Whoa Max!

Max loves everything about going to grandma and grandpa's house. They have a dog named Abby and a sandbox in their backyard and he's allowed to take naps in their big king size bed. Do I need to go on?

They have a dog. We don't. They have a sandbox. We won't. He sleeps in their bed. Right, not going to happen.

In other words, he is in heaven at grandma and grandpa's house and is encouraged to play rough, get dirty and break the rules. That's what grandparents are for, right?

One of Max's recent discoveries, in the corner of the basement at Grandma's house, is a big red rocking horse. This used to be my mom's horse when she was a kid, was then passed down to me and my brothers when we were little, and now Max and his cousins get to take a joy ride on this wooden horse.

To say he loves this red horse is an understatement. I just hope the duck tape at the bottom holds up. Max does not take it easy one bit when riding this horse!

Welcome Quinton James!

It is my joy to announce the birth of our newest nephew, Quinton James.

Making the day even more special, Quinton shares a birthday, and middle name, with his Uncle Sam.

Both born on July 7th.

So welcome to the world little Quinton and happy 30th birthday to my love, Sam!

Max Gives a Shout Out to his Cuz

4th of July

From a 4th of July parade...

To our annual neighborhood rib-off...

To an impressive fireworks display...

I would have to say our Independence Day celebration was perfect.

Boy, all Boy

Max is turning into quite a rough and tumble little boy. He loves all things sports, he loves wrestling with daddy, he loves being chased, and his new favorite love: couch jumping.

**Sorry for all the extra video footage at the end. You at least get to see that sweet little face of his up close, and YES he is still a thumb-sucker. :)

Party in the Closet?

For the past two years, our master bedroom closet has been a familiar sleep nook for infants and toddlers alike. It's dark, and cozy, and oh so perfect for sleeping.

Until now.

My nephew Eli joined us for naptime the other day and decided to have a little naptime party. Instead of sleeping in the pack n' play, like I instructed, he opted to pull 65 shirts off of hangers, 2 suits, bins of tank tops and bathing suits and 10 pair of shoes. He literally barricaded himself in the closet behind mounds of clothes.

Looks like the days of napping in our walk-in closet are over! Love you Eli, thanks for the laugh [and 30 minutes of work to put the closet back together!].

**Add-in: My BIL, John, arrived at just the right time. Not only did he help me discover Eli in all his glory, but he then spent the next 30 minutes helping me put clothes back on hangers. Thanks John!

HEAVEN

Right. I know I have taken quite a long break at this blogging thing.

Please forgive me.

Now, with that business taken care of...

Let me present to you Max's idea of HEAVEN:

Uncle Tom is doing some much-needed work to our backyard so Max has been GLUED to the back window for days and today got to take a ride in the excavator. Well done Uncle Tom, that will certainly put you in the running for Uncle of the Year. In fact, you might now have it in the bag.

Thanks for making my little man's day!