Happy Fourth of July!

We had a peaceful, simple, low key, three person family Fourth of July and it was wonderful. Relaxing parade perfect for a two year old, nice peaceful afternoon enjoying naps and movies and a nice dinner, including Charlie trying corn on the cob for the first time...he loves it!

Charlie's Two...Part 2!!!

The day after Charlie turned two, we had a great Family Birthday Party for him. Our little guy sure is loved by many.



Charlie enjoyed some good playtime with cousin Penelope. She is just a few months younger than him and they do like to play with each other.

Hhmmm... which present should I dive into first?

Penelope and Charlie checking out the tractor flashlight.

Look Mommy!!!

CAKE!!! We had dirt cake again, but this time in a more traditional form. Always a little special to have this as I remember many Deram parties with dirt cake...one of Josh's favorites.

Uncle Lloyd, Grandpa, Uncle Jim, Charlie, Cousin Lauren, Mary Lou

He blew out the candle!!

Having Cake with Grandma.

Penelope with her Grandma

Papa, Aunt Kathi, NimmyNimmy, Uncle Lloyd, Mommy

Jer, Penelope and Mary

Cousin Lauren and Charlie

Charlie and Uncle Ted

Charlie and Penelope

Cousin Lauren and Charlie (on his new tractor phone).

Grandpa, Charlie and Grandma

Papa, NimmyNimmy and Charlie

Mommy, Daddy and Charlie

Charlie's Two!!!

On Charlie's birthday, we had a wonderful, but HOT playtime party with friends. 2 hour parties are just the right amount of time for little ones, I think. We dragged all of our outside toys out to the yard and utilized the backyard. It rained that morning, so luckily it got warm enough that the grass dried out.

Charlie and Daddy outside greeting guests.

Reese enjoying a tractor.

Pinata fun for all of the kiddos (Jason, Paige, Camryn, Lila, Charlie).

Ava, Reese, Charlie, Lila, Jason, Gwennie

We enjoyed HUGE sub sandwiches from Walmart (Thanks Amy for the tip!), lots of finger size fruits and veggies (some of Charlie's favorites), goldfish crackers and juice boxes. Perfect lunch of Charlie's favorites.

A picnic lunch on blankets in the backyard under the shade of the willow tree -- Jason (on the picnic table), Ava, Emma, Paige, Gwen and Charlie.




Jason

Paige and Ava always willing to pose.

For a cake, I made Dirt Cake "cupcakes" as Dirt Cake is a great treat for our little egg and nut allergic Charlie. Putting them in individual cups worked great for the kids, just like a cupcake.

Cake!! Jason, Camryn, Reese, Charlie, Ava, Noah.

Presents!! Charlie was given some wonderful new toys that continue to entertain him and great new clothes for our growing big boy!

Brianna, Charlie, Paige, Reese, Cam

So happy about a Matchbox car...hmmm..Kenny...what are you doing to him?!

Jason explaining gifts to Charlie.

More help from Jason and Paige.

And this is what happens when you have SO much fun at your party and then you refuse a nap, even though Mommy scheduled the party so you could have your nap...

To end the day, we enjoyed some left overs from the party and put our little two year old to bed early!

The Morning of Charlie's Birthday

Father's Day Part 2

On Father's Day (and Grandma and Grandpa's 40th Anniversary), we went to...wait....can you guess....another car show! This time in Oak Brook. Kenny's family has always gone to it and for Kenny, it is a sort of tradition, so we try to go.

Uncle Jim showed his car, as usual, so Kenny hopped the rope and got a picture with it.

And then opened the door and plopped Charlie down in it. Good thing we know the guy who owns it!

Father's Day Part 1

The day before Father's Day we ventured into Wisconsin with Nimmy (Charlie's name for Grammy) and Pops to the Wisconsin Auto Museum. Pops and Kenny can think of no better way to spend a day than exploring cars, so since they are the Fathers....we went with. It was without very many other patrons, which proved to be good for our little almost two year old. He's not quite clear about the behavior one should have in a museum...but we are working on it.

On the way up there, Charlie was in heaven watching the "actors" (tractors), "tocos" (motorcycles) and "ans" (planes) as we traveled through the back roads of Wisconsin.

Off to explore with Pops and Daddy.

Watching the wonderful model train.

Nimmy trying to sneak another hug in. Train watching is serious business Nimmy!

Pops explaining the fine art of model trains.

This picture won't load right, but it's a truck Nash, which Kenny has never seen and even more interesting is it says Metzler on it...one of Kenny's cousin's last names.

"Mama, Nimmy, are you coming with us?"

Learning with Nimmy and Pops.

Working on an engine.

We ended the day down the street the Mineshaft restaurant - Wisconsin's largest. It was yummy!