Heap of Fun at the Heap Reunion

We ventured to the mountains near Green's Peak for our annual Heap reunion. We camped from Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon. Much rain, much food, and much enjoyment were ours for the week with our family. Cael had a ball being side (outside) and crawling in and out of our camp trailer. Many of Cael's cousins were there most of the time, and, at one point, all sixteen grandchildren ran around the campsite. It is beautiful up there, and we are so blessed to be able to go every year to spend time together.

This is after only one day. Cael and Paul went into town to get a couple of items.

Cael is all bundled up to stay dry and warm in the rain.

This is the life ... Eating Fruit Loops and watching Cars on Mama and Dad's bed in the trailer.

Zzz ... Cael has all the comforts of home for nap time.

The two best boys are ready for a four-wheeler ride. Which one is more excited? Hint: Look at the faces.

No ride? No problem. Cael will just sit and hope, keeping on his helmet and holding onto the key. One morning, he sat on there for over an hour.

Cael sporting a camping face, complete with a little Oreo.

Pioneer Days

Ready to go to the ice cream social

Enjoying ice cream on Auntie's (Tee's) Lap

After the parade, we ate lunch in Uncle Milt and Aunt Patty's yard. Cael happily sat upon this stump.

We attended many other festivities, but have no photographic evidence of them. The campfire circle on Friday was nice. We attended the family dance later that night. Cael was not happy to be there. Maybe next year he will enjoy dancing with me and others.

We also went to the steak fry on Saturday, as well as the parade mentioned above. Cael cried until the parade started. Once it got going, though, he loved seeing all the horses and floats that passed by.

What a great time to see family and friends and celebrate our Pioneer heritage!

Fun with Birthday Gifts

Yeah for me! I hit the ball.

Vroom Vroom

Look at that smile ... I think he loves his four-wheeler from Uncle Dave.

"Tuck!"

I Heart My New Bike

Mama and Dad didn't just get you foam letters and numbers for your birthday, although you would have been fine with that with how much others got you; we also got you your first bike, a tricycle. Your face lit up when you saw it. You sprinted to it and hopped on, figuring out the pedals.

You experimented with different poses on the "bi." I'm not sure what the face is you are making.

You wouldn't get off the bike to eat your dinner, so we let you have your "dog" on the tricycle.

This morning, you again chose to eat while on the bike, which is still inside, by the way, because it has been raining so much (yippee!) that it is too wet and muddy outside right now for it.

This is the face I get when I tell you to say "shees." I'm hoping you will eventually grow into my famous cheerleader smile for pictures.

Happy 2nd Birthday, My Sweet, Handsome Boy

You had quite the celebratory few days for your 2nd birthday. First, we had a duel party for you and Dad on Monday night, since he turned 40 on July 12th. Mama was preoccupied with keeping everyone fed and forgot to take pictures at the party, but we do have video footage. This was your birthday party cake. Of course, it is Mickey Mouse, your very favorite at this time of your little life. "Mow," you call him. There were many people there who love you and Dad. It was a stormy night with a lot of rain. Because of the rain, we didn't get to swim for the second year in a row. Maybe next year we will have your party earlier before the monsoon season hits.

On your actual birthday on Wednesday, you slept in because being two is just hard. When you awoke, you followed your routine and handed me your pillow, blanket, Nemo, and Scout to take to the "share," where you got comfortable to watch a little "Mow."

Later, we went outside where you played on your new toys. Grandma, Aunt Kirsti, and Aunt Sarah got you this cool slide castle. You love playing on it. You also played outside with your t-ball set from Gramma and your cool four-wheeler from Uncle Dave. Spoiled much? Hope and Cassidy came over to babysit you for awhile and gave you much love on your special day.

Mama and Dad got you these cool foam numbers and letters. You ran eagerly to play with them, and you began counting with the numbers you found. I love when you count to ten - un,to,free,pour,pive,seex,en,aye,eye,en. Yeah!

This is your special individual Cael cake, since nobody likes to eat cake that has been spit upon by a two-year-old. When we lit the candles and sang to you, you ran to the other side of the room, hopped on your tricycle, and hid out until Mama blew out the fire.

Here you are taking refuge from the fiery cake.

After all this, we went to the middle school to help Uncle Ray and Auntie with the basketball tournament for the Pioneer Days' Celebration. You turned on the charm and discarded your previously-shy ways. I'm two, and I am Mr. Social, you said. You played basketball with one participant, visited with many people there, fed and hugged the peer you used to push down, and sat on Mr. Waite's lap for awhile. You were so cute and funny as you just decided to stop being shy last night. I don't know if it will continue, but it was sure great to watch.

You also received a Cars' bowling set from Uncle Brad and Aunt Amber; a cute outfit from Nicoke and Uncle Shane; a book, ball and glove, and Nilla Wafers from Grandma and Grandpa; sports' balls from Quinn and Michelle Ashton; and a shark pool from James Chang and family. What a lucky boy you are!

We love you, Cael, our little joy. How blessed we are that you came into our lives two years ago!

Mama's Helper

Cael loves to help his mama do chores around the house, especially the laundry. He helps switch the batches from the washer to the dryer, puts in the dryer sheet, closes the door, and presses the start button. He then assists in removing the clothes from the dryer to the laundry basket. A couple of days ago, he found this to be the best way of aiding mama.

Ahhhh! to Aw...

I figured out why this stage is dubbed the terrible twos: it is due to the roller coaster of emotions the parents experience because of the toddler's actions. In a span of one hour a couple of days ago, I went from wanting to scream (which I will neither confirm nor deny happening) at Cael for this,

to wanting to kiss him a million times for this.

Cael's Newest Attachment

This TOUCHDOWN pillow has been in his room since birth, but Cael just discovered that he loves it. He won't go to sleep without it, and he even puts it on the floor to snuggle with as he watches television.

Bonding...

...with Chuck, the toy truck that used to frighten him with its possessed ways

...with the tricycle he is getting for his birthday next week, which will be a surprise to him

...with Uncle Gunnar while watching Dora the Explorer

...with Uncle Gunnar, both more relaxed now

Bye, bye, Comb-over Cael

At twenty-three months, Cael's first haircut occurred. He didn't have enough hair prior to this time to worry about chopping it off. His mama finally got up the nerve to wield the scissors and not turn him into a total freak. Cael sat still for a few minutes, long enough to get rid of the longest piece of hair on his head, affectionately known as his comb-over. He still has a few spots that need to be touched up, but, overall, he is a handsome little devil who is groomed rather well.

I love how his faces differ in the next two pictures. Have you noticed when someone gets a makeover, he/she has a weird, usually morose, expression in the before photo and a great smile in the after photo? Perhaps all one needs for a makeover is to smile:)

Before...

...and After

Checking himself out in the mirror

A view from the top

Pre-Fourth of July Fun

We had fun decorating cookies today with Nicoke, Gramma, Kiki, and Parker. Dad was a bum and sat in the recliner, missing out on the creativity that occurred. Kiki created a special cookie for you, Cael, as seen below.

Nicoke and Kiki with you watching in the background

Kiki's creations for herself and her dad

Kiki was on a roll!  She decorated this cookie for Dad.

Parker paused for a smile as he decorated.

Parker's cookies are on the left, and Gramma's and Nicoke's are on the right.

You are telling Gramma how pretty her cookie is.

More lovely cookies decorated by Gramma and Nicoke

How cute is he?

Just Chillin'

Lookin' Up at Dad

Liftin' the Weights