Riding with a Friend

August 13

Today, Michael took a ride over to the neighbors house on his Kawasaki. The little girl Ashley came out with her Jeep Wrangler and they rode around the yard together. Then, Ashley wanted to take Michael for a ride so I put him into the seat next to her and she drove them around. I don't know what Michael was thinking but he just kept looking around as if he wanted to say, "Mom, why did you put me in this Jeep?"

Fun in the Ford

August 11

Tonight, Colin and Pop came over for dinner. After dinner, when they were about to leave, Mike put Michael and Colin into the back of the pickup. They thought it was the best!! They ran around and giggled for about 10 minutes before we had to pull them out!! It was very cute to see them play together.

Helping Mommy

August 11

One of Michael's new and favorite things to do is to help me unload the groceries when we get home from the store. Here he is putting bread crunbs into the refrigerator!!

Rainbows

August 10

Today, we had a little sun shower and Mike had the idea to go outside to check for a rainbow. When we got outside we were confronted by the biggest and most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. It went right over our house from front to back. It is moments like these that confirm my beliefs that Daddy is safe and happy in heaven. Immediately, I called Mom and Mom Mom (MomMom was in town visiting) and I told MomMom that PopPop had sent her a sign from heaven. She was thrilled.

Our little Monkey

August 8
Today, I was cleaning up the nursery while Michael crawled into the front living room. We have baby proofed the house enough that I feel comfortable to leave him for a minute or two before I run out to get him. Today, I thought he had gotten a little quiet and something told me I had better get out there to check on him. Boy, my gut instincts were right!! I found him on the table with a pen in his mouth sitting next to a bottle of windex. Of course, he was very excited and happy to have surprised his Mommy. I took a minute to grab a picture and put him back on the floor. He climbed right back up on the table...the entire time with a huge smile on his face. He did it about ten times in the next 10 minutes. Now I really don't know how I will get anything done around here!!

Peekaboo...I see you!!

August 7

Today, Michael and I were playing in the family room. I walked over to the kitchen to grab a drink and told him I would be right back. This is what I found when I returned to the room. It took me a minute and then I saw that little hand peeking out from under the ottamon. Of course, I lifted the side and he just laughed!!

We had tried an obstacle course the day before and I had showed him with some difficulty how to climb under. Now, I guess this will be a favorite place to play peekaboo.

He climbed in

but could not get out!! Somehow, Michael got into this basket and he tried and tried to get out but was unable to get his foot high enough over the side. Finally, he gave out a cry and Mommy came to the rescue.

Kawasaki

August 3

For Micahel's first birthday, Grandma got him his little Kawasaki. Tonight was the first time we put him on it. We were so excited. I waited for Mike to get home from work and then we watched him on the driveway. It amazed me how he knew right away to push and hold that little red button and he was off!! He drove right over into the neighbors yard!! The entire time he drove the Kawasaki he kept looking back at us...he hardly watched where he was going!!

Swinging with Daddy

August 3

Tonight, after Mike finished hanging the swing, we put him in it for his first ride. He loved it!! The higher I pushed him the more he would laugh. Grandma and MiMi both get nervous when they see how high we push him, but that is how he loves it. He is such a little thrill seeker!!


The other picture is here because it is one of the only pictures where you can see Michael's teeth. He now has 8 teeth but you can hardly ever see them in pictures!!

Michael's Tree Swing

August 3

For Michael's birthday, Mike and I got him a bucket swing for the tree in our back yard. Michael loves the swings and I have always dreamed of having a tree swing for our kids. We are so lucky because Uncle Joe is a professional tree guy!! He climbs huge trees all the time and has even won awards in tree climbing competitions!! Uncle Joe came over today to hang the swing for Michael. It was exciting to watch, and to be honest with you, I was very shocked at how high he climbed. He went to the very top of the tree!! He is very talented. These are pictures of Uncle Joe during his climb. Also, here is one of Mike attempting to climb the tree without too much luck!!

