Iowa State Fair

So, I really need to do some updating on our blog! In August, we took a day and headed down to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. It was one of those days that was really hot, probably about 90 degrees, but we managed pretty well! On the way down we stopped in Dows to visit Erik's grandpa and grandma. We hadn't seen them since Kyler's birthday in April, so it was nice to stop and say hi to them. Kyler was a bit shy while we were there and it was right during his morning nap, so he was tired too, but once we got in the car to head to the fair he was out the whole rest of the way.

When we got to the fair we stopped and had lunch first at the Iowa Pork Producer's tent, which is always really good. Then we headed to the DNR building to look at the fish. After the fish, we went and found Matt Reisetter who was working a booth under the Grandstand. Reisetter then went with us over to see the horses and to show us the new horse pavilion building that was just built and air conditioned! We hung out in there for a while and watched the horses trot to different types of music, it was really cool. After the horses, Reisetter went back to his booth, and we headed over to the sheep, pigs, and cows. Kyler wasn't quite sure what to think of all those four-legged things making weird noises at him. :) We then went to the Varied Industries Building to get out of the heat and see all the booths there. After we cooled off, we went to look at the birthing building and the photography. By then, it was time for dinner, so we ate at the Cattleman's Quarter's, which was also really good. I had a hot beef Sunday, which I would definitely have again next year! After dinner, it was about 6:00, so we decided to head home.

We had a great time at the fair and Kyler loved seeing all the animals. We hadn't been for a couple of years, so it was fun to go back and take our little guy. We will definitely be going back next year, I'm sure he will enjoy it even more!

Checking out the BIG bull

"Look Dad, there's a BIG bull!!"

Petting the horse with Dad and Reisetter

"Ooooooh, horsey..."

I'm not so sure about those sheep...

"Hmmmm, those are interesting creatures..."

Out before we were even out of Des Moines! He didn't nap at all at the fair, just the way down and home. :)

This is a little "blast from the past" of the last time we were at the fair, which was 2007. Think all three of these families look a little different now?!? :)

Wordless Wednesday

16 Months and A Walkin'!!

Our little man is 16 months old today!! Kyler is also walking everywhere!! Yay!! About 1 week after he turned 15 months, he just took off and started walking. He had taken a few steps on his own with a lot of coaxing before that, but then he decided he was going to do it and didn't look back. Kyler also knows how to stand up on his own, he did this as soon as he decided he was going to walk. It was interesting watching Kyler learn to walk compared to some of his friends. One of his friends was so much more daring than Kyler was, he would just let go of what he was holding on to and try and take a couple steps and if he fell over than he just fell over. Kyler was much more careful and only wanted to take steps if he was sure he could make it to what he was going to go to.

Kyler has also gotten a few more teeth this month. He has all 8 of his front teeth, and two bottom molars and half of his two top molars. Hopefully those two top ones get all the way though soon...I think it has messed up his napping. :)

Kyler is really into waving things around. He loves to grab a piece of clothing or a small towel and walk around waving it in the air. He also really enjoys pushing cars or other objects across the floor. Sometimes he pushes books or anything that will slide easily across the carpet.

Some of Kyler's other "likes" right now:

-Bring you a pair of shoes and have you put them on him, and sometimes 15 min later go get another pair of shoes and put those on instead.

-Read books, sometimes with someone, sometimes by himself

-Throw balls or roll them across the floor

-Eat ice cubes from Daddy

Here are some pictures from the last month! Stay cool! :)

16 Months old!!

Hi Mom...

Pushing a car he found in the garage...

Playing outside

Enjoying chocolate cake at Cousin Ryan's birthday

Playing with his water table!

Playing in his new caterpillar tunnel!

Playing outside with leaves!

Supervising the re-siding of our house :)

Hanging with Lauren!

Chillin' with Mommy :)

Building a tower with canned food (I thought this was very creative!)

