(Lucky) Seven Years!

Remember this trip we went on over 2 years ago? Remember how we DIDN'T get to go to South Dakota because of the weather? Well, for our anniversary this year, we decided to do something totally different and closer to home - and make this trip finally happen!!! =)

We spent 3 days there and had THE best time!!!!

We stopped for breakfast in Denver on the way. Had some awesome crepes!!!

Here's where we stayed. Our little cabin in the woods. Nice and rustic on the outside, recently upgraded to the max on the inside! Our campfire area. We spent much time here. =)
Saw the Crazy Horse Memorial. Mt. Rushmore!


Stopped for a picnic in crappy little Sturgis. However, we were there for the rally, so that was kinda neat to see all the motorcycles. Went through Wind Cave National Park. Saw some Bison. Also saw some Big Horn Sheep, Wild Turkeys, Does and Fawns, Pronghorn and a lot of prarie dogs.
During the trip, we got updates and pics of Noah. We'd ask: "How's he doing?" Looks like he was getting spoiled by Mimi, Auntie Cheryl and Uncle Bob this day..... =) Another day: "How's he doing?" Looks like he hardly even missed us..... =)

Birthday SURPRISE!!!!

So..... we had these grand ol' plans of going to Albuquerque for the 4th of July. But some little "squirt" decided he needed to get the hand/foot/mouth virus - and since Noah has been the epitome of health in all of his short 18 months, we decided it was best not to go and risk him getting it too. BIG bummer. =(

Plan B: go down for Nathan's birthday and surprise the heck out of Jon & Erynn!!

It worked. They were TOTALLY surprised - and seeing the look on Erynn's face when she opened the door was priceless. =)

So Nathan had a pool party for his first birthday bash. It turned out SO cute and everyone had such a good time. Erynn did an awesome job decorating and planning.

After all of the hype from the party, we finally got to spend some quality time together - just our families. Very much needed. We missed each other a LOT. It's crazy how fast 4 days can fly!

As you can tell, we all spent a lot of time in the water and playing with the water. It was hard to get pictures of everything, but we sure tried!

Sunday (late) morning, all of the girls got to spend some quality time together and went shopping and out to lunch. After they got home, the boys handed over "baby duty" and headed out to go play baseball! After all that excitement, the 4 of us (Greg, Jen, Jon and Erynn) went out on our traditional double date - no pictures from that..... BUT..... we did meet up with the rest of the fam afterwards at Menchie's and got fro yo - it was pretty darn good!

Noah finally warmed up and slowly became bff's with "Uncle Caleb," "Uncle Bryant" and "Gammy." Of course that was towards the end of the visit - so basically that means we'll just need to see each other again sooner! ;)

Our last day there, before heading home, we went and had lunch at Johnny Rockets and saw "Aunt Cayce" hard at work.

We hated leaving because we ALWAYS have an awesome time when we're there. That's the worst part about going - having to come home!! It was fun planning and scheming the surprise though. Might just have to try that again! ;)

Eighteen Months Old!

So we're a little sad these days..... Noah no longer seems/acts like a little baby. He's somehow turned into a little boy right before our eyes. =(

So what's new with Noah and what are his "stats" these days?

Well..... don't hate us..... but he is STILL an excellent sleeper. He goes down between 7:30 & 8:00 and doesn't get up until 8:30 or 9:00. =) =) =) Also, if you will remember, he started sleeping through the night when he was just 8 days old. Yes, we are very lucky. He still loves his bed, loves his naps (even now has been asking to go "ni-ni" and will run for the stairs) and spoils us with that! However..... around the 16/17 month of his life has brought him to the point that he no longer likes to take 2 naps a day - just one. And sometimes it's not that long. BUT, when he's sleeping 13-14 hours a night, we can't complain!!

He is talking up a storm!!! He can say quite a few words with and without help, he mimics everything we do (gotta start being careful now!), and signs for quite a few things he wants/needs.

We brought out the potty chair last month and are in the very beginning stages of potty training. Isn't this kinda early, you ask? Maybe. But he DOES tell us before he poops sometimes and then points down to his diaper to let us know something's there. So we try to get him to his potty chair before it's too late - not often are we quick enough, but we show him where his poo-poo's go and let him flush them away. BUT, just a few weeks ago, he told Jen he had to poop, so she took him to his potty chair, and he pooped in it!! There was MUCH rejoicing in this household, and many text picture messages being sent out to family and friends. ;)

He is still healthy as a horse! Still is the epitome of health for someone his age. Hasn't hardly ever had any "medical" issues. Again, we are very blessed.

He loves to be SO silly and get us to laugh. Mostly when he's in his highchair or carseat. He also has been more content to snuggle and give lots of "loves" lately. L-O-V-E that!!

He's been SUCH an easy teether - has quite a mouth-full now - 16!!!

He did absolutely amazing on both of the 2 16-hour car rides to AR 3 months ago. He doesn't seem to mind car rides and adapts so well to whatever we're doing in life. Although nursery still seems to be a struggle..... :/

Lately.... he throws MAJOR hissy fits/tantrums when he's been outside playing and has to come inside. He is very much an outdoor kind of boy. This all started around the 16/17 month mark - and it's not JUST when he has to come inside either, but about other random things too!!! It's actually kinda hilarious, although we can't let him know that. ;)

Recently, we've been gifted with 2 large trash sacks of clothes for Noah!! And if you'll remember, before Noah was born, we were gifted with 3 lawn and leaf bags stuffed with clothes!! He's been spoiled with toys/baby gear galore from all kinds of friends. Everything looks SO brand new you'd never be able to tell! We love free toys, clothes and baby gear!! =)

We are celebrating his 18-month birthday with fireworks tonight. =) Tomorrow he has his 18-month well-child-check. At which "event" do YOU think he'll have more fun? ;)

Here's a few pictures over the past several months:

I Love My New House, Guys!

I love going up and down the stairs - I think it's funny to give Mommy a heart attack and try to go down forwards instead of backwards.

I love my new playroom where ALL my toys can be out and I can spread out and play with them everywhere and make a big mess if I want to.....

..... and I love having my friends over once or twice a week for all the playdates Mommy sets up for me!! (I love it when all of Mommy and Daddy's friends come over all the time too). ;)

I love the big open spaces where I can run (and have Daddy (and Mommy) chase me)! I love making BIG messes..... ooops!! I love helping Mommy clean up! I am trying to love my pool, where I can swim outdoors and play with the balls indoors.
I love my new room. I sleep SO good in here!
I love my backyard and being outside - there's SO many fun things to explore and pick up! My head hardly looks up!

I LOVE the train that comes by - although I can't see it from downstairs, I still run to the windows and try anyhow. It excites me very much.
I love all the railings - it's fun to be able to see everything!
I love Mommy's new washer and dryer - it's fun to watch the clothes spin around.
I LOVE living really close to ColdStone Creamery. Ice cream is definitely one of my favorites. =)

I love SO many other things about my new house - but as you can tell, I keep my Mommy and Daddy on their toes so they don't have much time to blog about all the other fun things that I love. =) Maybe someday. =)