a new career path to explore. She thoroughly enjoyed the bucket boys' music after the Cub's game and even got in on the action. Is it too early to send her out on the streets to earn her keep around here?

First Cubs Game

Talia enjoyed her first Cub's game (don't worry Sox fans, her first Sox game was when she was 3 months old) on June 12th with her brave father. Not to worry though, Talia had a great time hanging in the bleachers with her fellow comrades. She has been singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" ever since. Talia learned a new word, "fukadome," and even went shirtless for a while. Christ tried to lure the other women into following suit, but they graciously passed.

Fun at the Farm

Talia, Daddy, and Yia Yia had some fun at Lamb's Farm in late May (yes, I am behind). Here she is driving the tractor with some apprehensive passengers on board, brushing the goats with Yia Yia, standing tall under Paul Bunyan and Babe, and kissing a puppy she did not lure dad into taking home, thankfully!