Fireworks.

We had a great Fourth of July week.  Caden liked the fireworks a lot.  He was really apprehensive that some might be noisy.  We went to Jaime and Brian's on the 3rd, and he kept telling everyone "Too noise for me ears", and would cover his ears.  Then he wanted Grandma to cover his ears for him :).  He loved the parachutes, and we'd only bought a few.  He was sad we didn't have more.  So Grandad snuck off and went and bought him some more.  They love him so and spoil him rotten.  He is a blessed little kiddo :). We didn't stay too late when all the big loud stuff came out, but we saw plenty and he had a great time.

 

On the Fourth we wanted to be home so he could enjoy the 'little' fireworks and be more involved in the day, rather than worrying about him sticking close to us and away from all the fireworks action :). Our street is always really quiet. It was great. Mom and Dad, Allie and Bryan, and Liz all stopped by since they didn't have plans. At the last minute that day Caden and I decided to make it a Fourth of July party :). He was so excited about it all. "Do fireworks 'nother day." Yes, honey, like in a year. So sweet.

Gianna. Star City Shores.

We watched Gianna Flohr a few times this summer.  She is a sweet potato and her and Caden have fun together.  They are right at about 18 months apart.  Busy times and fun times indeed :).

Brittany asked us to go to Star City Shores.  Caden hadn't been there before.  He loved it and was like a fish, I could hardly keep hold of him!  It was a good time indeed, and always fun to be in such great company :).



Wedding Time

We got to take our handsome little dude to his first wedding reception.  He didn't get a nap that day so was so tired, poor buddy.  But, he was extremely attracted to the cake, punch, and dancing.  Nevermind the balloons with glow sticks inside of them!!  What a party!!  Of course if you ask Caden, his "T", his "Boo," his Grammy, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa were there.  So, he was game!!

It was my cousin Darci (dad's cousin Rick's daughter) and her hubby's wedding.  Dad is an only child and only has 2 first cousin's on his dad's side, so I feel more like Darci is a cousin-cousin, since I don't have any on that side of the fam.

Anyhoo, it was a blast!!

             Breaking open the chocolates with Grandpa                     T and the kidletts

The new and improved Rahn family (Iz, you'd be the new and improved part, haha :))

Serious talks with Grandpa over dinner.  Yes, after chocolates.

Bustin' a move and not a care in the world!

Look out, folks, the kid's got moves!!

Lovin' it!!

Caden's girlfriend for the evening, chasing for the balloon :)

Dancing with T and Grammy

.....and Boo, too

Family pic attempt......with Baby Girl, too :)!!

And.....he's done.  Never seen him lay willingly before :).

Little Things

Lizzy and Caden have taken all their swimming classes together since they started.  When we talk about swimming, we talk about Lizzy.  If we're going to swimming, we're going to see Lizzy.  It's a package deal at this point.  Well, after swimming one night we stopped to see Krissy and Jon's beautiful home currently being built. 

There was lots of gravel outside and a little mud pit with a puddle.  Probably looked like a mess to most, but Lizzy and Caden both took it upon themselves to go sit by the little puddle together and throw rocks.  They sat there forever and it was adorable.

Summertime

It really is summer.  We've got popsicles.  We've got a buzzed head on a 2-year-old.  We've got the pool up.  We've got sunkissed cheeks and heat rash. We've got a surplus of swim diapers.  Caden keeps bringing creepy crawly friends into the house.  Sometimes I catch him, sometimes I don't.  Sometimes I catch the creepy crawly friends, sometimes I don't.  Who knows what's hanging out in our house these days.  I've got a baby belly indeed.  Weird that it was 3 summers ago I had this same bump...doesn't seem like that long ago.  Jared is like a cat I tell him, and just wants to be laying in the sun.  I think him and Caden would live outside if I let them.  We've got swim lessons and summer parties at school.  Trips to the zoo and the park.  Goats to feed.  Trains to ride.  Ponies to ride. Swingsets to play on.  Love it!

My sis came over and helped us set up our 'bigger' pool in the backyard Friday.  We even put Caden playset slide going into the pool.  Only to discover there was a hole in the bottom of the pool and all the water leaked out..........oops.  So 2 hours of setup resulted in 20 minutes of fun.  Haha, oh well.   In other news miss Isabel has suddenly whipped up an opinion and it's rocking Caden's world.  They were sitting in the chair together outside with a toy.  Izzie was playing with it and Caden took it from her. Her entire (4 month :)) life Caden has called the shots and Izzie has rolled with it.  This girl started screaming and got so cotton-picking mad at him.  The look on his face was priceless.  He just looked at me like, "Huh?  What's going on mom?"  It was pretty funny.

Caden has to lift my shirt up and talk to baby every time we lay down in his bed for nap or bedtime.  He talks to baby.  Asks where baby is in my tummy. I act like I know, and then he tells me "no, here" and points to another spot.  Chances are he's right, neither of us know I guess :).  He shows baby his toys.  Growls at baby like a 'big dinosaur'.  Kisses baby and tells baby goodnight.  He keeps asking me if he can hold baby first when baby comes out.  I always say "yep, you can hold baby first when you get to the hospital."  Then I'm not lying, right :)??

This was his 3rd week in the 2-year old "big kid" room at Sunday school.  Poor kid, if he'd have been born a couple months earlier he'd have been in that class last fall.  But I think he may have had the record for time spent in the toddler room at nursery.  That is 18 months and up, but I think he started going there at about a year because he was already running and climbing everything.  So, that means he's been in that room a year and a half already.  He is twice the size of some of the kids in there at this point.  So, he will officially be in the 2-year-old room in the fall, so I guess I'm giving him a head start.  He seems to love it and is making pictures and having lesson plans.  I love it!  I think it's great for him.

We are looking forward to Caden's first wedding next weekend :).  He has never been to one before, and this is my cousin Darci's wedding.  He will get to go to the reception with us after he hangs out with Grandma and Grandad during the wedding.  I have a feeling this kid is going to totally bust a move on the dance floor and love every minute of it :).  I'm sure I'll have some pics to share of that......stay tuned :).  Have a good week!