Conner's First Meal!

The other night we decided it was time to start this little guy on some solids! He has been eyeing our food and grabbing at it lately. He even tried to drink out of our water bottles and knows exactly where to go to drink. 

Here is is ready to go. 

He was not happy about the bib and is apparently not a patient little guy!

First bite!! He was SO excited! And then grabbed it and tried to feed himself. We took a video as well, but I've tried three different times and I can't get it to upload...but nothing exciting, he just likes it!

He's been a champ and has been on solids for 5 days now. We are going to give him sweet potatoes next (it is what I have in the fridge)!! 

Air and Space Museum

The other weekend we were super excited to have our Brother-in-law Rick come and stay with us for two days. So while he was visiting we took him to the Air and Space Museum to see the space shuttle Discovery, which had just come to the museum that week. It was really neat and I'd never been to see this one. There is one downtown and this one is out by the airport. 

As you can see Conner was super happy and excited to be on this trip! He had another blow out right when we got out of the car. I am beginning to think this is a pattern for him or something since that is the third time he has had a blow out right when we get to a destination. He even had a blowout in the middle of Ikea the other day, which was awesome so two other ladies that we were with went with us to a corner, one cleaned the stroller and held his searching hands while the other handed me wipes and we gave the poor guy a make-shift bath. But he loved every minute of the attention and being naked. We have even tried going up a size in diapers to try and decrease blow-outs, which has helped, but I think this little guy is just powerful!! 

This is the Enola Gay, the B-29 that dropped the atom bomb.

And here is the Discovery. It has been on I believe 30-something missions.

We couldn't resist....

Our future astronaut!!

And Rick. We did get a picture with all of us, but it did not turn out so well. And the guy we asked to take it looked so promising...fancy camera and all!!

Some of the gunners...

Then this guy was worn out and ready for a nap. I guess looking at airplanes is hard work!

And finally passed out later with Uncle Josh.

It was a fast visit but come back soon Rick! And bring the family!!

Satisfied Customer? I think so!

So about 4 years ago my life changed forever when I saw my first ever Dyson DC 40 Animal. It was pretty much love at first site. Ever since then I've been coveting this "dream vacuum". So when Dustin and I got married and I finally needed to get a vacuum of our own....you guessed it. There is no room in the budget for newly weds for a $600 vacuum (don't have a heart-attack at the price please!). So we borrowed a $50 dirt devil from my Grandma, who had two vacuums (one for upstairs and one for down) until we could get our own. So for two years I've continued to lust after this purple piece of beautiful plastic. I can tell you where they are at our local Best Buy, Costco, and other stores that carry them. Pathetic you think?? Perhaps, but still, there is nothing like finding out that you've needed something so much.

However, after two years of the lusting and it coming to no effect, and my grandma needing to get her vacuum back sometime, it was time to throw in the towel, and admit that at this time in my life, and perhaps never, who knows, I will never own a Dyson DC40 Animal-Ball Technology Upright Vacuum Cleaner. So it was time to find another replacement. After hours of research and reading reviews on Amazon (I swear sometimes they just make things worse!) I realized that for my little two bedroom 900 sq foot home, a Dyson isn't needed.

So I know you are all dying to know what we got?!? Well we bought the Shark Navigator LiftAway. We got it this morning, I assembled it and was vacuuming in less than 5 minutes, it was that easy. And this baby has suction! It has power! It is light, it is way less than 1/3 the cost of my dream Dyson, and it is small and stores well (Dustin's favorite feature). I don't mind that the actuall front is small, I run the vacuum over the same place like 10 times anyways, no matter the size. And it fits in small places and between furniture and everything. It also detaches and so you can easily vacuum stairs, bathrooms (I swear it is the only way to get ALL that hair of mine! Oh the pregnancy hair that I'm loosing!!) and other places your normal vacuum can't go. So let's just say we're satisfied. But don't worry Mr. Dyson, we won't forget you.

And to top it all off, look how much dirt this baby picked up today! Keeping in mind that I vacuumed....maybe 3-4 days ago. Gross!! But Cool!! It works!

Our new little friend.

