2 of 2 - the Midwest edition

The second of two posts about our trip to the Midwest continues in Milwaukee, where Sam's uncle Matt graduated on Sunday. On Monday, we headed down to Omaha for Sam to meet his Great Grandma Jeanne and the family of Dad's uncle Bob. On the last day of the trip, we spent some time on Chicago's Navy Pier before heading to O'Hare for the trip back home.

In all, Sam met his uncle Chris, 13 of Dad's cousins and many of Dad's aunts and uncles, in addition to those mentioned above. Busy busy for the boy but he ate it up, saving his sleep until we got back home.

Uncle Matt reacts to a goosing in a (typical) family photo.

Sam and parents pose with the graduate.

Are you kidding me? What a kiss!

Uncle Mark gives chase!

The graduate, Uncle Matt, makes Sam laugh while reading to him.

Sam entertains with his new plastic pan bit.

Grandma Sue reads Grandson Sam a book while his Great Grandma and Dad look on.

Sam and Mom surprise Great Grandma Jeanne at her window.

Cousin Jesse presents Sam in a cowboy hat. Yeeehaw!

Mom and Sam on Navy Pier with a Chicago backdrop.

Sam's last bite in Chicago was getting back at a pirate.

1 of 2 - the Midwest edition

So many photos from so many events the past few weeks. Bear with us while we get things all organized. First we all went to Bellingham (near Canada) for a wedding, then it was off to Milwaukee for Dad's brother's graduation from Marquette, and Omaha to see Great-Grandma Jeanne. What a whirlwind, so it'll take two posts to get it all in.

Sam's new accomplishments: Giving actual kisses, not just blown kisses; finally making a shot in his hoop with his basketball. Sadly, no video (yet) of either.

Bonus video 1
Bonus video 2

After mom's friend's wedding, Dad hands Sam some rocks to toss into the lake.

Milwaukee! Sam's got wet pants (and shoes) ((and socks)). Uhh, Dad kinda allowed Sam full access to the fountain.

...but Dad played it off with aplomb, not letting Sam's feet get any wetter a bit later.

At the pre-graduation dinner, Sam decided to fire a warning shot across the bow of the table.

Grandpa Craig and Sam enjoy some time outside the restaurant.

Sam and cousin Mason meet and are instant friends.

Mason even takes a moment to pose for a photo.

This photo, and the next one, were taken back-to-back. We just missed them making the same face at the same time. First Sam puckers up...

...then Mom offers a kiss.

Sam's excited that the rocks splash so big!

Mason and Sam can't wait to get together again to make some big splashes.

Words that start with "BA" sounds

Lately, everything Sam's been saying starts with a "ba" sound.
Let's see, we've got his favorite, which is basketball, all the way to baseball, balloon, and banana, followed by words that are similar, like bottle and bubble.
Of course, they all sound similar to "ba-ba" and so we've got to listen for little differences in his voice that lead us in the right direction. For instance, if he extends the first syllable, we are pretty sure he's saying basketball. If he gets fussy and it's not meal time, he wants us to blow bubbles. If he is hungry, he's most likely asking for a bottle unless he recently saw a delicious banana nearby.

Those are just some clues in case you are confronted with a talkative Sam in the near future. :)

Greekster, The Zoo...and More!

So we're finding that we don't pull out the camera as often as we should (or forget it when we're out on journeys). That means fewer posts but more photos of the same event. This time we're looking at the time we spent with our friends at Greek Easter at a home on Lake Stevens. Sam ran around quite a bit and was tuckered out. On May 4, we hit the Woodland Park Zoo with Mom's friend Krista. Sam got to see an elephant, a few giraffes, snakes, raptors, and lots of monkeys. Then he had the freedom to roam some green space. Who doesn't like that? And finally, Cinco de Mayo meant Sam's 2nd haircut. A clean cut boy is headed to Milwaukee with his parents in less than 2 weeks!

Sam plays with the other kids at Greek Easter.

Sam explains the reason why Greek Easter and Catholic Easter aren't always on the same weekend.

Aunt Sandy ready Sam a book (in Greek!) Sam nodded along.

Sam zonked on the way back from Greekster.

Krista joins Mom and Sam amongst the monkeys.

Sam and Krista look at the hippos (and zebras).

Sam explores the big grassy space at the zoo.

Who, me?

He's been squatting a lot lately...it's one of his dance moves.

Sam's got rocks! And new green sneaks!

Another in the grassy series...happy Sam jogging around.

Dad and Sam celebrate his 2nd haircut!

And read Sam's current favorite: Dear Zoo. Ssssssssssssssnake!