Swimming in the "Big" Pool for the first time

We took Addison swimming for the first time in a "big" pool this weekend. We met up with Lorie (Nana), Tate & Jack for a couple hours of swimming fun! Addison was pretty nervous at first, but did a great job once she got used to it. Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

My 2 loves :)

Erik & the kiddos.
Jack showing Addy some of his "pool moves"


Jack & Tate playing with their diving sticks. Tate is now 6, and Jack will be 5 in October. They are so grown up!! :)

The group in the pool (I was obviously the photographer)

Trying to share her snack with Nana.

Enjoying some goldfish before getting back in the pool.

Addison is the next Michael Phelps ;)

Here is Addison swimming this weekend at the Wildcat Reserve pool in Highlands Ranch. It took her about 15 minutes to get used to the water, but she LOVED it once she got used to it.

Addison's 1st B-day Party

Addison's first b-day party was this weekend and it was a lot of fun! We had about 30 people over for a Qdoba taco bar, cake & ice cream. Addy was so spoiled and got lots of great presents. Thanks to all who came to celebrate our little girl's 1st Birthday!

Here is her cake. King Soopers did a really good job, and matched the party "theme" perfectly

The table before the food arrived.

Little Miss Gianna giving Addy Shea a b-day hug. Gianna is so sweet, and is so good to Addison. You can already tell Addison thinks she is the greatest kid ever!

Here is Addison & Miss Robin. Robin was Addy's favorite at Parker Landing, and it was so nice of Robin to come over and see her. Addison still ADORES her. We need to have Robin over MORE often!

Here is the Birthday girl opening one of her many presents. She loved everything!!

Besides the presents - Addison loved all the tissue & bags. She was happy as a cat just to sit in the gift bag!


We gave her a little smash cake to eat/play with. You can see the video below of how she did. This was the before shot. I sadly didn't get an after picture :( I can assure you she loved it though!

Addy Shea hearts Smash Cake :)

We gave Addison a little smash cake at her party to play with. She loved it :) Erik whisked her away to get her cleaned up and she was able to re-join the party pretty quickly. ;)

Happy 1st Birthday to Addy Shea!!

Today is Miss Addison's 1st Birthday!!! This has honestly been the BEST year of my life, and I am so blessed to have a healthy, beautiful daughter!! Her Birthday party is on Saturday, but I wanted to do a quick post on her b-day. Happy Birthday Addison - you are so loved!!

Addy Shea just home from the hospital (1 week old)

Addison @ 4 months old

Here is Addy this morning. Trying to get this kid to sit still for 1 minute proved to be quite a challenge. This was the best picture I could get :)

Here is our little lady on July 10th of last year. I cannot believe how fast a year goes by and how fast she has grown!!

I'm going to be an AUNT!!!

My Sister in Law - Carla is pregnant & due January 13, 2009!! She has finally given me the go-ahead to tell people.. and I am SO excited for them!! She had her first ultrasound today - and the baby's heart rate was 164 bpm, and moving all around. Carla thinks it a boy, and I do too. In fact - I think we all do. I am so happy for them, and Addison is thrilled to have a little cousin on the way! They are going to have one cute little baby!!! We are calling the baby "Al" - short for Aloysius, which is what Cletus WANTS to name the little one. However his naming rights have been revoked - and Carla will get the final say.. THANK THE DEAR LORD!! ;) Not that there is anything wrong with the name Aloysius....

Here is a picture of the expecting parents to be - and my little lady back in May.

And here is a picture of the BIG COUSIN to be!! We had Addison's 1year pictures done last Saturday. They turned out AWESOME!! I will post them when we get the disc. (Thanks again to Precious Poses by Andrea Janke.. we are so happy with how they turned out!)

Update from my Dad in Abu Dhabi

A few of you have asked about my Dad and how he is doing.. Here is an exerpt from the latest e-mail we rec'd on Monday. I will make sure to post pictures when he sends some. He is very missed!

Dear Family and Friends:

Here’s an update on my assignment in Abu Dhabi.
I am staying at the Shangri-La Hotel Quaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The resort-style hotel is about 15 minutes drive from the airport and project site. My room overlooks the strait that separates Abu Dhabi Island from the mainland. Abu Dhabi is situated along the coast of the Arabian Gulf. For those who have never been to the Middle East, the UAE has a similar feel to Cancun, Mexico. It is quite warm and humid. The city is highly developed with substantial new construction ongoing everywhere you look. 80% of the people in the UAE are expats; many from the US and Europe. The government is ruled by Sheikh Khalifa, UAE President. The people are highly tolerant of outsiders provided that we do not interfere with their culture and beliefs. The Emiratis are easily recognized by their dress – white full length shirt (khandura) and headdress (gutra). The women dress in black, including a black veil. From what I understand, the Emiratis do not readily interact with outsiders, although they are very polite. In my limited experience, they are very reserved and avoid eye contact.
The project is quite interesting and unique. CH2M HILL is the programme manager for Masdar City, which is going to be the first sustainable (“Green”) city in the world. While Abu Dhabi is very oil rich (getting richer every day thanks to those of us with SUVs), they are concerned about the environment and eventuality that the area will exhaust its fossil fuel resources at some point in the future. Therefore, they desire to be at the forefront of energy technology development for the future. Once complete, Masdar’s energy needs will be provided by wind, solar, passive cooling, geothermal, and other green technologies. Fairly interesting stuff!

Ma is-salaama (good-bye),
Craig