Memorial Day at the Lake!

The Tale of Two Cities

I thought I'd share with you a few pictures, from two different cities. Some, from our home now, and a few from our last trip to Van Wert, our future home. We plan on making the big move within the next few years...until then we'll visit often and make plans for home renovations! It's exciting to me to know that Cayden (and the next baby that comes along) will grow up in the same house as their daddy did. Cyle really looks forward to teaching his kids the lifestyle that he grew to know and love...and I look forward to witnessing all of that!

All of these shots were taken with my cell phone, so sorry if they're not the best quality!

These first few are just of Cayden on a typical day in Lagrange, OH!

We play, play, play all day! Cayden is working so hard on trying to stand on his own! We practice everyday!

(Here's a shot I caught in the action - ignore his moving hand that looks a little alien-like!)
On our last visit to Van Wert in April, we visited lots with Tom and Chris (Our great friends back home that Cyle grew up with). Grandpa Curt was at the lake house for the weekend, so unfortunately no pictures with him :-(

Cayden was playing GI-Joe! He had this nice helmet on and was Army-crawling all over the place! Then he decided to do some intense work on the tv remote! This kid LOVES remotes!!
These next few were taken in "The Shed." A place where we've spent a great deal of time, and where Cayden will likely spend many of his days as well!

Cayden and Daddy...loved this silhouette! Cayden got to visit with "Uncle" Josh too!

Don't mind the beer in everyone's hands! I promise my son was safe and in good hands the ENTIRE time! :-) Eventually Cayden got all worn out and passed out in his stroller! Too much fun for one little baby boy to handle!

My newest FAVORITE!

Cayden

9.5 months

I could just eat him up!!

Love and Diamonds

I love my husband. 

This morning when I got home from work, there was a bag on the counter, with the words "I love you" written all over it. 

Inside, was this beautiful addition to my wedding ring.

For Mother's day, and our next anniversary, Cyle bought me another diamond band, exactly like our wedding band. 

My original wedding band represents my love and commitment to Cyle, and this new one represents to me the love and commitment I have for the family we have built together.     

I cannot express in words the love I have for both.

Every year (well, for the past two years) Cyle and I celebrate the day that he proposed. Cyle asked me to marry him on May 9th, 2007.  Each year since then, on that day (cheesy?! maybe only to you!) we think back to that day and we tell each other that we'd make the same decision today as we did that afternoon.  No matter where we are in life, I hope to always hear him say on that day that he would ask me again, and that I would say yes. It's a yearly reminder of the decision we made to be with each other for the rest of our lives...and it's so nice to hear every year that our love is still as strong as that very day.  Our lives will change; babies will come, kids will grow up, our jobs may change, we may live in other cities...but no matter what, I'll always say yes again on May 9th.

I LOVE being in love.

I love my husband and my son.

I am a LUCKY girl.

9 Months...Going on 10...

Oh my goodness!! It's happening. Right before my eyes.

My Baby Boy, my Little Booty is growing up!

He's 9 months...almost 10 months...which is almost ONE YEAR OLD?!?! Really?!

The thing that gets me the most is how much he's changed. I used to look at him and see a baby boy. Now when I walk in the room and see my Cayden I'm looking at a Big Boy. His face has changed so much in the last month, I can actually see what he'll look like as a toddler, as a teenager, and as a man. I could never see that before...it was always just baby boy.

It's somewhat sad to be done with that stage, but more so, its exciting. I can't wait to watch him grow into a little man...just like his daddy!

Here are some new pictures of Cayden at 9 months old. The first few are of Cayden in his new big boy swing! Daddy surprised him with the present a few weeks ago, when we arrived home from Florida. He had bought it for him when we were away...as an Easter present! We sat him in it and started pushing away, and Cayden just Loves it! The plastic was slippery, causing Cayden to to the "Detroit Lean" as Cyle likes to call it!

This one was a week or two later (notice no more cast!). He and Daddy were playing one of
their oh-so-creative games before bed! Cyle puts the pillow up like an arch and peeks at Cayden through the middle. Cayden goes crazy with the giggles and crawls under the bridge to get Daddy! This boy can do a mean army crawl these days!


These photos were taken just tonight, before bed (notice the sleepy, red eyes behind that grin!). I pulled a new toy out from his closet, one he'd never seen before. It's a piano/xylophone shaped like a puppy (Cayden's favorite!). He fell in love at first sight, and jammed until bedtime!


Now that he can do the army crawl, he's able to scoot around the room in no time! He's also learned he can climb on top of/through/around objects and toys! He's loving all of the new-found freedom!

Here's a little "playtime" collage!