Aunt Tracy and Uncle Jason Head North

Happy Half Birthday

Well, Cullen has hit the six-month-old mark. It's just crazy that the little man has been with us that long. It seems like yesterday that Lisa awoke me with the announcement that her water had broken. Looking back, we've been through quite a bit in the last six months. From minor surgery for Cullen, to the birth of our nephew Mason, to the news that Tracy and Jason will be joining us on this crazy trip that is parenthood. Cullen is doing great. It's been amazing watching him develop from the little bird that just ate and pooped to this little guy who loves to babble, smile and roll around. He has such a great personality. This past week, he faced a horrible diaper rash, so bad that my butt was sore, yet he continued to smile and laugh as though nothing were wrong. Many early mornings, we wake up to the sound of Cullen cooing, babbling and laughing in his crib - never crying. We're excited for the road ahead and watching Cullen continue to develop.

It's been a great summer and it is hard to believe that we are moving back into the autumn of year. With that, though, comes football season and Cullen is extremely pumped that both the Badgers and Packers have started their seasons undefeated.

Babbling Cullen

Cullen, Cullen, Cullen

Grand Marais '08

Dirk, Cullen and I took a trip up to Grand Marais to hang out with a bunch of the LaVigne clan: Mark, Liz, Brigette, Mason, Doug, Annie, Drew, Laurie, Joe, Kelly, Mike, Kathy, Chris, Emily, Claire, Molly, Dan, Aren, Sylvie and Michelle (+ our friend Stevie). We drove the 4 hours to Duluth on Thursday night and stayed at a great hotel in Canal Park. Dirk and I put Cullen to bed and sat on our balcony, with a 6-pack of Stella, looking up at the hills of Duluth and watching the ships pass under the lift bridge. Then, it was up to Grand Marais on Friday. We ate lunch at the Angry Trout (superb as always) and Dirk and the boys got in a round of golf. On Saturday, we took the babies on their first hike via the Baby Bjorns. Sunday was perfectly sunny and we sat on the lawn at the Landing all day anticipating "music by the lake" . The tunes was great, the drinks at Joe's Backstage Bar were better and the Salmon was perfect. It's always a ton of fun to get together with the crazy LaVigne bunch. And now the madness continues...we've added three more to the clan with Cullen, Mason and Sylvie. As you can see from the pics, a good time was had by all.

Boys Week!

Well, Cullen and I had several days of male bonding last week. Lisa was in Seattle for work and as the saying goes, when the cats away, the mice will play. We had a blast. We watched the Olympics, played some patty cake, Cullen rolled around and even pounded back a few bottles of formula...completely taking advantage of Mom's absence. Truthfully, I am quite amazed at how single parents do it and was happy to get my partner back.

Michaela and Paul Wedding