Colorado: Days 1-2

First - a little catch-up since I missed out on midweek randoms this week. Here's my happy little man enjoying his bath. =)

Monday, I took off work a bit early to take Sky on a little post-birthday date. Her birthday is the day before mine... sweet 16 this year. Holy moly where has the time gone!? We went to Target and Kohls before eating supper. She chose Olive Garden. Tasty!

More pictures of this kid. Sorry, I'm sure it gets old. His shirt says Reid on it. =)

Tuesday was full of packing and preparing for our trip to Denver but Val and Cori managed to drag me away to see The Heat anyway. It was hilarious!

 Wednesday, we got up when Reid did but still managed to get a later start than we hoped. Still, we grabbed some donuts and hit the road with all this in tow.

And this... =)

We made it to Matt and Kelly's house that evening. Kelly made tacos and we basically just chatted and chilled before the guys' big day.

My little firecracker. He is really somethin'.

That day, Matt and Dac went to set up for the firework show in Lafayette. Kelly and I took our time getting around, I busted a brand new container of formula and half of it went all over their floor, we went to Target, ate burgers and dogs at her parent's house, took naps, and then took supper to the guys.

These aren't your everyday smoke bombs and black cats folks.

Reid was thrilled to see his dad.

These guys work so incredibly hard to make the show happen. Matt does a great job planning the whole shebang! They deserve the break.

The show is at a lake there. Kelly and I walked around to the other side to get a good spot. Reid approved.

Kelly with her Canada bars. I mean, they were hardly American without the blue sprinkles too.

The view for the show is not too shabby.

The show was awesome!

The finale was especially awesome.

After the show, we headed home but the guys had to keep working and didn't get home until 2:30-3. Then, they and Kelly went back that morning to clean up. Reid was napping so I stayed behind and helped clean up around the house.

It was a fabulous 4th of July!!

Their story in 6 minutes

I shared this blog with you a couple days ago right here.

I stumbled upon their blog from a fantastic photographer/videographer duo - Jeff and Erica of Anecdotally Yours.

We had the pleasure of meeting them and working with them on yet another fabulous couple, Lenny and Emily's wedding last year.

Anyway, they shot a film about this family and their story. Beautiful I tell ya. They also took photos.

God is good and faithful and the kids are absolute dolls.

Now, finally, here's the video! =)

Family Reunion

I mentioned that we went to a family reunion over the weekend. It was for Dac's Grandma Jo's side of the family. We've gone to the reunion out at Camp Horizon for the past few years and it's always pretty fun.

Last year, the reunion was the last weekend in July and I was sportin' a baby belly. =) My how things can change in 11 months.

This year HE's the one that got to float around the pool like a regular little prince. 

Here's some pictures I took with my phone and the rest are courtesy of Aunt Darla. =)

Packing is definitely a bit different these days. Here's my new 31 bags being put to use.

Reid and his cousin Ahri are just 3 weeks apart. He is such a tank compared to her petite self. =)

We shot engagement pictures for Daric and Shayna (left) and Courtney (right) is expecting a baby in December!

I started the day with a little game of My Little Ponies =) How could I resist?

Dac and a very relaxed Eden. =)

Silly guy.

First step in a pool.

Laugh if you wanna, but we practice sun safety! =)

Felicity and Reid taking a cruise in the pool.

He didn't splash and play as much as I thought he would but I think that was probably because he was too busy sleeping. =) He did seem to enjoy being pushed around in the floaty.

Drying off. I used a warm filter as to not totally blind you with our whiteness. =)

His cloth diapers double as swim diapers! holla!

Reid and all the little ladies.

I caught the lady that's always behind the camera!

I got to spend some time with this sweet girl that evening while her mom went fishing! PS - I rarely go anywhere with at least a little drool and/or spit-up on my shirt anymore.

Reid and two of his aunties.

He was one tired little booger that night. He was out of his routine, tired, cranky, teething, and wore plum out. Could barely finish his milk.

Annnnnnnnd out.

Day two feeling much more rested! =)

His first time swinging! Loved it!

Dac went for a hike, played an outside game that I can't remember the name of, and played disc golf.

Grandma Jo's kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

=)

Month 7

Reid,

Hey you, has anyone told you how perfect you are lately?! =) I sure do love ya.

You've been exploring the world and it has been so much fun to watch you learn and to see the magic of life through your eyes. Everything is new and amazing to you. So many of the things we would normally take for granted are magic in your mind and we can see those wheels a'spinnin' as you figure everything out.

You find SO much joy in the little things in life and have reminded us to do the same.

Your dad and I were talking recently about the personality we were seeing you develop. So far it seems you're a little ornery, stubborn, curious, happy, and a bit of a people pleaser. I can't wait to see how those things become stronger or change over the years, but hey, no rush. =)

We love you and still feel so in awe that God gave us YOU. You're such a perfect fit.

Mama

Highlights:

• You learned that banging your hand or a toy on the table makes noise. You look ornery when you do that. 

• You loved shaking things (bottle included) and sounds and music in general. 

• You patted things a lot.

• You wore size 3 diapers.

• You wore 9-12 and 12-month clothes.

• You had your 6-month shots and check-up. You weighed 19.13 lbs and measured 27 in. 

• You started going to Connie's for daycare.

• You continued to drink a 6oz bottle at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., eat solid foods between 5-5:30 p.m. and drink a 6oz bottle at around 7:30 p.m.

• You added squash, bananas, peaches, apricots applesauce, pears, green beans, broccoli, white beans, and mango to your palette. You seem to pretty well like them all! You also tried a few puffs but really struggled to eat them unless they were broke into pieces.

• You attempted to drink water from a sippy cup for the first time. To you it was basically just a teething toy.

• You learned to pull yourself up.

• You went from scooting/lunging, to inch-worming, to army crawling.

• Your eczema got worse the more you moved around on the floor.

• You got your first haircut.

• You still didn't show much interest in sitting up on your own. I think it's because that would require you to hold still. You were most certainly strong enough to do it if you wanted to.

• You teethed and teethed those top two teeth but they still remained swollen and right at the surface through your last 6-month day. They've been tough ones.

• You attended your first DIPP Family Reunion out at Camp Horizon and took your first dip in the fool. You hadn't napped much that day so you just snoozed in your floaty. You also swinged for the first time and, after a couple minutes, absolutely loved it.

• You enjoyed army crawling all over the room, banging your hand on the air vents, patting our arms and legs while we held you, having your teeth brushed, putting your feet in your mouth, eating, giggling, being tickled, talking and singing with us, meeting new friends, and the not-often-enough cuddle session.