Happy Birthday Joe!

Last weekend Caden and I drove up to see my family. Mark had a bachelor party and it was my brother's bday on Aug 20th and my parent's anniversary on Aug 18th, so it worked out for us to leave on thurs afternoon and get up there in time for a storm and some dinner.

Here is a pic of my sister with Caden and Joey.

Caden's new helmet, thanks Aunt Jenny!

Grandpa Joe reading stories with the boys

Reading with Joey

At Perkins for breakfast after church

The boys were doing so good taking turns riding in the coupe.

We spent most of the day on Friday and Saturday working our tails off at Jen/Brian's condo trying to get it ready to sell. Apparently mom and jen think that I am some expert "home stager", not so much. I just know that too much stuff displayed makes it hard to show a home. Caden was such a good boy while we were over there. He took his naps in the pack n' play in the master bedroom and got up to play, eat and get into as much of Jen/Brian's stuff as possible! Definitely not kid proofed, but he was able to find some fun things to play with. Saturday morning we stopped in Hudson at the farmer's market and it was so nice! They had music and so many different types of vendors. Caden loved all the dogs that were there and of course trying all of the produce, thanks to Grandpa Joe. I picked up some pomegrante balsamic vinegar but could have bought a lot more, maybe next time.

Caden and I stopped to see my cousins on the way back home. I hadn't met the twins yet and they are now 4 months old! Way over due! Meghan (cousin-in-law expecting in early Dec) with Tyler, Stephanie (cousin) with Kennedy and of course us. Caden spent most of the time chasing their little Corgi dog around...man does he love dogs!

When we got home we were out in the yard setting the sprinkler up to water the grass seed and Caden couldn't resist putting his hands, then head then whole body in the water. Doesn't take much to make him happy...even cold sprinkler water.

Dad and Caden checking out the sprinkler

Some garlic from the garden

After not picking tomatoes for four days, I spent Monday picking 6 bowls full of veggies, and boy did my back pay for it on Tuesday. Needless to say I have been working like crazy to use up the tomatoes before they go bad...pizza sauce, pasta sauce and I even made some ketchup! I hope to try to make some gazpacho also!

Ichiban eggplants, jalapenos and green peppers from the garden

I went to the Doctor on Monday and the baby is doing good. I am measuring at about 28cm and the heartbeat was 135bpm, he/she even kicked the nurse's tool as she was trying to get the heartbeat! The baby has been kicking so much lately and is definitely slowing me down a bit, or maybe it is the combo of the pregnancy and chasing a little crawling munchkin around.

Ann Arbor and produce from the garden

Caden had his 1 year well check last monday and here are the string beans stats!

20lbs 12oz (20%)

29 3/4" long (50%)

17 1/2"head circum (10%)

Dr Willimitis said everything looks good! He has officially stopped drinking formula and is now loving the whole milk and "big people" food!

Last Thursday Caden and I were invited to go to the club with our neighbor, Ruth for lunch. He loved the baby pool and watching the big kids jump in and out of the water...soon, Caden, soon.

We had Allison (Shenk's) and Kel's wedding this past weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We left Friday around 2:30pm and met Michelle (Mark's sister) and her friend Danielle (sorry, not pics on my camera Dani) first at our house and then carpooled up to Ann Arbor. After almost 3 hours, we made it to the hotel, checked in and prepared to walk around town. What a great city! We had so much fun walking around town and checking out the restaurants and outdoor music. We ate at a local brewery and then sat outside to enjoy the wonderful weather at another bar. Caden loved all the people walking by and was great until about 8:30pm when it was time to go back to the hotel.

