lady antebellum, miranda lambert and KENNY!!!

lady antebellum - good

miranda lambert - better

KENNY CHESNEY - BEST!!!

Last night, Tim & I celebrated "Part 2" of our anniversary at the Kenny Chesney concert. This was my first Kenny show and hopefully won't be my last (it has been YEARS since we've been to a concert). The show was awesome and we had such a great time. We commented several times during the show how wonderfully weird it felt not to have a kid attached to us or running around after one.

Sun City Carnival tour

Woo hoo

Go Kenny!

a little self portrait during the show

Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum), Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney - end of the concert

Fun at the Farm - a quick trip

Probably more pictures than words in this post.

Friday, after Eli's doctor appointment, we packed up and headed to the farm for a quick visit. We went straight to my grandparents' house to meet some of the family for a cookout. We always have the best food when we get together!! We had grilled bbq chicken and bbq pork chops along with lots of good sides. It was nice to see our extended family, let them see Eli as a 2 year old and meet Baby Cole. After the cookout, we went to my parents' house to spend the night. We actually had a pretty good night. Tim slept with Eli in my brother's room (we kicked him out) and I slept in the loft with Cole. Eli slept all night and Cole got up at 2am like usual. I have to throw in here that the boys were angels the drive down. Cole slept the entire way and Eli just looked around, sang songs and was generally happy.

Saturday morning was just like all Saturday mornings at the farm. Eli wanted his shoes so he could go outside and explore. He ran around with Grandma before making cinnamon streusel muffins with her. Lots more play time outside, he finally fell asleep in the wagon when Grandma took him on a walk. Saturday afternoon we went to Evia's Grandma C's house and spent some time with her. Then it was to Cousin Stephanie's house to visit and introduce Cole. Back to the farm for dinner and we hit the road home about 8:30pm. It was a late night but the drive was quick. Again, the boys were angels - both asleep within 10 minutes of getting in the car, both slept the entire way home and we put them both in their beds without them waking up...amazing!!

It was a very quick trip but we were happy to see everyone. Grandma & Grandpa C were especially happy to have their grandsons visit.

Grandpa burping Cole - never thought I'd see this!

Grandpa C taught Eli to kick mushrooms instead of pick them up

Aunt Val and Baby Cole

Eli had fun playing with his Hot Wheels birthday present (thanks Aunt Val, Uncle Mike & Sheridan!). I think Grandpa & Uncle Mike enjoyed it more!

Great Grandma S and Baby Cole

Great Grandpa S and Cole - Cole's middle name is in honor of him (Thomas)

Love my Grandparents

Eli found a bike at Great Grandma C's house - he loves ALL things wheeled

Great Grandma C loves her great grandchildren (she now has 5)

My cousin Stephanie's kids, Beck and Kelby. Kelby was such a great helper. She loved meeting Cole and wanted to take care of him.

My cousin Stephanie - was great to see her, we only manage to coordinate schedules about once a year.

Even Belle loves the farm

Me and my boys - such a sweet shot

Eli getting a piggy back ride from Grandma

Hula Hooping on the Wii

Mommy & Eli doing Wii Ski Slalom

Hanging with Grandpa, looking at the animals

New addition - Lucy the donkey

LOVE THIS PICTURE - I couldn't have made them any happier than giving them grandchildren

2 year well check

Had Eli's 2 year well check this morning. All is great with him and we discovered what we already know, he's our big healthy boy! Developmentally, based upon the survey I had to fill out, he's doing great for his age.

Stats:

33-3/4 pounds = 95th percentile

37-1/2" tall = higher than 95th percentile

Head 50-1/2 cm =90 to 95th percentile

He only had to get one shot - the last of his Hep A and he also got the flu mist. Now, unbelievably, other than annual flu shot or sick visit, he doesn't have to go back until he's 5 years old!!

Time to finish packing and head to the farm!

Today / Tonight / Tomorrow

A great Thursday in our house.

Today: Eli slept in (until almost 7am). He, Cole & I had some good quality time before school. All was calm and well. Eli has become a great helper with his brother - he loves to get diapers for me and then throw the used ones in the trash. Then Cole & I took my truck to get the tire plugged. While that was happening, we walked at least 2 miles (don't know how much for sure) and my angel baby slept the entire time. Back home for a feeding and then to the grocery store - again Cole was a perfect angel and ended up falling asleep on the way home. He took a good nap for me in his pack and play too!

