Swing Set!

Wow, are we lucky!  About three weeks ago, our daycare provider called and asked if we would be interested in a free swing set from a friend of theirs.  Their kids have outgrown it, so they wanted it to find a good home.  Lucky for us, our home was that home.  All we had to do was get it to our house...  It took five of us (many many thanks to Phyllis and Todd for helping us take it apart, carry it to the truck, transport it, and get it into our backyard!, but it's all set up now and Samuel LOVES it.  I can't wait until next summer when he can play with it more!

Grandma T and the Greats

We dragged Samuel all the way across the country a couple of weeks ago for a brief visit with Grandma T, the Great Grandparents, and Uncle Ryan.  It took 3 airplanes both ways and Samuel never did get used to the time change (so we were waking up at 4:30 in the morning to play), but it was well worth the effort.  Great Grandpa, Great Grandma, and Uncle Ryan hadn't met Samuel yet, which made it that much more special.  It was pretty low-key; mostly we visited and played with Samuel, but there was a larger family gathering where Samuel got to meet several of his great aunts and uncles (which makes them sound old, even though they aren't) and his first cousins once removed (aka Daddy's first cousins).  We also got to know Shirley and Tom, friends of Great Grandpa and Grandma, who hosted us at their home and were beyond gracious to us.  It was a really great trip.

And, as always, more pictures than you ever cared to see :P

"I'm soooo excited to meet Great Grandma!!!"

Playtime with Daddy!

 Daddy's Cousins are so fun!

Woody's silly!

Great Grandpa and Samuel

Great Grandma, Samuel, and Great Grandpa 

 Grandma T giving Samuel some love

"You're sure I'm related to this crazy bunch???"

"Uncle Ryan, you're so cool!"

Balloon Fest 2010

Our little town hosts the largest free balloon festival in the State each year.  This year, we took Samuel.  Thursday night was a glow in downtown (just the baskets and fire, no balloons), Friday afternoon was a launch, and Friday night was a glow at the Fairgrounds (baskets, fire, and balloons).  We really enjoyed the festival and while we make it look like Samuel had a lot of fun, he didn't really even have a clue that there were 65 balloons in the air - he was too focused on picking grass.

Loves fire, like his daddy

"I have no idea that there are huge balloons behind me."

 

Waiting for the nighttime balloon show

Driving with Daddy is so fun!!!

Samuel Goes to the Zoo

In lieu of my 10 year high school reunion, we decided to join up with one of my high school best friends, her husband (also a friend from high school), and their son, who is just a few months older than Samuel.  We haven't seen Amy and Jamin for 5 years, so it was great to catch up!  We met up with the purpose of going to the zoo, only to get to the meeting place and find a downpour.  After lunch, we decided to deal with the rain and go to the zoo, anyway.  Samuel's first zoo trip was a torrential downpour, but he stayed happy, dry, and sleepy under his huge canopied stroller.  He slept through a big chunk of the zoo, but what he did see, I think he enjoyed. 


Here are my favorite zoo shots!

Despite the rain, we really enjoyed visiting with Amy and Jamin and meeting Chandler, who is super cute and sweet!  We definitely have to see them again before another 5 years pass - just look at what good pals Samuel and Chandler could be!

Eight Months!!!

I cannot believe that our little man is 8 months already.  Just in the past two months, so much has changed!  But most recently, he has begun crawling, pulling up to a stand, walking along furniture, picking up finger foods and successfully getting them into his mouth, and baby-signing "more" and "all done."  It's amazing - like a light just switched on at 6 months and he hasn't stopped since.

We recently took a couple of small adventures around town where I got a few pictures that I think serve nicely as his 8 month shots.

*Love* this little boy with his gigantic smile and amazing blue eyes!  What a blessing in our lives!

Family Gathering 2010, Part 2

I promised more pictures from our family gathering, so here are the promised action shots of the cousins.

Hiking at Starved Rock State Park

 Mommy, water is silly!

Cousin Kyla is sooo cool!

Addison and Emme were such great helpers!

"This is the BIGGEST Rubber Ducky ever!  I need one."