wordless wednesday

just a walk in the park

We spent a fun family afternoon at Mcfarland Park yesterday.  I really love that my hubby gets off work at Noon on Fridays (and I don't work on Fridays), as it makes for a really fun way to start out each weekend!

McFarland has a fun Naturalist's Lunchbox Program on Fridays throughout the summer, and it was really a neat experience for families.  Basically you just bring a sack lunch and listen to a presentation about various bugs or plants, coupled with fun stories and crafts.  Yesterday it was all about worms.  How appropriate as my little wiggle worm made me miss most of the presentation!  

It was really fun to see some of my friends there with their children, but I know that Hendrix will get more out of this kind of thing in the future.  In the meantime, he enjoyed being outdoors, and spending time with his daddy!

We saw lots of water, and a couple butterflies. 

For whatever reason the trees were super fascinating.....

...but walking around like a big boy was still Hendrix's highlight I think!

What a nice afternoon as a family. ;)

This is what a long afternoon in the sun does to my sweet little boy. ;)  Sweet dreams, pal!

so much attitude for such a little boy

mr hendrix thinks he is really big stuff.  now that he is pulling himself up to things, he looks like big stuff too.  

 he has a million different expressions, and i love them all.  this one really kills me though. 

maintaining his balance is hard work.  we have to be careful not to distract him or he reaches out for one of us and forgets that he has to hold on to stay up. ;)

he likes to jabber to himself while he plays.  i wish i knew what all those cute little sounds meant.

it is fun to watch more and more of his personality emerge each day.  it's okay, hendrix, i am a small person with a big attitude too. ;)

father's day

happy first father's day to my dear hubs!

  

we celebrated with my father-in-law over grilled brats and spent a really gorgeous day outdoors on the back porch.

hendrix was fascinated with all the gift wrap of course, and as usual, was the star of the day.  I don't think he got the memo that it was supposed to be all about fathers.  oops.

he gave his gramps some special loves when he gave him his "grinnell college grandpa" cap.

we celebrated with my daddy next, and he was surprised and thrilled with the special gift that I ordered with pictures of his grandson.

he is an amazing father and I had a really wonderful childhood.  he remains an amazing father as he has now stepped into the role of grandfather; and I am so thankful for the example that he and my mother have set for how to raise a family who cares for and about each other.   

like father, like son!

hendrix actually got a little tired of present opening, as we had a big birthday bash combined with our father's day celebrations. 

we celebrated with both my sister-in-laws-to-be....

(these two love birds are tying the knot in just a month now!  Hendrix is still working on learning to walk before his big debut as ring bearer)

...and we also exchanged birthday presents with my brother...

and mom who had birthdays in June.   The family is growing so much that we are having to combine birthday celebrations because that is the only way we can have us all in one place to celebrate!

It was a fun and full weekend.  So much family.  So much love.

Oh and daddy taught hendrix how to both kick, and throw a {soccer} ball.  it was super cute then, but i am not so sure now that he has thought that everything within reach is a ball today.  thanks daddy. 

9 month photos

Lora Patten took Hendrix's nine month photos a couple weeks ago, and I am thrilled with how they turned out!  She really captured what he is into these days and I really like the ones of all three of us.

He kept chewing on his fingers, as he was cutting two teeth....

He refused to sit still for longer than 2 minutes.....he just wanted to "walk" everywhere!

And it didn't really take much effort to get him to flash us his silly grin!

My little boy is growing up sooooo quickly.

I love you, sweet boy!