tuff face

1 YEAR!!!

Ari is a year old!  We had a great party that Grammy and Grandpa let us have at their house, and Grandma and Grandpa came up for a quick visit to celebrate with us.  We all had a great time.

Ari opening some gifts early. Wearing a gift from Uncle S and Aunt M, a shirt that says Kiss Me I'm Irish.



The "toughface"



Ari's delicious banana bread cake....



and her slapping some sense into it.



Three generations of Irish girls.

Scootie Video

She Never Had a Chance

With basketball players everywhere in the family Ari has to get an early start to keep up.

Grandparents Visit

Grandma and Grandpa E came to visit last weekend (and a few weeks ago). Grandma had a big presentation to do at a conference and they both have been tremendously helpful getting the house ready to sell. And, as an added bonus, Ari gets to spend time with them. Grandma even let her wear her clip-on earrings.





So glamorous! I think she wonders why she can't wear mommy's earrings too.




Some nice pics with the grandparents:

Most of the time they were here, daddy and grandpa were working on the various projects we have going. Ari really wanted to help, and she had fun doing it


And the final result. Pictures don't really do it justice. You really need a before and after to truly appreciate how much better it looks, the boys did an awesome job.

11 Months & Valentines Day!!

Ari's getting so big. She was much easier to take pictures of when she didn't move around so much. She loves the cat, and now that she's mobile, she chases him around whenever she can. In this picture, she had chased him behind the couch.



After she found her way out of the couch, we made our way over to our friends while Grammy was babysitting. Reese & Derek were excited for a new play mate.
Ari loved their puzzles:


Derek was a really good helper, especally when the camera was out. He gave out lots of hugs.




We had a really nice, family valentines day. The family went out for a nice dinner downtown, Ari was a trooper even though it was pretty late for her. Here she is eating her own dinner in her new Valentine's day bib, compliments of Grandma.



Today, Ari and Mommy got to spend a lot of time together because Mommy had the day off. We did some laundry, went to basketball practice and played on the gym floor, and played in her room.

Visit

Great Aunt M and Aunt K came to visit last weekend too. Great Aunt M tried to come out around New Year, but the insane amount of snow caused them to cancel the trip. Ari was really excited to see her and so was Riley.



Aunt K came over from the west side and Ari always loves hanging out with her.