July/August 2012

Tate loves his saucer!

Parker didn't want his picture taken.

So I told him NOT to smile, no matter what! Silly boy.

Lightning McQueen slippers go really fast!

Enjoying the porch in the summertime.

Wearing Mom's glasses is always a funny joke!

Look Ma, I is getting big!

Reese enjoys the porch in her stroller.

Hiya baby.

Cuteness.

Parker shares his Big Bird with Tate, except for bedtime.

TV time with Didi the blanket.

They both LOVE to see each other when they wake up.

Parker has always been so animated, I love it.

Ma, I still no likey food.

But I do like my jumperoo!

Not sure if any food made it into the mouth, but we'll call it progress.

Super Baby!

Tate is FAMOUS for his hugs. Everyone loves getting them. He grips your neck so tight and you can't help but feel loved. I hope he never grows out of giving those hugs!

July 2012 Train Ride

Parker LOVES trains. So of course we had to take a train ride in Osceola, WI. It was about an hour drive and we almost missed to train ride. Luckily we kept it a surprise so Parker didn't know where we were going. Tate cried the whole way there, which was unusual for him, poor guy didn't feel good I guess. Brett was off studying. We miss having him around and getting out for fun things helps us keep our mind off of him being gone.

As we boarded the train and sat down, the excitement sank in.

Holding his ticket.

The train has about 7 cars, each one different; passenger car, dining car, cattle car, mail car, caboose, sleeping car, etc. The kids were free to walk between the cars and enjoy exploring. The workers on the train are all certified railway workers and volunteer their time. They were all very nice.

The conductor came to punch our tickets. Parker was in awe, scared and excited to help punch the ticket.

The wonder of it all...

The caboose with a view of the bridge and river below. It was beautiful!

At the end of the ride, they move the engine to the other side of the train to return back to our station. Parker was waiting to see the engine come by.

Surprisingly happy after an hour of crying.

After the train ride, we hiked down to a waterfall in town. Then a quick drive through at Dairy Queen for some ice cream during the drive home- summer time!

Independence Day 2012

m'boy

Tate's first time with solid food. Not a fan of baby cereal, since then he has taken to some foods, but still dislikes baby cereal. Even if I sneak tiny bits into other foods, he notices and spits it out. Little turd.

Music in Plymouth 2012. Tate loved being in the front pack and seeing thousands of people. He was giggly and smiley at everyone, it was so cute.

It was HOT this year. VERY hot, like 100 degrees, with super high humidity and ZERO breeze. Sticky and sweaty was the theme, especially in unmentionable areas. Gross. We were so tempted to leave several times (we are usually there for about 4 hours) but we couldn't miss music in Plymouth! We suffered through it and still managed to have a good time. Snow cones and lemonade helped.

trying to keep the baby cool and comfortable. It didn't work.

Annie and Taters.

Papa, Parker, Nana

Parker's hair was wet from sweat but he still enjoyed the fireworks.

Poor baby trying to sleep in the heat.

Did I mention it was hot? In MN it doesn't cool down in the evenings.

Don't judge my shine, like I said, hot.

Tate loved the fireworks with cotton balls in his ears. They BLAST music during the fireworks, so I was worried about the little guy getting scared.

This was us the next day, on the fourth of July.

These are out of order. The Sunday before the fourth we went to the bbq at a friend's house. There were about 5 girls ready and willing to take all the babies. We called them the babysitters club. Such cute girls!

Parker got all hot running around chasing the other kids. He loves big groups of kids, any ages!

Proof that we have a few friends :)