Memorial Weekend (Saturday)

On Saturday we headed over to the Yogi Bear Camp site where my sister Tracy was camping with her family. It was an absolutely wonderful day. Everyone in my family was there except my 2 nieces Sydney and Kayla. We hadn't seen some of my family since January so I was ready to see everyone! It was great to be at the camp ground as well. I went camping a lot growing up and it just reminded me of how fun it could be. I hope that we will take the boys camping when they get a little older. Right now I feel like they are too young to do most of the camping activities. Eli was pretty well entertained at the camp site thanks to my sister Katie. She brought their little basketball hoop and Eli was set! He loves to play basketball and I was so happy to see how well he shared and took turns with his cousins! It kept him entertained and gave me a chance to visit.

Eli's kind of camping

Eli was pretty excited when he saw his cousins!

Basketball can be exhausting

visiting with Papaw

Cutie Nephew Sunjay

Cutie Nephew Luke

The older cousins were all tye dying tshirts so we headed over to the playground. The playground was a little big for Eli so he walked around with Daddy while Jude got to try swinging for the first time.

Checking out the big Yogi Bear

Jude had fun swinging

It was a gorgeous day and super warm so some of us headed to the pool. It was nap time for Jude so he got to sleep on Grandma's shoulder while I took Eli to swim. Eli had a blast. At first he was a little nervous about all the splashing and wouldn't let go of my neck, but by the time we left he kept trying to swim away from me. He also had a blast swimming with his Aunt Jackie and Cousin Jessica. I think he caught them by surprise when he told them "It's so beautiful" about the pool. He says that all the time about being outside but they sure got a kick out of it. I had so much fun swimming with my sisters and the little ones. The big kids went swimming too, but they were too busy to pause for a picture. :-) We didn't stay too long at the pool because Eli was really shivering. The older kids headed over to the park but since there wasn't much for Eli to do at the park we headed back to the camp site to check on Bubba Jude and he was just waking up as we got back.

Tracy, Lily, Me and Eli, Sunjay, Katie, Maya, Jackie and Jess (I clearly need a tan) Eli and Mommy swimming

Eli with Aunt Jackie and cousin Jessica Jude and Grandma

We got to take a wagon ride around the camp ground with Yogi Bear! It was so much fun. We ended up sitting right next to Yogi on the wagon and Eli was so excited. He kept reaching out to touch Yogi's hand, it was so sweet. Jude just stared at Yogi like he didn't know what to think of this big animal. We rode around and sang a song about Yogi and then when the ride was over the kids were able to go say hi to Yogi. Eli hugged Yogi for a long time! Jude didn't mind being close to Yogi so he got his picture taken too! As we were walking back to the camp site Eli waved and said "Good Bye Yogi" over and over.

Good Ole Yogi Bear!!! Jude wasn't sure about being so close to Yogi Bear on the wagon ride Eli on the wagon ride Eli giving Yogi a high five on the wagon ride! Eli loved Yogi! We had to get a picture of Jude with Yogi

After the wagon ride we headed back to the camp site for dinner. We cooked hot dogs over the fire and had great time talking over dinner. After dinner we visited a little more but then it was getting time to go so we of course took some more pictures before everyone had to leave! :-)

Eli and Papaw

Jude and Papaw The 4 youngest cousins (Luke 22 months, Eli 2 years, Sunjay 18 months, Jude 9 months) The Regers at Jellystone Park Katie, Tracy, Kory, Mom, Me, and Jackie Mom and her girls! My sister Tracy, Brother in-law Chris and their kids (Isaac, Luke, Grace, and Lily) My sister Katie, Brother in-law Girish, Maya and Sunjay My Brother Kory and his Kids (Jess, Olivia, Kory, Alex and Jake)

Could these 2 be any cuter? Maya and Lily

Mom with almost all of her Grandkids (missing Sydney and Kayla)

It was truly an amazing day! We have talked about this becoming a yearly get together and I hope it does! We all had a blast and as the boys get older there will be more for them to do at the camp ground. I would love to take the boys camping someday!

Memorial Day Weekend (Friday)

We made it back from Indiana and it was the most wonderful visit ever! It was so much fun and so perfect! We all had a blast! It is way to much fun for just one post so I will break it up into a few! :-)

We spent the majority of Friday in the car but both boys did pretty well. Jude fussed a little before we stopped for lunch and then was fine the rest of the way. Eli did great in the morning but had a hard time falling asleep for his nap. I think he was just too excited. He finally fell asleep and when he woke up we were pulling into Mike's parent's neighborhood. He woke up in a great mood and was so excited to be at Grandma and Papa's house! We came inside and said hello and Eli knew exactly what he wanted to do, so we got our suits on and went swimming!!!!! Beth and Ken came over with Madeleine and John Paul and it was so so great to be with family!

Eli trying to get comfortable for nap in the car

Jude getting ready for his first swim!

This is where Eli wanted to spend the entire weekend

Jude and Mommy swimming

Jude really liked the water

Indiana Bound!!!

