Father's Day Weekend

I know this post is a little late but better late than never. Father's Day weekend started with a visit from Grandma Donna and Grandpa Bruce. Uncle Brent joined us a little later. Dad went golfing with the boys while the girls went to the farmer's market and a garage sale.
Camryn kept Grandma and Grandpa busy. She took them on walks, played with her swing (she never wanted to leave) and just kept them outside. Uncle Brent was attacked by the Camryn-monster. Mom created a horrible game that Camryn thinks is great fun; whenever, Camryn pushes an adult he/she is supposed to fall and then get up again and then be pushed and then fall down again. Camryn never wants that game to end.

We spent the day checking out an Iowa winery followed by homemade ice cream at one of the oldest ice cream places in the midwest the Wilton Candy Company.
Camryn is definitely a girl of her father and grandfather's hearts with her love of ice cream.

I then proceeded to squeeze over 20 key limes to make Scott homemade keylime pie for Father's Day. It was pretty good but there are a few tweeks that need to be taken care of for the next (if there ever is a next).

We topped the weekend off by yet more landscaping. I feel we have been landscaping since Mother's Day weekend. With the help of the Nicholson nursery we finally have a lot more than grass. And yes Scott did the brunt of the work with the help of Grandma and me but someone has to take the pictures . . .
I think I will finally cave and take pictures of the house as most of you are begging but I think you should have to see it in person.

Summer Firsts

We enjoyed our first foray into water slides thanks to Dad and enjoyed it.

She was willing to share her pool with Toro. He thought it was a big water dish . . . we grew slightly concerned when he heaved after drinking out of the pool (hopefully it was something else he got into)

Meanwhile, over Memorial weekend we were not too big on the sprinkler. That may have changed though as she loves the shower.

We went to our first baseball game. Unfortunately, it was not the Chicago Cubs but the Quad City River Bandits would do (though they are a farm team for the Cards).

And Camryn went to her first graduation for Aunt Laura. She enjoyed all of the pre-graduation events and could not sit still for the actual event. Congratulations Aunt Laura!

I know, I Know

I have left you suffering without any new pictures of Camryn . . . I will be better . . .

While summer has not officially arrived yet the spring has kept us quite busy. Something about finally having a yard could have a little to do with it.

More updates coming soon!

Easter

Well like any holiday we were busy but it wouldn't be a holiday without family (thank you all for reminding me).

We spent Friday and Saturday with Family Nicholson. Camryn participated in her first Easter Egg Hunt. She required a lot of coaxing but finally showed some interest. She would find an egg put it in her basket then take it out again then put it in. I think she had more fun finding the eggs to put in her basket for the sole purpose of dumping them out again.

We had a lovely supper with way too much food Saturday afternoon. I was still full come Sunday morning. (I should have taken a picture of the spread). Uncle Chuck and Aunt Brenda joined us from Wisconsin. It was great to see them and we appreciated them making the drive down.

(I was really bad at taking pictures this weekend. That is the problem with being the designated family photographer if you want to participate and enjoy the events that sort of limits your ability to take pictures. I guess that is why you higher a photographer for big events).



We headed out late Saturday afternoon so we could make it to Aunt Samantha's big 13th birthday dinner. I enjoyed the ice cream cake even though I was still full from lunch. Camryn enjoyed her first taste of pierogies.

Easter morning came and Camryn was the first one up so she woke up her Aunt Sam and Uncle Trace and Cousins Zach and Christian. She received even more puffs (seriously guys she can eat real food now)! We then went to the traditional Easter breakfast served at my family's church. There is nothing better than your younger sister serving you and your parents cooking breakfast for you.

We headed over early to Great Grandma Linda's & Grandpa Bob's since we knew we had to leave earlier. Camryn quickly viewed the turkeys Great Grandpa is raising (I don't know what he plans on doing with them all). Camryn was able to hang out with her other cousins: Olivia, Devon & Bella. Devon wanted nothing to do with Camryn but Camryn tried her best moves to kiss him to now avail.

Camryn participated in her second easter egg hunt and still had little interest but I think the first prepped her for what was to come so she indulged mom and dad. (I think it helped that dad showed her where all the eggs were hidden).


We ended our day with our crazy family tradition of the "spanking machine" in honor of Aunt Sam's and Cousin Carmen's birthdays. Carmen does the spanking machine appropriately whereas my lovely sister takes out her poor brother (I truly felt sorry for him after watching the video).

Trouble and Domestication

Now that Camryn is walking everywhere is a good spot to play. Her toys no longer interest her because around every corner there is a cabinet or door that needs to be opened. Well the bathroom is one of her favorite rooms to play in. Whether to crawl in the cabinet and empty out all of Dad's hotel soaps or to use all the toilet paper. As you can see she favors the toilet paper.
Much like with the laundry Cam enjoys helping mom and dad with the dishes. We put the silverware in the basket . . . she takes it out. We have to watch her like a hawk since she loves to crawl up on the dishwasher door and climb into the dishwasher. Just goes to show that the $20 toys have nothing over the tupperware, pots/pans, soaps, or dishes of everyday.

(a little scary but don't worry we don't make playing with knives a habit)

Sweet Sleep

Miss. Camryn decided that she did not want to partake in a morning and/or afternoon nap this day. Mom and Dad had to work in the basement and we guess Camryn wanted to help. Well, after a hard day of playing Dad brought Camryn upstairs to eat dinner at 5:00 pm. Mom came up soon after and was Camryn ever fussy but Mom and Dad had to make dinner. All of a sudden a quiet came over the house. We turned around and she was snoozing. She was out like a light. Mom put her in bed and woke her up at 6:15. Luckily she still went to bed at 7:30.

On a totally different night, ok 2 nights later she really didn't want to go to bed and thrashed all about her crib. This is how we found her before we went to bed. Generally, when she is mad about going to bed all the animals, blankets, etc are thrown outside her crib.

I am so thankful that Camryn goes to sleep so easy. Anywhere from 7:15 - 7:30 I take her into her room. Attempt to read a book and then commence singing two songs. (Usually Rock a by baby and Amazing Grace). At the end of the second song I lay her on her pillow with her bunny blanket and she rolls to her stomach and goes to sleep. There may be a little cry out but she is generally done by the time I leave her room and get to the couch in the living room. (I wish I went to sleep that easily).

Pro-Walker and Puppy Play

We find it amazing how fast Camryn mastered walking. She seldom crawls anywhere, or will crawl a foot then stand up and walk. This is the time that we are grateful we built a ranch. Although, just tonight, she was being so quiet we could not find her. She crawled into the laundry room. Her favorite no-no spot since she plays in Toro's water and eats his food.

I think we need to buy her first purse. I returned from working Saturday morning and she was walking around the house carrying one of my favorite purses from 1154Lill. I suppose the transgression can be forgiven since she demonstrates taste.



I had to post this video of my sister's puppy, Chaos, playing with Toro. I don't think my sister realizes how big Chaos will be. Her paws are huge. Toro loved playing with Chaos. It has been awhile since he frolicked with other canines.