Pumpkin Fun!

Last week I had the pleasure of being off for two days during the week.  The Mr. was off and then got an unexpected "snow day" on Saturday, so all together we were off together from Wednesday night-Sunday.  We tried to take advantage of the great weather and teach baby JQ about the fall season.  

Big boy was a bit of a pout pout fish-not sure if it was a growth spurt, sleep regression, intro of new formula or what.  He kept us on our toes much of the week/weekend with 1-5 AM play time/roll over sessions.  Finally on the seventh day (last night) he slept, so hopefully he's over it for awhile so the rest of us can recover!

Here are some pictures from the weekend!

On Friday we checked out a smallish, local pumpkin farm.  

Baby JQ was really interested in the animals.  He especially liked the goats.

Checking out the great pumpkin.

Happy boy!

This Chevy is for sale.  The Mr. would love nothing more than to buy something like this and fix it up with the little guy some day.  

On Sunday, we gathered for the annual pumpkin carving contest.  This year a chili cook-off was added.  It was bittersweet without our patriarch, as his presence was certainly missed and the pumpkin seeds were not toasted.  

Our family's pumpkin entry won first place! Yay!  I'll admit that we were looking to sway the little kid vote with our tinkerbell pumpkin, but hey it still turned out great!  

A Fun Week(end)

Sometimes I feel like you need a good weekend to really re-charge your batteries.  You know what I mean?! When you feel like things at work are really blah and chores are piling up at home and you haven't been out in a while.  You just need a great weekend to look forward to.  

I had been looking forward to last weekend for quite awhile. A couple of my aunts came to town and the rest of my family was able to get together after not seeing each other for some time.  Eric was home for a long stint and the baby is SO MUCH FUN right now.  Everything just seemed to come in to place.

Here are some photos from the weekend.

Baby J met Aunt Debbie.  He also wore a ridiculously cute Halloween outfit with a pumpkin on the booty.

It bowls me over with how alert the baby is right now.  I feel like his little brain is absorbing anything and everything!

Eric also took Baby J. to visit all of his great-grandparents.  Yay for great-grandparents!

On Saturday we ventured out for a family reunion of sorts in Grafton.  It was a little chilly, but Baby J. had a great time (and was very warm I might add!)

He was LAUGHING!  I love his laughs.  They are literally the best sounds in the world!

The Big Baptism

My big boy got baptized this weekend, alongside his cousin E. Both babies did a great job with zero crying during the actual baptism (and just a few tired tears from little man afterwards.) 

These are just the photos from my iPhone, so the quality is pretty sub par.  I miss the camera on my Galaxy!

Ceremony candid, enjoying those fingers

Big boy with Father Jeff

Apparently Eric's clan was not quite ready for this picture, but I think it's pretty hilarious.

This one's better.

The bebes with their parents and godparents

My side.  I always laugh at the massive difference in height between my little grandma and tall grandpa.  Fun fact: Grandpa turns 91 today!

Proud parents.  Tired baby.

Boss godparents

Sweet lady cousins.  Good to know that little man is in good hands.

Beautiful baby E and me.

Huge thanks to Eric's mom for hosting the after party.  I think a good time was had by all and the food was delish!

Apple Farm 2014

So my baby is here, but not like I've had time to post about that yet.  Rather than continue to wait on sharing recent pictures until finishing his birth story, I'll go ahead and write on recent events until I get a hot second to write about his birth.  

He is adorable. Like one of the cutest babies I've ever seen. Not that I'm biased or anything :0)

Anyways, here are some photos from little man's first trip to the apple farm!  It was absolutely the most perfect fall day and he LOVED it!  Apple prices weren't bad either!

Anniversary apple farm trip.  5 years in the making.

My boys.  Aren't those mums gorgeous in the background.  I love mums.  I need some mums!

First apple picked!

Riding the tractor!

Be still my beating heart, he found his fingers!

Furry Visitors

Over the Christmas holiday, we had the pleasure of hosting Eric's sister and brother-in-law from Phoenix, along with our fur-nephew Enzo.  Seriously they were some the nicest and easiest house guests we've ever had!  They vacuumed, replaced the food they ate, and showered us with gifts (coffee, a slick new toaster oven, and a Groupon for carpet cleaning.)  Jodie and Jason, you guys rock!

It was a bit of an adjustment for my furbabies (let's just say Jozie did not provide the warmest of welcomes for her cousin and Wyatt was MIA for the majority of the week.)  Poor Enzo was sweet as could be, but apparently Jozie felt the need to protect me, her food, the cat, the bedrooms, etc.  Many areas of the house were off limits in her book.

Just like Caesar (the Dog Whisperer) says, walks are key!  We had to wear out the hounds so that they Jozie wouldn't have enough energy left to snarl and bully.  Caesar talks about integrating them into a pack by walking together because of the hunting mentality that walks provoke.  Caesar, you win again!

Eventually everyone settled their souls and got along (picture us singing "Why Can't We Be Friends?" at the beginning of the week and "Kumbaya" by the end.)  Even Wyatt made brief appearances!

Did you have visitors over Christmas?  If so, how'd it go?

Photo Dump

These photos are pretty random.  Prepare yourselves.

Cute nieces on a train. 

We recently road-tripped to Chicago for Eric's cousin's wedding and we had a blast!  It was a gorgeous, vintage-themed wedding (that of course I have no photos of, blerg.)

 

Oh Uncle Eric.  What are you doing?!  

We had a great time visiting with all of the out-of-town family.  It really is a shame we can't get together more often. We're hoping that everyone will be home and off work for Christmas.  

Happy 70th birthday Thomas. 

My dad's side got together to celebrate my aunt's boyfriend's milestone birthday with not one, but three parties!  We had family in from near and far for the occasion and had a blast.

Annndddd here's a cute parting photo.  

Vegas Vacay

About a week ago, I was on my way home from an end-of-the-summer vacation to Vegas.  I had a great time visiting my aunt and spending time with my fam (minus my boyfriend-he had to work.)  Needless to say, I was exhausted from the go-go-go mentality of the city, but I felt like I got to see quite a bit for my first time in Vegas.

Flying (first class I might add) over the desert and mountains

Yorkie Jack was happy to see me

Relaxing in my aunt's gorgeous backyard pool after a busy day of traveling

Little White Chapel.  Don't worry, Luke and Hannah didn't get hitched in Vegas

Outside of Pawn Stars. All the guys were on vacation and we "just missed" the old man.

 Hannah outside of Pawn Stars shop

Wouldn't be a trip to Vegas without a stop at the famous "Welcome" Sign.

 Drinks at the Luxor

Reunited with the guys after their 105 degree day of golfing

 Stop at Margaritaville

Inside the Luxor Hotel

More tasty treats at Margaritaville

Bobby Flay's MESA Grill Restaurant

One of Gordon Ramsey's pub restaurants

Outside Caesar's Palace (don't worry we were inside also.)

Overall this trip was a great way to end the summer!