Goodbye July

From www.dayofbirth.co.uk for my birth date! Please note the 11 days until my birthday! Just kidding! I blame my being a Leo for that one!

• You were born on a Thursday.
• Your star sign is Leo.
• Your birthstone is Peridot.
• The season was Summer.
• You were born in the Chinese year of the Dragon.
• The US President was Gerald Ford (Republican).
• The UK Prime Minister was James Callaghan (Labour).
• You are 32 years 11 months 20 days old.
• It is 11 days until your next birthday.
• In dog years you are 224 years old.
• You are 12,042 days old.
• You are approximately 289,012 hours old.
• You are approximately 1,040,442,912 seconds old.

Sweet, Sweet Rocket Pop!!!!

Well we had a great trip to Minnesota and it was great to see the fam,
but now we are back in the great state of Texas, where it is hot, hot, hot!
These pics are from July 4th--please note my awesome flag tee--I celebrate in style people!
Mommy gave me a "rocket pop" to celebrate!
They are quite delish--if I do say so!

Check out the cool contraption Mommy found to hold my "rocket pop"
--my hands stay clean (not that I really mind the sticky--but it keeps Mommy happy, and we all want Mommy to be happy!), and as an added bonus--warm!

I am a hoot!

Boy these "rocket pops" are GOOD! I haven't decided which flavor layer is my favorite.
I told Mommy and Daddy that more "research" was needed to determine!

Cheese!! I mean Sweet!!!!!

I hope everyone had a great 4th--I sure did and now that it is almost August, Mommy will get together some pics from the rest of July.
(I know--what a slacker--what does she do while I nap?)
Hopefully she'll get caught up soon! Later!

Hot Roddin'

"Get my motor runnin'"

"Head out on the sidewalk"

"Lookin' for some cookies--or whatever comes my way!"

"Like a two year-old child"

"I was born, born to be wild!!!!"

Family

These are some pictures of family that were taken when we were in Minnesota.
Unfortunately I did not get family shots of everyone that I wanted,
so if you don't see yourself here--don't feel bad, just send me a copy and I'll post it!

Xander, Chris and Keesha

Chris' family
Leslie, Rudy (Chris' brother), Jan (Chris' mom), Chris, Xander and Keesha

Xander with Auntie Jess (Keesha's sister)

Evie, Keesha and Xander

Three Generations
Chris, Xander and Grandpa Ed (Chris' grandpa)

Four Generations
Jan, Chris, Xander and Grandpa Ed

Xander and Grandpa Arnold (Keesha's grandpa)

Grandma Betty (Keesha's grandma) and Xander

Keesha, Xander and Chris

Jess, Keesha and Xander

Xander, Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Peg (Keesha's parents)

Goober and Jess (Keesha's sister and her husband)

Par-tay!!!!

It's me again, your friendly neighborhood two-year old!
In addition to celebrating my birthday, on my actual birthday,
I had a rockin' par-tay at my Grandpa and Grandma's house in Minnesota!
Lots of people showed up to help me celebrate!
Unfortunately, it started to rain about half way through,
but my Grandpa hurriedly cleaned up the garage and we moved the whole shin-dig indoors!
Mommy finally figured out how to upload more than 5 pictures
(don't judge-it takes some time to figure out these high tech, new fangled devices).
So here are some highlights from my party.
In the above pic I was really amused by the puppy puppet card--what a hoot!

Here's me with Mommy and Daddy.
They put two candles into one of the cupcakes Mommy made, and then lit them on fire!
That part was cool. Then EVERYONE at the party started to sing 'Happy Birthday' to me.
That was NOT cool--it FREAKED me out!
I lost my composure and started crying a little bit (give me a break--I'm two!).
Mommy gave me lots of hugs and kisses and told me it would be okay.
I believed her and regained my composure.
She helped me to blow out my candles and then I went to town on that delicious cupcake!
There is nothing like wacky cake and pudding frosting, together they are a magical treat.
I should know, as Mommy made me a WHOLE CAKE for my birthday celebration at home! Yesterday I heard her mention she had the ingredients for another cake!
Whoo Hoo! I hope she makes it soon!

