Weekend of Birthdays!

This past week was my mom's birthday and my sister, Abby's 21st birthday.  Ethan and I headed to Salem on Wednesday (my mom's bday) to spend some time with Grandma and Pop.  Ethan had a great time, as always, playing outside and around.  And my mom enjoyed having us around to help us celebrate her birthday. 

Ethan playing with a duck from my childhood



Playing in the dirt...one of his favorite things


And Friday morning I headed down to Carbondale to spend the day/night with Abby for her birthday.  Ethan had his first overnighter at Grandma and Pop's on Friday and, as far as I know, everything went great.  After a fun day of hanging out and shopping Abby and I made dinner reservations at a vineyard to meet up with Alex, Jared and Amanda (one of Abby's best friends).  We had a great time and an awesome dinner! 

The restaurant made a delicious cake to help us celebrerate!



Abby and Alex



The group of us...Becky, Jared, Amanda, Alex and Abby

Then on Saturday, we all headed down to Murray, KY to celebrate another birthday!  My cousin, Micah's son, Scout will be 1 this week and his party was on Saturday.  We met up with the rest of the family and Ethan in Murray and had a great afternoon.  Here are a few pictrues of the party. 


Birthday Boy, Scout!  Ready for some cake!



Party Time!

Scout and Kacey opening presents

Finley helping Scout enjoy his cake

Ethan being silly



Family picture

  Happy Birthday Mom, Abby and Scout!! 

Hard Work...

We are in the process of building a deck onto the back of our house.  I'm so excited about it and can't wait for it to be finished.  This past Saturday, Jared's family came up to help.  Due to Mt. Zion rules about inspections and crazy things like that, we they couldn't pour the concrete around the posts.  All in all, it was a very productive day and I was tired just watching Jared, Mark and Dustin.  After busting up some concrete, the 3 of them dug 10 holes that are 3 feet deep...manually!  That in itself is quite a full day, but then they decided to go ahead to set and brace the posts so that after this 'inspection'  all Jared will have to do is pour concrete into the holes.  Karen, Ethan and I just watched and fetched water as necessary.  Karen also did a great job keeping Ethan out of the way and occupied.  Thanks again for coming up and spending the day working.  We really appreciate it!  Can't wait to have everyone up for a cookout on the new deck! 

Jared, Mark and Dustin hard at work

Grandma keeping Ethan occupied with a new book

After their bike ride

Ethan watching from the best seat in the house!

Jared and Mark setting/bracing the posts



Progress so far...

 Hopefully I will have beautiful before/after pictures coming soon.  We will be out of town this coming weekend so we'll have to wait a while longer for more progress. 

Best Friends!

This morning I watched Ethan's friend, Braden for a few hours.  The boys had a great time pulling every toy out of it's place and playing in the wet grass and dirt.  They're boys I guess...  Anyway, I'm glad I had my camera close because I got some cute best buds pictures! 

Swinging on the big swing!

Braden in the drivers seat

Hanging in the playhouse

Laundry basket rides with Ethan and Braden

Snack time!

Girls Weekend Vs. Boys Weekend

This past weekend I headed down south to Nashville to meet up with 3 of my best friends from forever, Elizabeth, Sara and Jennifer.  I have known these girls since preschool and 4th grade.  It has been several years since we have ALL been together for more than just a few hours.  Our weekend was filled with memories, talking into the wee hours, eating, shopping and LOTS of laughing!  Saturday we spent the day shopping.  We hit downtown Franklin, which is a small, historic town south of Nashville with good shopping and food.  And then we took on the mall.  We had a blast and I'm pretty sure we're all exhausted!  Looking forward to our next 'reunion'!!

 

Downtown Franklin, TN & Having some lunch.  Jennifer, Sara, Becky and Elizabeth

The 4 of Us!  We had a great time!!

While I was in Nashville, Jared and Ethan had the house to themselves.  Jared is an awesome dad and they had a great time too.  I left the camera out in hopes that I would come home to some pictures of their weekend adventures and, low and behold, I did!!  Here are a few shots of the Boys Weekend...

Getting ready to climb on Max's crate...

Yes...he is IN the drawer.  Daddy is fun!!

Balancing carefully on his lego truck. & After I got home I took a few pictures of Jared reading to Ethan, he loves to be read to and was squealing, clapping and laughing the whole time : )!

I missed my boys while I was away, but it was a great time for all of us.  Jared and Ethan had some quality father/son bonding time and I was able to catch up with some old friends. 

Labor Day Fun

We've had a great Labor Day weekend.  Last night we had a wonderful cookout at our neighbors and today we went to the playground and then out to lunch. 

Ready for dinner!

Happy Boy after a great dinner!

Ed graciously took the boys for a ride around the neighborhood!  We had spectators come outside to watch.  It was pretty funny and I think the boys had a great time.

Ed and the riders

Look!  What's that?!?

Playground fun!

Attacking some chicken tenders at lunch...

Blowing Raspberries!

Ethan has been blowing raspberries on his own arms for a while now, but he (with some coaching) now likes to find Mommy or Daddy's stomach to blow on.  Enjoy a short video of Jared and Ethan.

These guys crack me up :)

Some pictures...

It's been almost a whole week since I've last posted...sorry about that.  Anyway, we have not been up to too much this week.  With the weather seeming more and more like fall (which I love) we have been spending as much time as possible outside.  Ethan loves to play in the back yard and on the patio, so that's pretty much what we've been up to. 
He did, however, have his first 'head injury'.  He fell and hit his head on the corner where the baseboards come together, cried a little and got over it.  Later, we noticed a little blood in his hair and sure enough, there was a small cut and goose egg.  I guess he is at that age...

Ethan and his 'boo boo'

...But he's fine!  Wanting the wash cloths on his head.

And now some outside pictures.
 

Snack time on the patio!

Watch out Tiger...our 15 month old is working hard on his game :)

I have no idea what he is doing...Just being a boy!

Busy Weekend

We spent the weekend in Salem and had a great, but busy time.  My parents had family in from Virginia, my dad's brother and his family.  Bruce, Jeanne, Bruce Jr. and Taylor had never met Ethan and I haven't seen them for 2 to 3 years.  Bruce Jr is 14 and all about electronics and Taylor is 11 and was very very excited to meet Ethan.  Ethan immediately took a liking to Taylor and they wore each other out.  I took a few pictures, but not as many as I should have. 

Taylor and Abby reading to Ethan

Taylor and Bruce Jr. with Ethan outside

Taylor being a great cousin to Ethan

After church on Sunday, we went out to Forbes lake with Jared's family for lunch and some playground fun.  It was hot, but we wore Ethan out...yet again!

Ethan and Grandma getting ready to slide!

Putting on Grandma's sunglasses

Doctor, Park & Zoo...

We had a busy morning around here today.  After dropping Max off at the groomers, we headed to Ethan's 15 month well child visit.  He looks to be a healthy and growing boy...

Almost 15 Months
22 Pounds & 30.5 in tall

After our visit with the doctor and 2 shots later, I decided a trip to the zoo would be fun.  Our zoo has an awesome playground in front of it, so before we went in Ethan had a good time running and climbing all over the playground. 

Climbing UP the slide/tunnel

Found a hollow log!

Sliding with Mommy

We finally made it into the zoo and Ethan's favorite part is the petting zoo...because he can run around with the animals in there.  Goats are the only ones that are out to pet, but we also saw some cows, chickens and huge hogs!

He liked when they nibbled on his finger

And before heading out we stopped for a carousel ride.  This was Ethan's first time and he acted pretty serious about the whole experience.

Waving to his fans : )