Waiving some dish towels around

Trying some raspberries from Grandma's garden!

15 Months Come and Gone!

Kyler turned 15 months old on July 12th! As you can see, I'm way behind on getting this posted. Two big things Kyler did this past month was attend Sturgis Falls and go to Minnesota for vacation. For Sturgis Falls, we headed down on Friday night to watch the talent show. Kyler enjoyed watching all of the people in the park and being outside. On Saturday, we walked in the parade for Walt Rogers, who is running for Iowa House. It was VERY hot but we made it and Kyler finally fell asleep at the end of the parade. We then headed to Price Lab for the alumni and friends picnic for lunch. Saturday afternoon we came home for a while, then went back later that night to listen to the Marine Band play. Kyler enjoyed using two straws as sticks and waiving them around in the air while the band played. He was also entertained by our friends Joel Ochoa and Mason Reisetter.

For our trip to Minnesota, see the previous post. :)

Some things about Kyler this past month:

*Walking: Kyler still isn't walking but did take some steps by himself while we were in Minnesota. It took a lot of coaxing and encouragement for him to take some steps, but I think the most he took was 5.

*Eating: Kyler LOVES any type of noodles, especially mac & cheese.

*Talking: He has really been signing "more" and "please" this past month a lot more.

*Teeth: Kyler almost has all 8 of his front teeth, I'm not sure if the last two are through yet, and he is working on all four of his molars.

Here are some pictures from the last month:

Hanging out in the grass outside

Standing in the back of dad's truck

Crawling around with dad's shorts on

Swinging his golf club...I have since hid these because it was becoming more of a weapon when he was swinging these around :)

Trying to crawl between dad and the couch...he loves to try and fit through small spaces

Snoozing on mom's lap :)

4th Of July In Minnesota

For the past three years, we have spent the 4th of July up at Ashley's parent's cabin in northern Minnesota. This year, we left the Wednesday before the 4th and came back the Thursday after. We had a great week relaxing, celebrating our anniversary, tubing, water skiing, taking boat rides, sitting by the campfire, and enjoying the lake! Ashley's parents bought the cabin in the spring of 2006. When they bought the place, there was no indoor bathroom, running water, or sewer system. They added on to the cabin the first summer to first and foremost put in a bathroom and have done various other projects each year to get the cabin to where it is today. This summer, they put carpet in the loft and downstairs bedroom and got a speed boat! We always enjoy our time up there and can't wait to go back again later in August! Here are some things we did while we were gone...

Kyler in the truck about 5 minutes before we left...he looks thrilled doesn't he? :)

Playing on the beach with dad! Kyler enjoyed the sand, especially the shovels and rakes, and didn't try to eat too much of it. :)

Erik and I on our anniversary! Ashley's parents took all of us out to eat to celebrate.

Ashley's dad, Kyler, and Erik working on one of the four new 10 ft dock sections that had to be built in order to make the water deep enough so that the boat could be in the water.

Bath time in the sink! There is just a shower at the cabin, so Kyler enjoyed his baths in the kitchen sink while we were there.

Hanging out by the lake. We love the lake up there, the water is so clear you can see the bottom. It depended on Kyler's mood for the day whether or not he wanted to go in the lake or not. :)

Taking a ride in the new boat!

Breakfast at the pot! You can't go to the cabin and not have breakfast around the big pot down at the neighbor's cabin. This is an annual 4th of July tradition. Eggs and bacon are cooked in cast iron skillets over the open fire and many other goodies are brought to share-fruit, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cake are just a few!

S'mores! Kyler got to have his first s'more over the campfire while we were there, and he loved it! He kept signing "more", and this is what his face looked like afterwards. :)

Playing in the lake!

