July Fun

It's so hot here that if we can find an indoor place with a play area - we go! This is at a McDonald's.  I like how they have a toddler area and a place for bigger kids.  Sammy loves to slide; his word for it is "Wheeeee!" :) 

He recently discovered that going down on your tummy is fun!

Turtle!

More silly Sammy faces.  Haha

The train puzzle Noni and Papa got him awhile ago.  It's 2-sided with different pictures on each side.  We have fun building it (easy enough for him right now), and looking for different things in the pictures.  It's definitely a favorite right now.

On Sundays, we like to go for ice cream.   Sammy liked my strawberry and banana creation, but didn't eat much of Mike's chocolate one.  And Sammy REALLY liked the waffle bowl dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. 

Sammy uses his spoon really well.  He still has a little trouble with some solid foods, but overall he doesn't need much help to feed himself anymore.  

Watering the tomatoes

We went to the 4th of July parade.  The town said it was going to start at 9 but it was after 10 when it finally did.  It was too hot, and we almost left.  I'm glad we got to see it, and I think Sammy had fun.  Here he stole my chair.  :) 

Looking for new friends. 

When we go to the store, Sammy likes to help push the cart or ride on the end.  I think one day he was trying to help Mike push when the cart got away from him.  Now he likes to ride through the store being dragged.  What a funny boy!

This is at a park near our house.  It's a nice park with a couple of play areas, and swings.  We haven't seen too many other children there, which has been a bit of a bummer to me.  We definitely enjoy this area when we go.

Peek-a-boo

Someone loves to swing!

Sammy is usually so happy.  He does have his moments when he's definitely not smiley, but Mike and I feel so blessed to have such an easy-going and happy boy.

We'll see you on here again soon.  If you tried to watch the video in the last post and it didn't work, I did fix it. 

Colorado Visit

It has been such a long time since I saw my family in Colorado, so Sammy and I headed up there for a long weekend.  We wish Mike could have gone but he has used up most of his vacation for the year with the move and all.  We'll have to get him up there soon, tho.

Sammy and Grandma Dee.  He was looking at the VERY noisy cows on the hill, and having a blast with my mom. He is such a happy and friendly boy.  He hardly showed any fear or shyness when we arrived.

Riding in the skid-steer with Grandpa Ken.

Keeping his ears protected - even though the engine was never on.

My step-dad is an independent contractor and has this laser temperature gauge.  My mom was using it to "get" Sammy.  Mike thinks I should send this in to AFV - it's pretty funny. :)

One morning, my mom's dog would not go in her pool.  Later in the day we found out it was because a bat was stuck in it.  My step-dad fished it out, and it was still alive! It crawled off and lay on a log for a few hours before it was warm and dry enough to fly away.  Bats are kind of gross, but I felt pretty bad for it.  We think it was in there part of a night and most of a day.

We enjoyed their gas firepit one night.  Here Sammy is pointing at a helicopter flying overhead.

Here is Sammy pointing at Grandpa Ken to turn up the flame.  They were playing a game with Sammy blowing on the fire, and Grandpa turning up the flame.  It was pretty fun.

"Ready - 1, 2, 3..."

"Blow!"

A happy boy enjoying his game with Grandpa.

My three kids and granddaughter.  Love these guys.  

Dan had to work Sunday night and Monday so he let me keep Autumn overnight.  I can't believe how big she is getting! She starts school in a few weeks, and is really excited.  I feel a little bittersweet about the whole thing, but I know she'll do great.

We stopped at Babies 'R Us to pick up a toddler backpack for Sammy and they had these Mickey's and Minnie's on-sale for less than $7 (I think because they have 2015 on their feet).  The kids didn't care, and both of them held or slept on them throughout the day.

Sammy wearing Grandma Dee's shoes.  She said, "Finally my shoes are too big for someone".  Grandma has very small feet. 

At the mall riding an ice cream truck.  Sammy was the driver and Autumn took the orders. 

We went to Steak and Shake before our next stop.  We had to show Grandpa Mike a picture because it's his favorite place to go.  I think these guys like it too, because they ate their lunch, drank their small shakes, ate most of MY fries and drank part of MY shake!  I couldn't believe how much they consumed.  

Our last stop was a nice visit to Whit's End and Focus on the Family.  I love going here, because they have play areas for different age kids.  And I haven't found a kid yet that didn't like it.  Thanks to my sister for introducing it to me.  We sure missed her and her girls this time around.

Sliding.

Autumn and an on-the-go Sammy

Picture at the tunnel.  

Where's Sammy?

There he is! Both of these kiddos were asleep about 5 minutes after leaving Whit's End.  They had helped me run some errands then played hard.  They definitely deserved a good nap. :) 

I had to get a picture of Sammy with the new skill Grandma Dee taught him.  He can now do a thumbs-up, and is really proud of himself.  :) 

I've got some pictures from this month still to post, and then I'll continue with the months back to September to catch everyone up on.  

April

April was the month that Mike moved to Gillette for a few weeks while we tried to figure out what to do next.  He was facing a possible layoff, and we weren't sure what God had in store for us at the time.  We tried to make the best of it, and you'll see lots of pictures with Mike and Sammy.

A fun new way to eat Cheerios.  Haha!

Putting blocks down his shirt. 

How many can I fit???

Daddy's turn.  

At Uncle Jeff's an Aunt Kelly's house wearing a coonskin hat.

This silly boy and all his faces! He cracks me up!

Not that he learned it from anyone....  :) 

Playing in the dirt 

Our Hollywood look

This is one of the first pictures where Sammy looks more like a big boy to me.  He looks so tall, and not like a baby or toddler so much.

Sammy did this himself.  He loves to cuddle with his bear and puppy, but I can never quite figure out how he gets them on his back. 

Sammy was making a new face that looked like an exaggerated "ooh".  He did it in such a way that it pulled his eyes down a little.  Silly boy!

One day, he found a winter hat (that doesn't fit anymore) and had to wear it around the house for the better part of a day. 

"I mustache you to stop taking so many pictures!"

My mom and step-dad visited during the month right before Mike found out about his transfer to New Mexico.  The day after they left, we woke up to this HUUUGE snowfall.  I blamed my mom because it had snowed in Colorado the day the left to come to our house, and they almost weren't able to visit.  I'm sure she brought it with her. :) 

Kissing Violet.  This is the cat we gave to our daughter, Shae, when we moved to New Mexico. Violet was the only one who could tolerate Sammy, but he was starting to be mean to her too.  She is a very spoiled and pampered princess in her new home, so we know it was a good decision.