jumping bug

I was hoping to get a video of happy jumping bug for my mom's birthday on Tuesday but he woke up covered in his own semi-dried vomit that day so we had to postpone. He sure looked cute on Wednesday getting up from his nap and was all smiles and jumps.

How could you not be in love with this little guy?

A tribute to the best mom and grandma around

Today is my mom's birthday. Though it says Sept 6 2010 on the top of this post that is because I uploaded the pics on my birthday but waited around to type until my mom's special day. I know everyone loves their mom and I know I'm biased but I know I have the best mom out there. She is so supportive and loving and helpful and sacrificial and kind. I love that she laughs a lot when she gets tired like me and Lucas do. She was such a terrific mom to me and my brothers; I can only hope and pray that I am just as good of a mom to Lucas. She always knew she wanted kids and I am so lucky to have been one of them. She waited a long time for me to have a child and she just loves on Lucas like no one else. I have to constantly remind her that I am her baby and that Lucas is my baby :-) They had such a great time together at our visit home. He just lights up when he sees her and points to the computer all day here hoping her face will pop up on the screen when we skype. I just love this series of shots
Grandma kisses are the best
Mom- I love love love love love you. I know you are sad today the first birthday without your mom. I hope and pray you had a great day. Lucas and I wish we were in your kitchen to give you kisses. There are no words to describe how much to mean to us or how lucky I am to have a mom like you. Please come visit soon, we miss you like crazy.

Enchanted Forest Water Safari where the fun never stops

And another tradition now on our trips to Manlius is a day adventure to Enchanted Forest Water Safari where the fun never stops. Again this year my brother David and niece Madison came for the day; that that you can tell by this post because Lucas was the star of the paparazzi. It was Bill's first trip. He admitted he thought it was going to be 'dinky' but he had a great time and loved the rides I dragged him on.

He just loved the water

No day off for Grandma's boot camp

family shot with Paul Bunyan, a must

peter peter pumpkin eater

Cinderellas carriage

one of the 3 blind mice

We had a great great great day! Weather was awesome and the lines were super short! We also had a great fried Pied Piper lunch to round out the wonderful day.

the Great New York State Fair

The great thing about going home in late August was the chance to take Lucas to the Great New York State Fair. Bill went into thinking the Iowa State Fair is better but we won him over with the roasted corn and the fried dough. :-) Lucas had a grand ol time. He had his first cup of cold NYS chocolate milk, got his first cow eraser and tasted his first fried dough. My mom, Madison and I won him a teddy bear by throwing darts at balloons on our first try-- it only cost us $5.

Lucas wasn't so sure of the goats. Right before this shot, he touched this goat but I missed it.
ready to get our milk

yummy

NYS's super cool ass butter sculpture -- it was great this year.

Measuring Lucas in the dairy building

and my favorite shot of the day...

ahh the fair was awesome; the food was great. so great in fact that two days after we went, i paid $10 to get in to just buy us some more roasted corn and fried dough. they should really have a take-out service available... people waiting at the gate for food orders so you don't have to pay for admission.

Our time in Manlius

We had a great trip home to see my folks. little Bug just loved Grandma's boot camp -- lots of walking causing increased fatigue which then in turn caused long naps. Mommy and Daddy liked that part of being home as well. Right when we got off the plane, our friends, the Walls who went to college with me and Mexico with us last spring, came for a visit. We hit the Manlius highlights. Pavones, the Swan Pond and Sno Top.

I love this picture of Lucas looking out over Manlius

yummy Pavones
looking at the fish and ducks in the Swan Pond

first bite of Sno Top

super yums

helping Grandma and Daddy unload the dishwasher-- he climbed up there all on his own when their backs were turned

ahh being home on Candy Lane was just glorious. my most favorite week of the year!!!