Grammy Callender Comes to visit

Grandma Callender came to visit the kids for almost two weeks in July, and helped out Mom and Dad a ton with work around the house.  We also got to go out for our 7 year Anniversary (Gasp!)  Thanks Grammy!

In case you were wondering, this is Caden's "Proud Face"

The Callenders go to Chicago

In July, we took the kids on a road trip to Chicago to see Uncle Chris, Aunt Kim, and our Cousins, Shauna and Xavier and CJ and Theresa.  We had a TON of fun!!   Here is a video of Caden learning to say "Chicago" on the way there when we were stuck in traffic.  It distracted him for a little while.

It was the first time meeting Maddie for the McLaughlin's, and the first time seeing Caden since he turned into the tornado of energy that he is.  (Last time they saw him, he wasn't quite so mobile!).  We had a fantastic time visiting with them, and we can't wait to see them again next year!  We definitely will be taking a road trip to Chicago every year.

Hanging out with the McLaughlin gang on Friday night after we arrived!

Uncle Chris and Caden - he loved playing with the dog leash. 

They love their Aunt Kim and Uncle Chris!

 During the weekend, Mom and Dad got to go KID FREE for a day, since Dave Matthews was in town for a show.  (THANK YOU Chris and Kim!).  The kids didn't miss us a bit as we headed to South Chicago to see the show. 

 

I know that I shouldn't post this...but I JUST. CAN'T. HELP. MYSELF.  I took this picture as we were heading home on Sunday.

Observations:

1.  He is not wearing a helmet in Chicago interstate traffic.

2.  He has no better method of transporting his cigarettes.

Thanks for the laugh on the way home, random dude with aversion to backpacks!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

So since returning to work, I am failing miserably on blog posting.  Oh well, something had to give.  :-)  Here's a recap of the last MONTH since I have been back to work.

We had a great Fourth of July weekend.  Most of the time we were up relaxing on Wixom Lake.  The boys slept outside in tents in the backyard, which they thought was very cool.  

Taylor and Carter joined the boys and had a great time on the boat!

All the kids trying to squeeze onto the bench on the porch

In Jackson's words, the names of the boys this weekend were:
Marshall Sweathead (Jackson) and Doc Orangelips (Caden)

We had a great sunset before the firework display! 

There were two in the bed, and the little one said, ROLL OVER!

That's right....Maddie is on a roll.  I think Caden did this around 4 months, so Maddie is at 3 months now - maybe she will walk sooner than he did as well!

She has a normal size head on her side - a 75% head will facilitate rolling much easier than Caden's 98%  noggin at 3 months old.  Poor kid.  :-)

Here are some pics from Father's Day Weekend:

We went to the Splash Park for the first time this summer on Saturday.  Caden had a blast, except for when he ran headfirst into another kid.  They both recovered well and were running through the sprinklers a few minutes later.

For Father's day, we went to spend the day at the Kern's.  Matt and Joel got a charter fishing trip to catch King Salmon in Lake Michigan from all of us.

Jackson and Caden eating Cheese Puffs

Tino, Jackson, Caden and Nico on the boat after a swim

Maddie was snug as a bug....in a boat.

Inside the storage compartment turned into playhouse

Of course, we drove the gator again.

Happy Father's Day!!!

It had to end sometime....

...Maternity Leave that is...  Maddie turned over three months old and I packed my bag for work tonight.  I'm excited to go back, but very sad to leave our Mommy-Daughter time every day.  No more dance parties at 10 am waiting for naptime...guess we'll have to save that for the weekends...and special days off.

Maddie is going to love going to Cheryl's everyday, just like Caden does.  I'm going to be happy once back in the routine of working again.  Can't guarantee that I'll be happy about it this week, but by next week I should be over it.  :-)

Speaking of naptime - none of that for me anymore.  I better get to bed.  Let the exhaustion begin.

See you at 5 pm baby girl!!

PA Trip - Maddie's Baptism

We Baptized Maddie at Trinity, where Matt and I were married and where her big brother was baptized as well!  It was a beautiful ceremony and she did a fantastic job.  She didn't cry when the water went on her head and made it through all of the pictures.  We had a great party afterwards at Grandma Callender's house so everyone could meet Maddie. 

THANK YOU to everyone who came to her baptism, and made it such a special day.  A Big thanks to Grandma C for hosting the big party!

PA Trip - Visiting with friends

We were able to visit with our college friends, Jen and Arin on one of the days back home!!  It was great to get the kids together - usually only happens about once a year and they get so big!!  We had dinner at Primanti's and shopped at the outlets for the outfit Caden would wear to Maddie's baptism the next morning (oops!).

Naomi, Eli, Austen and Caden.  Maddie is sleeping in her carseat - didn't quite make the picture.

We have been taking this picture for about 12 years now.  Holy crap we are old.  Greg is amused in the background.

Kids and lollipops...didn't go as poorly as we thought it would.

Jen and Baby Maddie!

PA Trip - Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

Last weekend we went back to PA for Maddie's Baptism!  We had a super fun weekend visiting with friends and family.  On our first day we visited the Pittsburgh Zoo because this year, Caden knows many more animals than last year!.  Goats don't say "DUUUUDE" anymore....the say "BAAAHHH".  He also knows Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, and Monkeys.  

We went to the Zoo with Brady Paul and Maggie and Pat joined us right from the plane from Florida!!  Grandma and Grandpa Frank, Grandma Callender and Aunt Jen were all there as well.  We were a huge group - lead by a couple of two year olds.  Maddie and I were along for the ride...she slept most of the time and kept cool in the shade.  :-)

Look how Tall we are!

Caden checking out the Elephants

Matt and Amy had to hold them up to see most of the animals

Maggie meeting Maddie for the first time!!

At the PPG Aquarium!

Maggie did a great job watching the boys.

Aunt Jen taking Caden down the big slide!

Maggie and Caden on the Rope bridge!

Memorial Day 2011

We spent Memorial Day on Wixom Lake this year!  We had tons of fun and the weather was perfect!  We went up the day before Memorial day, had a cookout and let the kids play.  The boys were supposed to camp that night, but that plan was put on hold due to soggy ground from thunderstorms earlier in the day. Here's some pictures from our weekend...

Caden drove the Gator for the first time.  Matt and Joel stayed very close because turning was still a concept that Caden struggled with.  He figured out what the gas pedal did pretty quickly, but not the steering wheel.  He just assumed that Trees, bushes, Daddy's Truck, would get themselves out of the way of his path.

 

Carter was brave enough to join Caden on his maiden voyage.  Mommy stayed close...

Once the other kids got wind that the Gator was out of the garage, all of them took their turns driving.

Breakfast on Memorial day!

Caden and Jackson watching Star Wars before naptime..

First trip on the boat this year!  Caden still doesn't like his lifejacket...but he was distracted with his juice.

Maddie was squished a little in her life jacket.  The good thing about it is that it held her head up for her!  :-)

Throwing rocks into the lake while we had our cookout...

Yes, that is a (empty) pony keg of Oberon.  Caden is showing off his strength. We'll have to compare this picture to a similar one when he is in college.