Happy Birthday Haley!

My cousin Libby's daughter, Haley, turned 2 yesterday!!  We celebrated her birthday with an awesome party on Saturday in St. Louis.  It's always fun to get together with family and friends.  Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Haley Blowing out the candles!

 

Cousins, Finley and Haley got their own table 

Opening presents!

Ethan and Daddy enjoying lunch

Scout and Ethan playing

Aunt Abby and Ethan

 Pop and Ethan riding the bike

Happy 11 Months!

Ethan is 11 months old today!  We've almost made it through the first year.  Jared and I were talking today about the past 11 months and we both agree that they have been the best and most challenging 11 months of our lives.  We are so blessed to have such a happy and healthy little boy. 

Approximate 11 Month Weight: 22 lbs.

Odds and Ends

 The last couple of days have just been spent around the house.  Here are a few pictures of Ethan over the last few days. 

 Ethan under the table.  He likes to crawl around under there for some reason.  And, like father like son.  Ethan and daddy's golf club.  (We're starting him early)

Ethan playing on his bus/slide.  Look at those teeth!  I think he will soon have 4 up top, he sure is slobbery.

Getting into my makeup drawer.  He loves to get in that drawer...

Beautiful Tuesday Night!

On nice evenings we try to get out and take a walk or play in the yard, and tonight was no exception.  Thanks to Ethan's Great-Aunt Linda and my mom we have a nice tree swing for Ethan to use and Jared rigged up a spot in one of our trees to hang it in.  We also went for a short bike ride (our first), thanks to our neighbor Heather.  She has a nice seat on the back of her bike and a fancy, flashing lights helmet for the boys.  Here are a few pictures of our evening.

Ethan loving the swing!

Braden ready to ride!

Not too excited about the helmet

Back from our first bike ride, safe and sound

Playing inside on the bus (note the drool, getting ready for another tooth!)

Laughing at something Daddy is doing

Ethan Pictures

I haven't been the greatest this week at posting pictures of Ethan...so here are some from the past week.

Our little climber...

Back on the ground, safe and sound

Licking the bowl clean...after dumping it all over himself and the tray.

Singing to the bowl

Enjoying his new swing.  Thanks Linda for the bright and shiny one.

Busy Sunday!

Yesterday my parents came up for lunch and some gardening fun.  I had no idea what kind of project we were getting into.  I had only planned on planting a few ferns that my dad brought up from around their house.  Our front door garden needed some help, but I wasn't sure what to do.  After Jared and my dad discussed things, they decided we should dig up all the grass in the corner between our house and garage and make a rock garden.  No more that 2 minutes after this decision, Jared grabbed the shovel and began.  I was so impressed with how quickly he 'destroyed' the grass.  The project isn't done yet, but there will be final photos coming soon.  Here are a few pictures of the process and our Sunday.

Pop and Ethan Playing

Jared and the leaves (what he thought was his only project for the day)

Dad after he nicely planted the ferns

Mom doing her job well, keeping track of Max

She also made a trip to the store for us, thanks Mom!

I forgot to get a before 'destruction' shot, but there was grass where that mound of dirt is.

I'm directing the workers : )

Ethan likes to watch his daddy work hard

Leveling it all out

Ethan playing in the dirt

The final area after our work on Sunday

After the weed barrier and edging stones were set (on Monday).  We are planning on putting rock on the weed barrier with some perennials.  But we aren't sure what to plant yet...any suggestions would be appreciated.

Weekend in Pictures

We had a great weekend just hanging around the house.  The weather was great and we spent a good amount of time outside.  Here are a few pictures from the past couple of days. 

Bathtime Bubbles

Walking (with a little help)

Braden and Ethan

Cookout with the neighbors

Ethan just hanging out with Max, having a good time!

Shopping!

This morning, Ethan and I headed out shopping with our neighbors and friends, Heather and Braden.  We stopped at a garage sale and then we were off to Sams.  We had a great time and I think the boys did too : ).

The boys...I think they're a little overwhelmed.

Brusha Brusha Brusha

Already learning the proper oral hygiene techniques

Happy Easter!

We were in Salem for the Easter weekend and had a great time.  Ethan had fun playing with his cousins, Haley, Finley, Scout, Hazel, Callum and Caleb.  And as always enjoyed his time with the Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunt Abby, Uncle Dustin and other assorted family members : ).  Here are some pictures from our weekend.

Hazel, Amanda, Callum (in the Moby wrap), Libby, Haley, Kacey, Finley, Scout, Becky, Ethan

Getting ready for the Easter Egg Hunt at the church!

Ethan 'Hunting' for eggs

Ethan and I with his loot

Ethan and the Girls on the bus

He Loves to Swing

Family Shot on Easter Sunday (it was a little bright out)

Ethan and Daddy 'walking'

He found his Easter basket

Surprise!

On Saturday, Jared's mom threw a surprise birthday party for his dad, Mark. There was a great turn out and Mark was very surprised! We had a nice dinner and cake and ice cream. Ethan did great too and there were plenty of people around to keep him happy.

Surprise!  Mark and Karen being welcomed to the party.

Grandpa (aka: Birthday Boy) and Ethan

Blowing out the candles!