Mommy and Bella's Summer Adventures #2: Lions and Tigers and Great-Grandparents Oh my!

Isabella and I have had so much fun this summer I've hardly had time to update the blog, so there may be many upcoming posts documenting past events.
To start, Isabella and I have had such a fun summer full of playdates, outings and quality Neuteboom women time.

While my cousin Jen and her family were in town we met up with them., Libby, Tom, Jeff, Alex and Grandma Averill at the Topeka Zoo. Isabella and I had to drive in from Lawrence so we got there after everyone else and I didn't get many photos of the day. I did however get this awesome picture of Bella with my Aunt Jeff

In addition to the zoo we've spent quite a bit of time in Topeka over the summer hanging with family. Here we are with my Granny Sook and Pappy, my moms folks. Pappy just recently was able to finally come home from a long stay at the hospital and Rolling Hills nursing home. I know Granny is glad to have him back and we're all very happy that he's home.

We also went to visit my Grandmother Averill, she loves to have Bella close.

Towards the end of July Bella and I went to spend the night at Aunt Libby's. I had a test to take at Washburn to try and and and English endorsement to my teaching license and since it was so early in the morning we decided to have a slumber party ( which was WAY more fun then the test). We enjoyed a visit with Grandma, Tai food and Isabella's first crackers. She is now a big fan of crackers and so am I, what a great occupier so I can eat my meal as well!

In addition to the Topeka Zoo, Isabella and I took the Kansas City Zoo by storm as well. We headed into KC with our friends Kelly and Brecken ( for more about this awesome baby check out Brecken's Blog) There we met up with two other moms and their kids, Ashley and Evan and Crystal and Dalton. It was a hoot watching the four of us taking over the sidewalk with our strollers. My Beautiful Girl at the Zoo.

Here's Bella near the Elephants, we sadly missed the elephants painting but I'm hoping to catch that next time.

I called this the Butt Face Monkey, I hope you can see why.

My favorite animals have to be the Meerkats. I even do a fairly good impression that my cousin caught on camera at the wedding. Here are are the little furballs.

Here are our mom and baby friends, Ashley and Evan missed the picture because Evan and Bella both fell asleep.

Speaking of sleeping, apparently everyone takes naps around the same time. The Lions

Monkeys

and Bella

The Kansas City Zoo was a blast but it was also huge! We walked around all day and didn't even get a chance to visit a section of the zoo. It was a blast and really nice to spend some time with Kelly and Brecken who are moving to Minnesota. We'll really miss having them around but can't wait to go visit and make fun of the Twins!

That's how we put the BOOM in Neuteboom

Trish

Back from vacation...

With more to follow soon. Trip adventures, photos, and a burger contest...

Welcome to the World Mira!

Around the middle of July we went to visit and welcome our newest family member, Mira Jackson Rosen. We went to visit my cousin Paul and his wife Kari a few days after they brought their second child into the world. Mira and Isabella will be in the same grade and hopefully great friends.

Here's Eric with Mira

Lili is finally a big sister, she's been practicing on Bella for months.

My cousin Jacob's daughter Brooke with Isabella, shortly before a softball tournament in Branson. She's known to be a wicked good 2nd base player.

The cousins! ( although I think technically there is some kind of 2nd cousin term for it. we're all just sticking with cousins, it's easier. )

That's how we put the BOOM in Neuteboom

~Trish

Stumpy Joe needs a new home.

We have come to the very sad conclusion that we can no longer take care of my wonderful dog Stumpy Joe. There are a lot of reasons that were present even before the baby but became impossible to handle once she joined the family. I was pretty sad about it for a couple of days but realized that both he and I will be much happier when he has found a someone who can give him the love and attention he deserves. So here are his stats.

Joey is a 9 year old Pekingese that found me about 8 years ago. He usually weighs in at about 20lbs. He is a wonderful, cuddly, lovable dog who would do really well with older children. He does not do well with cats but would love the companionship of other dogs. We recently had a vet appointment and left with a clean slate of health and I can get records and information as needed. Please leave a comment if you are interested or know someone who might be. The sooner we find him a new home the better since he currently spends a long time in his crate and has had significantly less attention in the past 7 months.

Thanks for letting me put up this bummer disclaimer.

~Trish

Isabella Neuteboom says "Happy Birthday America!"

I love getting to share so many firsts with Bella. This year was her first fourth of July and she did awesome. She wasn't even scared by fireworks, only occasionally midly annoyed. Independence day is one of Eric and my favorite holidays. It gives us the chance to cook, blow things up and wear tacky clothing that screams out "I love America" We even had British Jill here to claim independence from, it is great. In addition to our foreing visitor we also had some Boston relatives in town, my cousin Jen and her husband Kerry and two beautiful children Wilber and Mahela( not sure if I spelled that right) So we did it up right. AND the Neutebooms came out for the holiday as well so Bella was surrounded by all her grandparents, relatives and friends. To begin the day Connie, Bells and I headed to Topeka to march in and watch a couple of parades. We met up with at Uncle Tom and Aunt Jeff's to march in the Potwin parade with Wilber and Uncle Tom on the bagpipes. Then we headed to another parade to watch a whole group of Pipers.

Here we are decked out in our best Amercian gear with Mimi and Aunt Libby.

Tom and Wilber in their Scottish kilts.

Uncle Tom is playing us the song he wrote for Bella, it's wonderful.

Bella can sleep through anything, this is what she did for the entire second parade. There was even a marching band, and a bagpipe band, and loud cars that she slept through.

Kerry and I enjoying the parade

Jen and her beautiful babies. We had so much fun playing with our new cousins. Mahela is only 3 months older so we got to see the fun stuff we'll be able to do in three months.

