Fall Fun

When you know it's going to be a nice fall weekend in MN, you try to pack in as much as you can, knowing it may be your last chance before the snow flies.  So, we took advantage of the gorgeous fall weather this past weekend and decided to head out to the apple orchard.

Oddly enough, I don't have any pictures with apples in them.  All Cole really cared about were the animals, tractors and various dogs that were out and about.

We thought he would enjoy climbing on the hay bales, but it turns out he didn't like the feel of it and didn't like it sticking to his socks.

We met Ben's folks and Oma treated her grandson to his first hayride.

And on the way home Cole showed us how "Joe Cool" he was - just chillin' mom!

And what a perfect weekend to help Daddy wash the car.  Last time Cole "helped", he ended up eating the soap suds, so we had to keep a close eye on him.

And he actually helped this time.  He would scoop up some suds and take it over to the car and wipe it down.  Very cute.

On Friday as I was driving by our local fire station I noticed that there was an open house this past Sunday.  Cole has been really into fire trucks and sirens lately so we figured he would enjoy it.

So many buttons to push, so little time.  Luckily they can disable the buttons so the kiddies don't raise the ladder or turn on the sirens. :)

Already riding in the back of a cop car!

And a couple pictures from tonight - Cole making some expected and unexpected messes!

We're trying to let Cole feed himself so he can get used to using a fork and spoon and for the most part he does a pretty good job.  But with yogurt (or yo-yo as Cole calls it) he gives up and chugs it straight from the container.

And the unexpected mess??  Ben was working on his car and Cole loves to pretend drive, so Ben let him have at it.  What he forgot was the container of baking soda he had in the console.  Well, you guessed it.  Cole found it!

And in other news, Cole is pretty much broken from the Nuk!  WOW!  I never thought it would happen.  We decided to cut the tip off of the nuk so that it wasn't as fun to suck on and he lost interest and won't take it anymore because it's "broken".  Way to go kiddo!



Catch Up Time

Shall I catch you up a bit on what's been happening?  No?  Well, tough.  I'm going to.

After we got back from the cabin, we joined some friends for our first trip to the new Target Field to watch a Minnesota Twins game.  It was good to catch up with friends and enjoy a little outdoor baseball.  Oh, and the Twins won, so that was a bonus.

We also celebrated my niece Maggie's 1st birthday!  Ben and Cole stayed back in Blaine for a little daddy/son time and I went to LaCrosse for cake and ice cream (which she obviously enjoyed immensely).

After the party, my mom, dad and I ventured back up to the cities and went on our annual outing to the Minnesota State Fair!  Gluttony ensued!  Some of the best food this year?  Chicken Fried Bacon (really it was quite good) and the usual indulgences like Pronto Pups, corn on the cob, ice cream from the dairy barn and Sweet Martha's cookies.  Cole actually did really well!  He loved people watching and seeing all of the animals.  And our wagon came in handy when he was dozing off.

We also decided it was time to say farewell to our Mazda.  We bought it when Ben and I first got married and it's been a great car.  But we knew it was a matter of time before things started falling apart and boy were we right!  The day that Ben put it on Craig's List, the tie rod broke and we had to put $$ into it.  But now it's all fixed and just like new! :)  So if you know anyone who needs a cheap, reliable car with a "few" miles on it, send them our way!

Otherwise, we've been enjoying the lovely fall weather and getting outside as much as we can before the ice and snow hits in a few months (I felt like I just swore when I said ice and snow, so if I offended anyone, I'm sorry.)  This past weekend we went to our local pumpkin "farm" to enjoy some fall activities.  Here is a picture of Cole last year when he was about 5 months old and this year at 16 months!  Still as handsome as ever.

And to end this update post, here is a video of Cole busting a move!  Enjoy! (Oh and I apologize to all of my family in Wisconsin and fellow Green Bay Packer fans for the shirt that Cole is wearing....it pains me too.)

Cabin Vacation 2010

Every year, ever since I was a baby, my family has been going to our family cabin up in northern Wisconsin every summer.  It's such a big part of our family and since we have expanded over the years, it's been fun to introduce new traditions and memories.
 Last year was Cole's first year, even though all he did was eat, sleep and poop (he was about 2 months old), so it was fun this year to think of all the things he would enjoy that he couldn't last year.  Oh, but this year all he did was sleep and poop, not so much eating.  Yup, he was sick for the majority of the time.  Of course.  And it just happened to be the coldest week of the summer up there.  Ugh.  BUT, in the long run, it was lovely to be away from work and the routine of life and as always it was fun to spend time with family.  Enjoy the pictures!

First time on the dock and stylin' I might add

Hanging out with Grandpa

Ladder Ball in the water

Chilling with Cousin Ellie

The sun's out right?

Daddy and Cole

LOVE this picture!

Ben and his horse Champ

Dancing with Nana

Ben is such a natural with three kids! :) Cole, Maggie and Ellie

Pontooning it!

The cabin version of the tub

Uncle Nate and Cole

Cole's attempt at escaping, sans life jacket!

And apparently no swim diaper. :)

Going a bit stir crazy trying to entertain the little man

Feeding Jane Doe and her two fawn

Cole learning the finer art of cribbage - putting the peg in the hole

And so proud of himself when he did!

Story time before bed

Mommy and Cole

SMOOCH!

Silly boy!

We tried to go for a cute hammock pic - obviously they weren't having it.

Gramps, Gram and the Grandbabies

Yeah, we weren't ready to leave either Cole.