July has been filled with visits, vacations, and work trips. I haven't been up on updating the blog, but I will fill you all in with July installments. First with part of our trip to Kearney, NE.
We are back from our vacation in Kearney, NE. The ride back was a bit of a challenging one. Miles is at the point now where he isn't content just sitting in his carseat. He wants to GO!
Packing to go to Kearney, "Don't forget me Mom!"
We got to Kearney on Monday (July 9) because Aaron had some work meetings to attend. We had dinner with our friends and Aaron's work colleague Mary and her husband Keith. Mary and Keith have 2 little girls. Ella is the same age as Miles and we first met her on our trip to Texas a few months ago. And we got to meet Anna who is 3 and a little ball of energy.
Ella and Miles playing. That blur on the couch is Anna
She only sat still for a second
Miles and I were on our own for most of the week. But we found some fun stuff to do. We went to the Centennial Park pool. They have a graduated entrance to the water (like a beach) and it was perfect for Miles to crawl around and splash in the shallow water. What was really fun is we ran into Aaron's cousin's wife Keisha and their little girl Londyn at the pool. An unexpected surprise and we were happy to have some friends there to play with.
Drying off after a swim
Splashing in the pool, that's Londyn in the background. She didn't really want her picture taken but I caught her.
Uncle Luke was all to ready to show Miles that he could walk. They practiced going up and down the hallway at Grandpa Sam and Nana Linda's house.
Miles was a contender for the loudest baby at Matt and Sally's wedding ceremony. Miles did teach Cousin Carter a few new vocal techniques, but he was pretty quiet during the ceremony.
Then at the reception Miles got to meet all the Pearse side relatives. And there are lots of them. Aunts, Uncles and lots of cousins to play with.
Kennedy just loved Miles. Look out for that bear hug!
Aunt Rita, a seasoned Grandma kept Miles happy. Kennedy didn't want to let him out of her sight.
Don't dunk me in the punch bowl Daddy!
The ladies and their babies, and one little girl
We visited with Grandma Mary Lou and Grandma Irma, and had an adventure in downtown Kearney. I'll post those pics in the next installment.
We hope all the Dad's out there had a wonderful Father's day. We were thinking about our Dad's that day and I wanted to make sure Aaron had a great first Father's day. We decided to equip the family for family bike rides. This summer is turning out to be a wonderful one weather wise and we wanted to be able to soak it up as much as we can. So we went to Fargo to get a bike for Aaron and a bike trailer so we could pull Miles along.
Miles in the buggy, we have a helmet for him, we just hadn't put it on him yet.
Aaron told me that he thinks the last time he actually owned a bike was in high school! Wow! Well, if he wants to keep up with Mom and Miles this summer we better get him one.
Family's first bike ride together. Many more to come this summer
So we are riding now. Hope to see you all as we cruse by.
Well summer is here and we are soaking up the summer sun. You really have to take advantage of the nice days in North Dakota or you might blink and summer will be over. Miles loves being outside. His daycare provider gets him out when ever she can. We also spend our weekends looking for opportunities to get out. Two weekends ago Grammie Julie visited us and we spent some time in the back yard. We tested out our new splash pool that was an early birthday present from Grandma Kross. We also went to the community pool for a swim, it was packed with all the kids who are out of school.
Grammie and Miles
Drying off in the sun with Grammie Julie after the splash pool
We have gotten the pool out lots because like I said, you have to get outside any opportunity you get.
Dad and Miles in the splsh pool
Last weekend we went to Kite Fest here in Jamestown. We packed a picnic lunch, put Hayduke in the truck, and had a great time having lunch in the breeze and admiring the kites. This is a fun event they have every year. Something you wouldn't think would draw a lot of people, but it does. People come from all over to show off their kites, and there were some impressive ones. One giant whorly-gig thing, a big teddy bear, a gator, and lots of these little ground kites like a crab and turtle that look like they are crawling along the ground when they catch the wind.
Dad and Miles admiring the kites
Picnic at Kite Fest
Cool fish kites
Turtle ground kite
We have also had friends over a few times for grilling burgers.
Our friend Henry with the dogs wanting to join the party inside.
