Pictures from our hike

Here are some pictures from our hike this past weekend - we were camping with the family


At the end of the trail. We hiked uphill for .4 miles....that isn't very far, but all uphill was a good workout.


a long view


There were some pretty flowers on the trail...

Helmet Head

Well, we are getting ready for the weekend and I decided to let Justin play with his helmet and get used to it....I think he likes it...finally!

Dancing to the music

Justin loves to dance to the country music! Sorry for the side view, don't think I can change that...and the hat was his own thing - he now loves to wear them around the house, hat and diaper - no clothes is the choice outfit most days.

Another use for the laundry basket

Justin and I had to run to the store this morning and he got a new set of Crayons for $0.30 (isn't that cheap?)...so I made him a laundry basket desk so I could work on the computer while he works too!

I know he is giving me the "look" here, but he does like it.

Happy Father's Day

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house yesterday for Father's Day...Justin was playing with his dump truck. . .


Justin is hanging with Grammy and Cami....he had fun playing with the dog, she is just the right size.


Daddy and Grandpa were putting up a fan outside and Justin needed to assist.


Measuring the fridge outside...a good job for Justin

Updates . . .

Todd painted the living room, kitchen, and a wall in our bedroom. . . I LOVE IT!

Living area:



Kitchen:


Bedroom:


Often when I am vacuuming, Justin wants to help...my vacuum has all the attachments, so he can play vacuum too.


The great outdoors...since coming home from Mom & Dad's, Justin wants to be outside all the time. Last night we planted some of the plants. He is a great helper, but now all he wants to do is take the dirt out of the pots. HHmmm...

Missing Mom. . .

As many of you know from reading "Tootlepops" that Mom passed away on May 31st. We had a full week of family and are now home. I think of Mom every day and miss her.

We had a video at her Memorial Service and yesterday I watched it for the first time since being home, it brought tears to my eyes and so many good memories too.

So, last night I gave Justin some applesauce for dinner with Cinnamon (the good kind) . . and about 10 minutes later this appears....it went away after about 30 minutes, but I guess I need to be a biyt more careful with cinnamon? He has graham crackers fine, but this was a good amount in the applesauce - it kinda got out of control....I read online to give him some more in 2 weeks and see what happens...I think I might try the cheapola kind though. I did read that the cheap kind and the good cooks kind have different ingredients in them and surprisingly enough - many people have a reaction to it.



We have been talking for a long time about doing some painting - but frankly we were afraid to add color...we have been here for a year and a half and were / are ready for something new. Here is the sample colors...first one for the one wall behind the entertainment center in the living room.


and this one will be the whole wall in the kitchen, we started with a sage green and progressed a bit darker....

We got the Yucks!

Well, yesterday when I was getting breakfast for Justin and I, he threw up all over me...he was just fine before that, playing and helping me vaccum the house.....so after that he just layed around most all day. He napped and then right before lunch, threw up again....last night again about Midnight and a little bit this AM...the doctor says the stomach flu is going around and it just has to pass by itself.....We will see how today goes....oh and lovely diarrhea too.

Naughty . . .

The other night Justin and Todd were playing in his room and this is what I found. . .



Here is Justin helping Todd hang up curtains for his room....the sun hits in the afternoon, so we are hoping these help with the temperature. .

this past week.

pics are a bit out of order, but here we go. Yesterday Todd took the day off to spend with Justin and I as it was our Anniversary on Thursday. Justin had a doctor appt at 2pm (he weighs in at 22.08 pounds / 25th percentile, and 32 3/4 inches tall / 90th percentile...the doc scared me as she asked if he had a previous heart murmur...and I said no, so he had a little bit of one, she says it is totally normal when they are growing, then she layed him down and it was gone...geez...terrify the mother!

So here is Justin before we are off to town for the day - in his new outfit from Grandma Nellie.



Hanging out one day - Justin now enjoys playing with hats on his head - maybe we can get him to wear them soon.


Goodwill find - a few weeks ago Justin was asleep in the car and there was a Goodwill nearby...He scored a few toys...I just cleaned them up yesterday though, this is one of them. It was a great deal at $2.50 (reg price $40)

He really likes it.

Parade Today

This picture was at the parade one year ago. . .




















And, here is Justin today!

Mothers Day BBQ

We had our first night of Mother's Day for June last night. We did a BBQ and enjoyed spending time with the family. Justin was really enjoying playing outside. . . and he got to put his feet in, so we might have to start swim lessons soon.















Here is a close up

Tonight

Today I have been inside most all day long, so as soon as Todd got home, he took Justin outside to play for a while. Justin is a bit crabby this afternoon, so I think we are getting another tooth.












He loves playing in the grass.

Todd made Justin a picnic table last weekend. . .

Here is Justin enjoying his table.

