3 months

Evie hit the 3 month mark yesterday (6/27).

No major advancements since the 2 month report, but EJ's definitely mastered the arts of toy-to-mouth, cooing & cawing and returning a smile. She can't quite pull off a roll, but her ability to spin on her back is improving leaving her in all sorts of new positions when we find her in her crib each morning.

As for her latest favorites, life still doesn't get much better for her than standing with a little help or bath time... but reading books has become a very close second.

Indiana Jonesin’

The Maxwell clan got creative this year and decided to quit fighting the losing battle of getting everyone together in December/January for the holidays and put together the first ‘Christmas in June’ gathering at Uncle Denny’s in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We would have had perfect attendance too, but looming labor kept the Dan & Barb branch of the Maxwell tree from making the trek this go-round.

Linds and I also took advantage of getting back to sweet home Indiana for the first time A.E. (after Evie) and snuck in a few visits with the old crew to catch up and introduce our new addition.

Pictured from L-R: Linda, EJ, Bob, Gus, Denny, Krista and Kelly.

Painting at G’pa’s

Linds and I gave my dad an early father’s day gift by zipping down to New Ulm to transform his house from a not-so-pretty pink to a much better looking olive green… and by leaving him with Griff and Maya for the weekend.

Additionally, Evie enjoyed her first exposure to lead without ill effect (yet?!?).

Story time

Check the above video for highlights from our most favorite story during our UP weekend, compliments of lil’ Miss Evie Jane. She made big strides this weekend after studying K & K and had her first “conversation” with Mom! She also had her first seemingly intentional hand-to-toy/toy-to-mouth succession and finally may have learned entertain herself (while awake and not in someone’s arms) for an extended period of time.

Our second favorite story, you ask? We had some car issues while in Crystal Falls, MI (pop. 1,616) and dropped our car off at the local mechanic for some trouble shooting. We got the VIP treatment as we introduced ourselves as “friends of Bob and Margie’s kids”. After several hours we got a call from the shop saying the issue was minor, that there was no charge since he used the car to “run some errands during the day”, and that he’d leave the keys in the ignition so we could pick the car up whenever we got a chance.

Ahhh, small town America. I think this weekend was finally the tipping point and Linds may be now ready to start looking for real estate in good ol’ Fairmont, MN.

I can see it, can you?

A weekend with the Chips

The Backer bunch also had the added benefit of being able to crash for the weekend with our old Indy BFFs, the Chipelewskis, at their new home in Crystal Falls, MI (just miles from the Kehoe wedding site). It was soooo good to get together again and to see their adorable twins, Kaleb and Kendall, show off all their new tricks.

Thanks for everything J & J… We miss you guys!

A very Kehoe wedding

Linds, EJ and I cruised up to the northern Wisconsin/Michigan border this weekend to attend the wedding of a couple b-school friends of mine, Mike Kehoe and Katrina Fluur. The rain held off just long enough for all to enjoy a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the bride’s family homestead in Florence, WI.

Good times Kehoes. Thanks for having us!

The northland

The Backer family spent a weekend up north at Big Trout Lake with the Racciattis and Dunbars, cashing in on a CSOM charity auction winning bid. The weather was cold, rainy and windy... but nonetheless we enjoyed a weekend free from technology, city noise and looming to-do lists.

Weekend highlights include: a bonfire hoot and s'mores, a trip to the local Zorbaz, watching Luca's first crawl, drunken Cranium and mid-day naps.

Editor's note: The not-so-PC-looking pose in the group pic is a tribute to Luca's new "hello", "goodbye", "where do you think you're going?" and/or "hey, there's an airplane" salute.

Furball

Slow news week when this "story" makes blog headlines...

Pictured above is what happens when you wait a week between brushings in the spring when these beasts are blowing their winter coats.  Yep, this explains the creation of the goldendoodle!