last weekend

Last weekend was a pretty exciting one.
We got to have a sleepover with Lincoln which was great fun for both boys I think.
We went to the zoo (forgot our camera--bought a disposable one but haven't developed it yet), the taste of Bloomington, and for a walk. We also watched a fair amount of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Watching SpongeBob. Both boys were mesmerized. For a little while...

There were of course more exciting things around though, like the dog and the desire to smack SpongeBob (which meant smacking our TV screen) that took over every now and again and led to a bit of craziness...

In the car they were great. It was fun having the 2 of them back there. Lincoln played a lot of peek-a-boo with North, which was super cute. They were pretty hilarious back there chattering to one another.

Taste of Bloomington was pretty fun but neither boy is a very adventurous eater yet. Lincoln was a big fan of the french fry selections. North liked seeing all the people.

They were pretty funny in the wagon. They enjoyed seeing cows and horses on our walk.



It was great fun getting to spend some time with Lincoln.

Other random cute/funny pictures from the past 2 weeks.

North and the cat sharing the crib for a cat nap.

North threw up. On Ender. Really gross. and REALLY FUNNY. Poor Ender thought she had been punished for something. She got all guilty looking.

And North and Alan snuggling before bed.

North's First Birthday Party!

On Sunday we had a few friends and family members over to celebrate North's birthday. I think he had a great time.

Gabe, Elizabeth, and Rob were able to come.

As were Angie, Heather, Shelby, Allen, and Kristin.

Shelby, the amazing baker, baked DELICIOUS chocolate and red velvet cupcakes for the grown ups and a little white cake for North.

North wasn't really sure what to make of the singing or the cake at first.



Once we supplied him with a fork though, he dug in.

Lincoln, Sam, and Levi were able to come.
North totally loves Lincoln.


North got a slide from Grandma and Grandpa and all of the kids had fun sliding down it.

North and Gabe were also big fans of North's wagon.

And the bubble machine from Sam, Levi, & Lincoln--this was a BIG hit!


And North liked the little tupperware sandbox Alan and I made him.

Nanny, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Grandad, and Ashley were also able to come. It was so fun seeing everyone.

Madi's 3rd Birthday Party!

Last Saturday we got to visit Uncle Adam, Aunt Angie, and cousins Connor, Madi, and Claydon to celebrate Madison's 3rd birthday. There were lots of kids there and tons of toys to play with. I think North had a great time seeing his cousins.



Enjoying their slide

Madi had a Dora the Explorer cake and pinata
North very much liked their mower


Sweet baby Claydon

Lots of kids!

North and Claydon bonding

Atlanta

Alan and North got to tag along on a business trip to Atlanta over North's first birthday (the upside of this second layoff). We had a wonderful time and it was great to get to spend that special day in particular together.

North decided to pack himself into our luggage while we were getting ready.

Our hotel was great—as long as you weren’t afraid of heights—all catwalk hallways, glass elevators, and walls of glass in all the rooms. North loved standing against the glass wall in our room and looking out at the city and down to the pool.

He loved swimming in the pool which was huge and as warm as bath water. He particularly loved it when Alan would throw him into the air.

We enjoyed the great weather and outdoor eating opportunities.


North liked all the pillows in our room

Our first grits experience.

While there we also got to see our friend Erin who moved to Atlanta about a year ago. She got to meet North for the first time and took us to a great seafood restaurant called Six Feet Under where we got to eat on their beautiful rooftop patio.

And for N's birthday we went to the AMAZING Atlanta aquarium!

Sawfish!
A whale shark!

The terrifying penguin

Alan and North in one of the caves

Giant catfish over head

Harassing the piranhas

Petting sting rays and sharks--the sharks were smooth and firm; the sting rays really soft and mushy.


First cake--red velvet birthday cupcake

Belugas
Jelly Fish!

Reef tank
Starfish souvenir we bought him for his birthday

We also visited the “World of Coca-cola” while in Atlanta, which is where Coca-cola originates.


terrifying bear!
Original coca-cola bottle created in Terre Haute by the Root glass company. It was redesigned because it wouldn't fit into packaging--made thinner into the shape we all know. Designed to resemble the pods of the cocao plant.

While there we got to taste about 90 coca-cola products from around the world including sugary sweet and fruity sodas from Africa, strange drinks with ingredients like carrots from Asia, and some interesting combinations from Europe (like the infamous “Beverly” soda- an aperitif heavy on quinine). We let North try his first sip of Coke while there—he was a BIG fan. Kept trying to get just a little bit more out of the cup long after he’d downed the little sip I’d shared with him.