Oh My Darlin'

Here Clementine and I are on the playmat together, she's 5 months older than me. I finally was able to meet her when we went down to Colorado Springs to visits the Swartz's. I'm hoping that they come out to visit us while we're in Germany (hint hint). Clementine sends me all her great clothes that she outgrows. Most of my cute outfits are from her, and already broken in and soft.

Childbirth Class Reunion

Hi Guys!!! These are my classmates from our mommy and daddies childbirth classes. Dominic (to my left and grabbing ahold of my arm) is 2 days older than me -- Carson, to my right was born May 25th -- and Katie is 5 weeks younger than me (i think). I'm going to Katie's house while my mom takes a Space Shuttle Support class. Her Daddy volunteered to take care of the BOTH of us for 2 whole days. They want a lot of kids so this is a test run for him. It'll be my first sleep over at a friends house. Carson just moved to Florida and I miss him already -- you'll see his photo posted othe places on the blog.
What are these boys doing? I'm being squished by these two bruisers.

Jackson Hole

these are a few photos from our time in jackson hole - what a beautiful place. i'm still a novice at this blog stuff -- just when i think i have a hang of the layout something goes completely different than expected. Mikayla did fantastic on the flight and then catching up on sleep while Luke was at his Radiology conference.

Absolutely Gorgeous scenery. With all our travels in Europe there are definitely incredible places back in the states as well.

This was Mikayla really excited to fly and meet everyone back home.

Nordic expedition

Stalheim, Norway. The view from our hotel. We hiked across the mountain on the far left.
The cutest papa bear and baby bears ever.
On one of the "flat" parts of the hike. Follow the hairbend curves up the hill and you'll see our red hotel to the right of the waterfall. Yes, it was a sheer drop to the bottom.
The trip through the fjord to Gudvangen.
On the Gudvangen ferry. Mikayla is a trooper traveler.

Bergen from the top of the funnicular.
View of the Bergen rowhouses from the "White Lady" Cruise
We've decided that our baby has Nordic ancestry from the Simonet side.
Mikayla chillin with daddy on the dock in Flam.

meet the family

Grampie Robert made it just in time to see me with horrible baby acne. Luckily it's cleared. I'll keep adding family pics as we get them!

mikayla was loved to pieces by her cousins Liam and Coen, coddled by Auntie Fran and tickled by Uncle Greg - I think Greg was putting out smoker fires at this point and covered in soot, but ended up making one of the best "beer butt chickens" we've ever had. July was scorching in Denver.
Auntie Tashy was the first one to see her in April at 2 weeks old. Look at how tiny Mikayla is -- BTW I think Tashy's luggage arrive 4 days later.

August 14th Uncle John enjoyed drinking beer with her in Trier -- on his way to London for his intern year. It's nice to have someone close by.
Grammie Minnie somehow outwitted the security guards and got a boarding pass to come meet us at Denver National Airport during our 4-hour layover from Germany awaiting our Jackson Hole flight. We had a nice lunch overlooking the fountain, and then spent some time in nice cosy chairs in the Denver USO.
Grampie Robert and fiance Pam came to visit in May - the weather was wonderful and so was the view at Piesport overlook on the Mosel. They even babysat me for a WHOLE day on May 8th while mom was teaching an ACLS course.
Papa John kept me safe in the dangerous cobblestone streets of Colmar in May. You never know when a team of cyclist may try to run you off the road.
Grammie Melanie made sure I was kept warm while everyone else was touring the wine cellars and samling the Alsatian wine.

Grammie Monique headed all the way out from Atlanta to Denver to meet me and spend a few days with us. It was a packed and busy time while mommy was rotating at National Jewish hopital.

Well, Mikayla has finally met the entire family it was great being with all of you!