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!

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!