Where did the summer go?

I guess it must be over since we threw snowballs yesterday! (Not here, in the mountains, but still...) We had an awesome summer, packed in as much fun as possible and took a few pictures along the way.



Playing catch with Ryan. Think fast!



Waiting for 4th of July fireworks with Sophie

Then cousin Miles came for a visit to play trains

Passing on one of the most important traditions in our house

Keith gets to add a few more initials after his name since he completed his master's degree and earned his GIS Professional certification. Way to go!

Stickers, crackers, and Matchbox cars keep Ian (relatively) quiet during the graduation ceremony

First in line for pictures with Ian's favorite train at "Day Out With Thomas" where a full size Thomas engine pulls hordes of excited kids in a little loop around the railroad museum. It was actually really fun, and a beautiful day!

Then we went for a ride on the Georgetown Loop railroad. Ian and Grandpa stood and watched the steam engine warm up for a long time. Grandpa couldn't believe that Ian knew the one on the right was a diesel engine - he obviously doesn't understand how many episodes of Thomas we watch around here...

Just look at those grins and dimples!

All aboard and ready to go

We had cupcakes for Keith and Grandpa's birthdays on the train ride

I think Zach liked his, too!

Both boys sitting together, looking at the camera, AND smiling is way too much to ask for

 We had wanted to get up to Kenosha Pass to see the colors when the aspens were changing, but the first chance we had was yesterday. We missed the peak of the aspens, since most of the leaves had fallen and there was several inches of snow on the ground. But I think we got some good shots, anyway, and had tons of fun. Ian was so excited about snow, it was contagious (who am I kidding, I love playing in the snow anyway, it just seems a little less silly when you have a kid to play with!)

"Ian flying" he says when he sees this picture

Beautiful day in Colorado!

Spring!

Our little guy is growing up so fast - running around all over the place and talking up a storm. He loves animals, balloons, trains, balls, music, reading books, playing outside, phew - it makes me tired just thinking about all the things he learns and does in a day! I didn't mean to go this long without posting, so I thought I'd just share a few quick pictures. I hope you enjoy them!

 Checking out Quakers with Nana

 Papa's goats - it's best to check them out from the other side of the gate!

 Playing at daycare. Ian really loves "fishies"

 Daddy got to come help Ian's class get their garden plot ready to plant potatoes.

 Quick trip to the mountains

Ian's little sweater vest outfit for Mother's Day. He wouldn't look at me for the picture because he was busy woofing at his cousins dog

We had a great time at the aquarium:

These balloons have been Ian's favorite toys for the past two and a half weeks - and they are still floating. Grandma sure knows how to pick them!

 Mommy's little helper:

 Getting so big! He loves going down the slides.

"I do it"

Happy New Year

I hope 2011 finds you well. We are busy, busy, busy around here. Ian is learning to walk, but still only takes about a dozen wobbly steps at a time before he bumps into something (usually with his face), topples over, or dives into our laps. And he is learning new words like crazy. I think he understands pretty much everything we say. I better learn to watch my mouth when I'm driving... A couple weeks ago he suddenly started pointing to and saying "eyes" and "teeth." Then he learned "ears" and "face", although he still calls his head his "bop." Keith says maybe because he bumps it so frequently. Watching him learn so much so fast made me stop to think about some things I've learned over the past year:

• I may never get anything done on time ever again. Such as this post - which I wanted to put up on January 1st....
• Everything is washable. No matter what the tag says, if it gets pooped on or puked on it's going through the hot water cycle.
• There is something about Walmart that makes kids cry. Even Ian, who rarely cries, is prone to have a meltdown there.
• To appreciate free time.
• If you are about to microwave your coffee for the third time, just forget about it.
• You can do almost anything with only one free hand.
• Sometimes I have to just ignore the mess and read a book.
• To multi-task. I thought I did that before. I had no idea.
• To be less judgemental. Sometimes I am "that mom." The one whose kid has the crusty, snotty nose, the dirty shirt, and isn't wearing shoes or a jacket in December.

And here are some pictures from our wonderful holidays. Like I said, busy!



Night lights thing at the Butterfly Pavilion. Ian was fascinated!




Animals and children flock to this man!



 
 




Christmas with the H cousins.

 



Ian likes obstacle courses...

  



Finally got to try those snow pants out!

 



This stuff is fun!

 



He wanted to dive right in.

 



Ian's card trick - shove all the cards under the cardboard...

 



Ho Ho Ho!

 



So excited for opening presents!

 



I guess this looks like something that needs to be tasted.

 



Howdy!

 




Enough with the Santa hat.






"Happy New Year! See these 4 new teeth I've been working on?"





Surprise, surprise, Ian likes candy canes. And he has a bruise on his head.






What a stinker!





Ian's dedication at Nana and Papa's church.

  



Making funny faces at themselves in the mirror.

"Please, no more pictures."



Groovin' in his authentic 70s bell bottoms. I think he wanted to join the band.

  


  



Tuckered out!