Even MORE Birthday Fun!

Nathan still wasn't sure of what the whole "opening gifts" entails and means. He either just doesnt get it yet, or seriously has zero interest. He DID really enjoy ALL the gifts once they were open...especially anything having to do with Cars, or Lightening McQueen (it was amazing how many people bought him stuff pertaining to that, even when they didnt know of his obsession).

Oh yes, and he LOVED the cake (as did I! Thanks Dee Dee!)!

Opening more gifts.

More Birthday

The Birthday Boy.

I realized halfway into Nathan's party that the next 2 year old Birthday party that I am going to throw is going to be a "Balloon" theme. You see, the kids couldn't get enough of all the balloons...so I just decided to untie them all and let the little tykes go to town. Which they did! And there is Nan right in the middle of it! :)

(From left: Dylan Williams, Audrey Freeman, Nathan, Alexa Mortenson...and of course Nan/Clara Rhodes)

Happy 2nd Birthday Nathan! (Post #1)

Whew, year numero 2...and we are still alive! We had a great celebration for Nathan on the 16th. At the time I was planning the shindig, Nathan was very much into tractors, and he had just gotten his new John Deere tractor from Nan and Paps. SO, why not do a John Deere themed party I thought? Of course, by the time his party rolled around, he had changed his interest completely and is now 100% obsessed with the movie "Cars". He LOVES Lightening McQueen and would probably watch the move 8 times a day if allowed (remember the garage door obsession? It is ALMOST at that level.). So, in hindsight, if I could have seen into the future, we would have had a Lightening McQueen party, alas...I am not THAT talented ;)

The party was great! Everyone came, everyone ate, everyone laughed...and Nathan got a lot of great gifts. I do think he was a little overwhelmed with all the adults and children in the same place, but he did a great job and managed to chat everyone up!

Pure Enjoyment!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Oooh Crayons!

We were at Target (oooh Target!) a couple of weeks ago, and I picked up some bathtub crayons for Nathan to try...in the bathtub. Prior to this, he really has not been interested in coloring or any kind of "craft" along those lines. Well, to my delight and surprise he LOVES his bathtub crayons. Loves them!

Yesterday I was cleaning our bathroom, trying to get the crayon pictures off the shower and tub walls, when I hear Jonathon say "Nathan!!! Rach, come here..." So I venture into our room where I thought Nathan was quietly watching one of his "show shows", and below is what I found:

Oh yes, make no mistake, the boy LOVES coloring now...and it just so happens that our bed frame makes for a great surface! ;) Our first "Nathan, do not color on the walls" talk.

Luckily, it wiped right off...now if I could just figure out how to get it off the carpet. ;)

The Best Pillow in the World

Why is it that you can buy the most expensive, most comfortable couches/chairs/pillows/blankets (etc.) in the world and yet the best place to lounge, as a child, is on your Mom's lap (or in this case...just your Mom)? I remember as a child, going to church, and wanting to just lie my head down on my Mom's lap...it was always so comforting and soothing. As you can see, Nathan's favorite pillow is...well, me...sometimes he confuses me with a jungle gym too!

The bruises, sore back, shoulders and neck...it is all worth it in the end.

Some Things Never Change

You all might recall the early days when Nathan did this: http://nathanielcharles.blogspot.com/2006/12/nathaniel-contortionist.html

and this:

http://nathanielcharles.blogspot.com/2006/10/rise-and-shine.html

It's nice to see that some things never change:

They just get bigger.

Even MORE Summer Time Fun!

As you can see, in the photos below, Nathan and Alexa are not having ANY fun at all! They look so miserable playing at the water park! ;)

I was talking to Jeanne the other day, and we both agreed that we have no idea where the summer has gone! It is almost over folks, or it feels that way anyways. We are at the end of July...and we all know what August means: school (for those going to school). Pretty soon we will be itching for long pants and sweatshirts (well, most of us anyways...me included, which is a first, EVER! Though I feel a longing for pants and sweatshirts, that does not mean I yearn for frozen feet and heavy coats! ;)) It all goes so fast.

Early Birthday Gift Part 2

Of course, you cannot have your very own tractor without the proper license plate to put on it!

Like Great-Grandfather, Like Great Grandson. Two peas in a pod!

Thanks Nan and Paps for the awesome birthday gift for Nathan!

Early Birthday Gift

Last week, I took Nathan out to Nan and Pap's house for the day, and this is what was waiting for him. At first he was a little timid with it, but before long he was following Paps around "mowing the lawn". He LOVES it!

All new and shiney!

"Hmmm....what is this all about?"

"I LIKE this!"

More Summer Fun!

Nathan's new favorite park is the park in Douglas Hills (neighborhood). I don't know what it is about this particular park that he has fallen in love with, but he calls it the "purple dinosaur park" ( because...well...it has a purple dinosaur). Here are some photos of just one of the many trips we have made there this summer...

"To slide, or not to slide..."

Swinging with Dad...notice the same expression on their faces...

Riding a horse...

First Trip to the Dentist

Nathan went to the Dentist last week, for the first time. In all the books, they say you should start making Dentist visits when the child starts getting teeth. Well, Nathan started getting teeth at 5 months...so according to the "professionals", we are a little late in getting there. Alas, I here he is at his first Dentist appointment. They really couldn't do a whole lot in the cleaning area, as Nathan wouldn't open his mouth for longer than 2 seconds, and he kept biting all the instruments...but they said his teeth look fine and to come back when he was 3. It was a good visit...for about 10 minutes, and after that Nathan caught on and wanted to go home. By the time we waited for the Doctor, he was done...ready to go get the sticker they kept promising him. ;) Smart kid!

Pictures of Summer

The Cousins...Part 2

Beau, 3 years (and Nathan. I dont know how I didnt get a picture of Beau alone...)

Baby Riggs, 10 months (on Saturday)

The Cousins...Part 1

Kreed, 10 years old

Dawson, 7 years old

Ryker, 5 years old

THIS Is What You Call Dirty!!

End of the day dirty feet after playing with the cousins! This is what you call playing hard!

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! :)

Changes....

Yes, you read that correctly...it says "I'm the big brother."
Get it?
Here, I'll give you a few seconds to comprehend the meaning....

~one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand~

NOW, do you get it? ;)
Yes...soon...in early 2009, Ice Ice Baby will become Ice Ice BABIES.