Golf Fun!

Every year the Women's Futures Tour (it's the tour before they get to the LPGA) has a golf tournament in Decatur at one of the park district courses.  This year Tate and Lyle, Jared's company, sponsored the event so we got a couple free passes.  It was a beautiful morning and we decided to head up to the tournament for some golf spectating and outdoor time.  Ethan had a great time playing in the grass and picking up acorns.  Cameras and phones are not (technically) allowed, but I snuck a few quick, silent pictures. 

Daddy and Ethan before heading home for naptime

Very prepared...he brought his own golf ball

Watching the action

Off to the Zoo Again!!

This morning, I decided that Ethan and I would head to the zoo again.  It's a beautiful day and I wanted to get out and enjoy it!  This trip the animals were a bit more active and I can always tell when Ethan sees the animals.  He sits up really straight in his stroller and starts making noises at them...so cute! 

Cheetahs just relaxing

Ethan next to the tortoise exhibit

Ethan and the Emu

After we finished our tour around Scovill Zoo, we met Jared for lunch.  The timing worked out great and Ethan loves to see his daddy in the middle of the day.  We had a nice lunch and on the less than 5 minute drive home, Ethan fell asleep...and was out!  I was able to get him inside, change his diaper and lay him down for a nap, all without him waking up.  Such a funny and worn out kid.  Happy Wednesday!

Oh Nap time...

I love Ethan and I love the time we spend together...but I also love nap time.  He has gotten in to a pretty good nap time groove where he will sleep for a couple hours (sometimes 3) in the afternoon.  It gives me a chance to get some things done around the house or just relax a little.  Usually about 5 or 10 minutes after I put him in his bed he is done talking (or sometimes crying) and I go in to make sure he is asleep.  This is what I found this afternoon...

Notice Elmo's face being smashed into the mattress...

Sorry about photo quality...I used my phone for this one.

A few old ones and a few new ones...

We have had Ethan's picture taken several times throughout this first year and I thought I would share his first year in photos.  Enjoy!

3 Months & 6 Months

9 Months & 12 Months

Our most recent family shot

Another Video...

Here is a video of Ethan having some fun with one of his birthday presents. He loves this toy and is actually figuring out what to do with it. Thanks Phillip and Amanda. Enjoy.

Ethan, the Dog??

Recently Ethan has been 'barking' when he sees a dog.  We weren't sure if he was just making noise or if he was actually barking.  Either way, it's pretty cute.

Gone Fishing!

This afternoon we decided to head out to the pond to do a little fishing.  A work friend of mine has a pond in her backyard and she has graciously allowed us to fish there (catch and release).  I'm not much into cleaning, cooking and eating fresh fish so I'm fine with throwing the little guys back.  This was Ethan's first fishing trip and he had a good time picking some 'flowers' from the grass around the pond.  He was also pretty interested in the out of water fish.

Watching Daddy fish

'Flower Pickin'

Ethan helped reel this one in!

I caught one too...and Ethan really wanted to hold it!

12 Month Check-Up

We had Ethan's 12 month well child visit this morning and all is well.  He looks to be a pretty healthy boy.    His legs are sporting 2 new colorful bandaids after his latest round of vaccinations (MMR and Chicken Pox), he's a trooper though.  The doctors office got a new waiting room toy, and Ethan enjoyed playing while we waited.  A couple pictures from our visit...

Stats:

22 lbs. (45th percentile)

29 in. tall/long (10th percentile)

Trip to the Zoo

After the Birthday bash on Saturday, Micah, Kacey and their wee ones stayed for a couple more days.  We had a great time just hanging out, and on Sunday evening we decided to take a quick trip to the Decatur Zoo...yes, Decatur has a zoo.  It was our first trip and I must say, I was impressed!  It's small and it only took about an hour to walk through all the exhibits, including the petting zoo, but it's perfect for the little ones.  Since the exhibits are small, they can actually see the animals.  We saw camels, cheetahs, some box turtles :), a red panda, baby prairie dogs, monkeys and other assorted animals.  The petting zoo was full of very playful little goats, some of which got a little too close to baby toes.  All in all, we had a great time and the extra days with Micah, Kacey, Finley and Scout were a blast.  Enjoy a few pictures from our extended weekend and zoo trip.

Ethan, Scout and Finley

Micah, Scout and Finley inside the bird exhibit.

Jared and Ethan checking out the goats

Scout getting his toes nibbled on while Finely 'pets' the goat and Micah poses for the picture.

Par-tay!!

Ethan's 1st Birthday party was at our house on Saturday.  We had great weather (sunshine and HOT) and a great group of party goers.  I think Ethan was a little overwhelmed with the heat and all the people, but he was a great birthday boy.  He had a chocolate cake and wasn't too sure about what to do with it.  As soon as I put it on his tray he buried his hand into it and then proceeded to put his cake/icing covered hand all over his head, pants and highchair.  I gave him a little taste from my finger and he seemed to like it, but wasn't interested enough to try for himself.  Enjoy some pictures from the day!  

Singing Happy Birthday and Presenting the Cake!

Not too sure about it...he never put it in his mouth, I gave him a taste and I think he liked it.

He loved the balloons!

Present time!

Apparently we make the same faces : )

Party goers...Josh, Alex and Abby

Swinging Finley & Haley and Hazel, Finley & Haley having a little snack

More party goers...Grandma & Ethan and Pop, Great-Grandma Woolbright, Linda & Great-Grandma Collier

Alex, Abby, Ethan & Heather and Heather, Eric & Braden

Hazel & Finley peeking out of the playhouse (looking rather warm) and Ethan acting shy after opening all his presents and everyone clapping for him.

Happy 1st Birthday to Ethan!!

Our little guy is 1!  He is such a fun and happy little boy.  He has 6 teeth, 4 on top and 2 on bottom.  He crawls everywhere, can stand without holding on to anything and could probably walk if he would just give it a go.  As soon as he sees something he wants he squats and takes off on his hands and knees.  He loves to be outside, and just about everyday this week I've had to clean the dirt out from under his fingernails (such a boy)!  His hair is growing more and more everyday, and is sporting quite the baby mullet.  I will be taking him to get it cut soon.  I was told that if he had his hair cut before his 1st birthday, it would stunt his growth (and with my height, he needs all the help he can get).  He likes food (like any good Collier boy).  His favorites right now include cheese, any type of fruit, cheese puffs, peas, noodles and on occasion chicken or ground beef.  He talks and babbles all the time.  He says mama and dada to the correct person, he says 'ba', for ball (when he wants to), and I'm pretty sure he says bird.  It's so much fun watching him grow and learn new things everyday.  And we can't wait to see what comes next!

Playing in his playhouse on his Birthday!

P.S. Check back soon for party pics! 

Enjoying the Outdoors!

We recently had our backyard fenced in and we are enjoying it so much!  Max loves being able to run free...and we love that we don't have to chase him down when he gets out.  As you will see from the pictures, Ethan also loves being outside.  Everytime I open the door without going out with him, he starts pointing and wanting to go out. 

Having snack time in the yard

His new play house/swingset (he loves that little door)

Inside his house