happy birthday steven

for steven's birthday we went to the headwaters of the missouri. like last year the weather was wonderful and the rivers amazing. unlike last year, apollo got to join in on the fun. steven and apollo threw so many rocks into the madison i'm sure they raised the water level. boys. 

we also stopped by the famous buffalo jump in the area. we attempted to get to the top of the buffalo jump, but alas failed. apollo seemed to gain a pound with every few steps, so by the time we got half way he was nearly as heavy as steven. so we turned around and went home to CAKE! steven's request: devils food cake with chocolate ganache and a chocolate buttercream frosting. and i don't mean to brag...but it was pretty awesome.

yellowstone on a saturday. 

i made my cheesecake and i ate it too.

we had visitors this weekend and it was a blast. hiking, playing, crying, eating, and all sorts of other 'ings' have tuckered out apollo. he is currently sleeping like a baby, as i hope to be doing soon. 

museum of the rockies

apollo, what a doll.

today we went to the museum of the rockies. located just a couple miles from our house, the museum is filled with actual fossils of dinosaurs from the montana area. it also has an upstairs for children 0-8, with an indoor play area containing trampolines, cushy floors, and a lookout area.

bibibibibirthday.

so this weekend was pretty great. apollo & steven gave me birthday presents on saturday so i could enjoy them all weekend long. on saturday steven and i had our third date since apollo was born. we went to blackbird kitchen for a night of good food and drinks, while apollo went to the fair with a couple we know that lives down the street. he was so excited and exhausted after the fair. he was running around on the bed, then tripped on my hips and fell. while he was down, he decided to fall asleep (see above photo).

for the 23rd annual celebration of my birth i made a white velvet cake with a coffee buttercream. yummy yummy. and below are photos for your pleasure. a very merry birthday to me.

like father like son.

today we found apollo to be more like his father than we previously thought. i used to think apollo only picked up steven's farting habits, snoring, and sleeping style. well after about 10 minutes of going to the park today, apollo got overheated. after much sand, sweat, and tears we ditched the park and got some popsicles. 

apollo has also found a love for blueberries. he gets that from me. 

my lil man

summer in montana

i'm so glad its summer! its a little after 3:00 and 77 degrees. the sun is shining, there's a slight breeze, ahh what a day. updates for us:

steven: steven's doing good. he still works in the early morning until noonish, bikes home and then spends the afternoon with apollo. right now he's making red pepper and leek soup for me, yummy! my favorite.

apollo: apollo is also doing well. he is going through a growth spurt right now, which means he is a little fussy and has random days where he sleeps and sleeps. of course, all this sleeping during the day has him up at night, which sucks for us, but we're getting it figured out. also, apollo is sleeping in his crib at night now. yes!!

kalina: i'm doing great. i don't hate work yet, which is sweet. i bike to work every once in a while, and i can't wait until apollo is done nursing so i can bike everyday.

the family: we got a kid carrier for our hikes. steven and i like it, and best of all-apollo likes it. every thursday we go downtown to "music on main." bozeman closes main street to have vendors and live music every thursday evening. it is a lot of fun. apollo loves all the dogs and people. and MAN ARE THERE PEOPLE. it reminds me of living in chicago, there's so much going on. and last saturday we got to see "shakespeare in the park." apollo did really well, and it was quite enjoyable. who knew you could get not only mountains but culture in montana??? amazing.

LETS HANG FIVE DOLLAR AMERICAN FLAGS (MADE IN CHINA) OUT OUR JAPANESE MADE CAR WINDOWS

IM GLAD AMERICA HAS TOILET PAPER.

photo shoot at the park.

happy fathers day steven. we think you're pretty swell.

apollo + yellowstone

thanks auntie kristen & uncle bill!

happy birthday apollo!

wish you all were here to c.e.l.e.b.r.a.t.e.! today was a very special day for the big one year old. we visited apollos favorite coffee shop where he received a free birthday drink! we then went to hyalite canyon to have lunch and a party. apollo got some super-awesome-wonder-magnificent gifts from his family. thanks grandma & grandpa vanderpoel for the radio flyer! and a special thanks to grandma & grandpa althoff for coming celebrate with us & for the gifts. and thanks for everyone who wished apollo to have a very merry day. 

he did. 

& thanks papa steve for supper and making apollo's birthday cake!

weddin' shmeddin'

today we went to a wedding. i got to put my new digital camera to use. it's the first event i've taken photos for with the digital, so it was a little nerve-racking, but i think some of the shots turned out really nice. see photo:

apollo has a really pretty red something or other on his forehead. the couch the cute couple are sitting on in the photo is the same couch apollo nose dived off of. ouch.

this week in photos

MONDAY

TUESDAY 

WEDNESDAY

no photo, we had a night of quick moves, microwave pizzas, and ice cream at a hotel. oddly enough someone painted in the house and it smelled too bad for apollo to safely be in the house. this time the cost of the hotel is getting taken out of next months rent. 

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY