Crush

Caden's Nana, Papa, Aunt Justine, Uncle Randy, and cousins went on vacation to Florida last week. They visited Disney World, Animal Kingdom, and Sea World to name a few. They brought back Crush from Finding Nemo for Caden. He's been cuddling with him in bed the past 2 nights.

He really does like it...even though you can't tell by the face.

Goofin' around with Goofy and Pluto.
Randy, Pluto, Chris, Pluto, Justine
Katie, Cori, and Matt

Jim, Carole, Matt, Chris, Randy, Justine
Katie, Cori

Matt, Chris
Katie, Cori

Looks like a good time was had by all!

Visitors

Caden's Grandma, Aunt Erin, GG, and GPap came to visit this past Tuesday for the day. Caden had a blast showing everyone his toys and swing set. It's always a nice time when they come to visit.

Trying out the chair that Grandma brought. Pappy D made this chair for Mommy when she was a kid.
"Come on GG!" Poor GG, she's always being pulled along.

My soccer ball.

"Hey, is everyone looking at me?"

This little toy talks and plays music, so of course Caden danced to everyone's enjoyment.

Hanging out with Aunt Erin...Grandma put his hat on like that.

Showing everyone how he helps me vacuum the floor. This is now a new toy. We thought he'd run away when we turned it on, but it didn't seem to bother him.

Playing with GPap.

Playing with GG and GPap.

Caden wouldn't let GPap go without testing out his cane first.

The Many Sounds of Caden

He starts off with a tribute to Warner Bros. and then just turns into the rest of his series of noises he enjoys making. You might not want to have the volume turned up too high :)

Up 2 and Around 2

Caden had his 15 month well baby visit today. Good news...he's grown 2 inches and gained 2 pounds. He still doesn't like the doctor, but at least his turn around time is pretty fast. He's usually smiling by the time we're getting him dressed. This time all he did was fuss and point to the door like he was saying, "Get me outta here!" Maybe next time will be better??? At least we didn't have to weigh him 3 times because he was trying to get out of the scale (he still sat there and cried though).

Weight: 21 lbs. 4.8 oz.

Height: 31. 75 in.

Splash Battle

We have rearranged Caden's schedule recently so that he's taking baths in the evening instead of the morning. This way Jason will be able to help once school starts back up (he's become a handful in the tub with trying to stand). Caden seems to LOVE having his Daddy there for baths. They enjoy getting in splashing battles. He never used to splash like he does now. He does this cute thing where when he's done splashing for a second, he'll smack the side of the tub, almost like he's playing the drums and then hitting a cymbal.

Yard Work

We can acutally happily say Jason had mowing to do this weekend. We were so excited to actually use the new mower we bought the weekend before. Well, at least I was excited that Jason was using it :) I'm sure the excitement will wear off quickly.

We aren't the only ones enjoying our yard.

You'll notice an empty birdfeeder. That's because I REFUSE to feed the cat sized squirrels who ate the first 3 lbs. There was a poor robin hopping around one day, but he just gave up.

Father's Day with Trains

Yesterday, we visited the Steamtown National Historic Site for Father's Day. I went to their website yesterday and discovered that it was actually a free weekend (there are 2 other free weekends this summer), so we figured why not? It's a really nice museum with lots of old cars to walk through. There was also a trolly museum, but we didn't make it there before it closed. There's always next time.

Caden and Daddy at the turntable.
Daddy showing Caden how the wheel thingy worked - I'm so good with technical names.
A nice, knowing, mother offered to take a picture of all of us. She knew it's not easy to get a family picture.

Caden and Daddy

Caden and I sat in the engine.

Caden had this look on his face pretty much the whole time; it was hard to tell if he liked it. The only time he laughed was when we were going down in the clear elevator.

He was happy though when we bought him a little train book...he wouldn't let go of it.

1st Tantrum

Caden threw his first (and I wish last) official trantrum yesterday. He was in our corner cupboard where he have a lazy Susan type thing that we keep cans on. Apparently taking the cans out and rolling them on the floor is tons of fun. It was all fine and good until he decided to drop the cans, which of course I couldn't let him do. I kept showing him what to do, but he finally just threw one...so I told him he was done playing in the cupboard, and then the fun began. He just started crying, flopped on the floor whenever I came near him, and crawled under the table crying the whole time. It didn't last long. Funny thing, he hasn't touched the cupboard today :)

Oops...spoke to soon, he's in there now, but he's putting them on the rug like his Daddy taught him to do.

Caden's "New" Table

Caden got this "new" table last weekend when we were home for Erin's birthday. We got it at a second hand store for $7, but it didn't have chairs (new $40 with chairs). So, we "borrowed" a chair from Grandma's set. He loves the table...it's one of the first places he goes to play.

I think he's singing along to "Old MacDonald".

Side note: Last night Caden got his first taste of bubbles (literally). We discovered the mower works well if you go fairly fast. So, Caden would point the the handle, say, "eh-eh", and then gently push me over to it so that I could make the bubbles. He knows how to get his point across without words! Then we just played with a giant container of bubbles and the stick that comes with it. Caden kept putting it right up to his mouth so he could "blow" which was more of a spit. Our neighbors came over to "mow" too, which was nice.

15 Months Old and Feeding Himself

Our little guy is now 15 months old. He loves to walk everywhere. Yesterday, we went to Sears, and I let him walk around with me. When he heard the music in the store (which I think was just elevator-type music), he stopped, dropped my hand and boogied. Then when the song changed, he did the same thing. It seems like he's really trying to talk, but it's pretty much just "da" that comes out.

I know I have lots of videos of Caden feeding himself, but here's another one :) Last night was the first time I gave him the bowl of applesauce and spoon to try all by himself.

Chalk & Music

Caden discovered how much fun it is to play with chalk at Aidan's birthdy party, so we had to get him some for Erin's birthday party too! He had such a good time that Lexi had to come see what was going on.

Caden discovered the piano at his Grandma's awhile ago. It is one of his favorite spots when we visit. Grandma was showing him how to play with your fist on the black keys, so that's what he's doing in the last picture. It's amazing the things he picks up on.

Happy Birthday Erin!

My sister, Erin, turned 31 on Wednesday. We had a little party for her Tuesday night, and then she opened gifts on Wednesday. It was just a short trip for Caden and I (Jason still has school until the 19th...yuck!). Here are some pics of the birthday fun:

Uncle Nelson, Aunt Peggy, Terry, and Caden
Uncle Jeff and Pappy
Caden playing with his wagon (from a yard sale).
Caden and T

"Let's go this way GG!"
GG decided to take Caden for a walk...or maybe it's the other way around.

By the looks of things...GG gave in.
A little purse creation by...you guessed it...Aunt Peggy.

She got not just 1 but 2 cakes!

Erin and Grandma

I guess Erin kinda had a purse theme...she got 2 this year.

Caden was the gift passer outer for Aunt Erin and did a really good job of it too!

"Now what? I gave her the gift."

"I'm done with this gift passing out business!"

"What that...knock the the table? I can do that GPap!"

Same color shirts...could've been twins.

"Well, OK, maybe I'll give her one more...this is a heavy one!"

"Go ahead...open it, I'll watch!"

On a side note - today is Jason and my 5th Anniversary. We both can't believe it's been 5 years. Thanks Jason for 5 great years...looking forward to many many more. We're heading out for ice cream tonight (our new tradition since we are living in our anniversary gift :)