Go Big Red

Last week Todd was a champ and drove all of us to Nebraska for the week to see everyone. We were really nervous that Will wouldn't be a good traveler in the car for 15 hours, but he actually did great! I packed enough food to last until Will starts school, new toys to discover at crucial pre-breakdown moments, and a laptop filled with never before seen videos. We were ready! I gave very specific guidelines to the driver as well -- stops were only for gas, food, and diaper changes -- that all must occur at the same time. All adults must grin and bear it and don't even THINK about stopping if he's napping! Here's the trooper (and I mean Will, not Todd) on the way to Nebraska --



We stopped along the way and stayed overnight to give everyone a break and ensure a good night sleep (and in turn, good attitudes in car -- very important!) Again, important criteria -- hotel must have continental breakfast and a pool to entertain the little guy (and wear him out for bed!) Here are my guys on the way to the pool. Aren't they a pair?



Once we got to Nebraska we tried to fit in visits to as many people as possible without leaving the Omaha/Lincoln area. We stayed at Jess' house and mom came over after work to hang out. It was great having everyone together and seeing Will interact with the family. They had so much fun! Will's favorite part was the famous rocking chair -- he ran for it right away (well, okay, it rated after the golf clubs) when he got there and started practicing getting in it by himself. Here's a little clip we took after he had mastered it. Not nearly as entertaining as watching him when he was still figuring it out, but still pretty cute.



We also went to see some of Will's Nebraska buddies -- who happen to be children of my friends, convenient, right? :) First stop was Luke's house in Lincoln. Luke is just a couple of weeks younger than Will so it was fun to see them together. My friend Christine is 38 weeks pregnant with Baby Sears #2, so we went to her this time. :) The boys had a ton of fun, playing at the house and also the park. Here are the two in action --





After our play date with Luke, we had dinner with the Skudlarek's. Noah and Faith are a couple months older than Will and they all had so much fun together! I don't know that all of the other diners at Valentino's loved our table of 4 adults and 3 toddlers, but hey, what can you do? I'm sure we were quite a sight, but it was nothing compared to the action on the sidewalk after dinner! People actually came out of the businesses to comment on the three of them and their cuteness -- all while we were chasing them down. Here's some action shots -- did I mention that Will REALLY likes to hug other kids?? It's really sweet, but he doesn't have the best control, so it sometimes ends up with everyone falling down, but he means well!





After dinner we swung by and visited Aunt Deb at her new salon for a quick hello -- no hair appointment this time -- we'll have to do better when we come in the winter!

Our last big adventure of the week was a trip to the children's museum with my mom. I think grandma and Will had a great time! It was a lot of fun and I can only imagine it will get better as he gets older -- there is so much to occupy them there...it's great. :)




Then, before we knew it, time to get back in the car! We headed home at the end of the week so Todd and I could get ready to go back to work. The summer is officially over...boo.

Whhheee -- child free!

I don't even know where to start! We have had an amazing couple of weeks around here, with a lot to share. To start, Todd and I went on a trip to Oregon. He had to go for a conference all week, and I went along for the vacation part. It was our first big trip away from Will -- and we had a great time! It was all possible because Todd's mom was willing to keep Will all week -- and we are so grateful. I think they had a good time -- but I think he wore her out! Hopefully he will be welcome back again sometime...:)

So basically we spent the week in Oregon doing some of our favorite things. I did a lot of running (sort of got lost one day, but whatever!) and shopping during the day. It was hard not to want to run with views like this -- it was incredible.


Of course there were also the not so subtle hints to work out too...


My friend Colleen was also on the trip so the two of us hung out during the day and waited for the guys. We were right in the heart of Pinot noir wine country, so we owed it to them to check some of it out, right? Here we are at one of (the many) wineries that we checked out. Just doing our part to help out the local economy...



There are also a lot of micro-breweries in the area (are you noticing a theme?) so we also checked them out. This is one of my favorites, but basically just because of the sign.


When Todd was finished with his conference we had one afternoon before we had to leave. We decided to rent a car and drive through some of the beautiful scenery around Eugene where we were staying. It was beautiful and we (with the help of a GPS) managed to find some more great places to visit.




It was such a beautiful, unexpected, enjoyable trip. We had a great time which I know was only possible because we knew the little guy was in such good hands. Unfortunately for Nana she probably did such a good job that we are going to want to leave again!

Travel plans

Hey all! I just wanted to make sure and get the word out about our upcoming travel plans so I thought I would make a quick post. After Todd and I get back from our trip to Oregon this week, we're all getting in the car and heading north! We will be in Nebraska from (hopefully) Monday the 20th until we head back home on Friday. We would love to see everyone but will probably stay pretty close to the Omaha area -- so plan to come see us!

Love you all,
Sara

Summer road trips

I can't believe it is already July! Last weekend we headed to Dallas. I had a conference to go to during the first part of the week, so we went a little early to do some visiting. Thanks to facebook a college friend and I reconnected and realized that we live way to close together to not see each other! She lives close to Dallas, so we headed up there and spent Saturday and Sunday with them. It was so much fun to watch the kids play together and get a chance to reconnect with an old friend.

