Mud Pie Anyone?

Beau and Nathan playing in the mud.

I am honestly, not sure Nathan knew what to really make of playing in the mud...I don't think he was used to the concept of that (city kid!)...but he warmed up real quick!

"Ride Motorcycle?"

Nathan - gearing up for his first ride on the 4 wheeler. He didn't like the helmet at first, but he warmed up to it as he realized he had to wear one to ride the "motorcycle".

His first ride on the 4 wheeler...Melissa took him. Apparently he was fine with the ride, until I was out of sight. Then he started crying...and insisted that I take him for rides after that. Soon, though....he really liked it when his Uncle Matthew took him....

Riding with Matthew.

Whew! Much Needed Update!

Nathan and I went to Utah to visit the Frentheway Crew for a couple of weeks. What fun we had! We went to the zoo, Seven Peaks (water park), on a couple of picnics, to parks, we rode on 4 wheelers, played with cousins, looked at houses (for Matt and Melissa...not us...). We ran threw the sprinklers, missed naps, played in the mud, jumped on the trampoline, fed the dog, and pretty much just exhausted ourselves! It was soooo much fun, for both of us! I really wish we lived closer to them so that it could be more of an everyday occurrence, rather than every year and a half.

(From left: Beau, Nathan - I couldn't get him to look at the camera! - Kreed, holding Baby Riggs, Ryker, and Dawson)

Nathan enjoyed himself too ;) I think the first couple of days he was a little overwhelmed by all the cousins and freedom...but after that he really warmed up to the nonstop action. Of course, his obsession with the garage door did not disappear (though he isn't much interested in it upon our return home, which is a good thing for me!). In fact, I think he lost Melissa's opener somewhere around their house (sorry Mel!). The Frentheway Crew are big into motorcycles and 4 wheelers and bikes and such...so there was a bike of every kind for Nathan to try out. He really enjoyed riding on the 4 wheeler. At first he only wanted me to take him for rides, but he soon warmed up to letting Matthew drive him around. In fact, everyday now that we are home, he often says "Matthew...go fast...on 'tractor motorcycle'." And everyday he asks when we are going to go "visit the boys" again on an airplane. All the kids were very sweet to Nathan...and Nathan loves them dearly!

It was a great trip! I don't think I took enough pictures, but it was just so hard to capture every moment...when it happened. Hopefully it won't take another year and a half to get back out there for a visit...it should at least be a summer tradition! Thanks Frentheway Crew for having us for so long! :)

Pool Party!

Gianna the Diva. :)

Gianna

Ahh Gianna. Quite the diva already, but oh so adorable! Gianna is the granddaughter of one of Beth/Grand-Mom's friends. Gianna and Nathan are 9 months apart (Gianna, being older). While in Arizona, we got the kids together and let them play in the park and then go swimming...I have to say, 9 months doesn't seem like much, but Gianna is a true little girl. She doesn't have any "toddler" in her at all. It was fun to see what Nathan will be doing when he is 9 months older. I didn't even think that at some point even the word "toddler" would no longer describe my little baby boy. I guess pretty soon he will just...be...a boy.

What a sweet, sweet boy.

O-R-E-O

So while we were in Arizona visiting my Mom (more photos to come of our trip, I promise!), Nathan discovered the glorious goodness of the OREO. She had the little individual size packages of the mini-Oreos...perfect for little toddler hands. Anyways, as you can see, Nathan enjoyed them, immensely. He ate them as if they were a delicacy. It was quite entertaining.

Picture of the Day

Life is rough.

Arizona Fun!

Ahhhhhhhh!

Mmmmmm, water!

Just me and my Uncle Zane.

We jetted off to Arizona last Thursday for the Annual Grandparent Visit. My Mom met us at the airport and we proceed to make ourselves at home at her house...and at the pool (thanks Uncle Zane for getting us in for FREE!). Nathan has LOVED the warm weather and being able to spend all day outdoors. Grandma Frentheway has a pretty large backyard with a pool, a really nice swing set and lots and lots of rocks to fill the fountain. Tomorrow we trek up to Scottsdale to stay 3 days with Grand-Mom and Grand-Dad. That will surely bring more fun in the pool and the Arizona sun!

Home Plate

I forgot to post a picture of Nathan sitting on Home Base/Plate at the Field of Dreams....

One Mississippi, Two Mississippi

While in Nauvoo, we were able to let Nathan put his feet in the Mississippi River.

Catching Some ZZZZZ's

Nap time while sight seeing.

MOOOOOOO

While in Nauvoo, Nathan was able to see, up close, a field of Oxen (or cows to him). He giggled and clapped and mooed.

Mmmm....Go-Gurt!

Some of you may know that Jon and I are trying to be very careful about what Nathan eats. We just dont want him wanting/eating sugary, crappy food all the time. However, once and a while it is okay (we are trying not to be "THOSE" parents ;)). So, while at Leslie's I let Nathan taste his first Go-Gurt "popcicle" (Leslie puts them in the freezer for a frozen treat...great idea!). Here he is...LOVING every minute of it! :)
MMMM...its even better when it is smeared all over his face!

And...of course the dog liked to lick him clean (dont worry, the dog didnt lick him too much or for too long)

Field of Dreams

Yes, THE Field of Dreams (as in, the movie with Kevin Costner Field of Dreams). Leslie lives 10 minutes away...so of course, we had to visit. Here is Nathan in front of the welcome sign.

Sitting where the little girl fell off the bleachers and choked on a hot dog...

In front of the house.

THE Field.

"If you build it, they will come." Nathan and I coming out of the corn...

The Backyard of Backyards!

This is the backyard of Nathan's 2nd cousin, Leslie, and her family. They honestly live in the middle of a corn field (which was beautiful!!!), and have this HUGE backyard, obviously. Along with the two very patient dogs that Leslie has...Nathan was in Playground Heaven!

Vacation Recap

So...Nathan went on his first roadtrip! Last Friday we drove to Dyersville, Iowa to visit my cousin and her family. She just had her 7th kid (yes, SEVEN!), so you could imagine the playground that was for Nathan! He LOVED it!

He was a very, very good boy on the 8hour roadtrip. He only REALLY got fussy one time. The rest, we were able to stop often enough for him to stretch his legs and "run around" a little bit. I was very suprised and a bit nervous that he would hate every minute of it and an 8 hour roadtrip would turn into a 15 hour, two day event. To prepare, I had tons of somewhat healthy snacks, lots of new toys and books (yeah $1 Stores!). It helped A LOT that someone was sitting in the back with him at all times (my Mom and brother went too), mostly it was me because Zane wanted to drive...so I was able to entertain Nathan for most of the time. He did sleep when it was his normal naptime, which was nice. :)

The only real issue Nathan had was his new surroundings. He tended to be extremely clingy to those he knew well (i.e. me...or Grandma or Uncle Zane), and didnt sleep all that well (meaning woke up at 5am!) while there. BUT, that is to be expected in a different time zone and surrounded by 7 other kids!

After Dyersville, we drove down to Nauvoo for a couple of days then on home to Louisville. We got back in Louisville late Monday night. It was a great trip! I have TONS of pictures...:)