First Iowa State football game

I've been waiting my WHOLE life to witness my very first Iowa State football game.  All I've ever heard since I've been in Ma's belly is Iowa State this, Iowa State that.  I'm fairly certain I will be required to go to college there, otherwise, I may never be allowed back in their house.  And so the story goes, the beginning of football season has already started.  Lucky as I am, Da and Ma decided to get an RV pass which means we get to spend the entire weekend in Ames!  Although we lost the first game against North Dakota State University (and likely many more the rest of the season), we still had a blast since many of my family stopped by to see us.

Practicing the rally cap even before the game.

 I think I look good in my hat!  Thanks Ma!

 Hanging with Grandma and Cousin Camy.

 This is my first of many Iowa State outfits to come out of the closet this year.

 Grandpa and I sporting our Cyclone gear.

 Already gazing......

 In deep thought.

 The game was way too much for me.  Time to snooze, since that is what the team did.

Post game.  We lost, but we still had plenty of fun.  I can't wait for the rest of the season to unfold.

Colorado

Since I had so much fun in Colorado with my fam over the 4th of July, I asked Ma and Da if we could go out again before the summer was over.  Due to their love of the state, they gladly complied.  I even asked Grandpa if he wanted to join us as well, and he gladly said YES!  I guess when you're retired, you can do as you please.  So, the four of us packed up the car to the brim on August 16th and headed out early morning for another fun adventure.  We stopped for Village Pizza three times, Big Horn breakfast twice, fished a few days, hiked a few days, drove through the park numerous times, saw a bear on our last evening, took in Casa Bonita in Denver when we dropped Grandpa off at the airport, and watched some movies in the condo.  What a great vacation to relax.

I'm all smiles in the back seat on our 13 hour car ride.

Looky, looky, I still have my dimple.

The three of us went hiking around Lake Estes so I could gain another hiking patch.  This walk was over 6 miles by the time we walked home.  I may have slept a good chunk of the time.

Feelin like Simba from the Lion King.

 I'm a little serious looking in this pic.  But, how can I not be.  I'm trusting my Da to not let me go.

On top of Old Smoke----yyyy.....

Oh wait, On top of Lily Mountain.  Another patch complete!  We had a 53 minute hike up and 48 minute hike down trying to beat the rain.  The view was beautiful.

 I practiced driving while Da went off fishing.

 Hanging in the front seat.

 Grandpa and I posing at Sprague Lake.

Ready to hike Cub Lake for another patch.

Da put a few too many seeds in his mouth.  

We made it 10 minutes into our hike before lightning struck nearby.  It was a quick turnaround to the car.

Is that a bear?  Where?  Over there!

There was a bear in the tree right next to Subway.  We were on our way to Village Pizza our last evening and came across the commotion.  Ma had to go be a part of it.

Entertaining Ma on the drive home.  Rubber ducky....you're the one.

New tricks I've already learned on vacation

I can't quit learning new tricks!  Just this morning on vacation I started saying "mmmaahhhmmmm" repeatedly.  On top of that, I pretty much want to wave when someone waves at me!  I know!  I am so stinking smart I can't believe it.

The Iowa State Fair

Ma insisted that we go to the Iowa State Fair.  She figured I would love all the animals and people watching.  Well, she was right.  What she didn't anticipate was just how much I would love all the John Deere tractor's too.

I got my first tat!  Ma says its the only kind I can ever have.

Steering my first tractor!

Ma's team built this cab I'm sitting in.  My Ma is famous.

Me and Da in my first tractor ever!

I'm not sure what to think of these bunnies that are as big as me.

I loved my very first visit to the fair.  I can't wait until next year so I can eat all the food Ma and Da eat.

I can pull myself up now too!

I am a mad man, learning new tricks every day.  One day I learn to crawl, the next I learn to pull myself up.  I overheard Ma tell Da that tomorrow I'm going to learn to walk, the day after I'll talk, and the day after I'll be off to school.  Good thing that isn't true, cause I love hanging with Ma at home during the day.  

Let the army crawl begin!

Mark it down.  August 12th.  Aspen is officially on the move.  Although the coordination is not quite there, it's a start.

Showing Da my skills since he was at work when I first did it.

My first plane ride and trip to South Carolina

Da had a business trip to a facility in Augusta so I begged Ma for us to go.  I wanted to take my first plane ride and go spend some time with my Great Aunt and Uncle, and then take in a Braves game with Ma and Da.

They were nervous I wouldn't do so well on the plane, but I was a champ.  On the way home I was playing with everyone around me and they all couldn't get over how cute I was.  It's a rough life, I know.

My first steps in the ocean.  I love it.

My Great Aunt took some pics of me.

I can't quit talking to my Great Uncle Dean.

I don't want to leave my Great Uncle Dean and Great Aunt Marge. But, I am so excited to see Da.

Having fun at my first Braves's game during the rain delay. Brave's did win though but I wanted to go back and get my rest.

This is right before I grabbed her hair.  She didn't seem to mind, especially since I gave her a big grin:)

7 months

Baba ababa!  Any idea what that is?  Well, don't worry, I am the only one who does.  It's my favorite phrase to date and one I could say for hours on end.  Besides that, I also just figured out how to roar like a dinosaur!  I also have mastered all of the mechanics of crawling except crawling itself.  I just wanted to make sure I knew how to put it all together perfectly before I attempt any acrobatic fears.  Plus, Ma doesn't seem to upset I am taking my time.  I keep hear her telling people she wants me to slow down, but I just can't help it that I am growing too fast.  I've even heard her talking about my first Birthday party.  I'm not really sure what all that means, but it has to be fun, right?  Well, I suppose, off to figure out this thing called life.  I'll check back in soon.  Happy 7 month Birthday to me...

I look like I know how to stand all by myself.  But...I really don't...I'm just foolin you!

Ma was having too hard of a time just picking out a few pictures so she is putting them all on here.

Is this smirking?

Thanks to Aunt Jackie, I got this new outfit for my trip to South Carolina!