Family Pictures

While in Indiana for Christmas, we had family pictures taken. I thought I would share a few of them with you all!

Until next time...

Traveling

Today, Dallas and I took Doug to the airport. He was taking off for Memphis, TN, for some meetings with work. He will be back home on Friday.

Unlike Doug, Dallas traveled first class to lunch!
*This was during lunch at the McDonald's close to the airport. They have an airplane theme inside...including a couple rows of airline seats.

Until next time...

Explore Minnesota...

This weekend, Doug, Dallas, and I took a quick trip to Minnesota to attend a toy tractor show. We headed to Aunt Katie's house Friday afternoon. We went out to dinner with her and spent the evening hanging out with her. Before we headed on north Saturday morning, Aunt Katie and Dallas had a little fun with the air mattress!

Aunt Katie rolling Dallas around...
Aunt Katie was bouncing Dallas on the bed...

I tried to get a picture of Dallas in the air, but I was a little slow on the trigger...

We saw the Jolly Green Giant in Minnesota!

We also found some ice fishers...
Yep, take a closer look...those are vehicles on the ice!

The state line between Minnesota and Iowa. This was coming back into Iowa, so the picture is through the truck back window. (Part of) A wind farm along I-35 in Iowa...

Over all, we had a wonderful trip. Thanks again Aunt Katie for letting us crash for the night at your house!

Until next time...

Picture Update

I know, I've been a little slow about keeping the blog updated. I really have no excuse, other than chasing Dallas around the house occupies most of my time. The little guy can crawl like a pro and can pull himself up on anything. The other night, he actually let go of the couch he was holding onto and stood alone for a brief second! Well, enough words, on to the pictures...

We had a recent full moon...
Dallas loves his riding tractor...he has actually figured out how to make it go forward.
Cleaning off my end table.
Dallas got his first major boo-boo. He was trying to pull himself up on the walker, and the walker walked away!
Dallas and his puppy (Charlie)
Fred didn't want to get in the picture.
Dallas feeding himself...
Aunt Katie sent a new outfit! I think it says it all..."Chubby Cheeks"
Yesterday, while at the grocery store, they had "fresh" peaches on sale (they were from Chile). They looked good and were just the right ripeness for a pie! I think it turned out very pretty...and it tasted even better!
Until next time...

Blood Drive

I did it! I gave blood for the first time yesterday.

I have wanted to do it for some time (a few years or more), but I have never gathered up the courage to follow through. Well, yesterday, I did.

Remember my neighbor Jess? Well, her family requested that people donate blood to the university blood blank to help replenish the supply used by Jess. (They made this request shortly after the first of the year while Jess was in the hospital) There was such an overwhelming response to the request, that the blood bank set up a day to come to Williamsburg for a blood drive in Jess' honor. The drive was from 3-7, and there was a constant line of people waiting to give. I'm not sure how many people came, but I think it was a great success.

Doug also gave blood. He must be a super-star blood giver because it didn't take him any time at all to fill the pint bag! It took me a little longer, but that's alright. The pathologist that drew my blood was awesome. He was a little worried when he first tried to feel for my vein, but he got it the first time. I didn't even feel the needle poke! I then got to wear a sticker for the rest of the evening saying, "First Time Blood Donor." and another one saying, "Be nice to me...I gave blood today."

Until next time...

What we've been up to...

Dallas is really moving these days. Just the other night, he made his way into the kitchen and pulled himself up on his highchair.Dad helped with bath time the other night. Apparently, Dallas' belly button is ticklish!
I spiked Dallas' hair and took a picture. Too bad his hair is very, very blonde.
Today, just before lunch, Dallas got "tired" of his jump swing!
Lastly, we have some of the best neighbors. Today, one of our neighbors came and cleaned out our drive! I took the picture through the kitchen window...I didn't want to be out in that coldness!
Until next time...

Christmas Vacation Continued

Sorry, I'm still adding pictures from our trip to Indiana for the holidays. I'm almost finished! Let's see...where did I leave off? Oh, yes...Christmas Day...

So, the day after Christmas, we met up with our good friends Dave and Pam and Cari. We had a wonderful lunch that Pam prepared. Dallas was in a fairly good mood for most of the visit. But...as you have probably guessed, I didn't get the camera out!

