Minnesota....part 3

And more pictures!  Tyler this year had so much fun playing in the sand and water, and he was a pretty good kid in following the rules about water!  We were happy to see him not afraid of getting in and playing, but smart enough to wear a life jacket or just wade close to shore!  There were a LOT of kids here this year, as you can see below in the annual Zorbaz picture!

Cousin Belle holding Blake.

Annual Zorbaz kid picture!

The Newman clan

Johnathan, Tyler, and Mason - crazy cousins!

Minnesota....part 2

Few more pictures....

 

Tyler was a part of Uncle Kyle's workout.  Here are arm curls....

...and I think this was the end of push ups.

Apparently Dad's version of his turn to watch Blake!

This is me getting creative.  Once I gave Tyler a bath, I didn't want him playing in the sand again (and before some say I am mean mom on vacation, bath was at like 8:30 PM!).  So, one night we set up the DVD Player on the deck for outside movie night!  Amazingly enough, Tyler and Cooper watched this in sweatshirts and blankets for quiet a while!

Sleeping Blake - don't wake him!!!

An odd moment where we got some expression out of him....that wasn't tears!

Couldn't resist this one!

Minnesota....part 1

The last week of July-first of August marked our annual Minnesota trip.  Blake claimed the title of youngest to attend at 5 weeks old.  Many would say I'm nuts......and I may agree now!  :)  Here are a few posts and pictures of the highlights.

 

Looks like Blake was having fun at the breakfast stop! 
My guess is that this is the work of Daddy & Uncle Kyle.

On the drive up we stopped at a new Zorbaz in Alexandria, MN. 
Of course, Batman was there, too! 

Blake hanging out with cousin Mauve (approx. 6 months).

Cousins John & Ashley McDonald...love the stash!

The Perkins brought up some kayaks, and Johnathan took Tyler for a ride...

...looks like they had a blast!!

Trip to Stanton....

July also marked Blake's first trip to Stanton.  We spent some time at the Montgomery County Fair and Tyler really enjoyed hanging with his cousins (Perkins) and seeing all of the animals.  We then stopped to see Papa Knute's new shed and combine.  Last, we made sure to have supper and some fun at Papa's pond. 

 

Papa Knute & Grandma Denise have some fun toys.....

Tyler & Papa Knute in the new combine.

Tyler & mom fit inside the huge tires!

Some day he will realize just how high up he really was - above him is the ceiling of the shed!

Checking out the inside of the crib.

Fishing with Dad - priceless!

Tyler & Blake enjoying the deck of the cabin.

Big Bro and Little Brother!!

Blake & Papa Knute napping.

Family Photo

Zoo & Waterpark

We decided to take a few family afternoons in early July to spend some quality time with Tyler.  We spent one afternoon and the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo, and then a local splash park.  Although it was super hot and Allison & Blake spent some time inside instead of roaming, we all had a great time!

 

Andrew and Tyler feeding the giraffe!

Me & my boys!

We were a little scared of the bridge at first.....

.... but we figured it out!

Still amazes me he isn't afraid to lay in the water and cover his ears!

Father and sun laying around!

Fourth of July Fun!

We spent Fourth of July down the street with some neighbors and had a wonderful day!  The weather was nice and the kids played all afternoon!  Even the adults got into the fun!  Blake was a trooper and slept in the shade all afternoon. 

 

Tyler in the big blow-up ball.

Sprinklers were a hit!

 

Blake and his party mode...sleep!

Tyler and his new friend Olivia!

Slip and Slide - on a sled?

Neighbor Casey takes a turn...

As does neighbor Nick!

My two boys!

Excursions Galore!

It is amazing how different getting out of the house with a baby is when #1) it's your second, and #2) it's not winter and 10 feet of snow outside!  The first Friday we made it to the doctor's office, adding a stop at Kohl's and a book store.  Thanks Grandma Denise for helping!  We also went to Jethro's with Aunt Carrie and Uncle Josh. 

 

The following week (at just over 1 week old), we decided to try an I-Cubs game.  Most would think we are nuts - but it was a gorgeous night and they were playing the Cardinal's minor league team.  Andrew took Tyler to the splash pad there, and he came back soaked!  Poor guy watched the rest of the game in wet shorts and used Blake's blanket to keep warm!  Blake slept the entire game until the last inning we were there, and then woke up to say good bye to everyone with wide eyes.  Here are a few pics:

 

 

 

That Friday the weather was still perfect, so we took Tyler to the casino to watch the horse races.  What kid doesn't think horses are fun, right?  Again, probably think we're nuts and we probably got lots of glares.  But, yet again, Blake slept in his car seat most of the night and woke up in time to watch one race and drive home.  Tyler had a blast.  We let him pick a horse for the first race, and he wanted "Green horse, #5."  So, Andrew put $5 on him (he had horrible odds!!), and what do you know - winner winner!!!  The kid won like $65!  So, we let him pick horses the rest of the night.  We ended up ahead for the night, including some food and popcorn (Ty's request).  Andrew took Tyler next to the track for most races and said he was totally getting into it, yelling for his horse to win along with everyone else.  It was a lot of fun and great family night. 

Ty and his winnings!

Tyler loves to use the camera to take pictures - and this one actually turned out pretty good! 

What horse races?  I'm tired....

The winning ticket!