Wisconsin '09

We had another great trip to Wisconsin this year! It was hard to believe that last year they were throwing me a surprise shower. My, how life has changed!

We left St. Louis just as the weather was about to turn hot and hit Wisconsin right as they were having a nice cool week. It was great. It could have been a bit warmer for hanging out at the beach, but we enjoyed some long walks in the sand and nice runs in town. We got a jogging stroller recently and have been LOVING it! It is so great for rough trails and uneven sidewalks. It just rides right over everything. Sophie loves it, too!

Perhaps the most exciting thing about the trip is that Matt's dad bought a boat! So fun!

Grandpa bought Sophie a baby life-vest and went out in the boat twice while we were there. We all took turns driving. Even Sophie:

When we first put the life-vest on to see if it would fit, she threw a fit! Did not like it at all! But that was in the house, and once we were out on the boat, she must have understood its purpose, because she did not mind it a bit! She didn't laugh and have a huge smile out on the boat, but she didn't scream and cry either. She was very serious the entire time and seemed a bit nervous.

We tried to keep her occupied with food, which seemed to have worked.

On the last day there, we had Sophie test the waters of Lake Michigan for the first time. The lake was FREEZING cold, but she loved it! She actually cried when Matt pulled her out of the water and started walking back in.

Every year Matt goes into the lake, no matter how cold, and goes all the way under. He wasn't sure he was totally submerged the first time, so he went twice. Here's the series of shots to prove he went under. He's nuts! I'm telling you, that water was SO cold!

Going out.

Going under.

Coming in.

One day we went into town and bought Sophie her first little hair bow. It's not actually a bow, it's a little pink flower, and it is SO cute! She didn't even pull it out. I was impressed seeing as how we've never stuck anything on her head before.

Matt's dad and grandparents LOVED playing with Sophie and were so good with her. It was fun to see their reaction to how big she is now. The last time his grandparents saw her was at Christmas. She's a lot more fun to interact with now.

Until next year...