Here Daddy and I are starting the opening of my presents! It was clothes!
I got a lot of clothes--it's not that I don't like new clothes, but hey I'm a boy and I'm two!
Mommy seemed pretty excited by them though, so I played along!

This bag held five 'baby' Tonka cars to go with my 'big' Tonka cars.
To be honest once I opened these I did not really want to open anymore.
Mommy and Daddy insisted I go on though.
So I held as many of the baby cars as I could while "helping" Daddy open the rest of my gifts.
I am pretty good with one hand!

This is a wooden car, that my Uncle Rudy handmade for me!
He says it's a Volkswagon!
I didn't really care what kind of car it was--it's a car and one can never have too many cars!

Look here! Berenstein Bears books--these are from my Grandpa and Grandma!
I really like the 'bears' as I call them!
My BFF Landry got me a sweet DVD of the 'bears' that I like to watch.
Mommy also found them on the TV for me too!

Look a this awesome blanket with balls on it!
Balls are my second favorite thing!
I have to wait to use it though.
Mommy says I can use it this winter when I get my big boy bed!
It is just way too hot now!

Oooh this box had a ton of goodies in it, including a new Thomas Train
and a mouse movie--no not Mickey, Stuart Little!
Auntie Tawnda had heard that I'd never seen it and figured she better get it for me!
I have seen Ratatouille and that movie was pretty sweet, so I know I'll like Stuart!

This was the last gift I opened.
Can you believe it?
It's a sweet new ride from my Auntie Jess and Uncle Goober!
It has Diego on it!
I'll post more pics of me hot roddin' a little later!
My Cousin Evie was pretty jealous of this sweet ride!
She tried to get on it, and was not a happy camper when they took her away from it.
I decided to be a good boy and share my bike--
but not for very long!
Maybe Auntie Jess and Uncle Goober will get her her own bike for her upcoming birthday!
All in all I'd say that this was one great party! Thank you to all my family and friends who helped me to celebrate and for all the awesome gifts! Later!

3 down, 2 to go

1. _Chicken, peppers, onions, cheese____ and _tortillas____ make a quick and easy dinner.

2. __Eat, Pray, Love___ is the book I'm reading right now.

3. July brings back memories of _picnics at Grandma and Grandpa's house on the lake__

4. _The love I felt for my child, when he was born,____ was obvious.

5. They say if you tell your dreams _you can achieve them !?!?!?____.

6. _I have _ to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _hanging with my boys__, tomorrow my plans include _maybe taking Xander to a water park ____ and Sunday, I want to _relax____!

I made it myself!

I made these cupcakes for Xander's birthday party in MN. I must say I am very proud of how they turned out. Not only were they delicious, (wacky cake cupcakes with a delicious pudding frosting--how can you go wrong!?!?!?!) but the picks on top turned out better than I had hoped when I dreamt up the idea! I used a font called LDJ Baby Animals from the website scrap n font. I enlarged them to around 200 (font size) and printed them out on white card stock. I then colored them all by hand. Next, I cut each letter into a square/rectangle shape and then I used mounting squares (for scrapbooking) to adhere them to pieces of scrapbook paper (rainbow stripe by The Paper Studio), cut slightly bigger then the card stock. Finally I attached toothpicks to the backs with heavy duty tape. It is hard to tell in the picture but it spells out "Happy 2nd Birthday Xander". I made 24 picks one for each letter, one for "2nd" and 4 of just animals. The stand holding the cupcakes is from Wilton.

Here's the Birthday Boy enjoying the fruits of my labor!

Fox and Xander in Socks!!

So we finally made it back to Grandpa and Grandmas after a very long day
("Loony" festival and then picking Daddy up from the airport),
and Daddy had a surprise for me and Evie!
He brought along Fox In Socks!
Now, it is one of my favorite books,
so I was thrilled when he offered to read it to me and Evie!

