Fun in Iowa!

I stayed very busy in Iowa!  I didn't want to nap much or go to bed because I didn't want to miss anything.  It was all so much fun!

I did lots of walking (almost running)...

I got to see snow!  But I definitely wasn't interested in standing in it...

But I didn't mind standing on the ice patch...

I finally posed for a picture with Aunt Laura and Uncle Dan...

On Christmas Eve, I brought a little Christmas cheer to the house - I think I did a pretty good job!

Merry Christmas!

I went on an airplane for the second time when we traveled to Iowa for Christmas.  This airplane ride was different than the last one since all I want to do is be on my feet moving these days!  Mom and Dad gave me a B minus for my travel behavior, so I guess I did okay!

It was cold in Iowa - I had to wear mittens.  They were kind of strange...

At Grandma and Grandpa Hermansen's house, the doors were my favorite things to play with!

I was happy to get to see Grandma again - I'm her little peanut!

And I was Grandpa's little man while I was there!

Uncle Dan was my buddy!  He kind of looks and sounds like Dad so I liked snuggling up with him!  I was pretty sad when he left...

The man in the red suit showed up at Grandma and Grandpa's house - he is definitely not my buddy!  I don't know how he found me...

On Sunday the entire family came over to see me (oh, and to eat Christmas lunch).  All of mine and Dad's cousins, aunts and uncles.  I showed off my walking skills to everyone even though I was kind of shy!

Here's a pic of the family!  I got stuck in the back row - guess it's because I'm tall! 

Dad and I had some quality time hanging out during the trip...

Presents made a good seat!  One of them jumped out and hit me in my face though (I might have fallen on it) and I got a little bruise on my cheek.  Didn't stop me from climbing though!

I was good at unwrapping the presents!  I even was good at taking time to play with each gift before getting back to playing with the boxes and cards!

We opened up more presents when Aunt Noreen came over!  She gave me a warm and snugly vest!

More to come about my birthday celebration(s)...

Me? A Climber?

I had a great trip to Iowa and can't wait to share all about it, but Mom hasn't gotten her pictures together.  We got home last night - not sure what the hold up is!  But here's a couple videos showing off my climbing skills!  Mom said she's not worried at all about the bookcases in my room becoming a jungle gym...

Little Mover!

I've become quite the mover and shaker these days!  I do slow down to eat and sleep though...

Over or under - doesn't matter to me - it's fut either way!  And for the record, I did work my way from under the chair and came out on the other side...

I woke up from my nap the other weekend and Mom and Dad had put a tree in our living room!  Not sure what that's about and the fence is in front of it so I haven't been able to check it out yet.  It's okay - plenty of other things to check out in the house...

These days I'm on my feet way more than crawling.  Sometimes I still hang on to things, but I'm definitely a walker now!  I can't wait to show off for everyone in Iowa next weekend!

Playing Hooky!

Last Friday I got to skip out on school after lunch to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Young!  We had all sorts of fun!  First, they took me to this thing called the Pink Pig.  Apparently Mom used to ride on it when she was little, too.  Grandma and I rode the the Pink Pig and Grandpa watched.  I really didn't have a strong feeling about the ride one way or another...Grandma said my facial expression didn't change at all.  I was just taking it all in!

I had to check it out before riding the Pink Pig!

After riding the Pink Pig, we went into the mall and found this man dressed in red with a big beard.  Lots of kids looked excited to talk to him but he was a stranger to me.  And no one has to tell me twice that stranger means danger!  Grandma must have known him though because we sat next to him for a picture.  He asked me if I have been a good boy - what a silly question!  Of course I have been!

Next we took a trip to Costco for some shopping!  Got to ride in the cart and play with lots of toys in the store...

I picked out a few Christmas presents while I was there!  Maybe that guy in the red suit will bring these for me...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was awesome!  We went to a cabin in Murphy, NC and I got to spend several days with Grandma and Grandpa Young, Uncle Skylar, Nichole, Mom, Dad and Paul.  We went hiking, ate lots of food, drank lots (milk and water for me!), took naps, hung out by the fire, and played tons!

Doesn't Paul look handsome?  And of course it's a given for me - who can't look good in a sweater vest or a tiger hat? 

Grandpa and I went for a walk before Mom and Dad got there - it was definitely the coldest day!  I had to wear my Iowa coat from Aunt Noreen!  After the trial run, I think I'm all set for Iowa at Christmas (especially since I'll have the matching snow pants too!)

Here we are hiking - it was so cold!  But then it warmed up the last couple of days we were there.  I got to hang out on Dad's back.  I liked it the best when he ran fast!

Gobble gobble!  I wasn't a huge fan of eating turkey, but I ate lots of other stuff!  I really liked Skylar's mashed potatoes! 

The fridge at the cabin was so cool - it had a little seat in it just for me!  And there was this other chair just my size - I had lots of fun climbing in it!  

I didn't quite remember Uncle Skylar at first, but we were definitely buds by the end of the weekend.  I even let him put me down for a nap and made him look like a pro!  Nichole was lots of fun too!  Maybe I'll get to take another plane ride to go visit them in NJ.

The cabin was all hardwood floor, wide open living space and no stairs - it was made for me and my lion toy!  I also got into some of the pots and pans while everyone was trying to pack up the last day... 

I didn't get to try any s'mores, but I did get to hang out by the fire!  

Here's my brother - his breath shows you how cold it was!  And you almost can't see him in all the leaves! 

Eleven Months Old!

I turned 11 months old last week - the day before Thanksgiving!  I spent the day in Murphy, NC with Grandma and Grandpa Young, Uncle Skylar and Nichole.  I can't wait to share some pictures from my Thanksgiving cabin trip!  

I'm always on the move these days!  The only time I stop is to eat or take a nap.  And when I say on the move it means crawling, cruising, climbing, pushing things and now even walking!  That's right, I'm officially walking - even if it is about 5 steps max at a time.  I added a video to show me in action!   

I'm kind of covering up my shirt, but for the record it says "On the Nice List".  I hope Santa remembers that since I've been such a good boy this year!

On Vacation!

I headed to the mountains with Grandma and Grandpa Young today for Thanksgiving!  Uncle Skylar and Nichole came with us too...and of course Paul!  Mom and Dad will be up here with us tomorrow.  

Riding in the car is much more fun with Grandma and Grandpa!  Okay, for the record the car wasn't moving and Grandpa was making funny faces at me through the window...

I've got my Thanksgiving outfit packed and ready for the big day!

Good Eater!

I've become quite the eater these days!  This weekend I got to go to a Mexican restaurant with Mom and Dad.  I had some avocado, steak, chicken soup and tortilla.  Then tonight we all went over to the Dakake's house for dinner.  I met a new friend and had a grilled cheese sandwich.  Mom couldn't believe that I almost ate the entire thing (after some guacamole)!

Now Mom and Dad don't even have to cut the avocado into pieces for me!

Same with banana - I can manage it on my own - although I do tend to end up with a bit much in my mouth at times...

I'm a big water drinker too.  Grandma Young was having a drink of water and I wanted some too!  I think she got the message when I started licking the glass...

When Mom was out of town, Dad gave me some peaches and I just wanted to lick them up - can you tell??