Couldn't Resist!

More pictures from the Hills' trip....... (too many to choose from)

Aunt Mary with Charlie

Aunt Mel with Mak

Charlie with Aunt Tina

Nana, Papa, and Charlie feeding BIG JOHN (Papa's St. Bernard)

Uncle Gabe and Charlie

CAN WE STAY MOMMA? PLEASSSSSSE!

"Well, good morning Mommy"

Charlie and I got home on Saturday night from an awesome week at Nana and Papa's house in the hills (Charlie started calling his grandmas "Nana" now). I didn't realize how much I missed the Black Hills until this trip - being outside, surrounded by family, and laughing until my sides ached. Charlie was able to spend a lot of time with his grandparents, aunts Mary and Tina, and cousins Malaki and Isabelle. AND he finally let uncles Tim and Gabe hold him w/o the water works!!! There are a ton of pictures to view - I don't go anywhere w/o my camera. Hope everyone is doing well. See you at Charlie's birthday party on May 3rd.

Charlie, Nana, and Mak (he doesn't like to sit)

Charlie and Izzy racing after a ball

Papa w/ Izzy, Charlie, Nana w/ Mak @ Canyon Lake Park

Charles Timothy @ Canyon Lake (beautiful background)

"Put some clothes on Mak!"

My beautiful neice Isabelle

Papa giving Charlie a pep talk @ lunch

Papa and Izzy eating bagels

Aunt Mel w/ Izzy @ Canyon Lake

Charlie went crazy over the ducks and geese @ the park!

Papa and Izzy feeding the ducks

"Mom, they're in the water now?!"

"Nana you crack me up"

"Watch out! Hide your keys! He even drives standing!"

Nana with her boys @ lunch

Charlie, Mak, and Izzy @ the bagel shop

HAPPY EASTER!

bunny ears from ECFE

We hope everyone had a great Easter celebration in South Dakota and Minnesota. We had all of the Olsons in St. Peter for dinner and a hunt for plastic eggs. Because it really isn't spring in MN at all right now and we still have snow on the ground, the hunt took place in our basement. The kids didn't seem to mind b/c their baskets were full in the end.
It was a great weekend aside from Mom being sick and Charlie's trip to the ER on Saturday. He broke out in hives in the morning after having french toast with Mom and Dad. His whole lil body was covered in red blotches and his face swelled like a balloon. Of course, I knew what they were b/c I am the queen of hives. As we are sitting in the ER Tim says; "Well Mel I imagine we should be seeing your hives any minute now!" (I get hives from stress not allergies)
Ironically, this morning I had hives all over my legs - so thanks a bunch Honey.
In the end, we are grateful for a fun filled weekend and the company of family.

New Tonka truck from Uncle JP & Aunt Emily

Chillin' with Dad after dinner

Cousins Karlie and Claire with Charlie

Emptying my bunny basket from Nama

"I found another one Dad!"

Charlie and Dad in the hunt

Bonding with Great Uncle Erik

Karlie, Sarah, Julia, Charlie, and Claire

The rocket again!

Underwater Adventures

Charlie went to the underwater exhibit at the Mall of America for the first time today with his cousins, Karlie and Claire. There was so much to see that Charlie's head was spinning the whole time.

Karlie, Claire, and Charlie sitting by a beaver display

Charlie trying desperately to touch a stingray

Charlie and Dad in the wild

Mom and Charlie checking out the sharks

Dad, Charlie, Claire, and Nama

A family in the shark tank

Karlie, Uncle JP, Claire, Charlie, and Dad

touching sharks!

Charlie and Dad trying on more goofy hats

A PRICELESS TREASURE!

Into Everything!!!

Charlie has been crawling and climbing on furniture for about a month now. We are so proud of him when he hits a new milestone and you can just see on his face that he is proud as well. We can't say that he hasn't been a handful though (pictures to prove it)!

Yesterday afternoon we were downstairs planning the menu for Easter. We turned around and realized that he had gone up three stairs on his own! Tim and I said "Charles Timothy!" and he turned around with a big grin on his face.

Tim may have told some of you that we call Charlie a turtle occasionally....... When you put Charlie on his back, he's stuck because he can't rolled over. It's sad and funny at the same time. It is just something that he has never done, but the physical therapist assured us that nothing is wrong. Some babies just skip steps in their development.Along with his crawling, climbing, new teeth, and attitude we are sad to report that we finally cut Charlie's hair. He was starting to look like a little Jewish boy with two long curls on each side of his head.
(The rocket in many of the pictures is Charlie's new favorite toy. Auntie Tina gave it to him for Valentine's Day)

BEFORE

AFTER

Playing Hide n Seek with Dad

(Charlie's not too good @ hiding)

Getting into Dad's reading material in the bathroom

Favorite new hiding place

Helping Mom do dishes

"Too Fast, Too Fast!"

"DAD, you said you wouldn't let go!"