Canning with Coons

Last night my mom and Tim helped me can 9 pints and 5 quarts of peaches. I have to explain to you what a GREAT feat this was as my mom HATES canning. She was forced to do it as a child and grew up thinking of it as a chore and not as something fun to do. For me it's just the opposite. Even though it takes time I love the smell it creates in my kitchen and the end product is always amazing. Plus, my mom usually never starts projects after 3pm and we didn't finish until 10pm last night. Anyways, I've never canned peaches before and had purchased 1/2 bushel from Afton Apple as I do every year. Most years I just pit and freeze the peaches for use in baking goods, but this year I decided to can because I had some canned peaches at a friends house recently and they were delicious. Anyways, amongst getting ready to go away for the weekend we got the canning done last night and it was so much fun. I love doing stuff like this with my mom!

The peaches after we took the skins off.

Second Trip to Milwaukee

Last week I was able to take off a day of work and flew to Milwaukee on Wednesday morning. The trip was extra special because Frank got to meet his Auntie Val and Uncle Tom for the first time. He also got to stay at Auntie Lynn's house and go to Will and Jack's house for the first time. We had a lot of fun playing and trying to cool off!

Will and Frank at a restaurant.

Frank with Auntie Lisa and Auntie Lynn after an exciting meeting with come chocolate custard.

Frank and Will playing.

Frank playing at Will and Jack's house.

Auntie Val and Uncle Tom with The Dallums minus Daddy.

Seven Bridges in Milwaukee

Frank kept saying "Shhhh wa-wa," which was something we taught him on our trip to CO.

Frank playing in Lake Michigan.

Na-Na watching Frank get totally wet. Whoops, mom forgot to bring his swimsuit.

So, to sneak in some goods news...can you tell I've got a little belly? Yes, that's right The Dallums are expecting number 2 March 1st. Okay to be realistic part of the belly is from having my mom in town...she's a great sweets lover and so am I. So the two of us together are TROUBLE. I've just made it into my second trimester and I feel great.

Okay, I just couldn't resist the butt shot. He's tall and skinny like his Daddy.

Frank with his cousins swimming at Lake Mukwanago.

Frank at his first FISH FRY!

Auntie Lynn, Na-Na and Auntie Val waiting for food.

YUM, fried fish and fries.

Auntie Janet helps Frank.

Okay not the greatest family picture, but you get the idea.

Frank after the Fish Fry with all his cousins:Jack, Emma, Will and Olivia

Jumping on the trampoline with Auntie Val and Daddy.

Making funny faces with Na-Na.

Laughing with Auntie Val.

Wearing his Go-Go G hat given to him by Auntie Val and Uncle Tom.

Hiawatha Park Festival

There's Sand in the Sandbox!

Thanks to two sets of neighbors there's finally sand in Frank's sandbox. The next question is how to prevent him from eating it!

Beach Time

Frank and his buddy O.

Grandma Na-Na Time