Annika's first family vacation!

We had our first family vacation to Lake Superior and here are some of our photos...

Here, Annika is driving our Uncle Dick's boat!

Annika is in front of the second largest steam engine in the world!

Annika and High School Musical 2!

Annika had her first sleepover last night. She was celebrating her friend June's 8th birthday! (I know 8 already!) They watched HSM2, painted toes and fingers, made friendship bracelets, made sand art, had Kareoke to HSM2, and Mrs. Brault still had enough energy to make pancakes this morning! Talk about an experience she will never forget!

Annika on an official bike ride!

Annika went last week on a bike ride with her friends. They rode from Valplayso to their house by tower park. Shortly after, she asked to go on another bike ride with me from our house to Valplayso. She is finally getting the hang of riding that two-wheeler! Annika is the one in the front.

Annika and the Porter County Fair

Annika
Lily
Annika and Lily
Annika and Bo
Bo

Annika went to the fair three times this year. The first time she went with her cousin Jake and her grandparents. The second time she went with her cousins Bo and Lily with her grandma Jeep and me. They had a really good time. Finally she went with John and I.

Annika awaits Book Seven!

John and I took Annika to Barnes and Noble for the Harry Potter book release party. She had a blast waiting. We started outside the store...
We were in line for two and a half hours! Once we got in we were in the front of the store winding around the whole store!

Potowatami Zoo

Annika and I went to the South Bend Zoo for our first day out together when I got off of work at the beginning of June. I just recently got the pictures back, but this one is cute.

All dressed up.. And somewhere to go!

We recently went to a friend's wedding, and since we were dressed up, we took a family photo!

Annika loves sunsets!

Annika and John love to look at the sunrises and sunsets together. This past Sunday, we took Annika up to the dunes to get a good look at them upclose.

Go Annika!

Annika spent the day today trying her hardest to ride her bike without trainers. Here is how is stands as of 7:30 pm today.

Gavit's Fun Fest

My German Club at Gavit High School had three booths, YES I am ambitious, at the fun fest this May. I had ten kids volunteer to help me. We had a rootbeer float sale, thanks to cups from Thorgren's, a ping pong ball toss to win gold fish, and last but certainly not least, a picture booth. Check it out!! We made almost $400!

Behind the Times....

I have failed for six months to keep anyone updated on the happenings here at the Smith house. Annika lost her second tooth and I got a new car... Here are a few snapshots of both. Her first tooth is growing in already!

Jasmine and Ariel

This game might sound familiar to some of you... (Aunt Nat) It has been played before!

Annika and her friend Sam are playing princesses!

Ready for the first tooth fairy visit!!!!!

Annika lost her first tooth tonight!! The more she wiggled, the looser it got. Now all we have to do is wait for the tooth fairy!!

First graders and boyfriends??

Annika has a secret to tell her dad and I...

She has an ex-boyfriend. Don't tell anyone. His name is Jackson.

So my response is, so you are not boyfriend and girlfriend with Jackson anymore?

She says, "Ya, we are, but we're not telling anyone. What does EX mean?"

I said, "It means that he was your boyfriend and he is not anymore."

She said, "Good, I am tricking everyone then!"

Annika doesn't know...

I would just like to share this funny conversation between Annika, John, me, and the nurse at the doctor's on Tuesday.

Mom: Annika would you just sit on your butt.

Annika: Say Bombosidy, MOM! Or you could say (here she mouths) wiener!

Mom: Did you say WIENER!

Annika: What is a wiener?

Dad: Something you definitely don't sit on.

Nurse (laughing, blushing): umm...

Mom: Wiener is a boy's peepee.

Annika: (RED!! Crawls under table...) No!

The rest of us continue to laugh.

First Day!!

So, I don't have any pictures yet to post, but tomorrow is my first official day at Hammond teaching!! Wish me luck!

I will be surprised if my flowers will make a comeback after the hail!

Annika T. Malone, First Grader!

We shall see if she causes as much mischief as Junie... Annika started school on Tuesday and is really excited about being a first grader.

School already!

Annika has already had meet the teacher day. She found out, unfortunately for her, how much homework she will have this year. "EVERY NIGHT!" Mrs. Bickel seems very nice, and smart. Annika is in the front row!

Grow?!

I really hope that Annika does not get a sudden growth spurt between now and October 21! Her dress fits perfectly for the wedding!