Month 23 - August 25 (and Visitors)

As we were preparing an update on Caleb's 22nd month of life, we realized outside of relaxing weekends at home, Grandpa's Memorial Weekend, many days at the pool, and a weekend of out-of-town visitors, we did not have many pictures of Caleb doing much else.  So, we decided to combine his update with last weekend's visitors. 

On of our neighbors got 2 German shepherd puppies last month and we have enjoyed playing with them before they get too big.  They are sweet little puppies but our last encounter with them left Caleb with some pretty sizable scratches on his face.  Needless to say, we will watch these growing puppies from a distance from now on. 

Caleb not only loves anything to do with Daddy (tools, balls, games, wrestling, more balls, mowing, and outside), he does love wearing Mommy's bracelets and carrying around purses/bags of all sizes. 

Julie's sister, brother-in-law and their four punkins' came in town for an over night slumber party, including a fort, pallet, and energy galore!

The afternoon Julie's sister left, Julie's mom, dad, and almost 90 year old grandmother (Great-Mimi) came in town.  It was so great that these out-of-town guests overlapped and we had a house full for a few hours.

On Saturday morning we took Great-Mimi to the Arboretum for her to see the beautiful flowers (yes, for those who think we are crazy for going out doors in August-the Arboretum does still maintain incredible beauty in this scorching heat.)

We cooled off that afternoon in the a/c and the baby pool/sprinklers in the backyard.

Great-Mimi loved church on Sunday, even with the loud music (she even was singing along), and the promotion Sunday chaos.  Mimi's birthday is labor day weekend and we celebrated early and are sad not to be in Austin to help her on her actual birthday.

We had a fabulous time and loved that we were able to spend that weekend with such special people.   

This is the look Caleb gave us as he chased them down the street as they were leaving.  This is his "where did they go?" look.  So sweet that he misses them so much.

Here is our neighborhood playgroup playing in our backyard.

This next picture has been an answer to prayer.  For the past couple of weeks Caleb has been pushing and knocking kids down.  After much prayer, disciplining, time-outs, talking, etc...he is SHARING his toys and even pushing the little ones around in his precious red car.  The whole day leading up to this playgroup we talked about what was going to happen, how we share, how to have a "host mentality," and he even picked out toys that he wanted outside to share with his friends.  We know there is still more to come on this behavior but what a great glimmer of hope in his heart.

What another fun month with our little guy, we have had more and more GREAT days the past couple of weeks.  We just have such a good time and a love bug he is!  Next, month he will be the big 2!!!

Grandpa's Memorial Service

On April 26, Craig's beloved grandfather, John Joseph Donovan II, passed away from Alzheimer's at the age of 87.  Craig and Julie were both blessed to spend some great memories with Grandpa during the last good years of his life, while Craig was in business school just miles from his home.  During the weekend of August 6th-8th the family gathered to reminiscence on this special man's life.   

One of Caleb's highlights of the weekend was riding on the airplane to the San Jose/Palo Alto area.  There hasn't been a day that has gone by where he hasn't put on his shoes, grabbed his bag, headed for the door, wanting to go back on the airplane.  Caleb also loved playing with his cousins, being a crazy dare-devil at the hotel pool, eating his mommy and daddy's favorite foods, and making us all laugh.

Here are just a few pictures of the family...It all starts with Grandma and Grandpa's 4 children: Sandy (Craig's Mom), Aunt Judy, Aunt Linda, and Uncle Mike

The Wenning Family

Aunt Judy and Uncle Buck's Family: Jake and Jamee Sanders, Heidi and Chris Beach (and precious girls Samantha and Lauren), and Robin and Sam Pratt (and punkin boys James and Bradley)

Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave's Family: Shelley, Michael, and Fiance Andrea

Uncle Mike and Aunt Laura's Family: Kelley and Andy Wilson, JJ and Fiance' JJ

Craig's Cousins (Grandpa's 10 grandchildren)

The Little Cousin's (Grandpa's 8 great grandchildren)

Notice Caleb's right pant leg soaked from trying to climb in a nearby fountain. Sweet move.

The WHOLE group!!! What a great family!

One of the ways we were able to entertain Caleb during the Memorial Service, which by the way was in the middle of his nap time.  He loved this sweet women's walker not only because of the balls on the ends of it but because he could push it like a shopping cart/stroller/etc.

