Summer 2011

It has been busy but awesome summer for the Hirneisen's. After Andrew attended a basketball camp (one of 2 for the summer) we headed to our trip with my family to Williamsburg. We frequented Water Country, Virginia Beach and Busch Gardens. Abby loved the beach - she ran along and into the water.


At Busch Gardens, they had a Sesame Street area where she got to see her favorite character...she would see them again at another location later in the summer.


Abby loves the pool we have in our community...she likes to play with her cups and paint brush in the baby pool and then trot over and jump (with assistance) into the big pool. When naps mess up the pool schedule, she did spent a little time with her little pool.


Abby still loves to read her books and point out all the animals that growl and foods that she can say.


She really enjoys drawing. She likes to climb up on the chairs and color with her crayons while watching tv and sometimes speak on the phone as well...she is quite the multi-tasker.


She also likes to sit in the driveway and use her sidewalk chalk. In this picture she is also pointing out - and saying the word "plane" that she can hear and see...she also likes to point out and say the word moon.


Abby likes to pretend to drive as well - with supervision (it was Andrew's turn)...most of the time pretending to talk on the phone as well...


The end of July brought Andrew's 10th birthday. It is hard to believe. We celebrated with family and took him and his friend Luke to see Transformers -Dark of the Moon, for the second time. His presents were dominated with baseball items: a new glove, a pitch back, bases, and a "junk ball" wiffle ball set. He also got a Ryan Howard shirt.





We did take a family trip to Sesame Place to round out the summer. We had a good time. Abby got to see her favorite characters (again..)




Andrew and Gramps wore their Phillies shirts to a Phillies v Nationals game that we went to. We got to see the mascot Presidents on our way in. After 3 batters we sat for a 2 1/2 hour rain delay and saw 6 innnings....we left and found out later that the Nationals won on a bottom of the 9th inning walk off grand slam....it was a good time for everyone though.



This fall has Madi trying out field hockey and Andrew playing soccer. We look forward to watching them play...



We hope that you had a great summer...would love to hear about it...I plan on posting every couple months...so, until then....

April and May 2011

These were busy months for all.

Madi played the lead in the Middle School production of Annie Jr. She did a great job.





Both Madi and Andrew's ball seasons got off to a slow start due to the massive amounts of rain. Both are doing well. Abigail has become very familiar with ball fields during May. There is a track at the high school where Madi plays, so I'm starting Abigail out early...




Abigail continues to grow and become more active. She loves to be outside with her brother and sister and is still in to everything. We did get alot of teeth over the past two months...this caused some running noses and mild fevers but also has allowed her to eat everything.





We celebrated Easter in Greencastle. The kids had the traditional easter egg hunt. Abigail was more interested in playing. We decided to have a precious moment with Madi and Andrew kissing Abigail that Abigail did not appreciate :)



Madi also turned 12 on May 18th. We celebrated with family at her favorite eating establishment, Hoss's. Her big gift was a Kindle.

Feb and March 2011

Abigail into everything



Snow Days



Swimming at a Hotel in Toms River NJ


Gramp's Birthday


Madi and Abigail doing things together





Celtics game in Philadelphia






My 42nd Birthday Meal at Buffalo Wild Wings with Madi and Andrew

End of January 2011 - Abigail is 1!

Wow. It is hard to believe that Abigail is 1 year old! Also hard to believe that I have been home for a year. Time has gone by quickly.

Madi has had a good month. Continues to work hard at school and at play practice. She is a great big sister. One day she took one of Andrew's hats and put in on Abigail's head - she was amazingly tolerant of it.


Andrew and I have enjoyed his basketball practices and games thus far. He continues to love to be outside in all weather. One afternoon I had an early dismissal and we got a chance to play snow football...lots of fun.


Abigail has had a busy month and continues to grow. She is now over 24 lbs and measuring like an 18 month old. She has gone from walking to almost a run. She is getting better at navigating the stairs up and down and continues to be in to everything. She is basically kept to wandering the living room, dining room and kitchen area. The most recent snow we took her outside and put her down in the driveway....she moved very quickly down the driveway, hung a left and started walking down the road without even looking back...we eventually stop her but were convinced that she would have kept on going. Rebekah commented that she is fed up with being stuck inside in her little area, and she was saying "I'm out of here"....it was funny. Here are some pics from her first play time in the snow.




We did have a birthday party for her. We decided on an owl theme...because Abigail makes a "hooting" sound when she is dissatified with something, so we thought it was appropriate. We had an open house type gathering. It was a nice time. Here are some pics of the gathering including Abigail eating her birthday cake.







When I started my blog, now 18 months ago, I had set a goal of being consistent through Abigail's first birthday....and I made it! I have enjoyed it. There is a great website that makes a book of your blog posts (which I already used to make a deployment book) that I will use to make a nice keepsake of Abigail's first year. I have also enjoyed receiving e-mails from you all with the blog being a reason to comment and keep in touch. At this time, I will only be posting special events or milestones - more for personal reasons. Feel free to check in periodically if you wish. My only regret is that this may lead to losing touch with those of you who I do not see on a regular basis. I would very much like to keep in touch with you all...so, please keep in touch.

Thanks for following along.....Until next time....

December 2010 Christmas - Abigail at 11 months

Greetings and hopefully your holidays have gone well. We had a good month in the Hirneisen home. Andrew started basketball practice. I am helping coach his team and it has been alot of fun. Andrew was excited to get his practice jersey. Here he is in his jersey.


Madi tried out for the spring musical at her middle school and has been given the chance to play Annie in their production of Annie Jr. She is excited about that opportunity.


Abigail continues to be busy and into everything. She has discovered the cabinets which has caused us to put the locks back on.


Her curiosity and the fact that she is still teething let her to find a lollipop that we let her try for a very short time under close supervision.


She responded pretty well to the Christmas tree...


For Christmas, she got a baby doll that she gives kisses to...


She also got a kitchen to play with...


She has also started the funny habit of pointing to everything and having you take her to see pictures on all the walls. It is funny to see.


We hope you have enjoyed your holidays. It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since I got back and that Abigail will be a year old next month. We are looking forward to a good January and a good 2011....and are wishing you and yours the same.

Until next time....