Note how engrossed we are in the book!

"When a fox is in the bottle where the tweetle beetles battle with their paddles in a puddle on a noodle-eating poodle, THIS is what they call...

...a tweetle beetle noodle poodle bottled paddled muddled duddled fuddled wuddled fox in socks, sir!"

That Dr. Seuss--what a hoot! He is a great storyteller and rhymer!
Good times! Good times! Catch you later!

Festival Schmestival!

So on the day that we were supposed to pick Daddy up from the airport, Mommy, Grandma and Auntie Tawnda decided to drag us (me, Evie, Grandpa and Uncle Shawn) to some crazy festival (code for crap I don't want to look at) called "Land of the Loon". It was a pretty long drive (not as long as the trip to MN of course-nothing will ever be that long!). Thankfully Grandma decided to ride in our car and she sat next to me! Well she and I had some good times while Mommy was driving. Grandma can make money come out of my ear! I kid you not, she's the real deal! She pulled like 40 cents out before we even got to the festival. We finally arrived at the festival and all the grown-ups were pretty hungry. They wondered around looking at stuff--trying to figure out what they wanted to eat--me all I wanted was some ice cream! Evie looking adorable in the outfit Mommy picked out for her!
Please note the freedom from the stroller--it came but for a brief moment!

Grandpa only had to wait FOREVER to get me this delicious ice cream cone!
Mommy turned my hat all crazy like, so I wouldn't get chocolate on it.
Looking back, I wish she'd just taken it off--I look like such a dork!

Evie enjoying her ice cream--from a cup!
Where's the fun in that! Cone all the way!

Yeah I got a little messy, but that's half the fun!
Overall the festival rated a 5 out of 10 on my scale of fun!
Ice cream rates pretty high! Later!

Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot!

It has been super hot here in Texas, since we've gotten back, and we are hoping for some rain and cooler temperatures! Until then, I will be eating lots of ice cream!!!!!

1. The last thing I ate was _bacon, eggs____ and _delicious English muffin bread__.

2. _Picture frames__ are something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it _relieves the horrible drought in TX, and allows my plants to survive!__

4. __Chris___ was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are _the best, especially those give by a certain 2 year old boy____.

6. __Having a wonderful family, who loves me for who I am, gives me___ extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, last night I _spent the evening with my hubby and sweet boy__, today my plans include _going to the Hallmark ornament premiere and the grocery store (by myself!!) and hanging with my boys_ and Sunday, I want to _hang out by the pool and grill--if it is cool enough (how weird does that sound?)__!

A "Fishin'" We Will Go! Part 2!

So back to our story of the boat ride with Grandpa!
I got lucky with my life jacket--it fit pretty well.
Evie on the other hand had to suffer with what I like to call "Turtle Syndrome".
She kind of looks like a turtle sticking her head out of the shell!
Poor girl! Anyways, more on our boat ride.

We were lucky enough to see some wildlife while on our ride.
It is hard to see in the picture, but that is a loon,
which happens to be the state bird of Minnesota.
I was kind of disappointed that I did not get to hear the loon call,
because Mommy says it is pretty cool, but I'll take what I can get!

This eagle flew right over us, and Grandpa said that it must have a nest in that tree.
Pretty cool! Not only do I get to see Minnesota's state bird,
but I also get to see the nations bird as well! Awesome!!!!

Evie and I found Grandpa's live well--which in case you don't know--holds fish!
As we weren't doing any fishing, Grandpa just filled it up with lake water and we splashed around in it! Lots of fun!

Grandpa even let me drive the boat! For some reason however, Mommy get grabbing the wheel and turning it. I had to give her the "Back off" look, as I knew where I wanted to go! The best part of the whole trip though was when Grandpa picked up speed on the boat and I hung my arms over the side and got wet. Mommy doesn't have any pictures of this, because she had to hold onto me with both hands as I was leaning as far as I could over the side. I even tried to climb over a couple of times! The water felt so good and it was so fun having it splash on my arms and face. When we finally got back to shore Evie and I were soaked from head to toe! But it was so much fun! If you want to see pics of me hanging over the side, check out my Auntie's blog--you can find the link here on Mommy's blog! Until next time!

