Sweet BABY Kade?

I don't think we can consider him a baby anymore :-(  The little big boy is loving this walking business.  I think he's wondering why he didn't do it sooner!  Now, if we could just find shoes to fit his little football shaped feet!

Vacation #1

Sorry for the delayed post, we've been on vacation!  Last weekend was Eyota Days, so we went to the parade then left for "Up North" as we Minnesotan's like to call it. 

Surprisingly, there wasn't a lot of tractors in the parade this year!  There was a lot of candy though.  Unfortunately for Kade he had to watch everyone else eat it.  Next year, buddy, next year.

Half the time I forgot about the camera on vacation so I didn't take many pictures.  I did remember to take it on Kade's first boat ride though.  It was also his first time in a life jacket.  That didn't go over too well, until the boat started moving.  Then, we decided the life jacket wasn't so bad after all because we were too preoccupied with going fast and imitating the sound of the motor.

After a week of holding hands and pushing a walker everywhere on vacation, Kade decided he is done with assistance.  Last night, when we got home, he let go of our hands for good.  He's officially a lone walker!  I hope Erik and I are in good enough shape because the chasing has begun!

Meal times are a bit messy these days.  How much food actually makes it into a baby's mouth when they self feed??

Michael and Kade, in their matching strollers, waiting for the parade to start.

Something interesting caught their eye!

One of the few times Kade sat down during the parade.  He looks like such a big boy!

We did manage to find some tractors after all.  It's 100 degrees and my boys still have to play on the tractor.  Don't think for one second Erik didn't take a turn on the seat after Kade!

Uncle Jay flew in from WA and stopped in for a visit.  Kade wanted me to let everyone know that Jay's hair does NOT taste very good.

Come on Grandma and Grandpa!  At the count of 3, swing me!

How many men does it take to put a life jacket on an 11 month old?

So serious.

Me and my cousin, Lauren.  She was the flower girl in our wedding, when she was 2!  On vacation, we were Penelope and Cynthia, from England.  Our British accents were spot on!

There's a smile! 

Boating is serious business, it's not the time for smiling or laughing.

Grandpa, watch where you're going!

Here, I'll drive.  Some one's got to get us back to shore!

And, He's Off!!

2-for-1 on posts today!!  Just a quick video of the little man in action.  These aren't his first steps but I had to post a video of him walking.  He still prefers to army crawl however, with enough coaxing, he will take a few steps.  Just a few more months of this and his legs rolls might finally disappear enough to prove that he does have ankles! 

Kade and Molly

Kade has discovered a way to get close to Molly!  He got this only slightly annoying squeaky book from his uncle Jeremy that either Molly finds equally annoying or she loves it, we can't figure out which.  Either way, whenever Kade pushes it Molly comes running.  This video is a tamed version of how she usually acts around it.  However, you can see Kade knows how to tease her with it.  I know it looks like Molly is going to bite him but she only acts tough.  She's got "Little Dog Syndrome", all bark and no bite. 
This book is the bridge Kade needed to actually be able to touch Molly and he uses it to the best of his ablity!

Fourth of July Festivities

Could we have asked for better weather for this past weekend?!  I mentioned in my "Gopher Count" post about swimming at Rich and Sharon's pool, so I'll give you one guess where we spent Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday...

We swam, lounged, and ate all day, everyday.  And, after dinner each night "Papa Rich" took us on a hayride.  The only thing we didn't get in was a bonfire but I think that's because the adults were more tired than the kids by the time evening rolled around. 

The most exciting news of the weekend is Kade took his first steps!!!  We've been playing "No Hands!", where we see how long Kade can stand on his own.  Every day it gets a little longer and on Sunday he decided to throw a few steps (6 to be exact) into the game.  It was very exciting, and since he did it at Rich and Sharon's (aka Grandma Holiday), he had quite a large audience and lots of cheers.  Of course, he hasn't taken any steps since :-)  I think he just wanted to prove that he could do it, but he gets there faster by army crawling so that's his mode of choice still.

I've got lots and lots of pictures to accompany this post.

This picture isn't from this past weekend, I just thought it was super cute because Ellie likes to help Kade walk.  Whenever we're walking Kade she comes running over and grabs his arms too.

