There's No Place Like Home!

Wyatt, Daxton, Ashtyn at the petting zoo.

We made a trip home last week to see my fam! It was wonderful being together!!! We spent lots of time outside at the pool, the park, the petting zoo... It was so fun to watch the cousins play and really interact this visit. If only we lived closer. My niece, Ashtyn, had a wonderful idea of us moving back to KC and living at their house til we could convince one of their next door neighbors to let us buy their home!!!! ; ) Maybe someday!

Wyatt teasing the goat with a cracker! : /

Headed to the swimming pool... I think Ashtyn is quite exasperated with the boys in this picture!!!!

Loving the water!

The boys wrestling and Ashy being the referee.

Ashtyn giving Wy guy a ride on her jeep

Wyatt taking the jeep out on his own. Does he look manly or what?

Ready, set, go...

Oh boy...Look who's driving! Wyatt and Dax had so much fun in the MOTORIZED jeep. Can I say DANGEROUS!!! Dax has got a heavy foot and a tendency to look away from the road!! : ) Wyatt had no fear...He was just along for the ride!

In the midst of all of the activity, I didn't get a single picture of Mimi and Poppy or any of the adults!! Love you all! : )

Red, White and Blue!

Happy Memorial Day!

One of Joe's coworkers had a very fun gathering last night to celebrate. Wyatt had his first opportunity to jump (and wrestle!) in a giant jumper. He and a another little boy wrestled like professionals! The Mommys and Daddys were just laughing hysterically...If only I had my camera then. Oh my, it was quite the sight to see. The boys were in heaven!

Notre Dame...

Joe got a trip to South Bend, IN home of the Fighting Irish and Wyatt and I decided to tag along. It was fun to get away, go out to dinner, and get some time in the pool. But Wy guy apparently decided that he will no longer sleep in his pack-n-play while being in the same room as Mommy and Daddy....So Mommy packed up the car at 4:30am and headed home so both of my boys could get a little shut eye!!! I was just a little bit sleepy. : / I guess from now on we will be getting a suite so Wyatt can have his own space to sleep! : )

Eating an orange at dinner and loving it!

Trying on his new trunks for the first time!

Loving the pool!

14-Months-Old

Our little man is sure growing up in a hurry. I can't believe he's 14-months already.

Wyatt's becoming more independent by the day and "needing" his Mommy less and less. : ( But he still loves to snuggle at bedtime, so I'll enjoy the sweet time while it lasts. I'm noticing so many things that Wy guy used to do but doesn't do any longer...How can the seasons be so fleeting? Karen Kingsbury says it perfectly, "I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass. If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts." I've tried to be very intentional in soaking up the moments but they do pass so quickly...

Is this a boy pose or what?

Much to Daddy's dismay, Wy loves to try on Mommy's jewelery.

Our lil monkey loves to climb into anything and everything.

Such a ham.

He knows when the camera is out!

The best gift ever...Daddy came home from AZ to celebrate.

Hey, Wyatt's hat almost fits Daddy's head...What does this say?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun Facts about our 14-Month-Old: WYATT...

• loves to open and close doors. He especially likes going into a room by himself, closing the door, and not letting anyone in...He enjoys his sense of independence and to hunt for mischief.
• was intentionally "naughty" for the first time yesterday...He took the cap off of a green marker, went behind the kitchen table where he wouldn't be seen, and colored the table while Mommy was on the phone! : )
• always wants to be the one to give Gabbi her treat after she goes potty, but then Wy cries when Gabbi actually eats the treat because he wanted to eat it!
• loves to get into Mommy's jewelery box and string the beads all over the house.
• loves reading books...We always read one book and one Bible story before bed!
• added a new syllable this month--"Ka" for drink.
• is very FAST on his feet now
• loves to EAT but is getting a bit more particular!!!!
• ADORES his daddy and wants to be just like him!

North Mahaska in Chicago...

Wyatt and I ventured to Chicago to hear Joe speak to a group of high school seniors from his Alma Mater. The group was in Chicago for the senior class trip and stopped in to see Joe at work. Well, I didn't get to hear much of the speaking, as Wy guy thought it would be more fun to play football in the hallway, but it was fun anyhow! Wyatt got to see his second cousin Jake who is getting ready to graduate, and have lunch with Daddy!

Cousin Jake, Joe, and Wyatt

The North Mahaska Seniors... Yep this is the whole gang... It's a very small town!!! : )

Doesn't Jake make the rest of the group look like a bunch of runts?!!!

Mommy's Day!

Today was a fabulous day celebrating mommy-hood with my favorite fellas.

Wyatt truly is my precious GIFT from God. I'm still so humbled that the Lord gave him to me! He fills my heart with joy and my days with laughter. There have been so many "favorite" memories over the past year...I just wish I could hold on to each of them a little bit longer! Speaking of gifts....My hubby spoiled me with a spa package on Saturday and a trip to Chicago over Memorial weekend! I wish everyday was mother's day!! : ) Wyatt made mommy the sweetest hand print picture at daycare that is up on the fridge and will definitely make the scrapbook!!!!

Tulip Time with Opa and Oma!

Oma, Wyatt, Opa...

A little bit of "Dutch-ness" in Pella.

We made a road trip to New Sharon, Iowa last weekend to visit Grandma and Grandpa McCulley! On Saturday we all drove about 15 mi to Pella, IA (a very quaint Dutch town) for their annual "Tulip Time". The flowers were in full-bloom and just magnificent to see!!! The weather couldn't have been any more perfect either. We toured around the gardens, stopped at a few shops, visited the bakery, grabbed some coffee, went to the park, took lots of pictures : ) and then we sat down to have dinner. It was a very full day and so relaxing to just be outdoors!!!! What a great way to spend a day together and make memories as family!

Little Dutch Boy.

My very favorite tulips were the bright orange ones!

Oma and Wy guy hand-in-hand. Isn't this a precious sight to see?

Caught in full stride. Where did my baby go?

Aren't the flowers just gorgeous? Love this one! Wyatt really is a Daddy's boy right now. I think these are the 2 most handsome boys in the world (No bias attached!).

And Wyatt is also a Grandpa's boy right now too! Grandpa went into Wy's room (Grandpa's office!) to get him up both mornings. Wyatt would reach with both arms during the day for Opa to pick him UP!!!

First ride on a tractor!

First tune on the piano!

Wyatt also got to see both of his Great Grandmas and meet his Great Aunt Phyllis...Picture to come!