Sam's First Pumpkin

We went Pumpkin Picking at Johnson Farm with the Hulse Family last Saturday. Sam and Lexy loved the playground, petting farm and the ride over to the pumpkin patch.

Sam was not too sure about the actual pumpkin picking. He became very nervous as we had to step around all these huge orange balls growing from these crazy vines under his feet.Once we had the pumpkin off the vine, Sam was excited that he had a new orange ball. We'll see how he reacts once we cut into his new favorite ball.

Paws Farm

Sam and his friend Lexy visited Paws Farm this week. Sam was a little unsure of the animals being so close except for this plastic cow. Maybe next time he'll be a little more brave. He did have fun making animal noises, although all animal sounds were RAWWWR except for the cows.

Since We've Been Home

. . . we are just now feeling like things are normal again. When we left for Utah Sam was just getting over a cold, then while we were there he caught another cold and right after getting over that one he caught his third in a row! Ugh!! So this third cold is the one that is now finally tapering off. It was not just any cold, but one that started off with Pink Eye, combined with congestion, fever of 103, a sore throat (not eating, lost 3 lbs) and coughing at night. For 5 nights in a row he woke up with a coughing attack. Not a lot we could do for him, that we were not already doing. We had been to the doctors so many times that a few days ago when we stepped foot in the building Sam started crying. Poor guy. So, with feeling trapped in our house, a year supply of Kleenex well used, and Dan's bathroom looking like a hospital we are glad to see this cold come to an end. We have had 2 nights of non interrupted sleep and Sam has been able to play with friends again.

This Sunday we had some friends over for a play date/conference. This is Sam's friend Lexy, who could pass as his sister. They have lots of fun together!

Conference has ended and it's time to say goodbye!

While the boys were away...

While Dan's dad and his boys were out hunting, I stayed in Utah with both families. I had gone there while Dan was in training, so all totaled it equalled a month of visiting family. Although Sam was sick for part of it (go figure, but at least no hospitals this time) we had a great time reconnecting with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins of course. Sam and Tristan playing in the shower. Cousins Luke, Samantha, and Liam at the pool table, trying to decide whether to play pool, ping pong, or some other kind of crazy game.Sam and cousin Liam playing with a Daylight Doughnuts toy truck, or are they resting after a long day of play? I wish I had this life.With his cousins at McDonald's. Little did we know how much he would love that place.Sam and Tristan act like they are playing a masterpiece at my parents house. I can tell you, it was no work of art.Sam and Tristan, the two cohorts in crime, maul a picture of Dan. Dan had that made for Sam when he deployed last year so Sam wouldn't forget his daddy, and it was still at my parents house. Every time Sam saw it he would reach out a hand and say "da da." So cute!Aunt Ashley with Sam and Tristan on a walk in my parents neighborhood.Sam riding his favorite toy at the Stromberg's, his very own Lightning McQueen car.Sam loved the doggies in both grandparents houses. He tried feeding Sadie, but it didn't work, so he just followed her everywhere. I'm sure Sadie is getting her much needed rest from the Saminator.He looks guilty, probably because he is. If Sadie was sick of him following her around she would bark at him which would normally scare a baby, but not Sam it only encouraged him to do this type of war dance with his hands in the air and dance around her. Feeding the geese at Sugarhouse Park. He sure loves any animals.Playing at the park, we thought he acted like the king only at our house.Swinging with his grandma Stromberg at Sugarhouse. She was showing him how to do it.One day we got to go to Hogle Zoo with Sam. Despite getting slightly burned, he loved all of the animals, including this white alligator, a very rare find.

Sam and Grandma Carol watch a giraffe.Sam gets to ride on a Ferris Wheel for the first time. He was a little hesitant so I helped him a bit.Got home passed midnight, now he is stuck in a pumpkin.

THE Elk Hunt

After returning from 737 school in Texas around the first of the month, I promptly headed out to Utah to reconnect with Laura and Sam, that is, until I left for the elk hunt. Me, my brother Jeff, and Dad went down to Manti LaSalle National Forest to hunt elk with my dad's hunting partners and some of their sons. My dad had finally drawn a permit to hunt the big ones, 5-6 points is what we were looking for. My brother and I went to help my dad since this was such a long time in the making, and appropriately it was a big deal. We had a great time, and although we didn't get the big one, we saw plenty of animals and had some great fun just being together. Here are some pics!The three experienced hunters surveying the land.Scouting the first day. Luckily we all had ATVs for transportation, because we were all over the place.A nice sized elk I came up on one hike, too bad my dad wasn't there!Dad and Jeff opening morning.Part of the hunt area, this view is from a place called Woodtick Point.
Self portrait after almost 2 weeks on the mountain. Dirty, and I need a shave.The three hunters; Gary, Milt, and my dad the day we broke camp.

The REAL Laura

So, I am home alone, and with not much to do around the house, I have decided to torment my lovely wife. So, I am posting some awesome pictures I have found of her. I start with the 50's, clearly they were good to her.

1952, very classy.

1964, love the glasses babe!1966 1976

1978, the fro is awesome. Looks like we could have been twins had I let mine grow out.

1980.

1984, definitely a child of the eighties.

1994

For those of you who would like to torment a significant other or if you just have an hour to play with, check this site out http://yearbookyourself.com/

Sanity Provided by the Backyardigans

Why you wonder... because my Sam loves them and I love them too because...

1) Dan is gone for 2 weeks to Dallas, TX for training in a commercial jet, so I am a one man show.

2) Sam has been sick with this nasty thing called the Summer Time Virus! Basically it's a cold that started with a rash all over his body that gets worse in the heat (not good he loves being outside) and it itches so I slather him with Calisone Cream. My poor baby.

3) I am trying to tie up all the loose ends before Sam and I fly out to Utah for awhile. It's not the easiest thing to pack when you have a sick, demanding toddler.

So as you can see this is why the Backyardigans are #1 in my book.

I caught Sam dancing to the Backyardigans song and he caught me taking a picture, so that's why the weird smile because he is saying "CHEESE!"

Trying to get the house clean upstairs before we leave, so I attach Sam to the DVD player so he is in my sight.

Little Gym

At the beginning of the summer we enrolled Sam into a gymnastics class at The Little Gym. It isn't too intensive, but we hope it will get Sam interested in activities, and will be a good place to socialize and learn structure. His age group is called the "Little Birds." They have been learning to grasp and swing on a bar, sit and stand on the balance beam, jump, forward rolls, monkey jumps, run and gallop. He was very hesitant at first but after the first few days it all changed. He now charges in the door as soon as his teacher tells them they can go in. It has been so much fun to see my little boy grow and learn.

Biking at "Rails to Trails"

Since Dan is off from work for a while, and now that we finally have a nice bike rack we really have enjoyed taking a bike trip each week. This week we decided to go to Pemberton and bike a trail that used to be railroad tracks. Several years ago the tracks were converted to a nice bike/jogging path that begins at the old Pemberton train station which is now a museum.

We never imagined NJ would have such beautiful trails!Sam enjoyed this trip as much as the last. And even more impressive, he still is fine with the helmet. He won't wear a hat to save his life, but as long as he is on the bike, the helmet is OK with him.Daddy must be a good driver, or Sam is easily bored with nature. Here he catches up on some (insert sarcasm) much needed sleep.Daddy and Sam by one of the train cars at the museum. Sam had to inspect the museum thoroughly, so here he is checking out some very old luggage.