Random cuteness

My mom thought that Connor needed some slippers to wear around the house. I just thought that this picture was too cute not to be included.

I'm a big boy now!

Now that Connor is 2 we decided that now would be a good time to convert his crib into the toddler bed. He has done really well with it so far. He doesn't get out of bed until we come in to get him, and he sleeps like a log. And we have the pictures to prove it.

Halloween 2010

This year Connor was a giraffe. He also got to go trick-or-treating three nights in a row. Friday October 29, was the IUK trick-or-treat, and since I graduated from IUK, why not. Connor and I met up with our friend Jeff and Joni and their two little girls, Leah and Mallory. Due to some last minute costume purchases, Leah and Connor wore matching costumes, while little Mallory was a monkey. Then on Saturday night, October 30, after Connor's birthday party we went to the little town of Russiaville, IN. It was a bit of a bust as far as candy, but Connor still had a great time, and by the end of the night was actually saying trick-or-treat. Then finally on actual Halloween, we went to 2 neighborhoods in Kokomo, Connor's bucket was full. However, since he's only two mommy and daddy got most of the candy and we gave Connor the Teddy Grahams and fruit snacks that he received from trick-or-treating instead.

IUK Trick-or-Treat

Russiaville, IN- Trick-or-TreatKokomo, IN- Trick-or-Treat

Connor's 2nd Birthday Party

I can't believe that it's been 2 years already since my little boy Connor was born. It seems just like yesterday. Since Connor's new love is choo choos as he calls them, I decided to do a train themed birthday party. I even found a cake that was shaped like a train, and yes I made the cake. Connor had a lot of fun at his party. This year we kept it fairly simple, we only invited close family and friends. It was fun to see Connor actually tear into his gifts this year, and when he wanted daddy to open up a toy so he could play with it he would simply say, "dada knife," but it sounded like "dada nice." Too cute.

Connor's 2 Year Pictures

These need little to no explanation. :)

Conner Prairie

We've been very busy this summer. We've gone to the zoo, the Children's Museum, and now we finish our Indy fun with a trip to Conner Prairie. For those of you who don't know what Conner Prairie is an interactive history park. It's a place where you step back in time to the 1800's. The workers dress up in period dress and they play the part. We went with our friends the Garber's and everyone had a great time.

Mom's retirement from the Air Force

This September my mom finally decided that enough was enough. She has served our country well for 32 years and she was finally ready to stop working at Grissom Air Reserve Base and start spending some quality time with who...but her grandson of course. Since my mom is a very special person to me, I decided to throw her a surprise retirement party. I reserved a pavilion at Darough Chapel Park here in Kokomo, IN. I had two of her bowling team mates take her out to lunch and then to "swing by" the park to look at some type of Veteran's Memorial and Peace Garden. She was clueless, she didn't figure it out until she saw all of the people under the pavilion shouting..."surprise!" I also surprised her when her nephew Justin flew in from Florida just for the event (and I didn't tell his sister or grandmother he was coming either). My Aunt Lorna and Uncle Tim also surprised my mom by coming to her party from Lincoln, IL. It was a great time by all. Then a few days later at Grissom, they also threw her another party, but I think we all know which one mom enjoyed best.

A visit to the Indianapolis Children's Museum

So this was our first visit to the Children's Museum with Connor. To be honest I think that mommy and daddy had more fun with a lot of the exhibits than Connor did. I still think that he is a little too young to appreciate it to the fullest. Their was one exhibit that was geared just for kids his age...needless to say when it was time to leave there was a little bit of a struggle getting him out, but we were able to finally change the mood by telling him that there was a train exhibit. Yes, I said trains, he wouldn't be my father's grandson if he didn't like trains...right? I'm not going to lie, I tried to fight the train phenomenon as long as I could...it was just too hard to think of, but I had to put my feelings aside. When I see my son's face light up every time he sees a train, I know that dad is smiling too, and it makes me happy. ANYWAY...so we had a great time at the Children's Museum, however I think we might wait a couple more years before we go back.

Ryan's Family Reunion-Frankfort TPA Park

Every year Ryan's mom's side of the family has their family reunion in Frankfort, IN. It reminds me of the Owen family reunions we used to have in Winamac, IN. However, each family has their own unique way of celebrating. For example Ryan's family has an auction, each person who comes is supposed to buy a generic man or woman's gift. They then must wrap the gift and label it as either man, woman, or child. Then the fun begins, we start the auction and you never know what you're going to get until you unwrap the gift. Some of the gifts are really nice and you might pay $2 for it. You just never know, and that's half the fun. Also at the TPA park in Frankfort, they have a petting zoo, which Connor loved. I think he might be a veterinarian in the future if his love for animals continues. All in all it was nice seeing all of Ryan's relatives and meeting some new ones as well. It's memories such as these that I love sharing with Connor.

Fourth of July Camping Trip-Southern Indiana

My mom has decided to keep the motor home and use it all by herself. So this Fourth of July she decided that it would be fun to take the camper down to Southern Indiana for a little weekend trip. We had a blast. The campground that mom found had a swimming pool that we took advantage of because of the heat, plus there was a lot of free activities for the whole family...hay rides, ice cream socials, etc. Needless to say it was a lot of fun. We even took a ride down to Clifty Falls State Park so that Connor could see the falls.