The man is a machine

My dad is INCREDIBLE!  I had a vision of a custom built in book shelf and window seat and this weekend, he made it happen.  Not only is it a one of a kind Time creation, it was a reason for both Gigi and Papa to spend the night and hang out all day.  How else would you house the man responsible for making over your whole home, then by letting him sleep on your office floor with nothing more than a thin mat and sheet...I felt terrible about these arrangements but he insisted he was very happy with his dog and his flat pillow and since my hubby was out of town, Gigi scored a comfy sleep spot in my bed...she may have regretted that choice when Little Guy crawled into bed at 5:30 the next morning and instead of falling back to sleep, was too excited to find Gigi in his bed, he decided he was ready for the day!

I just want to be naked

We tried out a new water park today.  It was a blast!  The park was awesome and even better was the splash pad.  Little Guy had a great time climbing the ladders and getting much higher than he ever has at the local parks.  We were all set to go when he decided he wanted to try out the splash pad- no problem, I even took his shirt off so it would be nice and dry when we got in the car.  Next thing I know, I turn around and he is trying to strip off all his clothes.  I quietly explained to him that we can't be naked at the park and that resulted in an EPIC meltdown!  He managed to get naked and then roll around on the ground crying so loudly and pleading with me to just let him be naked...his exact words, "I just want to be naked at the water park"...long story short, I had to potato sack carry him back to the car and my heart broke a little for the sweet kid- he's used to being able to swim naked and be free at home, he just couldn't figure out what the big deal was if he did it at the park.  Two days later Gigi came over and asked him if he had had a fun time at the park and he told her, "Gigi, I just want to be naked at the water park".  He clearly had not forgotten the trip.

Cake Smash

We had Mr. Wyatt Bear's cake smash session today...that means we are just 9 days away from his first birthday.  I am not sure I can keep my composure about this for much longer...sweet baby, I can literally remember it like it was yesterday, still pregnant this time last year, not knowing when we would meet our little baby and wondering if we would have a boy or a girl.  This year has FLOWN by- is it possible this may have been the fastest year yet?  You have grown up so fast, and yet I can't figure out when or how it happened.  There was no moment, no event, nothing to say, yep, this baby is growing up...I keep trying to figure out, maybe remember even, when you stopped being the tiny ball of baby and became the little guy with a personality, curiosity, and energy to keep us going for days...Oh sweet love, it was a pleasure watching you experience your cake today...I am not sure that the cake stood a chance against the balloon bouquet Sarah brought you; in fact, I am not sure you ever even tasted actual baked cake, but you loved the frosting and your giggles in the balloons melted my heart and made your big brother laugh too.

Bye Bye

Mr. Wyatt Bear is starting to wave bye bye now.  Just as it was with his brother, it usually happens about five minutes after you've said good bye, but nonetheless, it is so cute to see his little hand flapping...

Lake Alpine

We ventured on our first family camping trip this past weekend...I know what you're thinking, camping with a crawler, are they nuts??  Yes, we may be just a little nutty, and after four days in the wilderness, a little dirty and smelly, but we had so much fun and can't wait to do it again.  Little Guy was in heaven playing in the dirt, eating in the dirt, walking barefoot in the dirt, basically anything in the dirt.  And Mr. Wyatt Bear likes anything his brother likes, so we were left with two very dirty bears.  The weather was beautiful during the day but FREEZING at night.  We all ended up huddled together (even wearing our shoes for extra warmth) on our two twin cots, but that's what it's all about, making memories.  I won't sugar coat it all, there were meltdowns (one that lasted three hours on the second night) and plenty of falls to go around, but I think we all enjoyed the break from the busy life.  We boated, fished, and had a guitar serenade around the campfire thanks to Ryan.  Gabe says he can't wait for the next annual camping trip; I say why do we have to wait for next year??

Indiana

We headed to Indiana to visit family this last week- it was everything we wanted in a vacation...TONS of fun family time with cousins I haven't seen in years, ample arms to assist with bathtime and meal time, incentive to use the potty and stop pooping outside, and laughs 24/7.  We were lucky to fly with Papa and Gigi and Little Guy was such an allstar, he made it the entire two flights with no accidents!!!!  Papa was so excited to have him sit in his lap (he has not flown with a two year old in a long time!) and was surprised that Little Guy didn't share his enthusiasm for just sitting and looking out the window...we all found ways to stay entertained and made it to Louisville no worse for wear!  We spent our four days there exploring Louisville's amazing parks, trekking over the Ohio River, visiting Churchill Downs, roasting marshmellows, basking in life without fences and with plenty of evening fireflies and lazy hammock rides, and celebrating the high school graduate!  No graduation party is complete without a huge bouncy slide and a couple of crazy adults racing down...my dad may have wanted to add water to the mix, but the slide had a HUGE warning against this.  Daddy, Papa, and Little Guy were treated to a private AIRPLANE ride with Taylor's stepdad Doug.  There was just room for four and we didn't think Little Guy would go for it, but we headed out and he ended up taking the fourth seat and LOVING the ride.  It was one of those moments when you're walking out on the little runway and you think, "Man, this kid is creating the most awesome memories" and sigh in gratitude at the life you're living.  We visited the Bass Pro Fishing Shop (talk about an outdoorsman's dream!) and Little Guy was in LOVE with Rosie and Oti and asks on a daily basis to go back to see them.  The first words out of his mouth every morning were "Where is my friend Rosie?  Where is my friend Oti?". I am hoping we'll make it back in two years for Matthew's graduation...until then, thanks for the awesome memories Indiana!