Uncle Matt!!

Matt is a very dear friend of both of us (really all 3 of us). We have known him for quite some time and he is like family. He was gone this summer doing some very exciting work in Europe and we all really missed him!!! Matt loves Sam and I think I can safely say the sam of Sam. They had a lot of fun together playing and wrestling. (FYI: Matt was Sam's very first baby-sitter; He watched him for us while we went out for or aniversary last year.) We love you Matt!


Uncle Matt and Sam are horse-playing in the back seat before "take-off"

"5-point harnes!?!" After much wrangling, Matt was able to successfully strap Sam into his carseat. This was a challenge for both of them.

Now it is time for the socks and shoes...Not bad...He got the toes in the right end. I think Sam was thinking "What is he doing?"

Celebrate Stillwater

We went to Celebrate Stillwater - a christian community outreach event. Sam has a balloon "something." We couldn't figure out what it was suppose to be...a flower, a sword??? It didn't seem to matter to him. He liked it either way.

Let's see if it folds in half...

I thought this was a beautiful picture of Sam and Josh walking back to the car after the event. The sun was begining to set and you can see their shadows on the sidewalk. I just love this picture.

More horses

Sam saw the horses and of course, we had to go for a ride. He also had to bring Mama and his blankie. It was a nice little ride.

A side note: The little girl in pink on the horse in the background was a little girl I babysat for regularly from the time she was about 6 months to about a year and a half. I had no idea that was her, until I got off the horse and recognized her mom. She is 6 now. I couldn't believe it. Isn't that ironic that we captured her in our pictures?

Fort

Sam loves to play with his blocks. These blocks are made of cardboard, so they are lightweight and he can pick them up, stack them high, and knock them over. We have so much fun making forts!!!



He also likes to play with the little drink-mix containers. He is trying to stack them on top of the highest block.

Peek-a-boo.

one giant leap

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Well, Sam figured out how to cross the threshold and go outdoors by himself. I have been keeping him from learning this by just carrying him over it all the time because I figured once he learned how to do this he would escape all the time. I guess I am still safe until he learns how to turn the doorknob, then I will be in a world of hurt.

Goin' to the Moon

I bought these slippers for Sam, and Josh insists they look like Moon Boots. Anytime Sam wears them Josh says, "You goin' to the moon?"

Say Cheese...

Sam was trying to sit inside of the little compartment in his car and I thought I would take his picture, so I said, "Say 'cheese'..." I had know idea the following would ensue...

He ran to the refridgerator saying "cheese, cheese, cheese..." and insisted I open it to get him some cheese.

Well, I did, and the following video captures the moment of him enjoying his cheese.

Spoiled??? No, not me.

Here is Sam with Papa and Nana, after a weekend full of spoiling!!!

All ove Olives!

Want an olive??? Are you sure; they are very tasty???

Okay, well, wanna see what I can do???

Easy now...you have to balance it just right...


Tadah!!!

Mmmmm...now you see it; now you don't.

Sam and the wild boar

We visited some family in Witchita, KS and went to a really neat place to eat. When we first walked in Sam saw this funny looking pig/cow/horse. He wanted to sit on it and little did he know, you could put a dime in and it would give him the ride of his life...he had so much fun. I think we put in at least a dollars worth of dimes, but it was worth it.

This is a video clip (I just figured out how to do this) So turn up your speakers and enjoy.

Book from Big Daddy

Big Daddy (Josh's Dad; It's a southern thing) bought Sam this book and sent it in the mail for him. It is called "The Dangerous Book for Boys." It has all kinds of neat things in it like, how to make a treehouse, assembling a battery, hunting & cooking a rabbit, the seven wonders of the world (modern & ancient), spies' codes and ciphers, bugs, insects & spiders, girls (we tore this part out, since he will never need it), and much more. It is such a cool book!!! Anyway, Sam really liked looking at the pictures. I think he will put that book to much use in a few years.




I think he is already scheming...Thanks Big Daddy.

Hard work

Sam was working in the office while Josh was working on the computer. He was very proud of his accomplishment. He was able to fit all his "Noah's Ark People" on to the top of this drum. It took much concentration and dexterity, but he did it.

Morning Devotional

Sam and Daddy are reading the morning devotional. This is a very special time for us. Coffee, jammies, the morning sun, time with my two favorite guys and God...what more could I ask for...

Hair cut

Isn't he cute!?! For those of you that didn't know, I cut Sam's hair (and Josh's). I have ever since he was probably 9 months (Sam that is). He does very well. I just sit him on this little stool and as long as he has some goldfish crackers, a drink, and someone to talk to him, he is relatively patient and still. Oh, he has blue sand on his feet from playing in the sand box after having played with the water hose.

Mowing the driveway

I coun't resist. The kid across the street was mowing his lawn and Sam ran into the garage and pulled out his bubble-mower and decided the driveway needed to be mowed.

Books, books, books

The other day I heard Sam (or rather, didn't hear Sam) being very quiet. I knew he was up to something. When I went into his room, this is what I found. The sweetest little boy ever, reading every book he had in his room. This child loves books!!!

Cantaloupe!

Sam and I had a learning moment with the cantaloupe the other day. He watched me as I cut it open and prepared it for him to eat. He was also drinking like a "big boy" out of a mug, so his shirt was sopping wet.

Mmm...he loves cantaloupe.

Ewe...his shirt was sooo wet.

Isn't he handsome and sweet!

He is drinking from the mug while giving the secret hand signal for The Little Rascals.

Look at me; I am a mess and I am lovin' every minute of it!!!

Papa's Company Picnic

We went to Papa's company picnic and had a blast!!! Sam rode on the merry-go-round. He did not want his turn to be over. He would have ridden on that thing all day, if we were to let him.

Sam and Nana are hanging on tight...

Sam wanted to see the horses. He really likes horses right now. But is still a little unsure of their faces.

Sam is just hangin' out on the horse like there is nothing to it. I think he was born to be a Cowboy.

Papa took him for a ride on the horse, while Mama, Daddy (He was very aprehensive, but over came his fears), Nana, and Aunt Holly went for a trail ride.

Daddy and Sam rode go-carts. Weeeee...
As the ride wore on, Sam slid further and further down in his seat, until...

...This was what he looked like when it was over. We laughed so hard, and Sam couldn't understand what was so funny. He was also very tired by this point, so that explains his facial expression.






Just takin' a breather with Nana, Aunt Holly, and Alli. Sam is offering Alli a goldfish cracker. Isn't he such a good boy!

The three amigos! Gotta love them...

Alli reached the top of the climbing wall!!

So, Daddy had to conquer it too...

We didn't plan on swimming, but we couldn't resist. So Sam just got in, clothes and all. It was a little cool at first, but he loved it.

Sam and Alli are having fun in the cool water. It was really hot and sunny and bright that day, so the water felt great.

After a long day of playing...We hadn't even made it out of the parking lot.