Go Pokes!

Gabi enjoyed her first Wyoming Cowboys football game on Saturday! She loved it, but due to the heat she was only able to watch the first half. Gabi, Jackson, and I headed over to Washington Park to play, while Joe watched the rest of the game. It was a beautiful day in Laramie and the Pokes won 21-20!

Dressed in Game Day Gold!

At Jen & Jerad's Tailgate party

Gabi also had her first camping experience this weekend. We set up camp near the Happy Jack area outside of Laramie. She loved looking at all of the stars, playing in the dirt (and trying every once in awhile to sneak a taste), and crawling over all of the sleeping bags and us in the tent. She slept great (who wouldn't with all that wonderful Wyoming fresh air?!)

Playing peek-a-boo at the campsite while Daddy sets up the tent.

We hope you all had a fun Labor Day weekend! Thanks to all that commented on Gabi's photos at www.contemporaryexpressions.net/blog. We should have the entire collection to view by Tuesday, so check back then for directions to that site.

Love to you all,

Joe, Tara, & Gabi

One Busy Little Girl!

Hello Everyone! Since I'm only blogging every 2 weeks or so now, you're getting a big one this time! We have been having fun going places, visiting new people, learning new things, and watching Gabi grow so fast!

This past weekend, we went to Des Moines, Iowa to visit my family and attend a wedding. Gabi did great -- she is really opening up and getting over her stranger anxiety. She loves to be the little entertainer and is quite the socialite! We did get over to Lincoln to visit my Gramma Dot, Aunt Virginia, Uncle Gary, and cousin Allie and her new fiance, Brad.

Great-Gramma Dot

Aunt Virginia

Allie & Brad

Playing Great-Grandpa Larry's piano. Will she be a honky tonk player too?

My best friend from high school, Susie Tofte, married her soul mate, Adam Hollander on Saturday. It was such a beautiful wedding and I was honored to be a part of it. Their love for life and each other was apparent the entire weekend.

Susie is a beautiful bride!

Friends from high school that were at the wedding -- Angie, Courtney, Joe, Adam (groom), Susie (bride), and me! It was great seeing them and catching up!

Gabi with Joe Ness and Marie. She absolutely adored Marie!

Dancing with Daddy at the reception. Grandma Mary & Grandpa Gary took Gabi home early, so we could stay at the reception and help Susie & Adam celebrate. How we wish they were closer, so this could happen more often! Thanks Mom & Dad!

Here are some photos from the past couple of weeks around Golden:

A giant zucchini that overgrew in the garden. Gabi loves veggies!

Gabi in her new swing! She loves it!

I had to take a picture of the silver maple tree in our backyard. If we ever move from our cute little house in Golden, I will miss this tree the most.

Gabi can now pull herself up and proceed to crawl on top of things. She also mastered stair climbing on the first try. We had never practiced going up the stairs and one day I turned around from folding the laundry and she was on the 3rd stair. I don't think I've ever jumped up so fast in my life. She was evening climbing up the slide at the park today -- and then sliding down, of course -- her favorite part.

With buddy, Eliza, and Jane at the park this afternoon.

A request of our family and friends:

Gabi had professional photos taken last week. The photographer has given us a sneak peak on her blog -- www.contemporaryexpressions.net/blog. For every 10 comments we receive on our blog posting, she will give us $25 towards our purchase (up to $50), so please comment! The ones she posted definitely aren't my favorites, but that's okay. She'll have all of them up for viewing at the end of the week or early next week, so check back then for directions to that site! She did an amazing job!

Thanks for checking in on us! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Joe, Tara & Gabi

Fun at the Fair

We headed up to Buffalo, WY this weekend to see family and attend the Johnson County Fair & Rodeo! Gabi loved seeing all of the livestock, especially the horses! I think we may have a future cowgirl on our hands!

Notice the jeans -- Karen Davis made these jeans for Gabi, complete with the Hall's brand stictched on the pockets. They were way too cute!

Gio & Gabi getting to know the horses grazing by Grammy's yard.

Enjoying her first snowcone while watching the rodeo and listening to Papa Dave announcing!

Gio & Gabi were all about hugs and kisses -- it was very cute! They'll be good buds.

All of the cousins were at Don & Phyllis's this morning (2nd cousins technically) It was fun to see everyone!

Here are some pictures from around the house the past 2 weeks:

Gabi's hair is finally (but, barely) long enough to put in pigtails! Yea! The only way I can get her to sit still long enough to do them is to put Dora on the TV. :-)

Wake-Up, Jackson, let's play!

