Christer

My family (John wants me to note that it was his idea) is brilliant.

We just celebrated Christer. That is Christmas / Easter. That way my little family didn't have to travel home for Christmas in the dead of the of the winter, but we still got to celebrate Christmas with my dad and siblings.

We left for the weekend on Thursday and started in the Twin Cities to visit John's family.

Graham got to hang out with some of his cousins.

He got to go to the Minnesota zoo (please note that John is not looking at the camera, he does that in Minnesota as well as Florida).

Then on Saturday morning we headed down to Iowa.

On Saturday, my dad hosted a baptism party for one of my cousins. I got to spend some quality time with aunts and siblings.

Graham got to play on a tricycle.

On Saturday evening, my sisters and I went to a women's roller derby game. It was interesting. I unfortunately didn't bring my camera in, so I don't have any photo evidence. 

At the game they were giving away free cans of Dr. Pepper TEN. It tastes like diet dr. pepper. It was odd they were giving away at this sporting event since 80% of the crowd was women, and the product is marketed specifically for "men only".

On Sunday we did the "Fight for Air Climb" in honor of my mom.

Here is our team "Out on the Prowl". We call ourselves "out on the prowl" because my mom always said that when us sisters were hanging out. 

And then finally on Sunday evening -- we had the main event -- CHRISTER!

My dad gave Graham this tractor (for Grandpa's house, and not just for Graham, it is for all of his grandkids, but the tractor is only really age appropriate for G right now). In the photo Graham is saying thank you -- which he almost always signs at the same time of saying it.

That is John and I at our first Christer.

Quarterly Top 5 Photos

My first attempt of a photo shoot with Graham.

I know it is too dark, but I love this photo.

John and Graham's reflection at the beach.

Graham in the Bahamas.

Graham enjoying the teacups.

Snow

I asked Graham if he wanted to touch the snow and that was his reaction.

Graham is not a fan.

Diet Soda Problem

I hate diet soda.

Gross. It has aspartame.

Why would you voluntarily drink that?

But I love Sprite Zero. 

Like maybe better than Sprite.

I hate admitting it.

Pretty Eyes

On the teacups at WDW. This boy loves spinning.

365 Challenge - Week 12

78. Flower at Epcot.

79. Teacups at WDW. Graham's favorite.

80. Graham and his friend Riley. Friend just as long as she isn't trying to play with his toys, or she doesn't went be held by his mom. Graham is a little possessive when it comes to the sharing with other babies/toddlers.

81. Graham and his friend Carolyn. 

82. The worst day ever for photos.. I only took pictures of the progress of the playroom.

83. Watching TV.

84. Asleep after too much fun at the zoo.

This Little Piggy

Graham hates playing "this little piggy".

We oftentimes tease him by asking him if he wants to play. He always responds with "no, no".

Occasionally he'll play on our feet.

He always skips right to tickling up our leg part making a noise that doesn't really resemble "wee wee wee" and movements that don't really tickle. But still super cute.

Summer Sandals

Graham is so cute in his new summer sandals.

Don't you think so?

Happiness Project

Graham being silly with his Dad makes me happy....

And that it is so easy to capture super fun moments like this on camera...

And that is it so easy to capture nice, touching moments like this on camera.

It all makes me very happy.

Graham Does the Twist

Not a video, but a few pictures of Graham dancing the evening away.

He is such a goof.

365 Challenge - Week 11

71. We visited the Budweiser factory on Saturday morning.

72. Graham being forced to sit and let his mom take a billion photos of him.

73. Starbucks. Yum. Graham running to it in the background pointing at the coffee that I asked him to find (he didn't mind or realize that it was all just a trick to get him to point at the coffee, and I knew where it was the entire time).

74. Bath Time = Fun Time.

75. Flowers. Pretty.

76. I am WAY too proud of this. But I took all of the photos, collaged them, got it printed and framed it. I LOVE, LOVE it. I love it even more because I did it. 

77. Dining room chair. Sun light coming in the window. 

Remodel Progress

My backyard isn't looking too hot right now.

Construction on the playroom addition and patio area has left it looking like a junk yard.

Definitely not a neighborhood with an HOA sort of backyard.

Thankfully the HOA can't see back here. We would be getting letters.

Our addition is almost complete... maybe by next weekend Graham will be playing in his playroom.

Maybe patio furniture will be back on the patio.

Maybe the grill (that doesn't work) might just be on the curb waiting for the garbage man (but more likely gathered by the middle of night random "maybe still usable looking" garbage gather'ers).

And hopefully the construction film that doesn't seem to leave the house (you can sort of see the film on the dining room table), and the construction smell is long gone. Along with the random hammering that interrupts my thoughts of taking a late-afternoon nap.

Fingers crossed.

Sidewalk Chalk

 I've had this 3D sidewalk chalk for a long time... but I finally broke it out for Graham. The 3D part didn't appeal to Graham, but the glasses did. Lots of entertainment was had by him putting them on and off.

 Graham enjoyed coloring too. 

Self Portrait

I had the wrong lens on to do a self portrait. 

But check out our pretty eyes. :)

Ignore my gray roots they are fixed now (well temporarily fixed for the next few weeks).

You Capture: Emotion in Black and White

Shy

Calm

Bath Time Graham

Graham loves bath time (except for the washing his hair part).

No wonder he loves it. He has fun toys he only gets to see twice a week.

Yes, we are lazy parents that only bathe our child twice a week. 

If he had to bathe daily, he probably wouldn't love it as much.

Photography Challenge: Beverage

I asked Graham where Mom's coffee was, and he ran right over pointing.

Who knew he knew what an iced coffee was?

Happiness Project

Today marks our 8 year wedding anniversary.

That makes me very happy.

Cute Graham

Of the billions photos I took over the weekend, these are my favorite ones of Graham.