Lounging

Simon has been lounging alot lately. He has been leaning up against me when we are on the floor, and sitting along the edge of the baby pool. He just cracks me up.

Baby Turns One!!!

Simon turned one today, so over the weekend we had his first birthday party. Family came in from out of town, making it a very special day.

Looking great in his birthday hat.

Simon was very excited about playing with the ribbons on some of the gifts. We actually had to put a few gifts up high, because he was trying to get into them before everyone got to the party.

Some ducks in the punch bowl.

Little cupcakes and little ice cream cone cupcakes.

The next day was Sunday and we had Simon's baby dedication at church. Simon was very good through most of it, but near the end while the pastor was praying Simon started grabbing at his microphone. He also started waving to everyone when we first got up there. You get a lot of action at a baby dedication when you wait until they almost one.

Lunch out with the family after church. First time Simon ate real food at a resturant.

One more dedication picture

He is Simon "helping" hold on to the microphone during the prayer.

Out for a ride

Now that Kris is done with school, we have decided to get out and do stuff. I found a bike trailer for Simon, so we can get outside as a family, enjoy the weather as fall approaches, and get a little exercise. (Last fall I was overwhelmed with a new baby and stayed inside most the time)

Baby Amusement Park

Simon and I have had a great time while Pops was visiting. We went out and did so many things. Pops also made it possible to have so much fun at home too. I have not been to a theme park in years... but this is pretty close to it for a baby!What park doesn't have tasty treats?!!?!?
Simon trying to eat an acorn. This is partially posed due to his cousin doing the same thing. Don't worry, I grabbed it out of his hand once it was near his mouth.

Simon loves the swing that Pops put up for him. Doesn't it look like that huge swing ride at the parks? Everyone loves that ride...I know it's one of my favorites.

This is the water park. I was even able to turn it into a wave pool for a little while.

The pool has made the backyard so much more enjoyable on these hot days.

The hose provided a nice mister to keep things cool while the pool was a little crowded. (What can I say, I wanted to get in too...even if there isn't alot of room)

Family

Although we were in town for a funeral, it was really nice to see family we have not seen in a while. Plus, alot of people had not met Simon yet. Unfortunatly, I was not able to get pictures of all the family we saw... I really regret that. Tia Ria helping me calm Simon before he went to bed.

Cousin Renee loved playing with Simon.

Simon was crazy about his cousin Skylar.

There is the whole gang (that was present) of cousins...Simon is checking out the toy that cousin Aaron has...in hopes of getting Skylar's water bottle out of Simon's strong little grip.

Lake Josephine

Since our trip consisted of vacation, but was prolonged due to the funeral, we kept trying to find fun things to do that we had not planned. On our way back from Como Park two days prior, we found a cute lake we wanted to try out. So the day we left MN, we decided to go swimming and headed on over. It was a little cold at first, but felt great.

Laying around trying to relax before we drove out of town that night.

Simon could splash and play in the water all day.

By the end of the day Simon was tuckered out. He got very fussy after we ate, but he finally fell asleep in Kris' arms.

Como Park

Como Park is a great area in St. Paul. The zoo is free with a ton of great animals. Just another great place I went to as a child.
Boy, it was packed the day we went and quite hot, but we stayed in the shade the best we could. Japanese Garden at the conservatory at the park.

Simon really liked the ostrich and flamingo.

In the gardens.

We saw some new animals at this zoo... a giraffe...

a lion...

and a couple of monkeys.

Fishing for Simon

Simon went fishing while we were up in Minnesota as well. Kent is great. He bought Simon his first fishing pole...Spiderman!!!

Simon really loved playing with the fish.

He did not, however, like his life preserver very much.

Checking out the water with Daddy. Simon loves the water.

Yayyy...Simon caught his first fish.

Relaxing on the boat with Daddy.

Out on the dock.

Dinner

Here is the dinner we caught. The pictures are in a bit of a backwards order..oh well. Karen is an amazing cook. It was delicous.

Yummm...

Karen is great at filleting fish.

That meal was worth the effort...although the effort was quite fun and relaxing on it's own.