A few pics from the OR Coast in November

Annie crawled up on the couch soon after she got up and the light was beautiful. She is growing up SO fast! Almost ready for her own Big girl bed!


A family close up! Annie is especially cute in her duck raincoat.


A view of some of the craggy coast and the chilly damp weather...we loved it!



More pics soon, we've been busy with a new nephew, Christmas prep and and some long nights as all of us have been sick off and on for over a month...we're doing much better now!

Grandma and Grandpa Seifert Visiting in October

Well it must be obvious by now that Team Baliko practices creative chronology when it comes to how we post events. There are more summer and fall events to post but I'll be doing that later. Now I wanted to post some pictures from Dale and Marilyn's trip out to Portland. We had a great time with them and so enjoyed the opportunity for Annie to get some wonderful grandparent time!






Our first evening together was a beautiful fall picnic out by the Sandy River...we got treated to a fantastic OR sunset as we were packing up to go! WOW!


On the way home Annie opened up a great set of books from her Great Aunt Cheryl. Thanks, we loved the books you sent!


The next day we headed out to Columbia Farms on Sauvie Island and went to the pumpkin patch.


Aunt Nikki, Uncle Aaron and Cousin Georgie went with us as well...look at all those pumpkins!




Fortunately for us we didn't have to pay for the two cutest pumpkins in the patch.




Annie giving Dad's head a sweet little hug after a long morning of pumpkin and blueberry picking (or eating as many as Annie could)...look at those golden curls!

Thanks Dale and Marilyn (Dad and Mom!) for coming to visit...Annie (and Darla and I) loved spending those precious days with both of you.

Autumn Annie

On our recent trip back east, my Dad (PopPop Baliko) captured a contemplative moment Annie was having with the gourds and pumpkins. I like to believe she was thinking: "If only I could remember that recipe for making an endless supply of energy from hook-necked squash and candy corn...what was that secret formula???"



PS: Something about our blog has changed and change for Team Baliko always means there is something new just about to happen...Stay tuned. After ten people comment below with their speculations, we'll provide more details. (you may have to have a gmail account to comment...so get with the program!)

Recent Annie pics

Ok so we know that the real reason you even stop by this blog is to see recent pictures of the star of the show: Annie. Well we do want to show you where we've all been of late and the adventures we've had together...but I have relatively short windows of time to blog so for now...let's jump ahead to the present and then I'll update August, September and October in the next few weeks.

Here's a couple Annie pictures that give you a glimpse at how much she's growing up and how her curls are doing.





The apple was nearly as large as her head!


IMPORTANT PICTURE DISCLAIMER: Darla was in no way in favor of the staging, taking or posting of this picture. I on the other hand laugh really hard EVERY time I see it...which gets me into trouble. The ingredients for this photo were: a baby that needed a nap, a self-adhesive blonde mustache that I procured from a gum ball machine and two minutes out of mom's watchful eye. Result the perfect old man Annie shot!!!
I took off the mustache immediately after the photo due to protests from my daughter and fatherly guilt.

Annie's First Trip to Mt. St. Helens (July 2010)

Back in July, we took my parents to Mt. St Helens. Darla was the only one in our crew who had been up to the mountain previously (10 years prior). This summer marked 30 years since the explosion in 1980.


There are so many beautiful and fascinating angles to see the mountain.


Annie was more intrigued with the pebbles in the rock walls around the visitors center.



I was amazed how close you felt to the mountain, the Observation deck is perfectly positioned and it made me want to climb over the railing and hike right up to the edge of the crater. Wisely I chose to stay put...those park rangers don't get to shoot their guns very often and I didn't want to end up as target practice for the trigger happy.


At one of the observation spots the wind was kicking up something fierce!


Annie wandered all around the central display of the mountain inside the visitor's center...reading all the important details of course.

And after all that reading and exploring and adventuring she was ready for a nap...we all were. Great visit to an amazing location! If you're in the area take the time to drive out...you won't be disappointed.

Time with Grandma and PopPop Baliko (back in July)

We had great weather while my folks were here. One early evening while it was sit warm we set up the duck pool and all had a blast watching Annie splash around with her new toys and (bright) new swim suit!



Grandparents have the camera out MORE then parents do...just documenting the facts...wait a minute...hmmm.






Grandma got plenty of loving and hugging time...


And PopPop got in some good reading time...which he and Annie enjoyed!


And after a long day of playing Annie likes a few moments to contemplate the universe and the big questions of life by taking a short walk with her wagon around the yard.

Some Summer Hiking Pictures

Annie get to ride up high most days when we go hiking. Perched up on Dad's shoulders she can see more and point out where she'd like to go.


Sometimes she likes to show the world how big she is...Annie is soooo Big!


But we always remind her to hold on to the handles! Lately she has taken to pushing her razor sharp fingers into Dad's ears as far as she can get them...ahh parenthood.

Annie's Birthday Party

Darla handmade Annie's birthday invitations, carved the wood cut and printed out each one. They turned out GREAT!


Annie was all excited as the hours ticked away for her guests to arrive.



The front porch was decorated and a book with Annie's monthly pictures was on display.




Darla made clever little cherry topped cupcakes and a big cake to share in addition to Annie's very own cake for the Big Day!




She spent time visiting with her guests and asking how they were doing. Hi Dan and Siobhan!


And then it was time for her CAKE!


At first it was too sunny to eat the cake...


But once she had her matching pink hat on it was off to the races. Actually she kinda minced around the edge of the cake and ate a handful (literally) of samples and then was done.



Her friends gathered around to wish her well and of course try and snatch a bite of her cake HA!


After cake Annie wanted to go swimming but we told her she had to wait at least 30 minutes.


Annie candids...enjoying the day!



Darla and Annie opened some presents together.


Grandma and PopPop Baliko enjoyed helping her open some gifts too!


It was one of those great Portland Days where people love to linger on the lawn...


And children attempt wild feats of amazing acrobatics and balance.

(don't be alarmed...his father is just out of frame and ready to catch him)

Annie and I spent the waning hours of the party playing with her new favorite toy...

BUBBLE WRAP! Oh the giggles we heard from her with each pop! Trust me Uncle Chris she loves Mr. Quakers too...but the BIG bubble wrap was the best!




...and a grand day was had by all. See ya next year!