Our Weekend...

I have some rather random pictures from our weekend.  Friday night we had dinner at our good friends Eric and Heather's house.  Ethan and Braden had a great time, as always, playing with one another.  And us adults had a nice time eating great food and visiting.  The end of the night was creeping closer and Heather and I decided that both boys could use a bath...

Splashing around!

Matching PJ's (not too interested in pictures)

Then on Saturday, we headed to Salem to help celebrate Grandma Collier's 82nd birthday.  The party wasn't until the evening so Ethan had some Pop time before the festivities.

Pop helping Ethan 'fix' something

Grandma Collier opening her gifts

Ethan with his Great-Grandma Collier...Happy Birthday!

 
We drove back to Mt. Zion on Saturday night after the party because we are teaching the 1st grade Sunday school class.  After Ethan's nap this afternoon, he helped his daddy clean out the hosta bushes. 

...And he's a great helper!

And now...a couple pictures of Ethan before bedtime. 

Pushing around the table chair, one of his favorite things right now...Laughing at the fridge farm.

Wonderful Nannys!

This past week Ethan's babysitter was on vacation so on Tuesday and Thursday (the days I work) we had a couple of 'guest' nannys.  Jared's mom, Karen, came up on Tuesday morning and stayed with Ethan for the day.  They had a great time and Ethan was well behaved for his grandma.  She said they went for a walk and a bike ride and enjoyed some backyard time...as well as some nap time.  I can't thank her enough for coming up and taking care of Ethan for the day!  Thanks Karen!!

My wild child with his grandma!

Then on Wednesday night, Abby came up to stay with Ethan for Thursday.  She was a little nervous about diaper duty, but she did awesome (4 #two's later).  They also went for a bike ride and had a great time playing.  Abby stayed Thursday night and we went out for a little shopping on Friday morning.  Thanks so much Abby!  What a wonderful aunt you are!

Getting ready for some shopping at Target! 

Ethan and the big ball! (notice his face...he is saying ball)

Family Pics at the Beach

While in Michigan City, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful beach and take some family photos.  My sister, Abby, was a great photographer and I've had some fun editing some of the pictures.  Here are some of my favorites...

Michigan City Vacation

*Warning...Lengthy post ahead*
Last week we spent the week in Michigan City, IN.  We rented 2 beach houses and had a great week.  There was a 'Blair' house and a 'Puricelli' house.  My Grandpa Blair and his friend, Sally, stayed in a campground in town and came over to the house every afternoon for dinner and to visit.

The 'Blair House'

Back Row: Alex, Abby, David, Grandpa Bob 

Middle Row: Jared, Ethan, Becky, Terri, Shannon, Jim, Josiah, Tyler

Front Row: Paige

The 'Puricelli House'

Back Row: Beth, Steve, Libby, Josh

Middle Row: Micah, Kacey, Linda, Wayne, Tom, Sara

Front Row: Scout, Haley, Finley, Markey

We had great weather and our days were mostly spent between the houses, the pool, the beach and the outlet mall (and the golfers spent some time on the golf course).  Our houses were in a small community of beach houses that had a pool, playground, small lake and was within walking distance to the beach on Lake Michigan.  The kids loved playing in the sand and swimming in the lake.  Here are some beach photos from our trip...

Steve and Beth with Paige and Markey...Finley playing in the lake

Ethan digging...Haley enjoying the chair (while NOT touching the sand)

Josiah & Ethan...Ethan with Mommy

Tyler pulling the wagon on the boardwalk from the beach while Josiah, Paige and Finley rode happily.

Josiah and Ethan playing in the hole...Jared and I relaxing on the beach

When we weren't swimming, playing in the sand, shopping or golfing, we pretty much hung out around the house. 

Josiah wanting to go to the pool...Scout and Ethan hanging out

Paige, Hazel, Finley and Josiah coloring...Josiah and Paige being cute

4 of 5 Blair Grandkids (we're missing Lily) Paige, Josiah, Tyler and Ethan...Grandpa and Sally on their cooking night

Phillip and Amanda along with their little ones (Hazel and Callum) live in Chicago and were only an hour away so they came up for 2 of the days we were there and we wanted to get a picture while all the little ones where there...here it is!

Scout, Callum, Hazel, Finley, Paige, Haley, Josiah, Ethan and Tyler

(Squibb great-grandkids not pictured:  Markey, Lily and Caleb)

On Saturday evening after we got there, Abby and Alex disappeared right before dinner.  Little did I know, it was for a good reason.  Alex proposed and Abby said YES!  They had walked to a lighthouse down the beach a ways (a much longer 'ways' than they thought).  We are all very excited for them both and are looking forward to planning a wedding!  On Sunday we went back out to the lighthouse with Abby and Alex to take some pictures.  Thanks Steve for being such a willing and awesome photographer (also thanks to Beth, the photography assistant). 

Engagement collage made by Steve...The Ring!

News Flash!!

Just a quick post from our vacation...Ethan is walking!  He has taken steps in the past by himself, but he is really getting the hang of this walking thing.  I'll be working on a video for sometime in the future but here's an action shot for now...

1st Haircut

I finally had Ethan's hair cut today.  He had grown quite the baby mullet and it was time to get it under control.  I already miss being able to run my hands through his long, blonde locks, but it does look great.  He looks like a little boy now and not a baby (*tear*).  I can't believe how great he did during the appointment.  I thought I was going to have to hold him but he sat on that booster seat like a champ!  Here a few before, during and after pictures...

Before...just a little shaggy.

The first few snips!  Look how serious he is :)!

Baby mohawk (Again with the seriousness)

After!  He looks so grown up!

A Little of This and a Little of That...

This is a somewhat random assortment of things to put into one post...but I have some really cute pictures from the last few days to share.  A quick recap of what's been going on in the Collier household.  Ethan is slowly starting to walk...he has taken 3 or 4 unassisted steps!  He has also learned to stand up on his own from sitting down!  I will be working hard to capture these moments on video for a future post : ).  He also is into getting inside anything and everything.  He likes laundry baskets, regular baskets and really just anything that has an opening large enough for at least one leg to fit in...

Basket for blankets...and Ethan

His drum...after dumping all the instruments that are supposed to be in there.

We've also started doing a little bike riding.  We got a seat for Ethan at a garage sale, and surprisingly enough, all the pieces were there.  Until yesterday we had been borrowing our neighbors helmet for Ethan, but we are now the proud owners of our very own brain bucket!  (That way we can ride with Heather and Braden).  Jared doesn't have a bike yet...but we're on the hunt. (So, if you know of a decent one for a decent price let us know) 

His helmet is a little cockeyed...but we've since fixed that.

And finally...today after a long bike ride, playing in the park and in the back yard, this is how Ethan finished up his lunch.

Tired little boy :)

Happy Wednesday!