Week 02.06 - I See the Train A Comin'

"Look, the train came back!"

Paige loves to watch the Christmas ornaments, but she especially loves this one.  The train goes around a track in a circle, and ever time it comes back out of "the cave" she gets super excited.

She love Christmas as much as her Mother I think. 

Week 02.05 - Oh Tannenbaum.

 "This is the best Christmas ornament ever!  I love decorating the tree"

Time to decorate the tree again.  Paige had a great time putting her ornaments up.  Some of them were a little too important to trust to her fingers though. 

 "This one is pretty Momma.  Where should we put it?"

"Saint Nick came again.  What did he leave in my Boots?"

Week 02.04 - Need for Speed

"Don't let go Ayden, this is FUN!"

We had just enough snow at the cabin to do some serious sledding.  Paige, as per the usual, loved it.

"I need my mittens."

Paige has realized the importance, usefulness and necessity of mittens.  She will even ask for them some times.

"How will we ever find the perfect christmas tree in this vast wasteland?"

The annual Christmas Tree Hunt was a great success.  I think we might have found the best one yet.  Thank you Nyberg Tree Farm in Spirit, Wisconsin!

"C is for Cookie Momma."

I've got owie.  I need Band-Aid.  See?"

week 02.03 - Cards at the Cabin

"I guess I will take two tricks."

After Thanksgiving we took the annual trek to the Cabin for second weekend of deer hunting in Wisconsin.  Paige got to spend some quality time with Ayden, Denise, Valerie, Tiffany and Mandy while Roger, Bryan and I were running around in the woods.  So Paige wasn't actually playing cards, but it sure looks like it if you ask me.  We had a mildly successful hunt this year, Bryan and I both took small bucks.  The Minnesota hunt was successful as well, with my Dad taking a trophy buck.  Paige was interested in the deer, but continued to ask when they would wake up from being asleep.  I guess that is another of life's lessons that I will have to figure out how to explain soon.

"oooh, more cake!"

Birthday celebrations last a long time.

Week 02.02 - Wrap Up and Snuggle

"I love you Kaija"

Kids and dogs.  A perfect match.

"Knuffle Bunny seems great, but he is no Kitty!"

Paige got all of the Knuffle Bunny books for her birthday from her Aunt Stephanie.  She loves them.

"Cold."

Even though it is winter, Paige still loves frozen yogurt.

Week 02.01 - Paige Julia Meets the Terrible Twos.

"Dora Boots.  Happy Birthday toooooo Paige!"

Paige had a fantastic birthday celebration, and got to dress up as the Dora birthday princess thanks to her Uncle Bryan and Mandy.  It is hard to believe she is already two.  In some ways it feels like she is still a tiny baby, and in others she is all grown up.

"Sock on.  Me do it."

Everything is "me do it" these days.  Thankfully some of the things she *can* actually do.  Carrying a bowl full of pomegranate salsa without dropping it is, sadly, not one of them.  Putting on socks, however, is one of them.

PJ02.52 - Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for more photos, including Paige's Dora birthday party.  Rest assured I will continue to take pictures every week to post.  I've decided I need to take a short break from blogging though, as there are several things that have been neglected of late.  Also, November is pretty much the busiest month of the year for us as a family.  I will probably not be posting again until early December, so in order to tide you over for a bit, hopefully this sneak peak at her party will hold you over.

Week 01.52 - Ladybug, You've Got Style

"Trick-Or-Treat!  Smell my feet!  Give me something good to eat!"

We went down to see Morgan and Max for Halloween and Trick-or-Treating.  Paige had a blast, and at the end of the night didn't want to come home.  She wanted "more houses."  She only wore her hood up for approximately 10 seconds of the entire evening.  Which is too bad, because I really think it made the costume.  This photo also marks the end of PJ01.52.  The second year of the blog has been a lot of fun, and I have full intentions of continuing on for another year.  I may not have quite as many bonus photos as time goes on, but we will see.  I will be making a short post about the coming weeks and what to expect.  

Bonus Photos:

"Look into my eyes, and you will see, what you mean to meeee..."

 "It's getting so dark Daddy. "

Well it is that inevitable time of year again.  The sun goes away earlier and earlier each night.  Time to bust out the flash again.

"I play, Play-doh?"

Week 01.51 - Of Dust and Nations

"Better watch your back e-trade baby.  I've got my eye on you."

Maybe we rely upon technology too much in this day and age?

Bonus Photos:

"I don't know, these guts are kinda gross!"

Paige liked watching the pumpkin carving and playing with the seeds.  Sticking her hand into the pumpkin guts...not so much.

