Time for a trim

Not long after our Charlotte vacation, we decided it was time for Sam's first haircut. Michele's dad was nice enough to trim his sideburns a few months ago, but it was starting to look shaggy all over. I wanted to hold out as long as possible. Something about that first haircut felt like we were crossing a line and couldn't go back.

Emily, a new friend from our church, performed the honors while Sam sat on my lap. Afterwards she gave Sam a snazzy certificate that reads, "This is a real official piece of paper saying that I was real brave and didn't scream or fuss too much when they took me to this place, covered me up with a sheet thing and cut my hair. As of today, I am a BIG KID!"

Leaving on a jet plane (part 4)

Our vacation to Charlotte was more of a stay-cation for Annie. We spent a lot of time just hanging out at her home and relaxing.

We went to a park 2 or 3 times and Sam loved swinging

Michele tries on Sam's sun hat

Sam loves on Michele after eating dinner on Annie's deck

Hanging out at an area pool

Playing on the bed

We had a GREAT time and we're hoping we can make the trip again soon. Thanks Annie!!

Leaving on a jet plane (part 3)

Another highlight of our trip was visiting the Lazy 5 Ranch, an exotic animal drive-thru park. Annie & Matt visited this ranch in May, and Ann noted what a racket it is. You pay money to get in, you pay money to buy the animals food, then you drive around and feed the animals. Meanwhile the owners sit around and get rich. Why didn't we think of this?!

Leaving on a jet plane (part 2)

One of the highlights of our trip to Charlotte was visiting the US National Whitewater Center. During the summer, every Thursday evening is the Subaru River Jam featuring "great local music and the best sunset around". Well... the music was so-so, but it was fun to see the whitewater (even if it is man-made)! We're already looking forward to taking Sam and Baby G on a multi-day whitewater rafting trip.

Go Cards

Michele bought Sam a Cardinals hat this week and we can hardly believe how excited he is to wear it. When he's not wearing it, we store it on our coat rack. Today he pulled himself up by the coat rack, then sat down and cried. Michele went to console him and then figured out he just wanted his hat.

He likes to adjust it himself. He wears it low on his ears. We'll pull it up a little and he'll pull it back down. It reminds you of a real ballplayer adjusting his hat.

Leaving on a jet plane (part 1)

Mid-July we took our first family vacation.
We flew to Charlotte, NC to visit Aunt Annie!

Just a few days before our trip, Sam got pink eye. Arrgh, matey!
(I wanted to get him an eye patch
so we could talk like pirates the whole trip.)
Thanks to Mom, the doc, and some very expensive eye drops, it healed up in just a few days.

Even though we don't see Annie often enough, Sam warmed up to her in no time. In fact, he was so excited about our visit that he rarely took a nap! He stayed up late almost every night and woke up early too.

Ann brought home some fun toys from her job. Sam's favorites were a Mr. Potato Head Suitcase (one tater, lots of possibilities) and a toy that involved 4 balls, a hammer, and a contraption that you pounded the balls through, then they zig-zagged back and forth as they descended, and then fell out the bottom. (It's hard to describe -- Annie/Michele, feel free to provide a better explanation.)

I'll try to post more photos of our adventures soon...