We then headed back to Lawrence for a rest and to head over to the big BBQ at the Averill's. While the girls were in Topeka, Eric and J.P. hung around the house and Eric smoked a brisket, ribs and made homemade BBQ sauce for the festivities later ( I personally LOVED the BBQ sauce, I'm one lucky lady with a super chef for a husband). He even baked a cake that I proudly decorated. America style!

Uncle Tom brought the small pipes to Lawrence and more music commenced.

Mimi and Grandpa Boom enjoying the beautiful weather.

Bad Uncle Willie helps all the little ones blow stuff up!

My beautiful family.

I tried to help Bella out and cover her ears during the loud fireworks, she wasn't a big fan.

Isabella with her doting Grandmothers. What a lucky, and will be very spoiled girl!

Uncle Will with Liliana and Bella

Cousin Kari with Lili and a new little sister on the way any day now.

It was a wonderful feast full of lots of family and friends. Jaq and Joe even braved the Averill/Rosen/Neuteboom Clan to come see Bella and hang out. Isabella didn't mind the fireworks and even got to stay up late. She was a trooper. I can't wait until she gets to be about 4 or 5 and really appreciates the blowing things up part. That's the part I always loved best as a kid. I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th, ours was the best ever!

That's Literally how we put the BOOM in Neuteboom!

~Trish

Take me out to the Ballgame!

That's right, we FINALLY got to take Isabella to her First Royals Game!! It was as awesome as we knew it would be. Prior to the 29th of June we had plans to attend two separate ballgames and were sadly thwarted by the weather each time. However, my brother decided he wanted a big group of people to celebrate his birthday with him in a truly American setting, the ballpark. So Eric and I loaded up the Rav (awesome tailgating car by the way) and headed half the caravan to KC. Once in the parking lot we put the backseats down, kept the airconditioner blowing, and Bella, Nana and I hung out in the cool car while everyone else grilled hot dogs, burgers and themselves! It was truly the best way to tailgate, with airconditioning. Once game time drew near we walked down to the new improved Kaufman stadium. We got the $5 seats so the sun was directly on them. To avoid baking our daughter Eric and I decided to tour the improvements and walk ALL THE WAY AROUND the stadium!

Our first stop was right away to Guest Services where many friends told us we could get an official certificate for Isabella's first Royals game (Note: special thanks to the Kaminski's for letting us know about this).

Also, when you carry around a baby people are nice enough to ask you if you want a picture of all three of you.

Here is the statue of Liberty, Royals style!

They have a new park of all kinds of kids things. I can't wait to go next year when Bells will be running around at all these places. There is a pitching mound, batting area, race track, playground, specialty overpriced store, and a Carousel! if you look closely you can see slugger is part of the carousel.

We had taken off on our own so it was a blast to run into Will and Auman walking from the other side of the ballpark, we met right in the middle of all the sweet new stuff. Happy Birthday Bro!

We stopped by the new restaurant which was a bit busy and then headed back to our seats. We timed it perfectly too, arriving after the sun had gone down and the temperature was perfect. This is where we enjoyed the first Home run of the night. Around 9:00 we had to take our tired baby home in the 6th inning. I was so proud of my husband for helping us get out of there and not even being upset at leaving a winning game early. He's a rockstar. Also, luckily on our way out we got to see slugger. He even tried to help us find the camera in the diaper bag. Silly Slugger, you're not supposed to mug us!

Then on our way out we picked up a snack and Isabella fell asleep merely walking to the car. It was truly a perfect evening with a Royals win to boot. Eric kept telling Isabella the next day how excited she should be that they won the night of her first game. That will for sure be noted in the Neuteboom history books.

That's how we put the Home-run BOOM in Neuteboom!

~Trish

Eric's First Father's Day (Sorry it's so late)

Way back in June Eric finally got to celebrate his first Father's Day. It was a blast. Eric, my dad, Jonesy, and Kevin left early to go play a round of golf and then the boys met Mom and I back at Casa Da Averill. We enjoyed a BBQ lunch and presents and in the evening Eric and I got to spend some quality family time with our beautiful new baby. It was a wonderful day and we got a few fun shots to share.

Here are all the presents for the amazing men in our lives.

Bella was a big fan of the twizzlers, this may have been her favorite part of Father's Day. Well except for playing with silly Daddy.

"Dad.....shorts go on my legs, not my head!"

It was a wonderful day where I managed to get quality time with my Mom, Dad, Husband and Baby and I loved every minute of it. Now for the cheesy part.

To my dearest husband-- you are an incredible father. I love everything you do for our beautiful girl. Thank you for your love, dedication and support of us both. I could not, and would not want to be in this crazy land of parenthood without you. So here are ten things I love about you as a father in no particular order.

1. How excited you and Bella are to see each other when you get home from work.

2. The hysterical noises you make to entertain her.

3. Your surprisingly keen fashion sense when choosing her outfits.

4. The pictures you sent me nearly every day when you were on leave.

5. Your insistence that you hate pink, but then buy her really cute pink stuff.

6. Your patience with us both

7. Your excitement in the first times, first Feeding, Royals game, and the many more to come.

8. How proud you are of your beautiful baby.

9. Your undying devotion to your girls.
10. Watching you play with Bella and make funny faces in the mirror.

As I sit and write ten things, ten more come to mind, however, I think if I continued our readers would boycott the blog due to an abundance of gag inducing cheesy stuff. So that's all for now.

I LOVE MY BABY DADDY.

~That's how we put the BOOM in Neuteboom!

Trish