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!

Winter Fun

Ian has been busy this weekend!
Yesterday we went to the Westby Ski Jumping event. Skiers from around the globe come to Westby each February to compete on the Olympic size ski jump.


We were able to watch from the bottom of the hill...

Half way up the hill....



and right next to the jump at the top of the hill...



We definitely got our workout climbing the stairs holding Ian. Ian was so good and enjoyed watching the skiers and all the spectators...We didn't get a photo of them, but there were Rendezvous folk complete with fox skin hats. Ian kept staring at them!

Ian is busy this morning getting caught up on household chores...Ian is now in charge of the laundry. He likes to put the clothes in, close the door and make the motor noise. He then opens the door and takes the clothes out! He catches on quick!

Of course Ian is also so excited for Aaron Rodgers and the Pack to beat the steelers and officially be named the best team in the league! Here Ian is getting prepped for the game tonight!

(yes, that's giant cheese he's hugging!)

Go Pack Go!

Happy Holidays

The Holiday's were busy for Ian...so busy that his Momma didn't have time to blog! Here is a quick rundown of Ian's 2nd Christmas, New Year's Day, and growth milestones!


A few weeks before Christmas, we visited good friends Ben and Deb in Pleasant Hill. Ian loved their dogs, Leo and Linus, and they were wonderful with him. Here Leo is sharing his slobbered-up toy with Ian...

Ian instantly took to Deb...it must be a bond between red heads!


The weekend we picked to travel to Pleasant Hill just happened to be the weekend of the blizzard! We were fortunate to make it down and back safely; thanks to Daddy's driving skills and patience (yes, patience!) with the ice covered roads.

We took Ian to the Bass Pro Shop to see the aquarium and Ian seemed to like the fish! I think he was a little confused...they were so close and so big! It was fun to watch him. In the photo below, you can't see the fish due to the reflection of the glass, but Ian's expression shows how he focused on them!
We had a wonderful Christmas. Ian was showered with numerous gifts and play time with his cousins! Ian also got to spend time with Chloe and Tasha...


Chloe will be 14 years old and she is the most gentle sensitive dog in the world. Tasha was just as affectionate...she gave Ian kisses!

Santa made a special visit to see Ian as well! When Santa arrived, Ian had a slight fever, so he wasn't as expressive as normal:


One down event on Christmas: Ian had to visit urgent care in Albert Lea on Christmas Eve due to a fever of 104. It turned out to be Ian's first ear infection. Ian was a trouper and even enjoyed taking his medicine! Ian quickly recovered and was back to his energetic self!


We had a quiet New Year's at home with Ian. I think we were all in bed by midnight. Oh how a little one can change your life! On New Year's Day, we went to visit Ian's Great Grandma Olson. Ian really liked Great Grandma's cookies and all the attention...

On January 4th, Ian began walking! Each day he walks farther and farther and his confidence continues to grow! Ian also got to help Avery celebrate his 4th Birthday! Here is a photo of the two at Avery's favorite restaurant. Ian is attempting to blow into his train whistle while Avery drives!


I'll try to provide updates on a more regular basis in 2011!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Pea!

We celebrated Ian's First Birthday on Saturday, November 27th. We had a Farmall tractor theme and invited everyone to wear red but of course green was accepted!




Ian smiled all day and the morning after! I think his favorite part was the balloons!

Auntie Sara made the birthday cake and it tasted as good as it looked!

Ian tasted his first cupcake at his party and he seems to have a sweet tooth like his Mama and Daddy. He ate all the frosting and then the entire cupcake!



It was a big day for Ian and he needed a little nap half way through the party. Luckily Uncle Wade was available to cuddle with.

This wasn't the day of the party, but I finally caught Ian proudly displaying his age...

Happy Birthday Ian Oliver!

Happy 1st Halloween!

Prepare to see the cutest lion in the world...

Ian was a trouper for Halloween! He was a little scared of his costume at first, so we practiced wearing it up until the big night!

On Friday, we attend our Church's "Halloween Carnival" and Ian loved watching all the other kids. He had his serious face on most of the night. Mama enjoyed the cake walk...memories of Fun Day at Hawthorne Elementary School!
Then, Daddy and Ian did Plinko! On Saturday we met a very nice UPS man named Riley and a Care Bear named Hailey!


On Halloween, Ian loved watching the trick or treaters come to the door....we had 97 trick or treaters! It was definitely a Happy Halloween!