Pumpkin Carving

This weekend Grandpa and Grandma Erickson came down for Friday and Saturday. The boys enjoyed some time playing with them. They brought tractor books for Isaac which he loves. They were John Deere advertising pamphlets but Isaac likes to look at the pictures. Below are some pictures of the boys in matching outfits that we bought them.

Isaac poked Caleb in the eye and Regina got the picture. He will pay for that later. On Saturday we went and bought some pumpkins to carve and we carved it up on Saturday evening. Below are the pictures of Isaac helping clean the pumpkin out and the final result.

On Sunday Grandpa and Grandma Beerends came to babysit the boys while Regina and I went to our church's membership meeting. The boys enjoyed play time with them as well. This weekend the boys got their share of grandparent's time.

Family Vacation

Last week we traveled to the Amana Colonies for a "mini" family vacation. This was our first since Isaac was born! We traveled Thursday to Williamsburg and spent the afternoon shopping at the Tanger Outlet Mall. We found a lot of great deals and Isaac enjoyed riding "his" tractor (Bob the builder) and "his" golf cart (a Mickey Mouse ride). He still talks about them when he sees the pictures! :) Caleb enjoyed some stroller time while we shopped.





After the outlet mall we checked into our hotel, which had a waterpark. We spent all day Friday at the hotel. Isaac really enjoyed swimming except for the big bucket that spilled water over the entire play area every so often. He is a little traumatized as daddy didn't realize it was there until it had sent water on his and Isaac's head the first night. He didn't really care to get too close after that! This was Caleb's first time in the water and he seemed to enjoy it.

After naps on Friday afternoon we played on the playground at the hotel. Isaac really enjoyed running around the castle, sliding down the big slide, and swinging on the tire swing.

I took this picture as we were walking through the parking lot on the way to the park. I thought it would be funny but it turned out to be a really cool picture of our little family! Caleb is strapped to me in the baby bjorn, you can kind of see him by my head.

I was a little worried about us all sleeping in the same room, especially since Caleb wakes up in the middle of the night to eat. However things went better than I expected. Zach ended up sleeping with Isaac and that helped Isaac to get some good sleep. Isaac did manage to fall out of bed one night but he didn't even wake up! Zach had a hard time getting him back into bed. Below is a picture of the boys Friday morning watching their cartoons on the bed.

Saturday we went to Coralville to see where my brother and his wife now live. We spent some time at the Coralville Mall and then took off for home. Sunday was spent catching up on some much needed sleep! We had a really great time and the boys did too.

Last Month

Lots has happened since our last post. I had sinus surgery a couple of weeks ago. Grandma Erickson came down to help Regina out while I was recovering. We also had a visit from my Aunt Cheryl and my Grandpa and Grandma. Aunt Cheryl bought a four wheeler for Isaac to ride on. He really likes it. We have 2 four wheelers now and I race Isaac in the driveway. Below are a few pictures to enjoy.

Tummy time

Caleb during tummy time

Racing four wheelers

Caleb playing with his links

Isaac kissing Caleb in his exersaucer

Weekend Away

This past Thursday Iowa State opened up the college football season. So Regina put the boys in their ISU gear. Below is a picture of them together.

This past weekend we went to Austin, MN to visit my parents. We stopped at my dad's golf course in Charles City on the way up to play a little golf and let Isaac on a golf course for the first time. He loved it. He really liked to drive the golf cart. Below is a picture of him in the golf cart.

On Sunday morning, we went to my dad's farm and went out on the boat to go fishing. I caught one right away and then Isaac helped me reel it in. Below is a picture of the fish with Isaac and grandpa.

Isaac got tired and disinterested in fishing pretty quickly. He just wanted to drive the green tractor. So later, he got to drive the tractor with grandpa. Below are some pictures.

Iowa State Fair

On Saturday we went to the Iowa State Fair. The City of Des Moines gave us some free tickets to get in and $6 for food. So we went to the fair. The first thing we saw when entering the fair was Elmo. Isaac likes Elmo and he and Regina got a picture with Elmo.

Next we went to the Little Farmers site so Isaac could be a farmer. His hat was a little big.

Isaac got to ride on a green tractor, which he loved.

Picture of Caleb at the fair.

Regina and Isaac went down the big slide. Isaac enjoyed it.

It was a little hot at the fair, but we enjoyed it. After the slide we found something to eat and then went home to take naps.

Pictures

Last Friday we picked Zach up at work and went to West Des Moines to take professional pictures. We haven't taken any since Isaac was 18 months and didn't know if Isaac would take any good photos or not. All of our other experiences have been terrible but this one proved us wrong! Isaac was hesitant at first but warmed up to the photographer when she showed him a stuffed monkey. Here are a few of the pictures:

Brothers:

Isaac:

Caleb:

Things are going well at our house. Caleb is sleeping from about 9 PM to 6 AM each night and we are so thankful. He is growing like crazy! At his 2 month check up he was 13 1/2 pounds and 24 inches long! Isaac continues to amaze us, we are learning to watch what we say as he repeats everything! He loves to play outside and mow with daddy. He also gets very excited about Papa's tractor. He loves tractor rides and tells us about them daily! Isaac has learned how to operate the phone and is known to call daddy at work or Papa without mommy knowing!

I am back to work and enjoying a day without children. I am only working one day a week now so it's a full days work in order to get all the finances done! Monday evenings are early to bed evenings!

This weekend we are headed to my parents for my 10 year class reunion. Isaac is so excited because that means he'll get a tractor ride! Zach and I are happy to have a golf outing with our friends. Hopefully the rain will stay away!

Balloons

Last week Isaac wanted to get into the crib with Caleb. So we let him. Below is a picture of the brothers laying in the crib



My sister was back home this weekend. My mom, grandma, and her came down on Saturday to visit Caleb and Isaac. They went to the balloon parade with us and then we went out to Pickard Park to watch the balloons launch in the evening. Everyone enjoyed the balloons. It was a good time. Isaac and Caleb enjoyed having their grandmas and aunt around for the day.

Picture of my sister holding Caleb.

Grandma and Isaac at Pickard Park watching the balloons

Isaac with great grandma and grandma watching balloons

Balloons fill the sky