Anders First Boat Ride

While visiting Grammie & Papa in Big Canoe, we had a late afternoon outing on a pontoon boat -- we did a little fishing and ate a picnic dinner.  The lake allows canoes, kayaks, and electric-motor fishing and pontoon boats.  Our pontoon boat moved along at quite a relaxing pace (Mom said that she could side-stroke faster) but was perfect for us.

See below our attempt to have Anders wear his life jacket, so I caved in and decided to not make him wear it.  I know, I know...I am bad.  I think we need to get a bigger life jacket for next time, because this one seemed to squeeze his poor cheeks!

Driving the boat with Aunt Katie...

Taking the steering quite seriously!

Papa caught THREE fish, I think that was a record for fishing at Big Canoe.  Here he is sharing the fish with Anders...

And sharing another fish with Bella...

Pictures with Mommy...

Anders LOVED waving at the other boats passing by (he was so cute)...

Exploring & hiking

So instead of hiking on one of the MANY trails in Big Canoe, we ended up just walking out the back door and exploring and hiking around Mom & Dad's yard... 

Haley crossing the rock bridge with Aunt Katie...

Anders trail blazing with Aunt Katie...

Anders pointing the way...

Tried so hard to get a great picture of Mom & Dad with their two grandchildren, but it just didn't happen.  This is the best one I could get (Anders is blowing kisses)...

We hunted for acorns and found LOTS...

Hanging out with Aunt Julie...

Going to Grammie & Papa's house

WARNING: there were over 600 pictures taken during this weekend away at Grammie & Papa's, so many blogs and many pictures to follow...

Anders & I drove down to GA late afternoon on Wednesday for a long Labor Day weekend with my family.  Then the next day I drove down to Lilburn to see my two best friends from highschool and their beautiful children.  Audrey had just had her THIRD child (and he was only a few weeks old).  She looked wonderful and Westin was SO precious!  I got to hold him most of the time and loved every minute of it...he made me start thinking that maybe Anders should have a little sibling sooner than later!  Ashley came over too and brought her little girl, Eden (she will turn 2 in Dec).  It is so fun seeing each other as mothers -- they are both BEAUTIFUL, loving moms!

Then on Friday we shopped at the outlets before Katie & Chip arrived for dinner, and spending the weekend up in Big Canoe with us.  Dad fixed YUMMY ribs...  

Next morning, sitting with Papa and eating Cherrios...

Anders woke up from his morning nap to find that Haley, Aunt Julie & Uncle Michael had arrived...

I think he is thinking "what is SHE doing in MY crib?"

Haley thought it was funny that I put her in the crib - she was telling me that she is a big girl and can talk, so she didn't belong in a crib (but she didn't mind posing for pictures with Anders)...

Aunt Katie with two little monkeys that were jumping on the bed before posing for these sweet pictures...

Haley brought Anders' birthday gift and helped him unwrap the lawnmower (note the beautiful wrapping paper that Haley painted)...

Anders cranking the engine -- he LOVES the lawnmower (more mowing pictures to come)...

Seeing Daddy at work

Two weeks ago (I am behind on my blogging, but hope to catch up this weekend)...

Sarah & Jeremy rode up with Anders and I to Louisville, KY to see Todd at work.  He is still mixing front of house for Kellie Pickler, but she has finished touring with Taylor Swift and now is opening for the Rascal Flatts tour.  We have visited Todd at shows before, but this was the first time we took Anders out into the audience to watch the show.  Before he was too young to subject him to the loud music and screaming girls -- but now he can wear his stylish headphones to protect his sweet little ears.  He wore the headphones most of the time, but had several moments of fighting to take them off.  He was SUCH a trooper and stayed up WAY past bedtime.  I felt like everyone was probably looking at me thinking "that poor baby, out so late and at a concert -- that mom should have gotten a babysitter!"  I know I would have thought that!  But Anders is so flexible and did so well.  He did get tired of Rascal Flatts and was ready to LEAVE, so we broke the rules and headed back stage without Todd escorting us.  The guards didn't stop us, and we found our way back to Todd where he was finishing up the load out.  Once Anders was back on the tour bus he was happy & having fun!  Then we all headed back down the road together to Nashville.

My favorite pictures of the night...

Watching the show...

Being held by Sarah & dancing to the music...

GROUP SHOT...Daddy, Anders, "Uncle" Jeremy, "Aunt" Sarah, and Mommy

Aunt Katie

So Anders has become quite the little artist (he must get it from his Aunt Katie, not me!) and he really enjoys finger painting.  Or should I say, he really enjoys "face painting"!  Here he is creating a finger painting to send to his Aunt Katie, because we are so impressed and excited for her.  She has gotten her brokerage license and has started her own real estate company -- http://www.elevationrealty.com.  We are so impressed by her passion for helping and guiding others in real estate, and her ability to so perfectly get her company up and running.  

I wish I had taken a picture of his final masterpiece, but at least you can see the messy-messy process and the artist at work...  

Clapping because he is "all done" & off to bath-time...

Continuing to add more to his artwork the next morning...

Anders is thinking, "What?!? More painting?"

"Just kidding Mommy -- I love this!" 

Not sure what he is thinking here, but he sure is cute...

Helping DADDY mow the yard

Okay so Anders didn't really help Todd mow the yard - he just rode the lawnmower from the back yard to the garage and thought it was a pretty cool ride...

Helping MOMMY in the kitchen

Anders has become quite curious and adventurous -- he is in to everything!  His favorites are the seasonings drawer, the dishtowels/bibs drawer, and the cookie sheets drawer.  I figure all are pretty harmless drawers for him.  However one day we noticed he was licking his fingers which were covered with some kind of red-ish/brown seasoning, maybe cayenne or chili powder?  All I know is that he liked it!

Helping Mommy empty the dishwasher...

It's empty, yea...clap-clap!