Tonight: We picked Eli up from school and then headed to the pool. We met Kara, Brian, Owen and Faye there for a hot dog dinner and some pool play time. The pool was awesome as there was hardly anyone there. The boys had a great time pushing the dump truck and jumping in the kiddie pool. Cole even stuck his feet in the water! Dinner followed by cupcakes (thanks Kara!) and we headed home. It was such a fun evening with friends. Hopefully we'll make it happen more often.

Tomorrow: Eli has his 2 year check up - will be interesting to see how big he has gotten. After lunch we'll head to the farm to visit Grandma & Grandpa C and also see Eli's great grandparents; they haven't met Cole yet. Should be a quick and fun trip. Then Sunday Tim & I have our night out at the Kenny Chesney concert - bring it on!!

This morning Eli was "holding" Baby Cole. It was so sweet. He loves his brother so much.

A little tummy time

"Hey, who's that other baby?"

Cole in his swimwear ready to go to the pool

Eli loves this dump truck - it's about all he does at the pool. Good thing Cole came along to give it to him!

Mr. Cool

Eli & Owen - hot dog dinner

Yum, cupcakes for dessert

Cole's 1st job site visit

This morning Cole & I took a trip to my construction site for a visit and to introduce him to the team. It was great to see all my coworkers and show Cole off. He was an angel throughout the entire visit and was so pooped out that he's taking a good nap.

Decked out in his construction equipment outfit

Hanging with Natalie and GreyWolf

Benny (my superintendent) explained life on the site to Cole just as he did to Eli when Eli was 6 weeks old

Cole in his first staff meeting with the guys

On the jobsite

Excavation for the new building - the hole is bigger / deeper than it looks

All Aboard the Potty Train

Eli started his new class at school today and he did great. The big deal in this class is that they work on potty training. His teacher told me on Friday not to bring in any more diapers but to bring pull ups and underwear. Today Eli went pee-pee in the potty after nap time. So proud of him!

How we spent our Sunday

Up early to play with new Thomas trains

Dump truck races against Mommy & Daddy

Bike ride with Daddy

Lunch

Nap time - for everyone

Play time in the back yard

Walk to the lake to feed the ducks

Dinner

Bath

Bed

Eli loves his trains. He was so excited to get real Thomas trains for his birthday.

Oh no, dinosaur on the loose attacking the trains.

Racing Daddy

Bubble mowing the back yard

Feeding ducks with Daddy

Mommy and her boys at the lake

More pictures

More cute pictures courtesy of Robin.

Stella Dot, Eli & Noah

Eli and his birthday cupcake

And then some cake - who doesn't love chocolate icing?!

Birthday Party fun

Today was such a great day!! Eli's friends and family came over for a birthday party to celebrate his 2nd birthday. Friends started arriving at 10:30am to play in the back yard and jump in the bounce house. All the kids seemed to really enjoy jumping and the swing set (thanks Daddy and Pop-Pop for the mulch job). Eli had friends from school, the neighborhood and from my pre-natal yoga class (his first friends ever!) come over. Pizza arrived about 11:15 and we ate lots of pizza and did some more playing. Then it was time to sing Happy Birthday, eat cupcakes and open presents. It's an amazing change how now the kids will sit in a circle and participate in what is going on. Cupcakes, of course, were a hit as well as present time. We moved things to the screen porch for these activities and just as the party was winding down, a storm moved in and rain poured down. Thank goodness it held off until we were done.

Eli is so lucky to have great friends and family who came to have fun and celebrate. Thank you to everyone who came. Preliminary feedback from our Mommy friends is that the party was a success and nap times were awesome today! Eli took a pretty good nap as did Cole. And, of course, LOTS of pictures. I know Robin got a few great ones so hopefully I'll get those posted too.

The first photos are pretty funny - it was our attempt at a pre-party family photo.

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Take 4 - forget it! No perfect photo today.

Grandma C and Cole

Play-a-palooza

Man, this party stuff is exhausting!

Pizza time

It's not your birthday without cake!

Everyone's got their cupcake - cheers!

Eli cheesing for the camera - Stella Dot striking a pose

Fun presents - Eli knew what to do opening them this year

Group photo (minus a few) - Owen, Matthew, Eli, Stella Dot, Noah, Ryan

This is how the party ended - Tim escorting to cars in the pouring rain

Post party - reading new books with the Grandmas

Eli with Grandma C and Uncle Bill (he loves his Uncle Bill)

My not-so-little brother, love you! =)