Trip to Nauvoo

 A couple of weeks ago, we decided to make the trek to see our extended family, in Nauvoo, IL.  We made the trip in one (long) day.  It was so wonderful because most of the family had never met Smunchie (though they keep up with her on the blog).

While we were there, we went to visit the miniature horses at Doozie's Farm. Here is Lil G, with Great Grandpa Bud in the background.  Smunchie checked out the ponies from the wrap.

 We took a ride on the wagon, pulled by oxen.  Lil G was very impressed with the oxen and was excited to touch them.

 In the late afternoon, Great Uncle Mark came over with his golf cart and drove Lil G around the yard.  They had so much fun!

 Great Grandpa Bud got to meet Smunchie for the first time.  She really took to him!


A pic of four generations, with Lil G looking like Lil G looks....all the time.

Below:  Hugs with Great Grandma Mary Anne and with Asie

Five Months Old

 It is so hard to believe that on September 5th, our little Smunchie turned five months old!  She is still a happy little girl (except in the middle of the night) and is growing every day.  She is close to getting her first tooth and seems to be heading toward sitting unassisted and even crawling!  She still nurses like a champ and can roll around the room like nobody's business.  She's growing like a weed and has already moved to her big girl carseat.

Five month stats:
Weight- 15lbs, 10 ounces
Length- 28.5 inches

Wordless Wednesday

Pedal Bike

 One of the activities that Greg and I worked on last weekend was procuring a "bike with pedals" for Lil G.  Many of you know that Lil G has been riding a Strider Balance Bike for a couple of years.  Truthfully, he only got really good at it over the course of the last year.  The basic principal of the bike is to perfect the art of balancing and gliding, before introducing the aspect of pedaling.

Well, as of late, Lil G has clearly mastered the art of gliding and had been repeatedly asking for a "bike with pedals, like dada's".  We decided to go ahead and get him one, in conjunction with his grandparents (Papa and Tutu), as a sort of early Christmas present.  After all, with a birthday in February and Christmas in December, there isn't a lot of opportunities to acquire summery toys!

 Lil G took to his new bike right away.  He does a great job at gliding on it (the training wheels rarely touch the ground).  He is still working on the concept of braking, however.  Practice, practice, practice!

After a few minutes of riding, we determined that we needed to raise the seat up a little bit. Lil G got out his tools to "help" Greg. 

Weekend fun with Papa and Tutu

 Last weekend, Greg and I were trying to get some things done around the house and my parents generously offered to take Lil G for the weekend.  He had a blast!  They went to the Corn Fest, here in town, and then to the Balloon Fest in a nearby town.

 Apparently, there were rides involved, though I am not certain at which festival Lil G got to ride on the crazy swing.

Clearly, the little man could not get enough of the hot air balloons.  Every day, he tells me about them: the colors, the shapes and the fact that they are "awesome".  And, he keeps telling me that he WILL be going again next year :-)

Bus Bound Boy

 While Tuesday was Lil G's first day of school, he didn't ride the school bus until Thursday.  He was terribly excited to board the bus and be on his way.  I, on the other hand, had a small panic attack.  It's so hard to let them grow up!

Rodger and Sarah's visit

 A couple of weeks ago, we were blessed to have my brother, Rodger and his girlfriend, Sarah, come for a visit. We love when they come because 1.) they are super cool people and 2.) they greatly entertain our children.  Truthfully, Lil G cannot get enough of his uncle.  As soon as they left on Sunday, he told me that on his next sticker chart, he is earning a trip to "cago" (aka- Chicago), and that it wouldn't be too much trouble for me, as my only job would be installing the carseat in "Rodger and Sarah's car".

 Smunchie snuggles