Solids...

I feel like such a bad mom for not getting pics of Easton eating his first solids, but I didn't, so his first biter biscuit with have to do.  He thought it was great until it slipped out of his fingers which caused him to cry big alligator tears until we helped him grasp it again at which point the routine repeated itself.  He loves solid foods but not the Gerber kind.  I have been giving him real fruits and veggies and I think it must be the texture and the better flavor of the real stuff because he cries now if I give him Gerber.  :D

He has been sitting by himself for a month now and really likes to play on his tummy or be in his jumpy jump.  He LOVES to clap.  He thinks it is hysterical.  I love his laugh.  Madi would squeal until she was one or so.  It is fun that he actually has a laugh and he seems to do it a good amount of the day.  He adores Madi.  He watches her every move and gets so excited when she pays attention to him.  (She is usually really sweet with him , however, doesn't like to get too close because he "spit up" on her.  It's really just drool.:D)  He still sleeps great and is an absolute joy to be around.  Such a sweet boy!!

When did I get old???

Okay, so 30 really isn't that old, but I'm pretty sure last week I couldn't even imagine being  in my 20's and now I am in my 30's!  CRAZY!!!  I didn't have any break downs or hide under the covers or cry because I was old.  Thanks to the world's most amazing man, I had the best birthday EVER!  See all those post-it notes on the fridge.  For the 30 days before my birthday I got a note along with a gift the coincided.  Each note started "I love you because..." and then finished with something he loved about me.  I got totally spoiled.  Among some of the things I got... popsicles (Pace's, the best kind), toothpaste, Mt. Dew, a small camera (for the diaper bag), several books, Rio, 17 Miracles, Excedrin, a few games, a marble Christus statue, Sugar Baby's, Lagoon ticket, craft things and a bunch more I can't think of.  It was so fun to wake up each morning and see what he had given me that day.

The best present he gave me though was him.  He surprised me and when he left for work Monday morning, he really ran to the store to get stuff to make my cake and my breakfast.  He returned home with sausage and stuff for french toast, complete with strawberries and whipped cream on top.  Then Madi and Derrick made me a pumpkin struessel cheesecake bar for my cake.  It was AMAZING and I am pretty sure he will be making it next year too! :D  He spent the day shopping with me and then we came home for some yummy enchiladas and my cake.  It was a perfect day. 

A birthday weekend...

Derrick's parents take us to lunch for our birthday's every year.  I love how special they make us feel and the little things they do to show us how much they love us.  Since it opened, I have gone to the Cheesecake Factory for my birthday.  I love that place!  It is always so yummy.  We met them there on Saturday (the 10th) for lunch.  I enjoy spending time with them and watching them with our kids.  They are such wonderful grandparents and I am glad they are so close to us.  Here is Madi and Grandma.

After lunch we walked around Fashion Place and stopped at the Wood Connection to pick up a few crafts.  Then it was off the the state fair.  Each year we get tickets from Derrick's work and it seems like it is always on my birthday weekend.  It's fun to go and see all the people and new things.  I especially love the photography exhibit.  Easton enjoyed being out in the sun (and rain) and watching everything that was going on.  He is always so happy.     

Madi LOVED the animals.  We let her go on a pony ride which thrilled her.  She was completely smitten with the bunnies and wanted to bring one home with us.  Since then she has told us several times that she wants a bunny.  So, if you know of anyone close to us that has a rabbit hutch they aren't using and wants to get rid of, we are looking for one. :D  

People would stop to play with Easton while we were looking at things.  He has the most captivating blue eyes.  We don't go anywhere without someone saying how beautiful they are.  I have to agree.

One of the things on our list to do at the fair was the Little Hands exhibit.  Madi really liked it last year and we knew this year would be more fun since she was older.  Here she is milking a cow.  She talked about this for days too.  She liked the cow and the sheep and talked about getting an egg from the chickens.  So fun! 

While we were looking at the bunnies it started to rain, not a lite rain, a down pour.  Got to love what the rain does to my hair... :P  

We bought Madi 10 tickets.  She rode a train and a hot air balloon ride and wanted to use the rest in the bounce house.  She went in that four different times!  The last time the guy said since there wasn't a line he would let her stay as long as she wanted.  She had a blast and it took some real convincing (or maybe bribery) to get her out. 

Our little guy was happy all day, wet or dry, he enjoyed being outside and seeing all there is to see at the fair.  I can't get enough of his grins and laughs.  He is such a good baby and so easy for me.  I love this kid! 

Easton's first time...

We have been taking advantage of the gorgeous weather outside and have been to the park a few times in the last couple weeks.  On Sept. 8th, we decided to let Easton get out and play too.  I put him in the swing and he LOVED it!  He didn't stop laughing the whole time.  It was adorable!

Labor Day...

On Labor Day we went to Union Station to check out the trains.  Madi LOVES them and will walk around saying "choo choo, all aboard" so Derrick wanted to go see the trains with us.  There were more open then when we went before.  Madi was able to climb up inside a lot of them and touch things.  They were a little intimidating to her once she saw what was inside.

That didn't stop her though.  She wanted to climb into every one of them.  You can't really tell from the pictures but she was loving it!

"all aboard!" 

Easton and I hung out and took pictures.  I went in a couple of the trains but thought I would let Derrick see them since I can go back easier then he can.

Madi picked a flower that was growing by one of the old trains.  It looked like it had caught on fire or something.  It was rusted and black inside and totally gutted.

Derrick liked this one a lot.  It is the train car used to bring the Olympic Torch into Salt Lake for the 2002 games.  

We walked through the museum which was actually pretty busy.  Madi liked to climb on things and see the model trains.  This is on a caboose.

The horses were still up from the parade of horses.  Madi thought they were cool and wanted to ride them.

I love when we have a three day weekend with Derrick.  It is always fun to take the kids places with him and see and learn new things.  We had a great day and were excited for the weekend since we had lots planned already!

Wowzers!!!

Madi is such a good sharer.  She has shared her fruit snacks, goldfish and suckers, among other things, with her little brother.  Easton's favorite was by far the sucker! :D  

Lagoon...

Derrick's work had their company party at Lagoon on Aug. 27th this year.  We haven't gone in the past because Madi was so young.  This year we decided to leave Easton with Grandma and Grandpa and take Madi.  She LOVED it!  She wanted to go on all the rides over and over again.  We had planned to go to Lagoon-a-beach but never made it.

We went on the Odessea.  That was the ride we waited longest in line for.  Madi did not love being sprayed but did like the ride.  We went on this ride twice so she could ride with both of us.

 Then we hit the kiddie rides.  She LOVES the whale ride and kept asking to go back to it.  She wasn't too sure about this ride but I think it is cause the boys face paint freaked her out.

We had a nice lunch and they did a raffle.  Derrick won the coveted prize... the Rockstar BMX bike.  He had five different offers to trade him things but we hung onto it in the end.  Then we changed Madi out of her swim suit since we ruled out Lagoon-a-beach.  We strolled through Pioneer Village and I got the sweetest picture of our Madi.  I love it! 

We rode the train and Madi went on several more rides before calling it a night.  We had a lot of fun and can't wait until next year when we can go back!