After visiting with them, we went out to dinner with my family. My sister, Lisa, took us to the Melting Pot as part of our Christmas gift. It was such an enjoyable evening, and the food was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Dallas must have had too much fun...

The final course for the meal was the chocolate fondue...they even set it on fire!

The Sunday following Christmas was spent with my dad's family. We gathered for lunch at my Aunt Joyce and Uncle George's. Just about everyone was able to make it. I think their house shrunk since the last time we visited!

Dallas getting to use the high chair that has been around for a few years...

He loved beating on the tray...it makes a completely different sound than the one at our house!

The only picture I captured of Dallas and Austin...it was getting late in the day, and neither one was in the mood for a photo shoot!

I forget which day this was, but Dallas and I tagged along for some shopping with Grandma Robertson, Aunt Katie, and GG. We even grabbed some lunch with Grandpa Robertson and Aunt Lisa. Dallas was eating off Grandpa's plate!

Until next time...

10 Months Old

Yesterday, Dallas turned 10 months old. I can't believe in a few (short) months, we will be celebrating his 1st birthday! Here are some recent pictures to commemorate this milestone...

Standing upPlaying with the cruise and crawl jungle that was a Christmas gift
On Saturday, we had the tires rotated on the truck...this is Dallas waiting with Daddy
After getting the tires rotated, we went grocery shopping. Dallas was asleep when we got to the grocery store, so I stayed in the truck with him. Once he woke up, Dallas wanted to drive!
While we were out and about, we bought Dallas a sled. Daddy helped him test it out once we got home.
Dallas loving his new sled

One last thing for Dallas' 10 month birthday... a big boy car seat!Doesn't he just look so excited? This was taken on our way home from church, and the little guy was in no mood for smiles.

Until next time...

A Sad Day

I'm deeply saddened to leave this update for our neighbor, Jess. The following was posted on Jess' blog by her dad this morning:

Jessica, born May 15 1994, passed away at 1:30 this morning at University Of Iowa Hospitals. Services are pending at this time. Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts over the past 2 months. Jessica has went to be with her lord and that in itself is a great comfort to our family. She is free of pain, disease, and machines. She now enjoys the fruit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ.

I also want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It will be a tough time for our community, but with God's grace we will make it through.

Until next time...

Christmas Day

Christmas morning, we woke up at my parents' house to see what Santa had left. Dallas got a huge stuffed lamb to crawl on, some bath toys, sippy cups and travel bowls. In Doug's stocking, there was some travel items, a day-to-day desk calendar, and a Purdue toss pillow. In my stocking, there was make-up items, a wall calendar, and an Indiana State toss pillow!

After checking out the stockings, we headed to church with Doug's parents and sister. Dallas did great until it was time for communion...which is when he typically gets antsy. When we got back to Bob and Connie's house, the little guy was in a great mood again, so we decided to dive into the presents...

This is the only picture I got of the tree before we started on the gifts.

Dallas opening his first present from Grandpa and Gram Bergman

Check it out, Dad! A ride on tractor.

How do we put this thing together?

Gram entertained Dallas while, Doug, Bob and I tried to put the toy together.

Beep, beep! Coming through...

Josie opening the Kenny Chesney t-shirts we got her.

The puppy-dog bath towel Aunt Josie got Dallas.

The truck and tractor Santa brought Dallas.

Dallas was over the gift opening by this point...he didn't really care about the books Aunt Josie got him. (He really likes them now, by the way)

The Oliver tractor Grandpa and Gram got Dallas.

A milestone that Dallas reached while in Indiana: CLAPPING! We were sitting with my parents at the dinner table on the 23rd, when my mom was clapping "pat-a-cake" and all of a sudden, Dallas started clapping! Here he is showing off with Gram Bergman.

The day after Christmas, I went to Columbus to see if I could find any great deals. Gram and Grandpa stayed home with Dallas...the next two pictures are just a few from their time together.

Dallas is really getting the hang of pulling himself up into a standing position. (The first time he truly did it all by himself was Christmas Eve)

Checking out Gram's Nativity Scene.

Until next time...