Vacation - Day 1

We were meeting up with my family for a little vacation (a long weekend) at a sort of central location - the Cincinnati, Ohio area - at a camp ground there.

We didn't know until after Nathan's nap (several hours into the trip) that he wasn't buckled into his car seat. In the process of packing up the car, he had climbed in his chair so when we left, neither Barry nor I checked to see if he was buckled in.  Oops!

 Yay!  Cousin checking each other out.

 Four of the five families made it on Thursday and enjoyed catching up with each other.  The first thing that Nathan and Barry did was to go swimming!  Nathan loves to swim.  We cooked burgers and hot dogs and had s'mores later on into the evening.

We elected not to tent, but stay in a cabin.  So, we claimed our spot in the loft and precariously climbed up and down a ladder -- Barry would carry Nathan!  [Glad that part of the trip is done.]

How You Doing?

You know that I've been telling you about the constant question that Nathan asks...

Guess who he asked over the weekend?

No response though!

Two for Tuesday

Look what we got to do over the weekend:

Visit with the goats! :)

We hadn't gone in a few weeks and you know how our boy here has to get his goat and cow fix.  He did a little better in trying to touch them, but the kids were in no mood to be petted so he had to be brave!

Check out tomorrow's post with the cow!

Silly Boy!

Two unusual things about our boy:

Nathan doesn't like sweets, but when he sees a fortune cookie, watch out!  Yum, yum!

Isn't this how you brush your teeth?  He wouldn't let go of the trucks...  Technically he did have the brush in his mouth!

Getting Ready

We set up an assembly line to get our breakfast items prepared.

 Can you tell what we're doing?

They're all ready for the weekend!!!!

Outside Fun

We got some of the outside chalk to see what Nathan would do with it.

Looks like Daddy had more fun than Nathan! :)

What you doing?

From the moment he wakes up, until he goes to sleep at night, he is constantly questioning...

"WHAT YOU DOING?"

He's been calling himself Nate (they call him this at daycare) and will often tell us, "Daddy, Mommy, and Nate".

Two for Tuesday

Today

1 year ago

He looks like a baby here... getting more of that little boy look.

Remember how he always had to have a band?  We've lost them all.

[If you want to catch up on the past 2 1/2 weeks, go back to July 5 and come forward.  Sorry again for this lapse in blogging.  I've got to get the computer issues at home figured out.]

My birthday

 At work, they decorate your desk and make a big deal for your birthday.  Since my birthday is during the week that we have our international meetings, it's just us ladies (and a few men) holding down the fort.  I decided to be silly and actually wear some of the items that they set out for me.

Nathan was convinced the sign was for him and it was his birthday.  Oh well.  He loved the birthday cards so I guess it could have been his birthday... :)

Swimming Fun

Our church had a swimming party at the local pool.  We had a blast!

 We had to get out of the pool for a mandatory break and you would have thought Nathan was going to die!  He wanted to be in the water so bad! :)

What a cutey pie! :)

Remembering Grandma

This is my grandma on her 80th birthday in 2003.

We had a celebration for her and my dad came up for the party.

She would have been 91 this year.

What a blessing to know her and be influenced by her!

He SCORES!

He's slamming dunks and playing ball with Daddy!

Go, Baby, Go! :)

Birthday Greetings

July is a big month for birthdays in our family.  In a week and a half's time, we have 6 birthdays! Wow.  So, there's been lots of coloring names through this period of time.

[You can tell someone is an early morning person -- here he is being creative just after waking up -- still has his paci and no glasses yet!]

Two for Tuesday

It's the Silly Edition! :)

 Momma!!! What you doing?

Nathan's been making these fun fishy lips lately. :)

Playing Cars

Nathan got these cool cars hand-me-down (I'm not certain what they went with), but they are a great size for him right now - chunkier than Matchbox cars.  So, instead of just rolling them around in the carpet, I made this little play mat.

Obviously 'someone' got a hold of the markers and went a little crazy in the corner there! :)  Nathan did line up the cars all by himself and enjoyed puttering them around the mat.
[He's pulled it out a couple times since then and played with it too!]

New Past-time

As we travel around, Nathan is loving to "draw" cows, chickens, sheep, and other animals or write letters.  We'll just shout out different things to do and it keeps him pretty occupied.  Thanks Uncle Tod & Aunt Michelle!  The birthday gift is coming in handy! :)

Two for Tuesday

Looking pretty cute in his Michigan gear! :)

About 2 years ago - wow!

Barely able to sit up, but looking so handsome in his overalls!

Yard Work - Part 2

It was so cute to see Nathan carrying the branches and sticks to the yard that I just couldn't resist videoing.  One of Nathan's "jobs" is to pick up sticks and he's getting really good at it!

Yard Work

[I am over 2 weeks late in posting.  Too busy at work and can't get Google Chrome to work right at home.  Sorry for the delay!]

 Helping Daddy cut back the crazy bushes coming over the neighbor's fence.

 Now to carry them to the road

 Nathan made multiple visits to the road bringing branches.

Picking up the smaller branches and using his wagon!

Hair Cut

BEFORE

AFTER

(Cheese!)

Can you tell any difference?  It wasn't as obvious this time and I guess I'll keep working on how to tell her to cut it.  She had cut it so short in the front the last time that I asked for her to keep it a little longer in the front.  We'll see how long he can go this time! :)  He cried and cried and cried again.

Two for Tuesday

 Do you see it?

It's a BUNNY!

Nathan is looking just a little boy!  He is much more animated and is talking (if only we could understand it all) a mile a minute.  Last night as we walked in and out from Wal-Mart sporadically he would jump.  It was hilarious! :) 

He is catching on to things and is asking more complicated questions.  On the flip side, he is becoming more stubborn to do things his way, when he wants to.  We spent a bit of time this weekend disciplining him and explaining why he shouldn't do and should do certain things.  What a challenge to be consistent!

His other love besides cows is babies.  He loves to point out every baby he sees (any child younger than him!) and wants to say hello.  In fact, two Fridays ago when one of his friends was picked up who has a new baby, he cried and cried when they left because he wasn't done with her (the baby)!  He'll often talk about seeing babies at church.  Too fun!