So come on up for a visit. It is beautiful here right now. We have lots of room and be sure to bring your bathing suite so you can have a go in the splash pool with Miles. We hope everyone is enjoying their summer, we sure are.
First let me apologize for the lapse in updates to the blog. I guess time has just been getting away from me. I have been working on some Derby stuff, we are having a bout on June 23 so come see me skate. Plus there have been parties and other activities to keep us busy.
Going for a hike with the baby n the Kelty pack. Thanks to the Stephens family for passing this on to us. We love it.
I wanted to post about my first Mother's Day. We had a great day doing exactly what I wanted to do. We got outside in the sun shine, got some exercise and even had some time to pick wild asparagus. Let me tell you about this stuff! It is so good. Miles enjoyed chewing on the stems. All you have to do is roast it with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. It is AWESOME! It tastes like you smothered it in butter.
Dad giving the Kelty a go. Miles figured out he could grab at the hair on Dad's neck.
Miles playing in the grass
Grandpa Sam was in town and we went up to Chasley and Fessenden to check out his properties and hike around on the prairie. This is a great area to get outside with the dogs and let them run. Although, we have to keep the tracking collar on Willow because she runs out of sight and we usually have to track her down.
Grandpa Sam tending the trees on his property in Fessenden.
The only thing missing on my first Mother's day was the Dairy Queen Blizzard I requested. We drove by DQ that evening and the line was 10 cars deep and the parking lot was over capacity. Everyone and their mother (literally) was at DQ that night. So we just went back the next night and extended Mother's day a little longer.
Mom and baby on the prairie.
Well I hope all the moms out there had a great one. Especially those of my friends who had their first Mother's day. I am so glad I am a member of the Mommy club now.
Well, Miles is pulling himself up on everything and crawling like a champ.
He loves this standing play toy and he is shaking his head like "no" but I don't think he knows exactly what it means yet. It kind of looks like he is dancing to the music too.
He has discovered how to climb the stairs. Aaron and I were watching a movie down stairs last week. I saw Miles crawl over to the stairs but didn't think much of it. Then I look over a few minutes later and he is gone. I ran to the stairs and he was 3 steps up!
Oh my goodness! Well, now the baby gate is up on the bottom steps so we don't have any accidents.
Miles and I had a great time in Florida. The plane rides there and back went smoothly. Miles slept a good portion of the trip, and when he was up he was a happy baby. I think we have this travel thing down. We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale and Grandpa picked us up from the air port. Early the next day we traveled from Boynton Beach to Mico Florida to see Grandma and Grandpa Kross's retirement home and to meet Uncle Rich, Aunt Gina and cousins Arianna and Will. We also met Great Uncle Bob and Great Aunt Sue.
No Uncle Rich!!! The baby can't ride in the bed of the truck!!!
With the cousins on the bench by the lake. Grandma and Grandpa's house is the yellow one in the background
My beautiful family
With Grandma
No Grandma! Miles can't drive the camper!!
We got back to Boynton and hung out with Grandma and Grandpa. We took Miles to Grandma's work to show all the ladies she works with the baby she has been talking about for 9 months. We also visited some of Mommy's friends. Vicki had a get together and we got the next generation of the gang together.
With Vicki
Kelly loves babies.
Dave and Beau. Miles and Beau had fun sharing passifiers.
Then we went to see Nicole and Natalie and their next generation. We had so much fun with those crazy Stefano kids that Miles slept the whole night that night. James even shared his favorite toy with Miles. Thanks James for helping me get a good night's sleep.
Miles loved Mommy Coey
Savannah is a natural with babies.
Nanny singing songs to Miles
What a fun looking group
Miles got to meet Grandma and Grandpa's dog Maggie. He loved her. He played ball with her for hours.
We had a great time, but we really missed Daddy. Hopefully he can come with us next time we go to Florida. The next trip will be a road trip in July to go to Cousin Matt's wedding. We will get to meet cousin Carter then. We can't wait.
I'll post more about our trip to Florida when we get back home. But here is a preview. We visited Grandma and Grandpa's retirement home in Mico, Florida and met Uncle Rich and Aunt Gina and Miles' cousins Arianna and William.
On the bench by the lake with Cousins and Grandparents
We also met some of Mommy's friends.
Vicki
I've joined the Mommy club with Natalie and Nicole and their clan