I'm back to school now, so my posts may get further and further apart, but I'll try my best. We really do appreciate all of our post readers and their support! Have a great week!

Joe, Tara, & Gabi

Here Fishy, Fishy!

Greetings from hot & dry Colorado! To escape the heat this weekend, we took Gabi to the Denver Downtown Aquarium and had a great time! She loved seeing all of the fish, ducks, otters, birds, turtles, sharks, and even a Siberian tiger! Here are some pictures from our visit...

Future Scuba diver like Grandpa Gary!

This was our favorite fish -- Longhorn Cow Fish

When we got home, we were inspired to get out the shark swimming pool and act like fish ourselves. Even Jackson got in on the action! Today was also our 6th Wedding Anniversary! What better way to spend it than with our newest addition!?

Have a great week!

Love, Joe, Tara & Gabi

A Traveler, A Tooth, & Some Talking!

Gabi has been busy this week! We all had fun on our mini-vacation to the Vail area this past weekend. She enjoyed cruising around the Minturn Market in her stroller with Dan & Julianne. She also loved riding in her backpack with Daddy on a hike. Her favorite activity on Saturday, however, was eating gelato in Vail. Yumm! Since we are such active people, we are thankful that Gabi loves being out and about too! Here are some pictures from our trip...

A Volvo made out of legos in Beaver Creek

Gabi was made an honorary sheriff at the Dusty Boot Saloon in Beaver Creek!

We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast in Avon, so we had a leisurely morning on Sunday and then headed to Grand Timber Lodge for some swimming! Gabi loves to swim!




Yesterday, Gabi's first tooth popped through. The only reason we noticed is that she was moving her mouth funny, so Joe looked in and sure enough, it was there! She is handling it very well! It looks like there are 5 more ready to come through, so let's just hope her good natured spirit shines through for the rest of them! Here are some pictures from around the house this week...

On the move

Squash for dinner again?!

In a pickle...she crawled in, but couldn't get back out.

Finally, Gabi is now saying her first syllables...ma, ma, ma...na, na, na...da, da, da! It is very fun to hear her sweet voice. The video below shows not only her new-found voice, but a little attitude and a game she likes to play -- she shakes her head "no" whenever she hears the word "yes." This may get a little interesting as she gets older. We have heard more than once that we will have our hands full with her. I think my Mom said it best when she described her as "headstrong." Time will tell...for right now, we are loving up our little Gabi.

Hope you all have a great week! Thanks for checking in on us!

Joe, Tara, & Gabi

July -- A Month for Birthdays!

Hello Family & Friends,

In addition to both Joe & I having our birthdays in July, we celebrated 2 other birthdays this past weekend! Cassidy turned 4 and Octavia turned 3! Cassidy is the daughter of Paul & Michele -- Paul was Joe's roomate at UW. Octavia is the daughter of Aric & Teresa. I used to work with Teresa and now I work with Aric. Octavia was adopted from Guatemala as well. The parties were lots of fun for Gabriela who loves being surrounded by people, especially little kids!

Whoa -- close up! She liked her party hat, but she LOVED the ice cream!

Make a wish, Octavia!

Your turn, Cassidy!

Gabriela continues to grow! We took her for her 9 month check-up last week. She weighed in at a whopping 21.5 pounds (90th %ile), was 30 inches tall (>100th %ile) and had a head circumfrence of 18 inches (85th %ile). We couldn't believe that she grew 3 inches in 3 months. She'll either be the tallest Guatemalan ever or the Halls have been rubbing off on her! ;-)

She is crawling fast and all over the place now. Her favorite is to crawl back and forth between the back door and the front door to look outside. She even crawled up and over Jackson the other day as well.

We're headed up to the Vail area this weekend to escape the dryness and heat of the foothills and to see our good friends Dan & Julianne.

Best wishes for a great week!

Love, Joe, Tara & Gabi

Summertime Fun!

Hi everyone! We hope you all had a fun 4th of July weekend! Here are some pictures of Gabi from this past weekend! Enjoy!

At the Golden Farmer's Market on Saturday

Gabi's 1st 4th of July! She loved her festive dress from Grandma Mary!

Riding on her rocking MOOSE! Very cool Paul & Michele -- thank you!

Crazy Hair Morning -- yes, this is what it looks like every morning -- hee hee!

We also celebrated Joe's 31st birthday on Sunday with a long hike, shishkabobs and peach pie -- yumm!

Love to you all!

Joe, Tara, & Gabi