Brock's 1st Father's Day & 8 Month-Old

What a joy it is to have a little boy! Quin is so much fun right now, and we are loving watching him explore new things. We had a really nice Father's Day this year, and the weather was perfect. I asked Brock what he wanted to do for Father's Day, and that evolved into a picnic. Then, that evolved into a picnic with his family, including 3 of his 4 brothers! We went to our hometown and to a park we both remember playing in as children. We were so happy to take Quin on his first picnic in a place where we first played, and we even put Quin on his first baby swing in a park! I made potato salad, cowboy caviar (veggie salsa - YUM), deviled eggs, and M&M brownies. Brock grilled the perfect chicken Saturday morning. Quin and I went to our Parent & Me swim lessons, and then we hit the road!

Quin with his grandparents and talking to Uncle Jay B & Uncle Kurt

Quin ready to party at the Father's Day Picnic

Brock with his brothers, dad, and son (Uncle Kurt is holding Quin)

One of the definite highlights of the picnic in the park was putting Quin in a baby swing for the first time. He loved it! We had to be careful because he wanted to chew on the swing, gross! His reaction on the swing was perfect; he just laughed and giggled. We LOVED watching him!

Look at this happy swinging baby!

Daddy just had to take his son down a slide. Quin liked it ok, but he really loved the swings. You gotta love his hat!

On actual Father's Day, we kicked back. Quin didn't get his naps on Saturday, so he was exhausted on Sunday! He took a 3 hour nap, so Brock and I took a 2 hour nap! We were a little productive and set-up a bouncy seat for Quin, which sets-up onto a door jam. I couldn't ask for a better father for my child. He is so attentive, so loving, and so happy to be a daddy. Brock you're a TERRIFIC father!

Hard to believe, but Quin is 8-months-old. He's got 2 bottom teeth, and I think more are coming in. He just chews on everything he can! He has bit my finger, and gosh it hurts!! Quin, here are some of the wonderful things you are doing and some of things you just don't like...

Quin Likes/Developments
-You're a really good eater, and you really like to try new things.
-You love your spoon and playing with it! You try to grab it and put it in your mouth. We have to be careful when you do that because you sometimes gag yourself!
-You scrunch your nose up like Mommy when you smile, and it is too funny.
-You still use your pacifier and have mastered taking it in and out of your mouth.
-You like to go for rides in cars. Most babies fall asleep, but you like to look around out the windows to see what's going on.
-Daddy got out a play keyboard for you, and you really like it! You also really like your bouncy seat and going on a baby swing.
-You love sitting in your stroller and taking walks with Mommy & Daddy.
-You move around the room, even though you're not crawling. You roll over from your back to tummy and vice versa to move around.
-You like playing in your playpen while Mommy & Daddy do work in the house.
-You laugh when you see the pets.
-Still absolutely love having your picture taken.

Quin Dislikes
-Taking naps when you're home on the weekends. You want to play with your parents.
-When you're really tired, you want to be held for a while before you go to sleep. You don't like just being put down.
-You're "not too keen on rice cereal" as Daddy says.

You are such a good baby, and we love you very much. Slow down growing!

Pennsylvania Trip - Memorial Day

Brock, Quin and I went to Pennsylvania to see my wonderful Aunt Carol and her family. We had a great time, and Quin did a great job in the 10 hour car ride! She doesn't live too far away from Washington DC, and my grandfather is buried in Arlington National Cemetary for his service in World War II. I was very close to my grandpa, and I still miss him everyday. It was wonderful to go to his grave and do it with my son and extended family. My brother also came out from Chicago, which was really special.

Here's a pic of Brock feeding Quin on a pit-stop in Ohio.

We spent the night on our way out there, and here is a picture of Quin in his first hotel room!

Sleeping baby on our way. Those wings really helped his head not bob while he slept!

Brock loves going to breweries, and my Uncle Hugh took him to a brewery the last time we went to Pennsylvania. Here is a picture of Brock, Quin, and my Uncle Hugh at Victory Brewery, which is near my aunt's home. The meal was delicious!

Here are some wonderful pictures of us with my Aunt Carol, cousin Jennifer, and my family. My aunt's other daughter, Gayle, is currently deployed in Iraq as an Army Nurse. She called us on Memorial Day, which was awesome! We love you, Gayle!





Here are some pictures from Arlington National Cemetary. You can see the Washington Monument from the road that leads to my grandfather's grave. It was awesome to have a picture there with my brother and cousin, and it was phenomenal to have a picture taken there while holding my son. I'm so grateful to my aunt and uncle for taking us there to DC!!

With my brother, Joseph, and cousin, Jennifer

My family

You can put rocks on the gravestones at Arlington. It shows that someone was there and visited a grave. We also saw my cousin, Michael's, grave. He died in a helicopter in Iraq, and he's not too far away from my grandfather.


Thank you Aunt Carol & Uncle Hugh for a great trip and Quin's first vacation! We did so much! We went to Victory Brewery. My aunt and I made a wonderful Memorial Day feast, including yummy Cowboy Caviar. We played one of the best games ever, Catchphrase. We talked, told stories, and just really enjoyed being with each other.

Brock's Graduation Party

Sorry for the delay in posting!! We had a great time on Brock's graduation weekend, and we wanted to continue the celebration. Here are some great photos from Brock's Graduation Beer Tasting Party in May! We have to thank our friends who came and brought micro-brews for Brock to try. To top it off, I had a yummy cake in the shape of a beer bottle for Brock. It even said Brock's Brew on it. :-) Here's to good friends!

Brock and Sarah. She was so sweet, she actually put little graduation caps on the beer bottle lids!

Brock showing off his bottles


Quin, Brock, and I with his yummy cake!

Charlie Young came over, so Quin had someone to play with. Everyone loved seeing the babies together.

Great time, good food, good brew, good friends