picture roundup

When we got the internet about 3 weeks ago, I had every intention of regularly posting on our blog. So much goes on from day to day now that Ethan is almost a year, going non-stop and continually makes us laugh. If I don't post daily, I tend to forget the small, yet humorous things that happen. I have been reading a few other blogs and am really intrigued by their posts and how they document every day occurrences. They are so interesting and make me want to keep better record of our lives. So here is a roundup of pictures so I can begin to start fresh with new and more interesting posts.

This is probably one of my favorite pictures. I perfectly captures our little boy. He is so full of energy and gets so excited at just about everything. His whole body tenses up and he makes the funniest noises. If only pictures had sound!! This picture is the result of showing him home videos of himself on the blog.

Although this pictures is a little bright, it's the best one I could get of his 2 little teeth. Can you see them down there on the bottom? He didn't these teeth until about 8 months. I was a little concerned at first, but as soon as he figured out how to use them-man was I glad it took them a while to come in!! Love those eyes!!

My aunt and uncle gave this dog to him. We keep it in his room and he loves to ride it. He gets the biggest grin, sits up so tall, grabs on to the handles and we rock him back and forth. You can tell he feels like such a big kid. He even tries to do it himself.

(He's not independent at all!! ha ha)

When Jared and I were dating, we would drive to Idaho Falls and go to the Chukars baseball games. We'd like to think it's a tradition but we haven't gone very many times since then. I thought it would be fun to take Ethan to a game so we drove up one night and met Jared at work. We took Jared's sister, Angie, and met Jared's brother, Mike, his wife, Kirsten, and their boys, Charlie and Peter at the game. This is Charlie. He is so sweet to Ethan. He gives his kisses and teaches him to be reverent in church.

"If you're happy and you know it..." Our little guy is the happiest baby ever. He constantly smiles and loves to play. I pulled out the camera to take a picture and he came chasing after me.

One Sunday afternoon we were relaxing after church, giving Ethan a little time to play around before a nap. I was busy making lunch and talking to Jared. We heard the song playing on his bouncer and looked over to see this....

Ethan's first year outside the womb at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. Jared's family brings their petting zoo up every year and they have these little quarter rides. We put Ethan on the horse and he loved it. I took this picture after a comment made by a passer-by. They said something to the effect of, "Look at that little baby. How cute is that. I wonder why no ones taking a picture of him." I begrudgingly snapped a picture so everyone would stop staring and was really pleased with what came out.

Surprisingly enough, this picture was taken for the same reason as above. Only the comment came from a man making cotton candy. He looked directly at me and said, "Where's your camera? That would make an awesome picture!"

My little chef. He loves to sit on the counter and help me cook. The rubber spatula is his favorite utensil.

Constant drool-he's getting 4 teeth right now!!

As fall weather starting approaching, we decided that it would be the perfect time to plant some sod. Jared spent many hours and days putting in our sprinkler system (with some help, of course), tilling and leveling off the ground and then laying sod. When Jared is home, Ethan loves to be wherever he is. I took him out to play in the dirt while Jared was working.

Ethan won't really touch slimy or wet things (especially fruits we want him to eat!) so Jared thought it was a good idea to introduce him to the mud. As you can see, he didn't have any problem with that!!

Splish splash

Love my boys!!

Although I have many more pictures to post (including a before and after of our front yard) I wanted to get a good update post started. Ethan is learning so many new things and before I end this post I'll list just a few of his new skillz!!

• He flips light switches on or off whenever you leave any room
• He waves "hi" and "bye bye" even if you just walk to the next room
• He stands completely on his own
• He is quickly starting to learn to walk-6 steps is the most he's taken on his own
• He loves to open drawers and pull out the phone books
• He can crawl down the stairs all by himself
• He drinks out of a big boy cup
• He talks non-stop "da da" "ba ba" "na na"
• He opens and closes the garage door for me-what a gentleman!!

I could go on and on but we are constantly amazed at how smart he is and how quickly he learns. We often find ourselves laughing out loud at the silly things he does!