"What the Duck?"
Zoo Boo 2010 was a huge hit with Paige.  She liked her costume, and hand fun looking at all of the other people dressed up.  She didn't even cry when the costumed folks tried to high-five her.  (she has been somewhat scared of mascots etc.)

"Ribbit-Roar!  I'm the Frog-Monster!"

Week 01.50 - It's the Great Pumpkin (Picking) Paige

"This one, Daddy.  This one."

We spent a wonderful Saturday with Grandma Alice and Grandpa Steve at the pumpkin patch and at the apple orchard.  Paige picked out a nice big pumpkin to carve (in addition to the ones from Grandpa Will and Grandma Teri's garden).  I don't know if she was more excited about picking pumpkins and gourds, the petting zoo, or about the quarter rides out in front.  Either way, she had a great time.

Bonus Photos:

"Paige loves a BIG hug!"

Had a photo shoot for Paige's good friend Kate, so of course there was hugging.

"This doesn't seem nearly as fun as you made it out to be Daddy.  I think I've been had."

"Ok, so picking up the leaves...not nearly as fun as jumping into them.  Even with these awesome gloves."

"Here you go little goat.  Hey, watch the fingers!"

Week 01.49 - I see the train a-comin'

"Tchoo Tchoo! Chugga Chugga, Chugga Chugga, Tchoo Tchoo!"

Everything is a train or an airplane these days.  Even Paige. 

Bonus Photos:

"Sorry, Daddy.  Momma dressed me first."

"I go ni-night."

Paige seems to think that piles of leaves make good beds.  Well, at least until she starts complaining that hurt back hurts from being scratched.

Week 01.48 - Here Comes the Flood

"We should stop and play in the mud."

Well, fall is in full swing here in the Twin Cities.  We took a trip over to Minneapolis to walk along Minnehaha Creek and check out the waterfall (which was roaring like it was spring.)  Paige enjoyed playing in the water and the mud.  She also was frequently pointing out and handing us leaves that she found on the ground.

"Oh no, Momma, what is wrong with the Packers?"

I wish I could say the grass was greener (purple-er?) on this side Paige, but alas things are not shaping up so well this football season for either team.

"Look, look!"

Pointing out the squirrels for Kaija to run after.

"Dad, you should just stay in the Car, ok?"

Paige looks pretty cool in a jean jacket, eh?

"You've got some work to do here in the garden Dad.  I can help you though!"

Week 01.47 - Girl, Why'd You Run Away?

"Hurry Momma! I want to win!"

Paige participated in her first race at the Twin Cities Marathon Family Races Day.  She ran in the Toddler Trot.  She was a little scared at first with all of the confusion at the starting line when the race started, but she figured it out after a bit.  She loves to run, so it worked out well.  Judging from this photo, I am guessing she is going to have her Mother's running stride.  What do you think?

"Ready for daycare!"

"Fun, fun Daddy.  Let's run!"

Yeah, I'm that Dad who let's her kid run in the bleachers (well at least on the bottom layer).  I am sure it upset all five parents that were there to watch the JV Football game.

 "Look, momato."

"I got a medal!"

Week 01.46 - Zero

"Do I wanna go for a ride? Nah dude, I'm just hanging out making my best Chuckie Cheese face.  Plus you're kinda creepy, even if you do look a little bit like the man in the yellow hat, sans yellow hat that is."

Paige's cousin Ayden was in town and stayed overnight on Saturday.  Paige was super excited to see him.  Of course, we had to plan all sorts of activities for them to do.  Including a visit to the old Chuckie Cheese.  For some reason Paige kept coming back to this little car ride.  She just loved it.  Personally I am a little creeped out by that dude.

"Is this the right spot, Daddy?"

Paige is becoming quite the assistant.  She was a big help on a portrait shoot.

"Here is my Blue Steel."

She does a pretty good job in front of the lens too.

"No talking during nap time!  I mean it Mouse."

"I don't know about this.  It is kind of high up here Momma."

We also took Paige and Ayden to the Blast indoor playground in Eagan.  I think the only reason they were willing to leave is because we left the playground to go to Chuckie Cheese.  Otherwise things might not have gone so well.

Week 01.45 - Circle of Confusion

"Better get out of the way Dad. I'm coming."

Another great day at the park.  You just can't keep her away from the slides.  It is nice that the weather is cooling down for the fall, as she can get moving a little faster on them since her skin isn't sticking.

Bonus Photos:

"Mor Mor, can we watch Elmo?"

"I don't think you will be getting your headband back any time soon Momma."

"I'll be..be back."

The newest phrase in Paige's arsenal is to look at us, and tell us that she will be right back, and then run off.  Thankfully she only goes about 30 or 40 feet most of the time.  (I am sure it will be just a blink of an eye before she says the same thing, and jumps in her car to drive off).