Great Grandpa's 95th Birthday

Today my Great Grandpa Vernon celebrated his 95th Birthday!  I can't even imagine what I will be like at that age.  But, what I do know, is that I have great genes in my family to help me live that long if I chose to take care of myself!  While we celebrated, I learned a new trick.  I can now go from a crawling position to sitting on my toosh.  Woohoo!  

Cousin's Clara, Than, and Brennan helping Grandpa open his gifts.

Great Grandpa with all of his Great Grandkids.

Scrub-A-Dub-Dub in the Tub

I could spend hours in the tub.  Can't you tell how much I love the water?  I know I didn't get that trait from Ma!

Ah, Ma!  What am I suppose to do when I gotta go pee?

I don't care so much about toys in the tub.  I am perfectly content with a cup.

My first official campus visit

We went to Ames for cousin Camdyn's first Birthday party.  Ma wanted to walk me around campus and take some pictures.  I was more amused with my hat and sitting in the grass for the first time than paying attention for photos.

What is this thing called grass?

Ma loves her Alma Mater.  I'd say its not so bad myself.

Hat on or hat off?

I wear hats with the best of them...

Ma isn't a big shopper, but she can't beat really good deals.  Check this one out for under $5!  She says I can wear hats better than Bruno Mars.  I'd say she's right.

Yep, I'm cute.  Watch out all ya single ladies.

Why do you have to laugh at me in the morning?

I don't really understand why Ma wanted to giggle at me first thing this morning.  Apparently she thinks I have the face of an old man with false teeth.  I don't even know what false teeth are yet?

Camping....where an adult just eats and eats.

Well, the summer is almost over it feels like and there has only been a handful of times that I've been able to go camping.  I asked Da if we could make a trip out to Pine Lake in Eldora and possibly see if both of my Grandparents could make it, and even some cousins too!

Grammie, Grandpa and Grandma Swanson, cousins Cooper, Jackson, Alyssa, Brennan, and Camy all took me up on the offer. And even Aunt Sarah and Uncle Brent came out Friday night.  I watched my cuz's catch plenty of toads (over 30 to be exact), play with you guns, take baths in Grammies homemade bath tub (she is a genius...she fills a 50 gallon tote with warm water and walla, a bath).  We watched a movie at the movie night and Grammie made popcorn and skittles for all us kids (minus me).  And the list goes on.  I can not wait to do it again soon!  This vintage camper is going to be a blast!

Cuz's from each side playing all weekend long!

Of course they have to take a pic with their favorite Uncle Ted.  I was snoozing so I didn't get in the pic.

All Aboard!

Family fun weekend and Da's 33rd Birthday!

There was so much going on this weekend!  Hudson Days, all my cuz's were in town to celebrate all of the July Birthday's, and yet another milestone for me....my two bottom teeth are poking through as of Friday!

All six of us after the parade.

Than's first official time holding me all by hisself.

My first pair of shoes...so cool that I decided to custom make both Da and I a pair for Father's Day/Da's Birthday!

Teething

Ma thought she saw the impressions of my first teeth coming in.  Well, she was right.  She spoke too soon though saying I was a tough guy and didn't seem bothered by it because that night, I gave her and Da a rude awakening.  A few bad nights and my first two teeth popped through on Da's Birthday!

Rockin!

Grammie came over Thursday while Ma and Da had a date night on the golf course.  To teach them a lesson while they left me, I learned a new trick.  By the time they came home, Grammie had taught me how to rock on all fours.  Which officially means, I am almost ready to start crawling!  Watch out, I'm gonna be on the loose!

Love/hate with Aspen's milestones

I am declaring a love/hate relationship with Aspen.  Not specifically Aspen himself, rather, all the milestones he has achieved thus far in his short lifespan.  I celebrate and rejoice with each new thing he learns, yet, I realize that is one step closer to his independence and adulthood and one less thing I can teach him.  Sitting here, six months removed from birthing the tiny little human being, I sat in awe as he learned to lift his head on his own, began to follow people and the dogs, recognize himself in the mirror, grab for my finger as I would feed him, cuddle up on my shoulder as I would rock him, roll-over on his own, sit up unassisted, grab for a blankey to fall asleep, take his first bottle all on his own, eat his first solid foods, drink from his very first sippee cup, graduate from newborn to 0-3 month clothes, and 3 month to 6 month clothes, and the list goes on....and on......and on.  No one ever told me how conflicted one could feel each and every time he learned to speak new baby words.  No one ever  told me that every month he would grow, and while he was still the same person, he was still so different.  No one ever told me how connected I would feel to someone who couldn't even talk the same language.  And finally, no one ever could tell me just how much my heart would melt over something so precious and lead my heart to a place of contentment like I've never known  before.

Six month shots

Another month down and its' time again for another round of shots for Aspen.  These pics are 1 minute post shots and as you can see, you would have never guess he just had been poked in his legs.  He's a champ.  Cried for less than 10 seconds like each of the last two times and he was good to go!  That's our boy!  And, for the first time, no fever!

Family selfie

I just had my shots and I'm still smiling for the camera!

Shots in both legs and a gel to drink.  I'm the Chuck Norris of babies!

Sippy cup first-July 11th

I continue to grow and graduate from different milestones. This one, I have officially used the sippy cup.  While I haven't fully grasped the concept, I am still getting used to sipping from the cup. Thankfully Ma put some diluted apple juice in the cup to make it worth my while.

I've got the grip down!

Taking a breather.

Round 2.  We may be here awhile if this is all the further I tip the cup.

What'd you say to me Ma?

When solid food just isn't enough....

One morning Ma fed me some sweet potatoes.  I was still hungry so I resorted to.....

Num num num

Happy 4th of July and 6 month Birthday to me!

Today was yet another milestone.  I marked my 6 month Birthday with a bang and invited the entire town of Estes Park to celebrate with me.  I decked out in my patriotic attire, and smiled all day long!  I've started talking more, in fact, I started saying "ba, ba, ba" and "Da, Da, Da," while in Colorado.  I thought I might be ready to crawl out in Colorado, but it proved too difficult for me and plus, it's vacation, it's meant to be lazy!  I still don't understand why Ma and Da didn't get a cake for me to celebrate, but I guess I'll have to wait a few more months.  Until then, I will continue sipping on their sugary foods.  I am still the master at sitting unassisted.  I've even started eating more solid foods.  Ma has made me eat sweet potatoes, apples, pears, and even bananas.  I always give a good frown when I take my first bite, typically because I don't want to trick my parents into thinking all fruits and vegetables are actually good.  But, so far, they are really tasty!

Red, white, and new!

Ma and Da bought this Hawaiian outfit for me on their babymoon.  I think I'm pretty studly in it.

Buddy, what are you doing photo bombing my pic with my cuz?

Aly challenged Da to a plank challenge.  I am declaring Aly the winner!

Cousin love.

Bear Lake hike!  I want another patch!

I apparently couldn't stay awake for the entire hike.

Family pics on the rocks

Bear Lake hike