Facing Forward

August 2

Aunt Ashlynne picked Michael and I up today for a quick ride to Mom's house. This was Michael's first car ride facing forward!! It was very sweet because I could tell he was just so thrilled. He just kept looking around and smiling and he even clapped his hands. I can't wait for Mike to see him ride forward!!

Crocs

July 30

I love these Crocs on Michael even though Mike can't stand them!! I just think he looks so darn cute! Maybe someday Mike will grow to love Crocs.

PennFab- 25 Years!!!

July 28

Today, we celebrated PennFab's 25th Anniversary!! Congratulations Dad and Mom!!! What an amazing accomplishment!!!!

Also, I am very proud of Mike for the wonderful job he has done at PennFab for the last 10 years. He has devoted himself to following in Dad's footstep and keeping PennFab as successful as it has been.

We celebrated at MiMi and Pop's house and the best part was that Micahel was able to take a swim with Daddy.

Happy First Birthday!!

On July 26, Michael turned one! It is really hard to believe that our little guy has reached his first birthday. To celebrate we had a big birthday bash with our friends and family. It was so much fun. We rented a pirate moon bounce and had a baby pool and slip-n-slide. The moon bounce was a real hit. Michael is so fearless. He loved going down the slide on his own and would try to climb back up to go again. Even when he would tumble down he would laugh and smile!!

Mom made Michael's truck cake and Aunt Aimee made his individual heart cake. He really enjoyed the cake. He got his hands right into it and was covered very quickly with the blue icing. I don't think he ate too much..he just like playing with it!! We were so thrilled that we were able to share this day with so many people we love. Michael is such a blessing in our lives and we love him so much!!! This has been the best year of my life!!

At Michael's one year appointment, he was 31 inches and weighed 24 pounds, 2 ounces.
He had taken 5 steps before his birthday...we were so exicted and can't wait for him to walk. He plays a little game on the stairs in the family room. He gets up and takes some steps to us and when he falls he crawls over real quick to either hug me, Mike, or Clover..then he hurries back to do it again. Of course, we are clapping and cheering the entire time. He is enjoying gymnastics at the YMCA and loves to swing at the park. He is starting to become a little climber. He climbed into his Jeep walker all by himself a few days before his birthday!! I was shocked. He has become more and more vocal. He says MaMa and DaDa and can point to Clover and the fans in the house. He loves taking things in and out of buckets and sticking the balls into his dinosaur toy. It is really amazing how quickly he learns.

Chincoteague

July 13-July 20

This week, Mom, Aimee, Ashlynne, the kids and I all went to vacation in Chincoteague. We were all a little anxious because Daddy was with us the last time we were there. It was like walking down memory lane. We had a fantastic time. Some of my favorite parts were shelling on the beach, fireballs from Ponytails, The Island Creamery, swimming in the ocean, enjoying the kids and spending time with my family.

We went for a long walk down the beach one day to find beautiful shells. Michael loved putting the shells in the bucket and Aimee found a conch shell!!

Michael really became a beach baby this week. He loves the sand and water. He also napped under the shade house on the beach each morning. The picture of Michael napping on the beach was a really funny moment. He was so tired...when I layed him down on the beach blanket I took his hat off and placed it next to him-he picked it up, put it over his face and fell asleep!!

Michael and I had a wonderful time but we really missed Daddy. We can't wait to bring him back to Chincoteague over Labor Day weekend.

Gymnastics

Michael is taking a gymnastics class at the YMCA this summer. He has really started to enjoy climbing and rolling. He loves crawling through the tunnel and riding on the scooter. He also loves to roll down the wedge with Mommy. It makes him smile and laugh.

July 8

Grandma bathing Michael in the kitchen sink.

Cruising

July 6

Noodles

July 5

Michael loves playing with his noodles! This was an idea that Aunt Ashlynne suggested. He will sit and play with the noodles for a long time. He loves to climb in and out, scoop noodles, throw noodles, and run his hands and feet through the noodles. It is really so much fun. Tonight, Mike and I were exhausted from our trip home from the beach so we got the noodles out for Michael. His new trick is to try and stand on top of the noodle bin!!