Camping Trip

Jessica and Carter are moving soon to Utah and so as a little thing to do with them before they leave, we went camping! It was fabulous. I'm afraid to tell you all where we went because you might want to take our super secret spot!! Ok, it isn't super secret but it sure was pretty! We camped at one of the sites along the C&O canal. They have sites every 4-5 miles or so, so that you can stop and camp while you are biking. VERY cool. There was a table, and two fire pits, a latrine and a water pumped etc. So for a free night camping right on the potomac and pretty much being completely by ourselves....it was amazing! We did have to hike 0.3 miles in from where we parked our car, but no biggy. That is if you don't have a baby to bring with you....or a dutch oven....or a massive tent....but we made it! Pack and play, and stroller, and diaper bag and all!!

And I know I say this a lot, but once again Conner was a champ!! He sure loved it. But at the end was very much ready to go since he was tired and having a hard time taking a nap in broad daylight where he could hear all of us laughing and such outside the tent. What can I say...he loves people!!

He especially LOVES women. He is a flirt!! Even with Aunt Jessica. She is one of his favorite people. Can't you tell??

This is the view of the river from our camp site.

Dustin being the most dutiful and wonderful husband and setting up our air mattress for us :) I love how I gave Dustin this for his birthday....best gift he ever got.

Conner just chilling in his pack and play while we set up camp and get a fire going for our amazing tin foil dinners. Things we learned....we had a very hot fire...so double wrapped dinners cooked best. And the keilbasa sausage was not good in the dinners either. But sausage worked amazing!! Carter is becoming quite the cook over the fire.

Our fire

Carter getting some water from the pump.

It got COLD that night. I mean not super cold. We were able to be just fine with our sweatshirts and by the fire, but I have to admit I was super paranoid about Conner being too cold. I mean they make you super paranoid about all that stuff and stories about babies and blankets, etc so what do they expect you to do when the baby is cold and they need to sleep? And they aren't supposed to sleep with you either....solution? Yes. We swaddled him in a blanket and then tucked him into his snow suit. Yes, his arms are not in the sleeves, he is all nice and cuddly tucked in there. He did super well and stayed warm the whole night, trust me I checked....a lot. But he only woke up twice. But he was sure ready to get up with the sun and not let anyone else miss out on any of the fun! Silly boy.

Here we are making breakfast, Dutch Oven style.

We forgot cooking utensils, so we moved the coals with sticks, and stirred with a regular spoon. Inventive I know!

See! Very talented.

I was still cold and Conner took a nap all snuggled with me while our food cooked.

Carter was tired....

Dustin liked playing with the briquettes.

Conner just kept sleeping......

What was left our of delicious meal. Eggs, sausage, potatoes and cheese. YUM! We call it the MAN Breakfast. Dump and stir.

And add ketchup.

OH yes, and orange juice.

So happy to be here.

Getting in a snuggle with dad too!!

And then magically it got HOT. So we threw the football around, played a few card games at the table, and then when Conner got really cranky...packed up and left. It was fabulous and we plan on doing it again really soon. Any takers??

Dustin's Birthday

We sure had fun celebrating Dustin's Birthday this year! We got to celebrate it Spiderman style! Thanks to party gifts from Melanie. My younger brothers stayed the weekend with us and helped us decorate for the party. Most of the things you'll see were their doing. Thanks David and Josh!

Here is the ice cream cake with Reeses and carmel. Yum!!

Conner even was ready to celebrate being Spiderman "In Training". As you can see he's super happy. :)

We should "Be" all of these things, including "Be Spiderman".

Yes, Conner even had a Spiderman Jacket :)

After eating Meatball Sub Casserole we went out and sent off balloon rockets.

I couldn't get mine to blow up, so I had to hold my lips around the tube in order to blow it up or else they would release from me blowing so hard...

And they are off!!

Conner wanted to help!

Some broke......

And then Jessica got a hold of the camera....

Carter chilled at home while we went out. He sprained his ankle and couldn't walk that far. But I think he still had fun!!

The cake!!!

Happy Birthday to "ME!"

Conner was determined to eat some ice cream too!!

Here is the front door...again David and Josh did it all.

The Dining Room....

And the awesome blow things....what are they called???

Having wars with the blow things...

And Grandma even had Spiderman suddenly grow on her forehead since she was so full of Spidey spirit.

And it isn't a party with out some Ohio State represented.

Yes, we had a center piece as well....

We love birds!

And we even made tags for all of the gifts. Ok, so we had a lot of fun with it!!

And we got wetsuits!! Yes, it was even a fun birthday for me too! These are for our hike through Pine Creek in Zion this summer. Yeah!!

And we now have a new baby in the house....

Who needs to stay hydrated....

The loot.....

We celebrated pretty much all weekend, and it was a blast! Happy Birthday my dearest husband! We all sure love you!!