Jackson's Cherry Pie

Tonight we had the pleasure of enjoying one of Grandma's homemade cherry pies.

Uncle Andrew was bummed he couldn't be here to enjoy it so we decided to give his piece to Jackson.  This was Jackson's reaction.



Here's the YouTube link as well if you need it.
Jackson's Cherry Pie

Michigan Vacation - June 2012

Hey Family!
  So for a class I was taking this summer we were told to create an iMovie using videos and pictures.  I put together a video of our Michigan vacation we took last summer.  Obviously we have expanded our family by a few (3) so it doesn't have everyone in it but it is still enjoyable to watch.  It was such a wonderful time and it makes me anxious for our vacation next summer.  Hope you enjoy!




Here's the YouTube link if the video doesn't play.
Michigan Vacation - June 2012

June 2013

The month of June has been an enjoyable start to our summer.

Minneapolis
  June 6th was our 5th wedding anniversary, so Pete and I took a mini vacation to Minneapolis.  It was such an enjoyable time.  We spent some time at Mall of America and treated ourselves to some long over due shopping.  Pete and I are not shoppers, but when you have two kids at home, it makes it virtually impossible to do any shopping for yourself.
  After shopping, we spent the evening at Target Field relaxing at a Twins game then enjoying some beverages at a popular British themed bar called Britts.  On Saturday, we adventured to the race track and watched a friend's family horse race.  Our bets never cashed in, but it was a great first time experience.  We keep reflecting back on the weekend saying that Minneapolis might be our new favorite city.  It was a wonderful getaway for the two of us.

Minneapolis Skyline

Pete sporting a #1 Dad Twins shirt.

Enjoying breakfast at Ike's

Kansas City
  The following weekend, we took a last minute day trip to Kansas City with the boys and my mom to visit my brother, Andrew.  Tommy experience his first baseball game, which he loved.  Baseball is now his new found interest.  We can't go anywhere without his bat!
  The baseball game took up most of our day but we did have the chance to eat dinner at Fritz's where our food was delivered to us on a train.  It was so funny to watch Jackson and Tommy continually watch the trains move around the room.  They were completely enthralled.
  Before we made the short trek home, we treated ourselves to ice cream from Murray's which was out of this world!  We're hoping to return to Kansas City in the next few weeks for a family day trip.  I can't wait to treat myself to another waffle cone!

Grandma and Tommy

Tommy and Dad

Tommy watching the game

Jackson

Jackson flying :)

Tommy's First Haircut!

After many weeks of realizing the shag on his head was just too much,  the time finally came for Tommy to get his first haircut!  He sat very calmly and inquisitively, as Katrina took the comb and scissors to his head.  He did a great job, and as you can see he is one good looking little guy.

Talking Tommy

In the last few weeks Tommy has started to use his vocabulary.  As of now, he is a man of little words, but the few he does know, he says with confidence and his words and phrases are quickly expanding.  Pete and I have found such joy watching our little man discover his world.  He is a very determined little guy, and it's very rare he finds something that holds him back.  He loves to climb.  Especially up and down the stairs, on the couches, on the kitchen chairs and table, and on Simon.  He is constantly striving to move to higher ground, so he uses anything available to him (books, boxes, toys, Simon, ect.).  We often find Tommy moving objects to various parts of the house so he can access light switches, counters, and dressers more easily.  I'm telling you nothing holds this kid back.  He is definitively keeping us on our toes but we are so grateful that God has blessed us with such an amazing, healthy little guy.

I'm including a recent video of Tommy on a chatty evening.  I was able to get him to say some of his favorite words like Mom, Dad, Feet (Deet), Book, What's That, Grandpa, Dog and Hi.  Cookie, Daisy, Pizza, and Juice are a few others but I didn't get them on tape.

Sorry the video is a little blurry, still fairly new at this.

Video of Tommy Talking

Starting off the New Year!

As we rolled into the new year, I was determined to finally finish decorating Tommy's bedroom.  Yes, I know he is 15 months and most people have the bedrooms done before the baby is born, but seriously, how often do Pete and I really get our projects completely finished on time. :)
With the help of pinterest I found an idea I loved.  I decided to decorate the walls in Tommy's room with his artwork.  It was a fairly easy project, and Tommy had a blast painting.  We bought a few blank canvases and paint at the crafts store.  Then I put some paint on paper plates.  I did my best attempt to contain Tommy in the kitchen so his painted hands wouldn't be all over the house.  Once we were settled, Tommy went to work.  It was so fun watching him explore the texture of the paint.  He grabbed the paint with his hand and spread it all over the canvas.  It was so enjoyable to see his smiling face and his continuous concentration as he painted his artwork.  He was soon elbow deep in paint and using both of his hands to paint.  When he completed his first painting he was determined to immediately carry it around the kitchen.  He was so proud of his work!  Needless to say, once we were done painting, major bath time was undeniable.  Tommy was covered in paint and so was I.  But messy is fun.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning of Tommy's messy fun!
I didn't get too many pictures taken but I've posted the ones I have.  It's amazing how much this little guy has turned our world upside down.  We love him so much!

So excited to get to work!

Poor Tommy didn't want to stop painting.

 This is how it turned out.

Pumpkin Patch

In October we enjoyed the beautiful weather by spending the day at Vala's Pumpkin Patch.  It was a first time for both me and Tommy.  We started off our day by going on a hay-rack ride to the pumpkin patch so Tommy could pick out his pumpkin.  There were so many pumpkins that were the perfect size for Tommy.  It was so much fun watching him navigate through the pumpkin and attempt to pick up various pumpkins.  When we finally found the perfect pumpkin, Tommy insisted on holding it the entire way back.  He was very proud of his pumpkin.

 

 

  

After Tommy picked out his pumpkin, we explored the petting zoo.  We fed some very hungry goats, llamas, and a camel.  Tommy thought is was so funny watching the goats eat out of our hands.  He even wanted to give it a try.

A perfect end to a perfect day.  Yep you guessed it.  Pig races and dessert.  We couldn't leave the pumpkin patch without dad's favorite treat, a caramel apple rolled in M&M's.  So mom and dad shared a delicious caramel apple while Tommy enjoyed a dish of chocolate ice cream as we cheered on our favorite pigs as they raced around the track!