Tomorrow morning we are heading to Indiana for the weekend!!! We are so so so excited, especially Eli. All he talks about is going back to Indiana. I am sure it is going to be a super fun weekend! We are staying with the Reger family but will be able to see my side of the family on Saturday at a big family cookout at a Yogi Bear campground. I am so so so excited to see everyone! The boys are packed and ready to go!!

Getting some use out of the bags they got for Christmas!

Eli

Jude

"Hi Grandma!!!"

Teething

Poor baby Jude had a rough night last night. I think he is getting his 2 top teeth. I can't see them yet but his gums look a little red and swollen. We have been working on Jude putting himself to sleep for naps and at night and he is doing great for his naps, but in the evenings he wants nothing to do with it and just cries and cries so I end up rocking him to sleep. Normally he is asleep in my arms in 5 minutes but last night he was so restless. He tossed and turned and just couldn't get comfortable. I tried laying him in the pack and play and that didn't work, I tried rocking him in the chair and that didn't work. I tried standing and rocking him and that didn't work. I had given him some Tylenol and a little orajel and once that kicked in I laid him on the couch (I didn't leave his side) and he just closed his eyes and fell asleep. Once I got him into bed he slept pretty well, only waking up once at 5:30. Of course Eli was up at 4:30 and then again at 6:00 for the day. Oh well, who needs sleep anyway :-) Jude has been a little fussy today, but his teeth don't seem to be bothering him too much. They definitely aren't hindering his eating in anyway. This boy sure loves to eat!!!

Poor baby Jude didn't feel well

Reggie was worried

Blueberry Muffin for breakfast

Chicken pot pie, peas, carrots and pears for lunch

If only Eli would eat this well!

Family Day

Today was such a fun, busy day! After breakfast we went to the Tanger Outlet Mall that is about 25 minutes away from us. We have been wanting to check it out for a while now and today seemed like the perfect day. We had a very successful trip. Mike got some new clothes, Eli and I each got a pair of flip flops from Old Navy and Jude got some summer clothes. We got everything at such a great price! Mike got all of his clothes for such great deals. Old Navy had there sandles on sale for $1! Jude got 5 short outfits for $23!!!!! I love love love the Carter's outlet store!!!

Eli in his new sandels!

The boys did pretty good job while we were out shopping. Eli got a little bored while we were looking for clothes so we had to skip a few stores at the end. I wasn't sure how Jude would do since it was nap time but he did great. He just rode in the stroller and looked around and then as we were walking to the car he was suddenly asleep. He went from smiling to sleeping in 30 seconds.

Sleepy Jude

We came home for lunch and naptime and then we headed back out to run some errands and go to dinner. I love spending time with my family!

Jude's 9 Month Check Up

I took Jude for his 9 month check up today and it was all good! Much better than his 6 month check up. The Dr was very happy with the weight Jude has gained but she would like to see him get up to the 5oth% so we are still going to add the butter to his baby food and formula to his evening bottle and check his weight at his 1 year check up.

Jude's 9 Month Stats

Weight: 17lbs 8oz 10th%

Height: 27 3/4in 30th%

Head: 18 1/8in 75%

I saw a new side of Jude while we were at his appointment today. I think part of it was because he hadn't gotten much of a morning nap, but he didn't want anyone to hold him except for me. The nurse took him to measure him and get his weight and he just cried and cried and cried. Poor baby boy. He has really become aware of strangers and strange places. He even cried when I laid him on the table to change his diaper and I was the only one in the room at the time.

Here are a few pictures of my silly boy!

Play Time!

We have been planning on getting some outdoor play equipment for a couple of months now. We have been looking online at different pieces of equipment but hadn't had a chance to go look at stores. Since Mike finished up his semester on Thursday we decided to use his first weekend free to check out a few stores. We had decided that we wanted to get some sort of house and some sort of climber with a slide. We went to a local Menard's last night and were a little disappointed in there selection. They had one small house and one small climber set up, but neither were in stock. Eli liked the climber a lot and we really liked the size of it. We were both surprised at Eli's reaction to the house. He acted like he was scared to go inside. Today we drove to Cedar Rapids to check out Toysrus. They had one of the houses that we were considering but after Eli's reaction the night before we weren't sure about getting a house anymore. We then went to the Menard's in Cedar Rapids to see what they had. They had the same climber that we liked and a different one with swings we were considering. They also had a small house set up and all 3 were in stock. Eli played on the climber and kept checking out the little house. It took him a little while but he eventually went into the house and he loved it! He ended up playing in the house more than the climber. We knew we wanted to get a house and a climber, but we also knew we could only fit one in our car and would have to order the other online and have it shipped. Since Eli was having so much fun in the little house we decided to get the house we wanted at Toysrus. We go back over there only to realize that it was too big to fit in our car so back to Menard's to get the climber today and order the house later. It was quite a busy morning but all worth it to see Eli's smile when he saw the little climber in out back yard!!!! We are going to have so much fun this summer! We are going to get the house soon and also want to get a little pool for this summer.

His reaction to seeing the climber in our yard

He was pretty excited

He loves it

Climing up the ladder

Checking out the top

Going down the slide

Crawling underneath

Of course he had to climb the slide too

Checking out the steering wheel

Looking through the window

He had a blast!

Jude had fun outside too!