Mom & Charlie Day

We didn't have baby Auden yesterday so Charlie and I took advantage of the free time. We went to the park before lunch, which was completely empty (extremely nice!). After I was done tutoring, we met our friends Kari and Mitchel at the pool. Then it was off to Dino's for dinner with Dad before I had my meeting. The waitress gave Charlie a ball of pizza dough to play with which he loved. Hope everyone's summer is going as well as ours!

Exploring on his own

"I love my life!"

Always his favorite part

Swinging together - trying to get a mother/son picture :)

Off to the toddler pool

Time for a nap

Our friends Mitchel and Kari

(Kari's c-section is Aug 4th!!)

"Am I suppose to eat this Momma?"

"I am playing with food and NOT getting in trouble!"

A Day @ the ZOO

Friday was our monthly playdate with cousins and Nama. We decided to go to the MN Zoo in the afternoon for exploration and ice cream! Charlie really enjoyed himself this time around - pointing at everything, around every corner. It is great to see him bond with his cousins, aunties, and Nama.

Nama, Karlie, and Charlie

"What's next Momma?"

Mom and Charlie at the shark tank

Aunts Emily and Heather with Claire

"Can I, Can I?" (Claire really wanted to get in with the BIG "kitty")

Two Of A Kind

Karlie was such a big helper - saved Charlie from the snake tunnel

Claire Bear and Charles T. lookin at the bears

The 3 cousins trying to find Nemo

"I scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!"

Charlie with his Nama wettin' their whistles

Charlie's New Tricks

Our baby is now a little boy! Everyday he amazes us with something else he has picked up from Tim, Luxie, or myself. Some of his new favorite things to do are: burb the baby (Auden), bring me his shoes to go outside, throw his ball for Pilsener, tickle Auden's toes, and CHAT. We figured out that he has about 10 words in his vocabulary right now and uses them frequently (Mom, Dad, Papa, Nana, out, up, dog, ball, NO, don't). We are definitely working on "yes mommy".

Tired baby @ the pool with friends Luxie and Missy

Playing with my new toys

Trying to put his shoes on himself

"1, 2, 3 CATCH"

A DOSE OF CHARLES T. TO KEEP THE DOC AWAY!

Papa w/ Charles T., Mom w/ her Papa and Nana saying "good bye for now"

On Friday we headed to Sioux Falls to see my grandfather who had spent a few days in the hospital. He is doing better, of course, after seeing Charlie! He is a very determined "young" man of 85 yrs. If we took him somewhere, he wanted to walk across the parking lot. He wants to get better fast and return to his apartment asap. He still has his sense of humor and unique charm. For now, he is in a nursing home in Sioux Falls but doesn't want to be there much longer (who would!).

Tim made the comment as we were walking through the nursing home - "It's amazing what youth can do for a person." Isn't that the truth!? Everyone stopped in their tracks to see the lil boy sleeping in his stroller or walking around outside chasing the bugs. These babies are such a blessing AND they will never understand until they are 85.

Charlie's showing Papa the way to our room

Charlie's Great Aunt Debbie entertaining him @ dinner

"Nana, can we eat him?!"

My two very tired boys after a rough night

Papa is showing Charlie how to use a fork - Watch out!

The balloon man at lunch made Charlie a monkey, but he wasn't very impressed

"We will see you soon G. Grandpa Ed & don't forget to drink your water!"

Happy Birthday Malaki Michael!!

BIG MAK turns 1 today!!! He was having his big party at Papa and Nana's house in the hills. We are very sad that we couldn't be with him on his big day but wait patiently for pictures. Aunt Mary said she got Mak a motorized car for his birthday! Apparently it is the funniest thing to see - she says he drives like his Uncle Tim H.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIL MAN!

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Malaki 1 year ago today

Happy 4th !!!

We had a great holiday weekend with Charlie's Nama and Aunt Heather. On Friday we went to the big parade in St. Peter, had fun in the pool, let Mom and Dad have a nice dinner out, and watched the fireworks from our front porch. After watching Charlie suffer at the parade from the heat, I decided it was time for haircut #6!

Charlie sitting with his buddy Grant @ the parade

"What do you think Grant? I thought we were suppose to stay out of the street!"

Daddy and Charlie sweatin' from the heat

Nama had the answer with an icy

Coolin' off in the pool at home

"This is where we should have been all day."

Picture of Haircut #6!!

We are not going to complain one bit about the amount of hair Charles T. has. My parents still tell me I didn't have hair until I was 3! He sat in the bathroom sink for about 15 minutes while I cut his hair. What a trooper!

Charlie's Newest Friend

Charlie and I started watching a new baby yesterday. Her name is Auden and she is two months old. Her dad works with Tim at BMI and it seemed to be a perfect fit.
Charlie was very helpful, trying to give her toys, finding her nose, and putting her socks on. At times he was sad because Auden had a bottle and he thought he needed one too. But the day went smoothly and we are happy to have her with us.

Tummy Time

"I'm doing great Mom and Dad"

Their first walk together - time for a double stroller

"Charlie wore me out!"