Fall 2011

So I have been a little lax in our blogging this summer and fall! Here is a recap of what Ian has been up to since mid July...

In late July, Riley and Hailey gave Ian a "cars" themed couch that he instantly loved! He not only likes to sit and read on the couch, but he likes everyone to sit on his couch! He also went through a phase of refusing to wear pants.

Charlie was a fan of the couch as well.
Ian also discovered a fun new game with Bumpa. Bumpa got a good leg workout that day!
The last weekend in July, we traveled to Davenport so Momma could run the BIX 7 Race. We stayed with Ben and Deb's family and it was so much fun! The race was a great experience and hopefully we can go back next year with Ben and Deb!

There were around 30,000 people running the race, so we don't have a good photo of Momma, so here is a photo of the bagpiper that was located near where Ian and Kurt were cheering...
Since we were so close, we went to the American Pickers shop! They were closed, but we still got a few photos. We didn't see Mike or Frank, but it was still fun to see.


In August, Ian went to the Allamakee County fair and loved the animals. I think we have a future 4-Her!

In September, Ian was a busy boy. First we celebrated with Wade, Erika, Miles and Mia at their wedding.

Here Ian is saying "CHEESE!" for the camera at Wade & Erika's wedding dinner (Momma isn't mad, just caught off guard!)


Here is Ian and Miles before the ceremony...


During the outdoor ceremony...
and the next night at the reception...

And then Ian danced the night away at the reception. He loved it! Here he's learning some new steps from Riley.


Also in September, we had Papa's 60th Birthday party! Here is Ian having pre-party fun with Papa and Avery...

Papa brought all of his tractors to the fairgrounds for everyone to ride! Here is photo of Scott and Avery... It was a great party and celebration!

And in October we went to the Pumpkin Patch! We spent time in the corn box (instead of a sand box!) Playing on the slides...



Making ghost faces...

On hay rides...
and then we spent the most time watching and feeding the goats. They had this amazing set up for these goats. They even had platforms that the goats would walk across. All three of us were amazed!

And after a long day, here's Ian riding with his pumpkins.


Now we're in planning mode for Ian's 2nd Birthday party next month!

Summer Adventures

In June, we decided to redo Ian's room. It had maroon carpet and white walls and needed to be transformed into a little boys room! I painted the walls a light blue and then we removed the carpet and uncovered original hardwood floors. The floor turned out amazing and Ian was very happy with the results. Here he is inspecting it...

And his stamp of approval...

The first night we put his room back together -- about 5 minutes after I tucked him into bed in his CRIB, we heard a loud THUD and then no noise at all. Of course Kurt and I leaped up the stairs to find Ian sitting on the floor next to his crib smiling. We put him back into the crib and watched from the hallway. He had figured out how to climb out of his crib! We brought him downstairs, tired him out and then put him back in the crib once he fell a sleep. The next day we converted the crib into a toddler bed. Ian can now get out of bed whenever he wants, but he has learned that he needs to stay in bed! He likes to test Mama and Daddy to see what he can get away with, but he also does listen extremely well.


In June, we attended the Red Power/IH Tractor show in Albert Lea. Ian loved looking at the tractors and spending time with Avery! Here is a photo of the boys riding the train at the show.

This is a photo of the fairgrounds from Nana and Papa's roof! Papa had to take the photo because I froze on the roof...I guess I am a little scared of heights! They had over 1,000 tractors for the show.
Here's one of the best tractors that was on display and the most handsome Farmall fans in the drivers seat!

Ian also loved Wrigley's (Avery's Boston Terrier) house! We very fortunate that Wrigley was willing to share his house with Ian...


We also went to Brainard, Minnesota and spent time on Roy Lake. We were having so much fun, I didn't take one photo of Ian! On the last day, I did snap a few of the lake. This is a photo from our cabin looking onto the deck and lake...

A few other tidbits...

Ian's new favorite word (and also his favorite toy) is "lawnmower". He likes to "mow" the carpet in the house and then point out the big lawnmower in the garage.

He also loves to open and close the garage door. When we are leaving the house, he will say "door!" until he can push the button to open the door. He also likes to use the opener in the car and will press the button and then hand it back to me with a big grin!

Grandma and Grandpa Olson came to visit a few weekends ago and Ian invented a new game with "Bumpa"...

And lastly, an equestrian in the making...

Growing and Exploring

Besides walking and running, Ian also likes to climb now. A few weeks ago Ian and I were picking up toys in the living room and a few seconds later, Ian is sitting in the middle of the dining room table looking at a book with his socks off! He's not only a good climber, but a very fast climber as well!


Ian also likes to play games. He is very good at hide and seek. Just this week, Ian decided it was Charlie's turn to hide so he locked her in his bedroom closet! Luckily, I knew something was up when we left for work and Charlie wasn't anywhere in sight. I should have realized it an hour earlier when Ian was laughing and running out of his room! Here is Ian and Charlie playing in a cardboard box; sometimes I wonder why we buy toys when he has so much fun with everyday household items...
It looks like Ian is holding Charlie down, but he's just petting her.


For Easter -- we had an Easter Egg Hunt and Ian enjoyed it. He had his "serious face" on, but was very attentive.
We also got to pet Chloe and Tasha again as well...



Ian had time to play a few duets with Daddy


Ian was very proud...We have Ian's 1 1/2 year check up on Friday...When did my baby boy turn into a little boy?

March Madness

Ian has been a busy boy. At the beginning of the month, we went to visit Uncle Jon and Missy. We took Ian to the Mall of America aquarium and it was so much fun. Ian enjoyed watching all the fish, sharks, turtle and jellyfish. I have to admit that it was very cool and worth a trip to see.

The water is behind everyone in the photo below, but my flash was on. :(


Ian also got to spend time with his Cousins Riley and Hailey at Riley's 6th Birthday party! We had a sneak peek of spring and the kids were able to play outside! Ian was fascinated with the shovel and the slide!


We are looking forward to more play dates with Riley and Hailey once the weather warms up for good! In the photo below, Ian is a little mad at me for stopping play time so we could take a photo...
Ian was also excited that his Cousin Avery came to see us! Avery and Ian had fun playing and feeding treats to Spirit and Roscoe! Here is a photo of the boys in our blue tub. Charlie is always near Ian, so during bath time, she sits on the edge of the tub. She's never fallen in, even though Ian has tried to get her to join him a few times.


Ian now has 12 (yes twelve) teeth and four more are cutting in. He still is having a hard time with them. We are also waiting to start showing spots from the chicken pox. His friend at daycare has it so it's only a matter of time.

I had another moment when I realized my little guy isn't a baby anymore...he's now wearing big boy pajamas. He is growing up way too fast! His favorite saying right now is "OOH OOH OOH" as in a monkey! He also is happy to use "NO" quite often!