Sprinklers Anyone

Today has been a busy day here...well sorta. Todd worked outside most of the day. Justin is pretty much transitioning to one nap (yesterday and the day before we had 2 naps, the 2 days before that one nap, and now again just one nap)

Here is Todd and Justin today before we had dinner.


And we decided to take advantage of the sprinklers after Daddy mowed the lawn. . .Justin had great fun.

Another week

We are enjoying our yogurt in this picture. All is normal around our house. I (mommy) go walking every day with my friend and enjoy the outdoors. And, Justin now wants to be outside all the time.



Too cool.

At the Park with friends

Yesterday afternoon we spent at the local park with friends...here are some pics.



The kids play really well together.


Justin loves playing on the grass.


and we are up and walking now all on our own, can even get up by himself, this actually started when we got home from Mom & Dad's last visit.

Frugal Friday . . belated

not much this week has been frugal about me. I had a conversation with my dentist though about generic medicine (Infant Tylenol and IB). He said they are most likely made in the exact same plant and just have a different label on the front. After a patten expires, then anyone can make the item and so generics are a dime a dozen. We now only buy generic and I know that saves a lot of $$$. I bet I save at least $2.50 per bottle.

I wish there was a way to be more frugal about the cost of Gas....it sure does hit us when we go to the big town 1 or 2 times a week. We do drive our car now more than ever and only put in about $20 of gas when we need it in our SUV.

I have also been wanting to get a few books, so I looked at the online library catalog and they have them there, so I will be off this week to check them out - if time permits.

Molars . . . Again

So Justin is still struggling with his teeth. I noticed today that another molar is coming in, but on the bottom and the other side is really swollen. We gave him Tylenol and will keep it up...poor guy - he is drooling like crazy too.

We had our first tantrum yesterday at the grocery store too! I think the whole store knew we were there. He really wanted to get down and walk and when you are at this store, you really don't want him down walking on his own, too many people and trying to get through the store, so Justin and I were off to the car (kicking and screaming the whole way).

We have had a lazy day here. Had planned to go to the store, but nap time didn't happen on schedule, so it was later and we were ready to eat dinner. No new pics today.

Frugal Tuesday

Cook from home. . that is my frugal thought for today (since I have missed 2 fridays so far). Todd asked for Angel food cake for his Bday and I assumed we would just buy the store bought already done one that costs about 3.99. Well, we were in the cake section and you can buy the box mix for 88 cents..you just add water and bake...so easy. You don't even have to have the correct pan, you can do it in bread pans if you like. So, we saved almost $3 cooking ourselves..and we didnt' waste the plastic container and top that you buy and throw away or recycle.

Mustard . . .blogworthy?

Okay, so I was chatting with Aunt Dana yesterday and told her what I had gotten Todd for his birthday and she said I had to blog about it, everyone should get a kick out of it.

So, first let me say that Todd and I (since having Justin) have put more effort and thought into our child than ourselves, so our Christmas and Birthdays are more for Justin than us. And, agreed to not do Bday gifts this year.

Ok, so for months now I have been eyeing some Mustard (yes the kind you put on a sandwich) at the store. This is a special mustard from a local brewery (honey and spice I think)....and I thought it would be a fun and consumable gift, so that is what Todd received for his Bday from me & Justin!
So, he can now enjoy his gift for at least 2 weeks on his lunch :)

Happy Birthday to Todd today

Today is Todd's 32nd birthday. We haven't been too lively here. Yesterday Nellie took us to lunch and we went out window shopping a bit together.

We woke up (after our treacherous night with Justin) and I made Todd an Omelette - I must say that Todd is better at making these than I am. We went to the local store to get some goods and then hit the park, but Justin again was not in a great mood, so that didn't last long.

We are teething here, hence Justin being so grouchy. . and sometimes the mama being grouchy too.

I made an angel food cake with strawberry's for Todd's cake (per his request)...it was good...oh and we had BBQ steak for dinner (a treat that we rarely have) with sauteed mushrooms....and a salad...yummy!

Home again, Home again, Jigiddy Jig. . .

Justin and I spend a week at home with Mom & Dad...We had a nice time with them, and were able to visit with Tootlepops as well. . .

Oma came with me on the drive to get there and I did the drive home by myself...it was perfect. Justin is a great traveler. . the ride up was worse than home, as he didn't nap all afternoon - but was so very tired...oh well.

He slept great at my parents house, only woke up 1 time per night to eat and back into his pack n play....at Tootlepops house, it was a different story and since we have been home, another story as well. . . he is so stubborn...but, we still love him.

Here he is today on his car...



And in his other car. . . note the new hair cut . . .


Riding my car.


This is the way Justin rides, Justin Rides :)


Big Smiles . . I see a little bit of both Todd and I in this picture...mostly I think he looks like Todd.