A "Fishin'" We Will Go! Part 1

So the day finally came when Grandpa pulled out the boat!
Evie and I had been eagerly anticipating this day!
A boat ride with Grandpa!
Grandma even bought us cool shirts to wear on this momentous occasion!
Evie is modeling it for you! In case you cannot read it it says
"I'm a Keeper!" Ain't that the truth!

Here I am with the new life jacket Grandpa bought for me--pretty cool huh!
It took them awhile, but they finally removed the tags--so I didn't look like a total dork!

Here I am practicing holding up my fingers. Being two I can not only tell you how old I am, but flash the peace sign at the same time! How cool is that?!?!?!?

As we were in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" it sure didn't take us long to find one! We decided to visit Trout Lake, which is like 5 minutes from Grandpa and Grandmas house.
Before I knew it we were on the lake.
Here Grandpa and I are chilling.
I thought I better turn my hat around, so I could look as cool as Grandpa!

That didn't last too long, because I wanted to feel the wind in my hair
and breathe deeply of the fresh Minnesota air!

Now that I have you 'hooked', I'll 'reel' in some more fishin' tales tomorrow!
Ha ha! Man I crack myself up!

Educational and Fun--How can that be?

In addition to all the fun I was having visiting family and playing with cousins (Kailey and Evie), mom decided that since Grandma had taken the day off we'd venture to the Forest History Center. I know what you are thinking. A history center about the forest----boring! Well it was a lot of fun! The above picture is Evie and I sitting on a large stump. Mommy and Auntie Tawnda thought it would be cool for us to hold pieces of wood. In case you are wondering we are holding pieces of a birch tree. They do not have birch trees in Texas (maybe it is too hot for them?)! This fun photo op only lasted a sec, because soon after Mommy and Grandpa were sawing a log--and I don't mean napping. I mean they really sawed a log! It was too funny! Mommy of course did not get any pictures, but I suppose Grandma has some ( I bet they are hilarious)! Then Mommy and Grandpa used a hammer like object with a metal die on it to pound a dollar sign into the piece of wood they sawed. Apparently the better you hit the wood and leave a nice looking dollar sign, the more money you got. Believe you me, Mommy is not cut out for working at a logging camp, she barely got the dollar sign on the wood. Grandpa did much better, but said he'd stick to making paper, instead of cutting the wood.

This fellow here is the blacksmith at the camp! He and Grandpa seemed to know one another very well, though I am not sure how!?!?!? I thought he looked a lot like someone else.... Needless to say, I thought he was pretty cool, and I kept finding rocks, dirt, sticks, etc. to hand him! Then we went and saw the horses. They were cool! They had big harnesses on them and one of them went poopy. Well Grandma volunteered to pick up the poopy, so we could pet the horses! Thank you Grandma!

This is me with Grandma and Grandpa. We are standing in front of the very first car that the Forestry Department ever bought. It is VERY old, but still works. Kinda like Mommy! Ha Ha--just kidding Mommy!

Here is Auntie Tawnda and Evie standing in front of the car. Auntie's shirt is very red--red, aha, put the man from the above pictures in red---Santa!!!! I sure am glad I played with him. Maybe I won't have to sit on his lap, because he already knows me and my Grandpa!!

Me and Grandpa decided to walk ahead and check out this engine or pump, I am not too sure what it was, but it was pretty cool, and Grandpa let me touch it! Mommy very rarely lets me touch anything cool--it's always "No Touch!" or "We look with our eyes, not our hands!" All in all it was a pretty cool trip. Mommy said it was by far her funnest trip to the Forest History Center--apparently she's been there quite a few times! Good Times, Good Times!