This is just a precious example of what Caleb looks like when we pray.  No, we didn't take a picture of him during a prayer (even though I have thought about it) he just was being silly in the car with Mammy.

This was Saturday evening after the Memorial Service, we were able to use one of the conference rooms at our hotel to have dinner, celebrate Grandpa's life, have a birthday party, 2 baby showers, a wedding toast, and enjoy fun-family time.  These are the little cousins being so sweet to play, chase, be crazy with Caleb.

Kelley and Andy are expecting their first little one in November and we had to give them our favorite baby gift of all times, The Ultimate Crib Sheet!  Congrats you two-you will make great parents!

The JJ's (both of their names are JJ-John Joseph III and Jennifer Johns) are getting married in a few weeks in Las Vegas, New Mexico.  We are so excited for these two! So Cute!

On Sunday morning, we slipped out and met up with a few friends from B-School at this great Farmer's Market and Park!  Caleb loved running around free with dogs and enjoying the cool, crisp California air.

The park also had a fun fountain for the kids to play in.

Precious Samantha (Heather and Josh's)...this is who Caleb used as a punching bag the entire morning for NO reason!  The joys of having a toddler that can't communicate that he is jealous about her hair!  We are praying and guiding Caleb to not push his friends.  (We were so busy keeping an eye on Caleb that we didn't get a good picture of Michael, Kimberly, or their punkins Savannah and Cole). 

On Sunday afternoon, we packed up, said our sad good-byes, and headed to the airport.  Caleb was so excited to be back on the plane and he did great, considering we got home at 11 pm Dallas time.  He was so tired the next day he slept for 4 hours during nap time.  Caleb was quite the independent helper this weekend!

As always it is great to spend time with family.  We are excited for the next time we all get to gather together and hopefully on better terms.  “The love of a family is life's greatest blessing”

Bay City Weekend

Craig had a big work weekend planned, including painting the master bath (from a poo brown to a lighter tan), putting crown molding around the bathroom mirror, a big surprise of putting in oil-rubbed bronze towel bars etc, painting the door frame of the garage, doing some last minute touch-ups on the playscape, and doing plenty of actual work-work.  Since, he is such a kind and loving husband, he didn't want Caleb and Julie to be exposed to the paint fumes, so they left for the weekend to allow him full potential of his productive weekend. 

Out with the gold and in with the new...there are only a few pieces of gold left in our home and we are so excited to say that after living in the home almost 2 years the project list is VERY small-YEAH for a great Hubby!  It is amazing how putting up the crown molding around the mirror really added some pizazz!

Caleb and Julie left at 9:30 am and drove 3+ hours to Austin, picked up Mimi and Papa and continued our drive to Bay City/Hungerford another 2.5+ hours.  We arrived at the dinner spot at around 5:15 pm. It was a long day of traveling but Caleb did great in the car!

We spent the nights and mornings at Uncle Willie's House enjoying the memories of that great house, the workroom, the old and non-existent  dog pen, horse stable, and chicken coop.

We also enjoyed an incredible barbecue feast, swimming in the pond, exploring the country, seeing black widow spiders, and playing on the tractors at Aunt Karen, Uncle Gary, and Cousin Lisa's House. 

Caleb is in awe of the beauty, the freedom to run, and the endless possibilities of things to play with.

And he is off...this is about how we were most of the day (notice the amazing grill in the background of the picture that helped to make the yummy lunch)

"I am pretty sure if I move this lever, we should be in business of starting this thing."

"I am a natural.  You are going to make me wait until I am old enough to drive this."

Bird Watching (no pictures of the black widow spiders-sorry!)

Caleb's new two arm wave while running on the flat-bed trailer

Watering Plants

Not sure if it is a good idea to feed the giant catfish before we all go swimming.  Caleb now knows what he is swimming with but at least they won't be too hungry for little toes. 

Two beached-whales

Caleb enjoyed this half slide, half rocking chair that is just his size while eating a snack before bedtime.

It is always a joy to spend some great time with our great family.  Thanks for making it a special weekend and also to Craig for working so hard while we were away.

Cousin Lisa and her wonderful boyfriend Matt

Saying our good-byes.

Couldn't resist putting in this great picture.

We stopped in Georgetown to see these sweet kids before heading home.