Here is Will with his new friend (and my old one!) Heather...you can't see her, but Heather's adorable daughter Lily is hanging on to Heather's neck too in this picture. Heather was a champ to be in there with both of them because Todd and I didn't have suits!



On Sunday we tried to take the kids to the park, but we got there and all of the equipment was way too hot to let the kids play. Since we had driven there (and we were all crazy hot) we decided to instead go to the splash pad in town. The kids had a blast!! Of course we hadn't planned to get wet, so we just stripped Will down to a diaper and let him have at it. Ah...those were the days...:)



When we showed up we made sure to win Lily over with gifts. :) She quickly decided we were all right and spent most of the time we were there following Todd around. Here they are with one of her presents -- which turned out to be the best gift ever, who knew? Silly putty! Her favorite thing was to have us "make bubbles" in it so she could pop them.



After we left the Russell's house we went to Fort Worth to stay with Eric and Sania. It was fun to get to spend time with them and I know Todd appreciated having someone to hang out with while I went to my conference. Will loved being spoiled...especially by Aunt Sania!



It was a great trip spent with great people. Now we are preparing for our next ones...Todd and I are going to Oregon (without Will!) and then I think we will make the ultimate road trip of summer -- we'll be Nebraska bound! We should probably all start mentally preparing for that now...

Another week gone by...

We have a new party trick! All of the sudden, Will seems to completely understand the world around him! Of course with that has come the discovery of HUGE temper tantrums when we don't get what we want, but it has also made things kind of humorous. He now walks to his high chair when you ask him if he's hungry, he goes to the door when he's ready to go in the car, and his parents absolute favorite -- goes to bed on command. I knew you would be skeptical, so I have included proof...



This was another great weekend because Aunt Jess came to visit! Jessica came to see us and we had a great time. She stayed home with Will while we worked on Thursday, and then Will went to Miss Wanda's while the grown ups went to the outlet on Friday! It was lots of fun, but of course yet again I didn't do so hot taking pictures...here are a couple in Will's snazzy new shirt from AJ...he looks good in John Deere green!




See how much we love visitors?? Come on everyone! (and maybe I'll even take a picture or two...)

Summer weekends

Summer is definitely here! We have been busy around here ever since Memorial Day. The last weekend of May we went to Marble Falls to Todd's cousin's wedding. Scott and Pam looked great and everything was so beautiful. I was completely terrible at taking pictures, so here's all I have to offer...boo me!

Here's Will enjoying the reception. It was on the lawn of Mike and Dianna's home. I don't know that you can tell how gorgeous it is by this picture, but it really was!



My boys before the wedding...handsome, aren't they? Of course it would be better without the fingers in the mouth...



Then this past weekend we were lucky enough to get a spur of the moment visit from my dad! (well, as spur of the moment a 1000 mile drive can be...) We spent most of the weekend outside, which has quickly become Will's favorite place to be. Here he is showing off his pool and toys to grandpa.



Again, not such a good job on picture taking! But we had a great time with Dad here -- I think Will pulled out every toy he's ever had to show him and he walked miles just bringing Dad his hat off the stool any time he tried to take it off. And Todd was glad to have another guy around to teach him a few handyman tricks around the house. We were all sad to see him go Monday morning and hope he comes back soon!

This weekend it's a bbq, next weekend Aunt Jess, then a trip to Dallas...and July won't be any calmer. Hello summer!

Lake weekend

For Memorial Day we made a trip to Louisiana to visit friends in Shreveport. It was a perfect lake weekend -- lots of fun with friends, some pool time, boat rides, and LOTS of food. This was only Will's second trip to the lake and the first time he was just an itty bitty, so we had a great time introducing him to all the fun stuff. Here are some highlights...

Here's the cute couple...some day they are going to HATE getting pictures together, so we'll just take a bunch now before they realize it.



Lately they have loved loving on each other -- Will hugs Elyse, and Elyse likes to give him kisses. Of course they wouldn't do it for any great photo ops, but here they just look like they are sharing a pretty funny secret. It's probably that they can't believe how all these big people run around behind them with cameras all the time.



I envision lots of long summer days enjoying the sun and water in our future...



Somehow Dad got all the swimming duties for the weekend -- but it doesn't look like it was too tough of a job for him here, does it?



Did I mention the food?? We went to the Mudbug festival for lunch on Sunday, and we all found some tasty treats! Will loved it all -- he had crawfish pistols and funnel cake -- and a little bit of anything anyone would offer him. Yum!



A trip to the lake wouldn't be complete without a ride on the boat! We took Will for his first boat ride and were met with mixed reaction. I don't think he's a huge fan of the life jacket...but that could be because it went up to his ears -- it didn't look too comfy to ride in!



He got into it a little more when we unzipped him -- here he is with the wind in his face. Still not too sure...but I think we'll get the hang of it eventually. We'll just have to take more trips to the lake -- Look out Lewis family!




I think this picture pretty much sums up our weekend -- party til we're pooped!



It was a wonderful weekend spent with wonderful people -- thank you Lewis family for your hospitality!