Halloween, Baby Andrew, and Wedding #3

Last weekend was very exciting: packed full of all kinds of travel, adventures, rekindling old friendships, and meeting some new friends (through births and weddings, primarily)! The travel wasn't so bad, but of course, the weekend was too short, as we would have loved to have spent more time with our dear friends.

We left Thursday night immediately after work/school and drove straight through the night to arrive in New York to visit Joel, Lisa, and their 6-week-old new baby, Andrew. We arrived on Halloween Day, so we were able to dress the boys in their costumes and Conor even did a little trick-or-treating. He liked the mini M&Ms...just his size. Although we didn't let him try anything else, I'm sure he would have eaten it all!! Conor was a lion and Andrew made an adorable cow...we didn't get any pics of the boys together in the costumes though!

Andrew is so cute, you just want to pinch his little cheeks! It's hard to believe it was just over a year ago that Conor was that size...and that calm!!! After spending a day with them, I think the Chase's might have a little idea of what they are in for next year at this time!! Being low on sleep and away from home didn't help Conor's mood or temper at all (as you can see in the group photo!).

On Saturday, we traveled another 2 hours to Connecticut. We had never been there before but can I tell you how beautiful it is there!?!? The leaves were still showing brilliant fall colors, and there were mountains and hills and rivers around every curve...it was just breathtaking. Conor apparently wasn't impressed. His biggest excitement of the day was pulling every last kleenex out of the tissue dispenser at the hotel while we unpacked and got dressed.

Then we headed out to Collin and Amy's wedding, which was the most gorgeous setting. They said their vows atop a rock formation on his dad's property, then had a wonderfully catered garden reception. The weather was awesome, the food was delicious, and it was so good to be reunited with old friends.

We have not seen Collin or his twin brother Carson since they were in our wedding almost 6 years ago. It was great to see you guys again!!

Conor acutally did very well in the car, for the most part. The night driving was easier on him because he could sleep, or at least rest, a little easier in the dark, without feeling the urge to get up and play and run around. We tried to keep him fed and entertained but the last half of the last day coming home was trying for all of us. Even lunch time got frustrating, especially when Conor decided his feet should go in the food, rather than the food in his mouth!

We are locking ourselves at home until Christmas, no more road trips for a while. This van is parked!

Helping update the website

Conor loves to type on the computer keyboard and play with the mouse...he throws a fit if you try to take him away. Perhaps it will be sooner rather than later that I can turn over to him the duties of updating the website regularly!!

Wedding #2

Two weeks ago another one of my cousins got married. Rachel and Dan had a beautiful ceremony and, again, perfect weather for a wedding. Everyone looked great...and they even rode golf carts away from the church. It was very amusing!! We had a fun time, again seeing many friends and relatives we don't get to see too often.
Congratulations Rachel and Dan!

Grandma trying to keep Conor quiet and occupied in church

Conor and Marcus playing with the autumn decorations outside
Family photo op

Mommy, Conor and Grandpa take a break from dancing
Grandpa finally figured out how to get Conor to sleep...I think he has some special secret or something ;)

midweek update

Here are just a few funny pictures from our week.
Conor loves this toy so much...maybe a little too much..daddy has had to remove the batteries more than once for his own sanity.

Conor is starting to test limits, for example:
Don't touch the buttons on the TV or DVD player, Conor!!

It is really starting to get cold here, so we have been trying to enjoy a few more days outside while we still can. Conor loves being outside and loves playing at the park.

Swings continue to be his favorite park apparatus.

Silly self portrait! Mommy, what are you doing?

Conor's babysitter made this pumpkin for him...he thinks it's pretty cool.

We are heading back to MN this weekend for another wedding, so there will be more pictures coming soon!!

Wedding #1

Last weekend, my cousin Shalena got married in Minnesota so we made a whirlwind trip for the weekend. The weather was perfect, the bride and groom looked great, and the wedding was lots of fun. It was great to see all those aunts, uncles, and cousins that we usually get to see only once a year at Christmas. Congratulations Shalena and Aaron!!

The three sisters and two brother-in-laws!

Conor checking out the newest addition to the family...2 1/2 month old baby Kelsey. He was fascinated!

Little Conor playing with big Connor between the ceremony and reception. All the kids played so well together and had so much fun.

Sisters!!

Adam and Erin...where's Conor?

...Sleeping in Grandma's arms. Amazingly, Conor was tired enough to fall asleep for about 2 hrs during the dance despite the loud music and lights. He did wake up later on to enjoy the last hour of the reception where he was right out on the dance floor with us. He even did the electric slide with mommy!! :)

We will have to do a better job of getting a nice family picture next week!! Good thing about having so many weddings this month.

Funny Things

Random funny photos of Conor:
He often sleeps in silly positions. He often has his hands behind his head like this. Sometimes he hangs his legs out the crib slats (based on a few other blogs I've seen, that tends to be a common toddler thing, I guess). He also likes to lay on his belly with his knees tucked up under him so his butt is in the air. I love to watch him sleep!

We found some Elmo slippers in a hand-me-down box and Conor LOVES them!! However, by the time I remembered they were in there (and the weather cooled down enough to wear them) they are getting too small. So we went to the store and got some Cars ones instead to change it up a little. I think he still likes the Elmo ones better but the Cars ones are "growing" on him :)

P.S. I added a new section on the right side of the blog for "followers" to put their names in so we know that people are actually reading this and who is reading it. So add your name to the list and thanks for following our story!

Wow, has it really been that long??

Gosh, how time flies. I feel like I just updated the blog yesterday. Then when Aunt Laura started begging for more pictures, I checked my camera and realized that we have been plenty busy in the last three weeks. So here are our latest adventures:

1. an autumn festival at a local farm where Conor and Madelyn got to walk through a hay maze, ride some tractors, pet the animals, and hear some music. Overall a fun time, but there will be even more activities for the kids when they are a few years older.

2. a trip to Rockford to meet Grandma and Aunt Laura who met us halfway from Madison, where Grandma came to visit Laura for Grandma's birthday weekend. We went to Texas Roadhouse and they (and we :) --he he he) made Grandma sit on a saddle while we all yelled yee haw instead of singing happy birthday in Texas Roadhouse fashion. She didn't want to be embarrassed all by herself, so Conor shared the special "throne" with her.

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

3. our local village also had an autumn festival where Conor got his first real pony ride; climbed a true haystack; and sat in an ambulance, another tractor, and a bulldozer. They also had a petting zoo where you walk within the cage among the donkey, llama, baby cow, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, pigs, and rabbits. He is getting better at being gentle when he pets them. ;)

Happy Autumn Everyone!!