Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lucas is 7 Months

I forgot how much I enjoy this stage! Lucas is developing quite the little personality. He has been doing lots of babbling (especially "da da") which Christian is really excited about. In fact, they enjoy carrying on their own little baby talk conversations. My favorite is to hear them talking and giggling in the backseat of the car. Lucas still adores his big brother and gives him the most smiles and giggles. Lucas is becoming a strong little guy, twisting and reaching for everything, and is enjoying his tummy time more. He also cut both of his lower incisors- his left one just before we left for our Colorado visit (L's first airplane ride!) and his right one on the day we returned from Vegas. He is beginning to look much different. Also, I cannot get enough of his deep blue eyes (I hope they do not change!) Lucas is also a fabulous eater. So far he has not refused anything that I have given him, and his choices are expanding quickly.


Lucas continues to be such an easy going, smiley, happy little boy. So thankful for him and the joy he has brought into our lives!

Compare: Christian at 7 Months

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Past Two Weeks: Colorado Week 2

...Continued from this post.

Colorado Week 2:

Tuesday we went to the newish IKEA in Centennial and had lunch with Grandma at California Pizza Kitchen (as you have surely noticed, our goal on this trip was to not eat at places that we have here in Sumter or Columbia. Not that that is a hard task with southern Colorado's variety and Sumter's, well, lack thereof.) We also had a dinner that evening with Ryan, Kim, and the kids.

Wednesday my friend Brooke (who is due with her first any day!) came over for a short visit, while Steve and C went to the park. After lunch the boys and I went to go hang out with Kim and the kids at their house, while Steve and my dad went to go play golf.

Thursday was a relaxing day as we hung out with Grandma and Grandpa, had lunch at Crave in Castle Rock, with Grandma, Kristi, and the newlyweds. That evening we had dinner at Steve's favorite pizza place, Old Chicago with Grandma, Grandpa, and Will and Brittany again!

Friday was our last day. Boo! My grandparents drove down to see us, and we had a nice breakfast and visit. It took a bit, but Christian warmed up to Pop Pop (he calls him "Lollipop") and Nonnie once Lollipop played ball with him. Friday during nap time my mom watched the boys so that Steve and I could go see "The Amazing Spider-Man"- better than the other. :o)

Whew- I made it through all three posts. But really, what a blessed time we had in Colorado. So refreshing and comforting to be home with family and friends. It only makes us want to be there so much more! *Fingers crossed!!* Thank you everyone for making our visit so special. And a big Congratulations to Will and Brittany!


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Past Two Weeks: Will and Brittany's Las Vegas Wedding

...Continued from this post.

Will and Brittany's Las Vegas Wedding:

Saturday (Steve and his family had already arrived in Vegas the night before) Lucas and I boarded an airplane for a fairly short flight to Las Vegas. Lucas is not the best airplane traveler, but we made it despite the tears and ear discomfort. The day was a bit of a whirlwind with wedding preparations. We attended the Rehearsal Dinner at the Trevi Italian Restaurant in Caesar's Palace after the rehearsal at Will and Brittany's wedding venue: The Flamingo. In the evening a bunch of the guys went out to wander the Strip. While some of the girls hung out in Brittany's room as she finished wedding prep.

Meanwhile back in Colorado....Christian stayed back in Colorado with my parents for the weekend, since we knew it might be hard to bring him along to Vegas. Little man was definitely spoiled by Nana and Papa and Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kim (Aunt "Tim.") He got lots of lovin' and it was a special time for all of them. Saturday morning they went to the Georgetown Loop Railroad (my niece loves trains,) had lunch at Beau Jo's Pizza in Idaho Springs, took a nap, played at the pool, and then had dinner at McDonald's where the kids played even more at the playhouse. Whew- sounds exhausting just writing about it. I don't even think Christian had any time to miss us. :o)

Sunday was Will and Brittany's Big Day! The wedding was beautiful and sweet, the weather was perfect (not too hot for Vegas,) and everything fell into place. The Reception included a nice buffet lunch, dancing, pictures, and wedding cake! That evening a bunch of us went to Margaritaville for a relaxing dinner before our travels the next day.

Back in Colorado....Christian went to church with my parents, lunch at C.B. and Potts, took a nap, and played in the pool with Nana and Papa.

Monday morning Steve and his family began their caravan back to Colorado, while Lucas and I boarded for our flight back. Thank goodness for some empty seats! They let me have a free seat and I was able to bring Lucas' car seat on board. He slept in his seat most of the flight, nursed, and then played happily for 20ish minutes before we landed. Best flight ever (with a baby)! If only we could always get a free seat :)

To be continued....

Monday, July 23, 2012

The Past Two Weeks: Colorado Week 1

These past two weeks we were busy traveling and soaking up some awesome family time in Colorado. (I have been really bad about posting.) It was so nice to be able to take a longer trip because in the middle of our two week visit, we went to Las Vegas for Will and Brittany's wedding! Needless to say, we kept quite busy and the time flew just as it always does when we are enjoying ourselves.

I am dividing the trip posts into three sections, in order to avoid picture overload and the fact that these posts are in a journal-like format...probably too much information. :)

Colorado Week 1:

Saturday we kicked off our homecoming with a BBQ at my parents' house. My brother and his family came as well as Steve's parents. We had not been back home in Colorado for over a year, and even though we have seen our parents, we hadn't seen Ryan, Kim, Linden, and Shepherd since last June. (Amazing how much the kids had changed in a year!) The kiddos kicked it off right away and got busy playing with Nana and Papa's toys. :)

Sunday after church we surprised my parents with a "35th Anniversary Adventure" (I can't take too much credit, Ryan and Kim planned most of our kids-free evening.) We surprised them with Monster Mini golf, a skeeball tournament at Dave and Buster's, and dinner at Great Northern Tavern complete with a cake. They were definitely surprised and we all enjoyed ourselves. Don't you love the matching t-shirts that Ryan and Kim came up with? Big thanks to Grandpa and Grandma R for watching the boys. :)

Tuesday we had a fun lunch at the Centennial airport's the Perfect Landing Restaurant with Grandma, Uncle Will, Aunt Kristi, Logan, and Kaitlyn. Christian has developed quite the passion for airplanes (with help from his Daddy) and loved watching the airplanes land and take off for flight. Christian also enjoyed seeing and playing with his cousins. Aunt Kristi loved her baby Lucas time. :) That afternoon us girls (Joann, Kristi, bride-to-be Brittany, and I) went to go get manicures and pedicures. That evening Steve took the guys out for Will's Bachelor party.

Wednesday was pretty low key- we hung out at the pool with Nana, Linden, and Shepherd. And had an excellent dinner at Salsa Brava. (Are you noticing a food theme here?)
Thursday we enjoyed a fun and hot day at the Denver Zoo with my parents, Aunt Kim (8 months preggo,) and Linden and Shepherd. What an interesting time that was. :) Four kiddos all with different agendas. I think that as they get older, these zoo trips will be a little easier and dare I say, more fun. (Kim did a recent zoo blog post here.)

Friday Steve and his family began their caravan to Las Vegas at a bright and early 5 am. The boys and I stayed back in Colorado and had a nice visit with a family friend.

To be continued....