My parents (along with Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom) met us Sat morning at our hotel for breakfast. We thought Caden might make it to the ceremony, but because he didn't take a nap he hung out with my mom/dad around town. They walked down to Kerrytown district and we met them there after the ceremony, which was absolutely beautiful! We changed clothes, had lunch and then walked around downtown Ann Arbor in and out of all the shops. Here is a blurry pic of a pastry chef working on a wedding cake. After the pic was taken I looked on the wall and saw a huge check that she had won from the Food Network Challenge for Disney cakes, she did a Nemo cake. Unfortunately, I do not know the name of the bakery, but they also made cupcakes too! Caden finally pooped out and needed a nap so the boys went back to relax at the hotel while mom and I shopped some more. The reception was fantastic, especially the band and the food, ok it was all great! Congrats to Allison and Kel! Have fun in Hawaii!

I decided to use some of the scrapbook items that I have to be creative and make thank you notes for Caden's bday party. I just don't think I have it in me to be a scrapbooker.

Tomatoes everywhere! In trying to not waste any of our tomatoes from the garden, it has made for a busy couple of weeks! So far our produce has allowed me to make the following things this year: zucchini bread, pickles, pickled banana peppers, eggplant parmesan, salsa, pizza sauce, marinara sauce, fried banana peppers, tomato sandwiches and other random dishes. I will try to include some of the recipes on here when I get a chance.

Past pictures

Here are just a few random pics from a couple weeks ago...forgot to put them up! Caden races toward the cabinet anytime it is open and goes to town pulling out the tupperware and the baking items he can reach.

Caden and Dad on a sat morning enjoying some golf. Caden is almost completely done with bottles. He doesn't really seem to care if his milk is in a bottle or sippy cup, just please give it to him!

Mom and Caden at the Butterfly Festival at Cox Arboretum a few weeks ago. It was a fun festival for kids, but we didn't see many butterflies due to the cool July, mostly caterpillers. There was music and some food vendors and hayrides for the kids. We had a good time, but it would have been more fun if Caden could walk around...next year.

Belly shot at 26 weeks (maybe)

Dad and Caden stopping for a pic by the pond

Happy 1st Birthday, Caden!

I cannot believe it but our little boy turned one! Unreal, where does the time go. Lately I have been chasing this little boy around all over. I hate to put the gates up to block his exploring, but man can he crawl fast and I am not moving as fast as I did before...therefore...the gate at the stairway is almost a must! Caden is getting closer to walking, but hasn't officially started walking yet. He loves to walk behind his toys and push them all over the house, but is not totally confident in his skills yet. After a HOT but wonderful weekend, we have a lot of pictures to share and now a little one year old!

The birthday boy (prior to cake)

Caden's construction cake. He loved the trucks on the cake and loves to push them around the house now!

Nia hoping that some cake might fall down

After the initial shock of the cold water, I think Caden was numb. He played in the sprinkler for about 30mins and was just soaked!
In the sprinkler with Uncle Brian

Hugging his cousin Joey
Grandma Marge, Grandpa Tom and Great Grandma Schmidt with Caden

Aunt Jen and Uncle Brian with the fam

After the sprinkler and relaxing with a new book and grandma Ginny

curly mohawk

the boys taking a bath

Nia thought it was a little hot this weekend!

Caden loved his new police rocker that makes great noises!

(thank you aunt Amy, Uncle Joe and Joey!)

Maddie and Izzy playing on the hammock with Papa Dave

proud parents with their little one yr old

Aunt Jen with Caden and his balloons

After getting ready for bed, Caden showed Joey one of the best cabinets in the house. And then they proceeded to unload all the ziplocs, one by one. How can you stop them when they are having so much fun?!?

Enjoying a cocktail on friday night

Joey absolutely loves watermelon and couldn't wait to dig in!

Grandpa Joe and Caden picking tomatoes in the garden

Tomatoes, cucumbers and banana peppers Our boy loves tomatoes! Anytime we walk out to pick veggies in the garden he immediately wants to grab for the tomatoes.

love this pic of Caden looking up at his Grandpa Joe, too cute!

Caden loved his new wagon from Grandma Ginny and Grandpa Joe! He couldn't wait to go for a ride around the neighborhood! He was like a little king riding around the neighborhood.

Before bed Joey can get a little crazy, I just had to catch in on tape. He was throwing his body on the ground and all over the place. Too funny!