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Well, just when I'm sure you were all starting to get used to this site...I'm now making a switch to a more family friendly one.  I'll be able to upload more photos....and....videos!  Yay!  If you didn't get an email from me and want to follow us then send me an email or send me a comment on here with how to contact you (don't worry - I won't post your info), and I will gladly send you the new and updated information!

Hope you are all doing well!

xoxo

A Well Traveled Baby

Well, we did it...we packed up the little guy and a fraction of his belongings and went on vacation!  I will admit that I had my reservations about camping, flying, staying in a strange place...and doing all of the above at the same time, but alas when you are married to an active creature like my husband, well you have to keep moving or else he gets bored and goes back to work ;).  I will say that it wasn't nearly as bad as I had feared and Caleb did great!

Our vacation started out camping on the coast.  It was a bit north of where we are and oh so beautiful!  Even Sadie got to tag along which made for a full family adventure!  It was a bit more windy and chilly than we had anticipated but was still very enjoyable, and who can complain when you get to watch the sunset and rise from the front door of your tent?  Every day there were dolphins swimming out front and pelicans diving for food; it was amazing!  Caleb did pretty well.  It was obviously a bit of an adjustment, but after one sleepless night we finally settled in and it became much more enjoyable.  Neal was definitely in his element and did not disappoint as he was the master cook and fire-man extraordinaire - per usual!  We camped for 2 nights 3 days before heading back down the coast, leaving the peacefullness behind us but eagerly awaiting out next adventure!

We were home for a day before leaving on a jet plane to go to the midwest. Neal's grandmother was turning 90 and Neal just happened to have vacation the very same week that her big ol party was taking place; perfect timing!  Neal's family was also flying into town, along with Grandmothers two sisters and some extended family.  So, once again we packed the little guy up and off we went!  

Our flights could not have gone smoother.  Caleb did great and of course he flirted with all the ladies and made a few friends along the way!  One of the neatest things that happened is that the nurse who delivered Caleb was on our first flight, and she sat right behind us!  It was so comforting to see a familiar face.  Although Caleb is completely healed from his ordeal at birth, I was still a bit nervous about flying given all that his little lungs have undergone, however seeing her on that plane was a very comforting sign.  I truly believe she was purposely placed there - right  behind us - to give us a sense of  peace - and that it did!  

In any case, we made it to Indiana right on time, picked up our car and luggage and away we went!  We were there for 5 days and had a great time.  Of course Caleb was the star of the show and dazzled everyone he met.  Ok, I am his mom so naturally I'm a bit biased in this arena but I really do think everyone loved him!  We even took him to the zoo for the first time and took him for a swim in the hotel pool.  All in all it was a wonderful visit and we are so blessed to have had that time to spend together.

Since being back from Indiana we have just been getting settled and taking it easy.  I was wondering how Caleb was going to do adjusting back to our time zone here and getting settled back into our routine, but of course just when I have doubts the little man surprises me and rises to the occasion!  He is doing just great and adjusted back into the swing of things the very first night!  Since we have been back he sleeps through most every night and even puts himself down for naps.  He occasionally wakes up once in the middle of the night - I think his gums are bothering him since we are in the teething phase - but he is easily comforted and put back to sleep.  Oh he is growing up so fast!

And speaking of sleep....he is actually taking a nap now so I'm going to run and do a few things while I have the chance!  Enjoy these few pictures from our trip (they are in no particular order....I don't have time for such things, people!)!  I have many more pictures of the little guy to share, and of course much more visiting to do as we miss you all!  Now that the first trip is securely under our belt....bring on the next one....eventually:)

xoxo Until Next Time

Got my fuzzy socks for camping!

Bundled up

Serious baby blues

Foggy mornings on the water

Sadie remains the princess....she enjoyed being cozy in the tent

Looking down the beach.  Our neighbors tent blew down in the wind
but Neal rescued them and rigged it back up...
even though they didn't bring the tent stakes camping with them?!?!  hhmm....bet they will next time!

Napping...camping style!

Point out the dolphins to Neal...which I thought he was taking pictures of....apparently not.

Happy boy!

Our front yard for a couple days....not bad!

Matching boys

Neal in his element

Blueberry pancakes, turkey sausage and blueberry syrup....yum!

My Boy

Aaahh....this is the life!

2 Peas in a pod right here folks!

Waking up after a little cat nap in the sun

Giggles

Very windy in the evenings....Sadie wishing she was in the tent

Neal let the little dude drive....Let's go guys.

And he took us to In N Out!
(disclaimer for all the grandparents out there: no babies actually drove during these pictures)

Don't worry guys....I've got your In N Out right here!

 

All Bundled up.  Laugh if you will - we were in SoCal -  but it was soooo windy and chilly!  

Find those feet...after he blindfolded himself!

One Cool Dude...thanks for the sunglasses Great Aunt Mary!

The 4 Generations all together

Celebrating Grandmother's 90th Birthday!!

All the kids, grandkids and one great grandchild!

Neal's Great Aunt Jerry meeting Caleb.  She made him a beautiful quilt!

Grandmother with Caleb

He's a trooper, but all that partying tired the little guy out.

Grammy C, Poppy, and Aunt Annette and Gary....and Caleb telling a story

I'm not sure who is more tired here....I think its a tie!

Auntie Ju-Ju with the little man

The zoo is exhausting!

Watching the baby sharks...so cool!

Daddy showing Caleb the Seal

And now onto the penguins!

Spending his 5 month birthday with the dolphins....

.....all while eating his foot

Daddy, Auntie Lisa, Grammy C and Poppy at the zoo

Caleb taking his first "plunge".  You will notice how mommy is not in the water...it was too cold....

....but Caleb did great and....

LOVED it!  Of course daddy makes everything extra fun!

That was fun dad, let's go swimming again!

I'm a standin man!

Wearing Poppy's boyscout hat

Back home.  I missed my crib so much that I had a party in it overnight.
"Look mom, I'm as long as the crib is wide"...and very proud of it!

As Requested By Many...

Since the latest installment of our little blog here, I have gotten numerous requests for the chocolate chip cookie recipe.  So, click here for the cookie recipe!  A couple things to note, I actually did follow all of the directions (hear that, mom?).  Yes, including the "melt the butter and then let it cool until warm", letting the cookies cool on the sheet, and leveling the flour to assure it was the exact amount as the recipe called for.  I even let the eggs sit out at room temperature for a few minutes before cracking them open (another little tip I picked up on along the way).  And finally, I used a 1/4 measuring cup to measure out the dough and then rolled it into balls.  I didn't always break apart the dough and make the "jagged edges", and in fact I think the cookies came out thicker and better if you just rolled them and let them be, so use your judgement.  It seems like a lot of work but the result is worth it!  A little side note, no wonder I got an award for the Home Ec class in high school!

And just because any blog entry wouldn't be complete without pictures, here are a few to enjoy!

See, this is my dad

"Listen to me dad!"

  

Blowing Bubbles

xoxo

Until next time!