Riding the paddle boat with Grandma and Grandpa! Kyler enjoyed this a lot because he didn't have to wear his life jacket. This paddle boat is a story all in its own...Kimbo, Erik, and I drug it half way across the lake one Labor Day weekend....good thing it was free! :)

Driving the boat with Uncle Ben :)

Playing with daddy in the shelves! These are the frames for some shelves that Ashley's uncle built. Ashley's mom was painting them while we were there and these were already done. Kyler loved to climb inside where the drawers go and play...Erik joined in one day. :)

Happy 4-Year Anniversary!

Four years ago today, I got the privilege of walking down the isle and marrying my awesome husband!! Erik, I'm so thankful for you every single day. You are such a wonderful husband and an awesome father to Kyler. I can't believe that it has been for years since we said "I do", but I have enjoyed every single day! I love you so much, Happy Anniversary!!

Erik and I dancing on our wedding night

14 Months Old

Kyler is now 14 months old as of June 12th! I'm a bit behind on this post but with helping out at VBS and other everyday things, I haven't had time to blog. I'm going to sum up this past month on Kyler in pictures, so enjoy the "picture story" of Kyler's 13th month of live! :)

Playing with his shoes! He really enjoys to move all the shoes around in the front entry way, I'm not sure why, but I catch him out there at least once a day doing this activity. Besides shoes, he loves to get into everything! We are definitely in the stage of opening cupboards, dresser drawers, and whatever else he can figure out how to get into and pull out all of the continents! :)

Enjoying his swing on the back patio! We have had many walks to the park this past month and Kyler loves to swing in the swings for a while. We also have a small one at our house hooked to a small slide that he enjoys too.

Hanging out with Dad! Kyler loves to play with Erik, whenever he comes home for lunch he is so excited to see him and he gets mad and often cries when Erik says "bye-bye" and leaves to go back to work.

Big smile!! Showing off his teeth! Kyler got his 5th tooth right after turning 13 months old and is working on more. You can see his top side ones and the other side bottom one. We think he is working on some molars too because he has taken to chewing on his fingers all the time.

Climbing! If he is able, he will get up! You can see the diaper box off to the side, well that's what he used to climb up on the footstools. I have to be careful where I leave boxes so that he doesn't climb up on footstools and other things. Just tonight he used my leg to climb up on the ottoman of the glider rocking chair.

Standing like a big boy!!! :) Kyler still isn't walking yet but he is definitely standing for longer periods of time on his own. He is letting go of things more and more to stand on his own. He has also taken a couple steps here and there when he isn't thinking about it.

Hanging out with Lauren!! We have had a couple grill outs at our house before softball games and always enjoy having Lauren come over to hang out!! We have also been on several walks with Lauren this summer and are really enjoying having her back in town!!

Playing in the bath! As you can see, Kyler's bathtub "freedom" has once again been restricted... :) It was making me very nervous to watch him climb around in the bath tub because he doesn't stay sitting down. He had slipped a couple of times-nothing serious-but I just didn't want something worse to happen. So, I found this nice little seat at a garage sale for a few dollars, and now feel a little better about bath time! :)

Trying on his life jacket...as you can see he's not too pleased with this...it definitely fits him WAY better than last summer, but we are headed up to my (Ashley's) parent's cabin in Minnesota in a week and he's going to need to get used to wearing it! :)

Snuggling with mommy! Kyler is such a snuggler! Whenever he gets up from his nap he always loves to snuggle, sometimes he even falls back asleep for a little while. I'm trying to enjoy this as I know this stage won't last!

Playing with his golf clubs...This has become somewhat dangerous for anyone near Kyler when he does this. He hangs on to the end of the club and swings it around over his head and smacks the floor. If you are near him, he will hit you and it hurts! I'm thinking we may have to hide these for a little while until he gets a bit older....

More golf club action... :) He's not doing it in this picture, but one other thing Kyler does all the time right now is point at things and then make a noise, like "uhhhh" (like he's saying look over there at that ___) or sometimes he actually says "look". Then you kind of carry on this conversation with him about what he's pointing at, it's funny.

Our big 14 month old boy!!