O-R-E-O

The last two weeks have gone by so quickly and I don't have much to show for it. Not a barrage of pictures nor a ton of stories. I can tell you that I have been enjoying the scorching hot summer days, though! I have been in the water often. I am cruising all over any and everything stable, climbing up and down the stairs without assistance (don't worry...Mom is there watching), saying "thank you" and "up" and making my family laugh A LOT.

I helped my friend, Andrew, celebrate his very first birthday recently. He showed me how this party stuff works, how to open cards and gifts, and play with lots of toys. He also had lots of tasty desserts that I was much obliged to sample...it's my duty as a guest to try brownies, cookies, and cupcakes! I believe that if being a guest is this great, being THE BIRTHDAY BOY is going to be the best! I am oh so ready for my day (which Mommy is quick to tell me is approaching way too rapidly). Can you believe it? I'm almost one!

My friend, Meghan, had this cool "slap" watch (like the old school bracelets, I'm told). It was the greatest thing I've ever held in my hands and I found it to be better than every toy in Andrew's house. What can I say? I'm a guy who knows what he likes.

Speaking of desserts, my silly Mommy just figured out that oreos are dairy free. Who knew? So, I actually got to have a cookie after dinner and wow was it tasty! I will trust Daddy when he tells me it is even better dunked in a cold glass of milk, and hopefully someday I will experience it for myself. In the meantime, the Berry Burst Oreo cookie all by itself is all the bliss I need!

Have a sweet week!

1st 4th

Last week we celebrated the 4th of July. My first Independence Day was marked by, well, a lot of independence. My brother and I (with some help from our parents) hosted a BBQ. Dad smoked a bunch of pork and we had lots of our friends over for some food and fun. I hung out with my bud Sully. He and I matched (just like our brothers)...how festive! Anna and Jacey came over and played with me. It was a lot of fun to spend time with so many friends. Mr. Robert let me cuddle up with him and grab his beard, too, which is a favorite past-time of mine!

We spent most of the weekend outside. I got to go to my first splash park. I'm getting around on all fours so well (doing a bear crawl right now) that I got to explore the park without being carried. We were fortunate to be the only family at the park for a while, so I just cruised at my own speed, investigating where all this cool water was coming from.

We watched some fireworks and it was one of only a few times that Mommy can remember me wanting to be held very close and rocked. I'm not a super big fan of cuddling with my parents, but those loud "booms" were a little scary for this guy. Guess we'll try again next year.
My Uncle E and Aunt B came over to have dinner with us this week. It was so much fun to see them. Mommy thinks I look a lot like Uncle E. I had to see for myself. I also had to show off my skills on my hoop.

Ryker took a picture of me with Daddy and Mom had to throw it on my blog. Not too shabby for a 2 year old, huh?

The week flew by, with it being a holiday, and by the time the weekend arrived we were headed off to Grammy and Papaw's for my first adventure in the big pool. Boy, there was a lot more water in that one than at my little one at home. I took to the water just like a little fish. Grammy had me splashing all over and I liked cruising in my car. I got to see Aunt Owi while I was there, too. I can't wait to go back and visit with them again, and do some more swimming, of course!

Sully came over for a playdate at my pool today. He and I are getting so big...cruising and crawling all over the place. We are little eating machines, too. Mom was feeding us chicken for lunch and we were chowing it down faster than she could get another bite on the fork. Watch out...we're growing boys! It was fun to play together, but most of the entertainment was had in watching our brothers play in their pool. I can't wait til we can get up and jump like they do!

Hey guys, wait for me!

Hope that you have a great week! I'll see you soon...

First haircut, Father's Day, Fun Run, and more...

Almost two weeks since my last blog which means I have loads of pictures to show you! Check out the captions to see what I've been up to...

Not too thrilled about Daddy giving me a haircut.

Despite my anxiety, it didn't turn out too bad.

Golf, anyone?

For Daddy's Day we went up to Goshen to visit Grandma and our extended family. I watched my hero in action.

Bear crawling like my big bro

Playing with Cadence and Kyrie

Fun with the cousins...I even made it out of the golf club forest without a bump on the noggin!

Grandma filled up two pools for us to splash in. Here I am with Brannen.

Brayson hopped in the pool with me, too!

Daddy let me get in the big pool. That was fun!

Happy, splashing boy

Drying off with Mommy

The not-so-staged shot (we'll call this practice).

The real thing

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

The boys

Cuddling with my Daddy

Like father, like son; GO CUBBIES!

Silly cousin shot

Playing with Daddy and Ryker

They crack me up!

Some of our friends came over for a play date. Sully and I played some baseball.

Daddy took off a half day from work and we all went to the Children's Museum.

The boys went up in space with Dora and Boots.

This is my acorn for Dora's car.

Daddy helped me put it in the gas tank.

Ryker was pumping up the tire. I thought that was funny.

Family carousel ride

My time to get down and explore at the museum...of course I went straight for a ball!

The little paleontologist, looking for a dino fossil.

I didn't find anything, but it sure was fun to look.

Our friend, Lainie, came over to visit. We walked to the park and then swam when we got back home.

We had so much fun!

I said I didn't want to swim...but then got soaked anyway.

Decided to get in the pool and splash

Mommy & Daddy's small group participated in the Sunday Night Run to benefit Right To Life. Mommy, Miranda, Vance, Lauren, and the Obers all ran the 5k; Daddy, Daniel, and Ryan (and all of us kids)  did the 1 mile walk. It was a fun evening!

Sully, Anna, and I hanging out after the race.

Sully and I both think Anna is pretty!

I wasted no time showing my affections.

Come on, Ryker...she was totally into me!

Well, that's it for my last couple of weeks. Hope you enjoyed recapping them through pictures.

Check out these videos...I make my brand new noise (I get the whole family laughing when I do it) and I also do a lot of talking in one, but then again I am taking advantage of having the house and toys to myself, so why wouldn't I? See you soon!