Where did the month go?

I can't believe the month of June is already over! We kept busy that's for sure.  In between Cam's baseball games, a visit from Grandma & Grandpa Radtke, a MN wedding shower, a dairy farm visit, a work event, and a concert- the month flew by!
Mark's parents are getting closer to having their "vacation home" completed! It's been a long wait, and when it seems like it's never progressing, we notice things being done.  It's only a block away from us, so we can see the progress from a distance.  Hopefully they'll be ready to move in sometime in July.  They were here for a short week, busy with furniture shopping and house details. 
My cousin Brooke is getting married in August.  With the help of her sister-in-law, we threw her a nice shower.  My Aunt Lori hosted it at her house in Lakeville, MN which meant a road trip for us!  My Mom, Easton, and I left on a Friday night and got back on Sunday afternoon.  It was a nice trip and Easton did great! He's a good little traveler :)  He slept through the night and took great naps!  The only thing I realized from the trip, was he's ready for a BIG boy seat.  I could tell he was wanting to look out and sit up! So mark my words little man, I'm researching which one we should get.  Of course it needs to be the safest one out there, as you are the most precious cargo :)

Here in the Heartland, we celebrate Dairy Month.  This year the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance hosted a farm tour.  They served supper, of course ice cream, and lots of things for the kiddos.  It was out at Multi-Rose Jerseys, which is a family operated and run dairy. My HS classmate is one of the 5 owners.  They also have a son that is in Easton's room at daycare.  So we got a tour by Evan and Treyton, and I think Easton recognized him ;)  The dairy today includes a rotary parlor that can milk 40 cows at a time, modern free-stall barns, and a number of technologies and practices to ensure that they are providing the best possible care for the cows and the environment.  Did you know that from the time a cow is milked, that milk is on your grocery store shelf within 48 hours? It was a very interesting experience for all of us!

They had a "cornbox" and the kids loved it! Dad was surprised at the amount of money in that box ;)

Easton didn't like the big cows, but he liked the calves.

Every year my work host a customer appreciation night at the Rapid Speedway.  We rent out the VIP room, and host anywhere from 50-70 guests.  This year was no different than the rest, we had a lot of things going on and good prizes to giveaway! The only new thing, was that Easton was in attendance :)

And to end the month, I got to attend a Miranda Lambert concert at Grand Falls Casino! It was an outdoor concert, and was awesome! I went with a bunch of girlfirends, we had a great time. 

9 Months Old

Easton continues to grow and amaze us! He's been fully crawling and pulling himself up on furniture for a while now.  He's so inquisitive and wants to know what everything is and how it works.  He likes the sound of paper crumpling, or anything that makes noise.  So he enjoys newspapers, magazines, etc.  He's starting to really enjoy books.  He doesn't really have the patience when we try and read them to him, but likes the colors & pictures.  He still loves his dog, Nelli.  Nelli can always bring a smile to his face.  He hasn't really learned how to "pet" her it's more of a "swat", but she's use to it and seems to love the attention.  He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so when I found this Mickey Mouse in Target I had to buy it! He loves it :)  He gets excited anytime you open the back door, he loves to be outside.  He's still enjoys to eat, and is really getting good at picking up his puffs.  Bath time has become more work, he no longer sits in a chair, he sits like a big boy!  It makes for lots of "splish splash" and he loves it!

June Joys

I love to look through photos on our phones!  I usually find a new picture or two that I forgot Mark took, or an old one that still makes me smile.  Here are a bunch of photos that I had to share.

Easton starting to stand up in his bed, which was a reminder it was time to lower his mattress! He no longer can do this, and I think is frustrated that he can't peer over the ledge :) 

Proud to be a Ram!

Easton's first baseball game 

Goof Ball- no pun intended ;)

He loves his swing!

Now that Easton is fully crawling, he finds new "toys" everywhere, but in his toy baskets!

Happy Father's Day!

We are very thankful for the great Fathers' in our lives.  They've been good role models for us and who knows where we would be without them! Thanks for all you do.  And new this year, Mark celebrated this special day too!  Unfortunetly, he had to work :(  But don't worry, Easton and I spoiled him before he left.  I made him breakfast, and had a couple presents for him to open.  Easton had a gift too....

A book "Just me and my Dad".

Easton loves his Daddy! This video is a good example of that.  But every night when Mark calls to let me know he's on his way home, I put it on speaker phone so he can talk to Easton.  Easton immediately smiles and wants to see the phone.  (A picture pops up of Mark when he calls)  It's pretty cute, and I know he knows it's him.  Another example of his love for his Daddy, the screen saver on my phone is a picture of the two of them, and Easton always says "Daddy" when he looks at any cell phone.  I think he thinks everyone has a picture of him and Daddy as a screen saver ;)

Fun in the Sun- 1st time swimming!

My cousin Jess was in town for Heritage Days weekend, so we decided to take the kids swimming!  The weather was perfect, and the water was warm.  Easton loved it! He splashed & splashed, and didn't mind that his face was dripping with water!  Not to mention he soaked his hat ;) I figured he would love it, but the kids can be overwhelming at the pool and the noise level is far from what he's use to!  But looks like he and I will be spending a lot of time there this summer :)

Cam was there too!

snacks for break time

Cool dude!  

Thanks for sharing your tube, Teddy!

Teddy & Jon

Texas Cousins- short visit, lots of pictures!

When family comes to visit, we try and clear our schedules so we can enjoy them to the fullest!  It worked out for Mark, he has Mondays off, and the rest of us were able to alter our work schedules.  Roger, Julie, Anna, Cade, Callie, and Colson came on Sunday evening and spend the night.  We had a lot of fun, and wish they could have stayed longer.  Michael, Amy, Emily, and Allison stopped by on their way to Spirit Lake on Monday afternoon so we got a brief visit before they all headed onto their next destination!  Times have changed, we spend the majority of our time talking about our children, chasing them around (trying to keep them out of trouble) or feeding them.  I think at any given time one of them needs a diaper change, is hungry or wants to go outside!  I'm so thankful they made time to visit Rock Rapids and can't wait till we see them again!  Come back soon y'all ;)

"Yeah, he's still here!"

(Easton had just woke up)

"Mom, I'm busy here! No time for pictures."

Colson- 13 months

Cade

Callie is such a good big sister! She loves babies ;)

Fun at the park!

First time tantum swinging- it was a hit!

Colson showing Easton some love.....

Easton's reaction!

Photography by Callie

3 peas in a pod

Allison, Callie, Emily

Aunt Julie & Easton

Love these ladies!

Me, Amy, Anna & baby boy Akin

My wonderful godparents, Roger & Julie