Modeling his swim outfit that he got from Lady A. 

Kade's favorite part of the pool, the water coming down off the slide.

Taking a snack break, swimming makes a guy thirsty!  His shorts are a little like pants right now but the waist fits him perfectly :-)

Dreaming about the day that he can ride his bike all by himself.  At least he"ll look like a professional in the meantime.

Getting ready to help Grandpa in the fields.

Going on our first bike ride.  It was a little hard to pedal because somebody kept kicking me in the back of the legs!

Braeden, Owen and Kade on the hayride.

Poor Ellie, the only girl with all these boys.  It doesn't seem to bother her though because she's the princess!

Sisters-in-law, due 1 week apart!

Kade taking the lawn tractor for a spin.  I think we should probably leave that bike helmet on him permanently.  The kid LOVES anything with wheels and a steering wheel.

Our tour guide, "Papa Rich".

Time for hay ride #2!

Grandma and Grandpa C came along this time.

Owen and Kade are taking over!!

Fell asleep on the 5 minute drive home, after chugging a bottle.  Whew!  It's tough work playing all weekend!

A Very Belated Father's Day Post

I just realized I never posted anything about Erik's first Father's Day!  Kade did a good job spoiling Dad on his special day, just like Dad does a good job spoiling Kade every day :-)  He got him a tool chest on wheels and a hammock.  He also made him homemade waffles for breakfast and pineapple pork chops for dinner.  Not to mention he took Dad to Chester Woods and walked Dad down to the water so Dad could splash around and play in the sand.  It was a great day and, like always, we counted our blessings that Kade is in our lives and has given us even more reason to celebrate Father's Day.

On a different note, we've created a "more" monster.  Kade likes food. A lot.  He tends to scream at the top of his lungs, sometimes til he's blue in the face, if we aren't shoveling it in fast enough.  We decided that it's never too early to learn some manners so we've been trying to teach him to sign "more".  He's finally caught on.  Now, during meal times, not only does he scream loudly between each bite, he also signs "more".  Not really the result we were looking for, as we were hoping "more" would replace the screams but we're getting there!

Wait, if Kade and Dad are eating the waffles, who's making them??  Okay, Mom might've gave Kade a hand in the kitchen.

On our walk in Chester Woods

First time in the sand

He loved the sand, although it's hard to believe that looking at that face he's making!

Here Dad, follow me!  I'll take you down to the water.

Look how much fun splashing in the water is!

Dad, how come you are always complaining about having a sore back??  My back is fine!

Okay Dad, that's enough splashing, let's get you dried off now.

Tractors

Yep, Kade loves his tractors.  On any given night it's not unusal for Kade and Dad to be pushing a tractor across the floor.  Kade leading the way with his tractor and Dad bringing up the rear pushing something and complaining about how hard the floor is on his knees and elbows.  I don't how he does it man.   It's gotta be that extra padding he has on his legs!  Not only do we look really cool crusing down the hall on our tummies, the sound effects between the two of us are spot on.  The tractor runs smooth, but I fear he may have a fuel leak.  His RPMs get cranking so high that he leaves little wet puddles of drool/spit every few inches as he makes his way around the house.  Gas gauge always reads full!

  You never know where tractor will show up!

Yep, Kade loves his tractors.  With the beautiful summer weather now upon us Kade and Dad get to play with tractors outside!  I've never heard such a big "Ohhhhh" as during his first lawn tractor ride.

Kade finishing the front yard.

Bedtime Kade!  Kade was getting his pajamas on and Dad was trying to mow the front yard before Kade went to bed.  Every time I went by the window he stopped what he was doing and said "Ohhhhhh".  He proceeded to talk Mom into bring him outside and Dad had no problem with the pre-bedtime tractor ride.

Kade taking over the wheel.

Kade's love for steering wheels does not end with tractors of course.  Kade has several other passions.

The best part of going out for pizza on Mom's birthday.  "I didn't break any high point records, but Dad kept feeding the machine with quarters".

Doing a burnout in Grandpa's hot rod.  Thus the blurring picture.  One hand on steering wheel, one hand on stick shift, and pedal to the metal.

Yep, I like snowmobiles too!