Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Family Day at the Lake!

Well, we're not ready to take this little guy camping just yet, so we decided to at least take a day to enjoy the lake! 
 And as you can see, Caleb was all for it! 
 Let's go daddy!!! I'm ready!
 We'd never been to this lake so didn't know quite what to expect.  It turned out to work just right.  We found a spot without people and relaxed for the afternoon.
 Life jacket doesn't quite fit anymore.  Oh well. 
 The water was receded quite a bit which made for lots of sand to play it...and an already build hill!
 Concentration tongue out! 
 Since Caleb's had quite a lot of pool time, he adjusted to the lake pretty quick, which he referred to as a pool as well.  He even walked in all the way up to his neck before turning back (holding my hand of course).
Matt is out swimming and I'm in the shade.
 Can't go out by himself so on shore will have to do. 
 This made our day.  We couldn't figure out what he was doing at first, but then realized he was trying to find a reed to use as a microphone.  He was whispering into them and then finally got his bat to use as his guitar and stared his performance.
Hmm, which one to use...
 ...okay, think I'm ready...
 "Cookie, Cceee" (C is for Cookie...)! 
 He ended up singing a lot about Alison and Abby! He really misses them!
We had a great day!  I'm thankful we live so close to such beautiful places!

Gotta Share...

Hi Everyone!  My turn to tell some stuff....
 Check this out!  I got new undies!  I'm not doing "full-on" potty training yet, but I know how to go in my little toilet.  "Mom" (yes, he's already shortened it to mom, and never even said, "mommy," just "mah-ee") got these for me but hasn't had time to really focus on it yet.  She said we don't have to rush since I'm still young, but hopes to do it soon.  Just today I surprised Mom and Daddy when they saw potty in my toilet and didn't even know that I had gone!  It only works when I'm not wearing a diaper. :)
 I think I look cool in these!  I heard that I might get to try something called pull-ups.
 We've spent a lot of time at the pool this summer!  I love it but I think Mom is happier than me!  She thought she wouldn't get to go much since she'd have to watch me so closely, but I'm not only a great listener and am careful by the pool, but I also really like to just sit, eat a snack and watch everyone!
 Mom goes swimming and I'm just fine all by myself!  Of course I swim a lot too, and like it more all the time.  I still can't go by myself though.
 I actually like my "cool doe" (cool crackers) more than swimming and would eat them all day if Mom and Daddy let me...which they don't.  Sometimes I get to have a home-made pop-sickle (sp?), which Mom makes with mostly water and a little apple juice.  I think they are the BEST...except sometimes after I suck on it I hold my tongue out and fuss since it feels REALLY WEIRD.
 I love our neighbor kitty.  It comes to visit and spend a lot of time with us now and then.  I got to give it some milk the other day and it was really happy.  I don't understand why it won't let me ride it like a horse.
 Well, at least I have my car to ride.  I'm pretty fast these days, but sometimes crash.  I even put my hat on all by myself.  I'm learning to put on my clothes but it's a lot harder.
 I really love playing outside.  I even try climbing the tree lately...and I walk in mud and play with rocks!
 Sometimes I just love to relax.  I found the best spot at the bottom of these steps.
I don't know why Mom and Daddy won't join me.  I'd sleep here if they let me! 
They won't even let me sleep in my favorite chair that I used to use as a baby.  At least I get to sit in it while we read before bed-time sometimes.  I like to turn on the soothing music and pretend I'm going to sleep.  Usually Bear sits with me and we put on the blanket too.  I wish Bear could sleep with me, but the one time he came to bed with me, I tried to climb on him and I fell backwards.  Mom and Daddy said they were glad I didn't fall out of my bed.  Now he sleeps in my chair.  Oh well, at least I still have Giraffe, Elmo and Giraffe2!  They are still my favorites!  

