Wordless Wednesday - Surprise for Mommy!

The Beginning of a Backlog of Blogging...

Why I think I'll have more time to blog during certain times of the year, I have no. clue.

I always seem to stay caught up for a while and then...BOOM, it's been almost two months since my last blog post!  And it's never because there's been nothing going on worth posting about.  So I will continue to slowly work my way through our summer activities.

Back to the 4th...July 4th, that is!

We again made what's getting to be our annual "north for the fourth" camping trip.  The special thing about this time was the company we had while we were there; two of the days, two different friends from home were randomly up north as well and came to visit us at our land since they'd never been there before.  It was nice to show them around and walk the trails that we had just had plowed through our acreage.  That was the first time we'd been on the trails too, and they have just opened up our property and made it seem sooo much bigger since we can now get around it more easily.

(the shortest video I took documenting the trails. for those of you who haven't seen them yet.)

We spent some time visiting with our neighbors up there whom we have gotten to know over the last year.  Tim and Billie Jo are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet and we're so thankful for their friendship and generosity.  They've lent us/Chris what I call their "big-boy toys" in order to help us make our camp into what it is today.

our big boy

sitting on Tim's ATV

the picture Boo took of the neighbor's driveway/front "yard" area

Then we had our other northern friends over for one night.  We rented a pontoon with them again and spent the next day cruising the lakes in northern WI.  It turned out to be a gorgeous day with some wonderful company!

Boo was just itching to get into the water and he actually jumped off the front of the pontoon boat to me once!  Daddy and I were so proud of him because that was quite a jump for our tiny guy.

He didn't want to get out once he was in the water!

cruising through a pass between lakes

Fresh air + swimming + a ton of fun = naptime!!

A couple of random pictures from July:

great picture of Boo with Grandma and Grandpa!

visiting family the end of July...just so you can see how restless of a sleeper this kid can be: cross-wise on the bed, on top of the covers, and I'm surprised he hasn't taken his pj's off!  I'm sure Lexi is only tolerating being laid on because she isn't allowed to get up on the furniture at home and doesn't want to be kicked off the bed here!!

Whew!  Done with July.  Now to download pictures/video from August and September and start working my way through those...

A new 'do

From this slightly shaggy little guy with his new backpack...

...to this handsome boy talking to Grandma on the phone.

From this long-haired lady...

 ...in the chair (look how long it is!!)...

...to this bobbed bombshell!

Nah, it's just me.  :)

I am donating my hair to an agency that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair.  So glad I could help donate to this great cause!

Dentist Appointment

    

Ready for his first "official" dentist's visit.

His first unofficial one being a year and a half ago when he had to have his front tooth pulled after chipping/shearing the tooth up the back into the root at the sitter's house...and yet, he's still all smiles.  What a trooper.

AND he did an awesome job!

    

Showing how wide he can open his mouth for the dentist

Boo even got to help out and hold "Mr. Thirsty", as the hygienist called it.  He prepared for this job by holding it while Mommy was getting her teeth cleaned!  He thought it was a blast.

More water squirting and suctioning.

Still all smiles for the camera!

Boo definitely had fun with this!  The hygienist could barely get the water squirter out in time a few times before he tried closing his mouth.  I think they were trying to see who could be quicker!

They cleaned and flossed his teeth and he just lay back in that chair and opened his mouth like such a little adult...actually, better than some adults probably do!!  The only thing they didn't do was take x-rays, but I'm sure he would have done fine with those also.

So proud of our boy!!

Movie Monday: Scooter

For Grandma and Grandpa T:

He's getting the hang of it!  Thought you'd like to see him riding the scooter you bought.

p.s. - HE is the one who put the socks on with his sandals!!

Another step towards growing up...

This morning, my baby boy took another step towards growing up and showing his independence.  Chris and I were getting breakfast and, since it was after 7am, we were both slightly surprised that Boo hadn't announced his "alarm" (definition: a very good verbal copycat version of Chris' morning alarm!).  When I did very faintly hear him moving around in his room, I started upstairs.  Low and behold, my son was on his way downstairs, fully dressed (in a matching outfit, no less!), had already gone potty, and the sweet boy was even carrying his overnight diaper down with him to throw away!

Time is going way. too. fast.

This morning, my baby boy took another step towards growing up.

Cincinnati Trip

My family got together in Cincinnati towards the end of June and spent some time at the Cincinnati Zoo, as well as a very special place called "Entertrainment Junction"...you can just imagine how the boys were in awe of the entire place!

Grandpa with the youngest member of the clan, W.

Grandma and three of the boys waiting for the train at the zoo.

J with his mom's hat on, trying to stay cool...it was HOT!

Boo and me waiting for the zoo train.

Waiting...

waiting...

waiting...

YES!  We're moving!

being goofy

at a waterpark somewhere in Cincy

playing with plastic bugs outside on the pool patio at the hotel

shelling peanuts

My nephew, J, being his mommy's hero and saving her from the bugs!

C and mom playing a matching game

Flash-forward to the teenage years?!?!

Cheese!

Boo and J playing together

Just the beginning of a warehouse full of trains!!

a little bit of detail shown in an amusement park

this picture shows you the scale and just a little of how massive this train project is

a little bit closer-up of the detail that went into this place

Chris and I also celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary by going out to dinner, after my parents graciously agreed to babysit Boo for the night.  We had an awesome seafood dinner with drinks and split a scrumptious dessert.  Thanks, Mom and Dad, for allowing us the time for a date!

And happy belated anniversary to my wonderful husband!!