Happy 18-Month-Birthday, Cole!

Well, today our baby boy turns 18 months old. Before we know it, it will be 18 years. Jeez. Cole and I started off the day by going to the library for toddler storytime. Afterward, we went to McDonald's for a Happy Meal....(since you can now get them with apple slices instead of fries and juice or milk to drink, it takes some of the guilt away!). He enjoyed waving to all of the people at McDonald's and midway through his meal he began to rub his eyes. I wore the poor guy out! One of my friends recently told me that kids are supposed to be able to say 50 words by the time they turn 2. I started making a list, and I think he is about there already!

BTW, I know it looks like he is dressed for winter. When we got dressed this morning, it was about 60 degrees and cloudy, so we wore jeans and sweaters. Then it got warmer and warmer. When we were driving home from McDonald's I saw a sign that said 76. Not hot, but too hot for how we were dressed! We were roasting!

We are leaving for Hayward tomorrow morning. My parents reserved a condo again (same place as last year) at a golf resort. My brother Brad is flying in from California, and we are all going to spend Thursday-Sunday golfing, boating, fishing, and hanging out. Well, Ryan will only be there Saturday and Sunday, as he is a groomsman in his buddy Mark's wedding in Minneapolis on Friday night. We will miss him! Congratulations Mark and Jenn!

Lake Superior Zoo

On Sunday the three of us went for a quick visit to the Lake Superior Zoo with "Unca" Todd and Steph. It was a quick visit because we kind of decided to go at the last minute while Cole was still napping, and it was closing in just over an hour. Fortunately, it is a pretty small zoo, so we could see most of the exhibits in an hour...although we really had to rush. Cole enjoyed seeing the grizzly bear, snakes, bats, and monkeys the best. We were all kind of perplexed by this peacock that was just wandering around the zoo grounds. We were feeling like it may have escaped from its enclosure, but whatever. Apparently they can just wander around like they own the place. Thanks for the fun afternoon, Unca Todd and Steph!

Exploring the Firepit

Ryan and Cole spent some time this evening around the firepit. Daddy showed Cole that sticks go in the firepit, and rocks go around the firepit. They practiced this. Daddy also picked up a cricket for Cole to examine. He was pretty hesitant to touch it. When he finally mustered up the courage, the cricket jumped out of Ryan's hands. Cole shrieked and squealed with excitement. Ah, to have everything be so new and exciting...there is so much to learn and explore when you are 1 1/2.

Thanks for the new playground, Daddy! And Uncle Todd!

We got a lot done around our house this week, thanks to much of our family. Grandpa and Grandma Iverson came up to Duluth on Saturday and stayed through Sunday, helping with Cole and with painting and playground set-up. Todd and Stephanie came over Saturday and Sunday too. Todd helped Ryan with the playground and finishing the roof (yes, the shingles FINALLY arrived from Menards after about 8 weeks....augghh!!) and Steph attacked the weeds that were in danger of taking over the house and yard. On Sunday night, Ryan's cousin Greg and his wife Maren flew in from Philadelphia to spend the night on their way up to the BWCA to her family's cabin. Monday we were able to get in a nice sail and see some of the tall ships as they were leaving port. Tuesday, Grandma Sharrow came over and helped with Cole so we could finish up painting, roofing, and playground assembly. What a productive few days!!

Cole is enjoying his new playground...I have a feeling that it is where we will be spending the rest of the summer. He loves the slide the most. He also likes the toddler swing. Rather than "swing," he calls it "WHEEE!!" Fun, fun, fun!!

Apostle Islands Cruise July 25-29

Obsession and the sunset.... Sometimes I can hardly believe we get to live near this beautiful body of water....

Dinghy!!!

Eww!!! Funny, I didn't even know about this snake until I

went to upload pics to the blog....

Throwing rocks in the lake with Grandma

Throwing more rocks with Uncle Todd ("Unca") and Steph

While doing the dishes one night we discovered that the cheese grater and dish soap make awesome bubbles!

Grandpa and Daddy took Cole in the dinghy to shore to swim and play in the sand. He got so sandy and his diaper got so soaked, they brought him back like this....

More dinghy!

Another dinghy ride. Whee!!!

Cole and Grandma

We had the most perfect weather during our cruise this year, in the 80's everyday....a nice breeze (usually enough to sail)....we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. Ryan and I even slept in the cockpit one night. It rained Monday night, so we stayed down below and watched a movie, and it cleared up by midmorning. Cole had a blast throwing rocks into the lake and loved riding in the dinghy. He has grown quite fond of bugs, however, and I think he was a little traumatized watching us swat flies.

Choo Choo!!

Last Friday, one of the kids from Nora's preschool, Hayden, turned 5. For his birthday party, all of the kids from Nora's preschool got to go on the North Shore Scenic Railroad train. For Cole, who is currently obsessed with "choo choos," (and airplanes, and boats, and cars, and trucks, and tractors....basically anything with an engine) it was the best day of his life.

Saturday we have tickets to the Duluth Air Show, with the Blue Angels, so that might rank right up there as Day #2. We'll see!

Play Dough -- YUM!!

One day Cole and I decided to try out a recipe I found for edible play-doh. What fun! It is just peanut butter, honey, and dry milk. We made a whole bunch, and I think we ate more than we played. It was pretty tasty!