Did you know it's almost my 2nd birthday.  Still over a month away but it's getting close!  I'm getting smarter every day.  I say new words and try LOTS of words, and I really like books more than before.  I am figuring out that I can decide a lot of things, so I try to get my way a lot.  For some reason Mom and Daddy don't understand me when I talk with a high-pitched voice, but I keep forgetting.  I think I'll figure it out pretty soon.  Since that doesn't work, now I'm trying to see if I can get what I want by free-falling face first onto the ground.  It hasn't worked yet, but I think it might soon.  Lots of people say I'm a good listener.  I'm really fast at running now, and I love climbing!  I'm trying out lots of new things every day!  I still love playing and singing to music and I like every kind of ball.  I'm starting to use my imagination which is fun, but I don't like how it gives me bad dreams sometimes.  At least Mom and Daddy are there when I wake up crying.  We all really love each other and the best days are when we're ALL home together!  I get SO happy on those days!  Pretty soon I get to see Grandpa and Grandma and I'm so excited!  Bye for now! 

"H" Day

Alison, Alastair and Abby started a game that they do as a family a while back that they brought to us.  They choose a letter in fun way and then the whole day is based on that letter.  They pick a town they have never been to that starts with that letter, do things that start with the letter, buy something, etc.  
 The letter of our day was "H," so we headed to a nearby park that started with "H" that we had never been to.  It turned out to be way more fun than a normal park, with a river and lots going on.
 More than anything, I enjoyed getting to spend more time with Alison and Abby before they headed back to England the next day.
 Abby and Caleb love their Opa! 
 It was also great to get to spend time with Oma as well.  We're looking forward to getting to see her more often when she moves here within the next year.
 Alison "Hula-ing" for an "H" activity!
And a Hug.  There were also "H" songs, "Helping Hands," etc. 
 Just a picture of me and Abby. 
 Happy! 
 Hummus for lunch! 
 This dog was Hilarious!  His owner puts sunglasses on him without a strap and he'll walk around for a long time wearing them!  The owner ways it's actually been a good way to help people relax around him instead of being scared.
 More cousin love! 
 Joshua was running quite fast on all fours...Caleb is TRYING, but a bit behind! :)
Another great day!  Now we're Headed Home! 

4th of July!

We had a fun afternoon spending time with the family in San Francisco.  We went across the bay to an area we had never been before and LOVED it!  It was a quiet little village feel right on the water.  
 We first went to lunch where Caleb and Abby spent some time getting to know each other a little bit!
 Abby is about 3 months older than Caleb!  It was so fun to get to spend time together.  They are both at the age of loving each other one moment and then not being quite sure they want someone in their space the next moment.
 It seemed that they were either hugging or hitting each other when they got close.  We caught some of the hugging.  We're all working on the hitting issues and things are looking up!  Now Caleb is experimenting with falling to the floor and whining.  I think he's already realizing it won't work, but I have a feeling he's not going to give up that easily.  We'll see. 
 LOVE MY MAN!
 Just enjoying the company!
 We had the great idea of trying to get a picture of the cousins....it was pretty funny!
 This is the best we got!  I think I like it better than the posed version.  More character!
 Zoe isn't too fond of pictures.  We love her!
 A flag was hanging along the road so thought it was a perfect photo opp for the 4th!
 I randomly stopped and took this self portrait in about a second and LOVE IT!  Most of these turn out horribly.
 He couldn't figure out why the hat wouldn't come off.
 The view was really pretty and we had perfect weather.  Part of why we even thought to go to SF was that the weather in Folsom was somewhere near 110 degrees I think.  We were glad we left!
 Hangin' out with his buddy again!
 I really enjoyed getting to spend some quality time with Joshua while the rest of the family was out of town.  He's such a great little boy who is so ready to learn and grow!  He is so sweet with Caleb and tries so hard to teach him the ways of the world!
 Hmm, about to hit or high-five! 
 Caleb's obsession with bikes continues!  Looks like he's about to steel this one.
 Uncle Matt is pretty good at getting some laughs! 
 Abby is so sweet with her English accent!  It was wonderful getting to spend time getting to know her better. Just wish it was every week!
One last look across the bay! 
 It was a lot more clear in person.  We're looking across at the city.
 It was short but sweet.  Memories we'll remember for a long time.  Happy 4th of July!