Family Reunion

Over the weekend, we headed to a State Park a couple of hours away for a family reunion on my stepfather's side. Family members came from Louisiana, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, and of course Ohio. A total of 57 (36 adults and 21 children) out of a possible 63 relatives showed up for a 90% attendance record! In Uncle Ron's words, "Looking at our geographic diversity, that was quite a feat."

We had a great time hanging out with family, many of whom we met for the first time. Addison had an absolute blast swimming and playing with all of her cousins and even more so, her Gammy and Poppy.

Addison was so excited to get there and couldn't wait to sleep in the lodge! We arrived Saturday morning. Chase slept almost the whole way and Addison sang her songs and asked us a million questions (typical...she doesn't ever stop talking!) about what we would be doing on "vacation".

After saying our hello's to everyone and watching an animal show in the lobby, we headed for the pool. It was already 90 degrees and we needed a refreshing dip!









Aunt Chris and Chase


It was hard to get Addison in from the pool, but it was time for family pictures.

The Deger Clan (we're in the red)

The Phil Deger Clan

Us. :)

Next up was dinner and slide show, after another quick dip in the pool for our little fishy!

Our ice cream lover!

We all took an after dinner walk to the lake (well some ran down a huge hill to get there, which Addison wanted to attempt and I said no to because I saw broken ankles in our future).

Addison saw her first fireflies. She's never been out past dark in the summer before. She loved it!

This picture is out of focus but I thought it was kinda artistic.

Racing Daddy back to the lodge.

Addison slept in Gammy and Poppy's room that night, while Chase, Dustin and I slept in an adjoining room. Addison got 7 hours of sleep (Sorry, Mom and Phil!). Not good when she is used to getting 11 or so! Stay tuned to how this affected her later. :)

Once our room awoke (Thanks Mom and Phil...Dustin's one wish for Father's Day was to sleep in!), we hit up breakfast and then the beach. Chase napped while Addison swam in the lake and played in the sand.

I wasn't successful in building a sand castle with the big green bucket, so Dustin wanted to show me how it was done.

The moment of truth.

Haaaaa Haaaa! Nice job, babe.

Attempt #2.

"BOOYAH!"

3 seconds later.

Phil thought he could do better.

Fail. :)

After the beach, we took another swim, had lunch and hit the road. It was 2pm, which was an hour past when our darlings usually nap so I figured they'd sleep on the way home. We arrived home at 4:30 and they were both still sleeping in their car seats. We left the car on for them and started unloading. Chase finally woke up. At around 5:30, Addison was still asleep, which I didn't think would fare well for bedtime, so I decided to wake her up. I first tried to gently rub her arms and legs and softly talk to her. When that didn't work, I upstrapped her from her car seat just certain that would do the trick. It didn't. So, I carried her upstairs, laid her on her bed, turned on all of her lights and loudly put her clothes away and organized her closet. At 6:30, I decided that I REALLY had to wake her so I climbed into her bed and eventually got her to a coherent state. I had never seen her like that...it was almost scary! She was so exhausted (and we are pretty sure dehydrated). Needless to say, she went back down for the night at 8:30pm!

The Little Gym Show Day - Beasts

Addison graduated from her Beasts class at The Little Gym. Beginning in the fall, she will be a SUPERbeast! I really could have moved her up a while ago (before she hit the age in which they move up) because she's mastered all of the skills they've learned thus far, but I wanted her to finish the semester with her class.

They had their show day on the 9th. Gammy came to watch this time and Addison really enjoyed showing off for her.

Front roll (somersault)


The bars are her favorite. She's really good at getting in the pike position and is already trying to flip (scary!)


Getting her medal with her FAVORITE teacher, Miss Amber. This is Addison's 4th TLG medal!


Addison with a couple girls from class, including her best friend, Rae.


We tried to get a class picture, but a lot of the kids (mostly the boys, go figure!) wouldn't sit still, so this is only half of the class.

Cereal

Chase had his first taste of cereal a few days ago. I haven't been consistent with it because I just never really think about it at the right time (when he is really hungry and will gladly take anything that is put in his mouth). He was so cute trying it for the first time. He stared at the bowl, knowing that he was getting something. He honestly was smiling too much to eat it.

In the, oh, 3 or 4 other times he's had cereal since, he's gotten a lot more efficient and cleaner with the process. He has been taking a baby food jar full (which is about 2 tablespoons of cereal and 2-3 ounces of milk) and still seems to want more. If I don't feed him fast enough, he kicks his legs and grunts for more.

What's that you have there, Mommy? Something for me?


It looks good!


Do I open my mouth or what?

Still not sure what I'm supposed to do.

Cereal smile!

Big sis was trying to help.

Lolli-pops

We hit up the first of the Lolli-Pops Summer Children Concert Series again this year, since we had so much fun last year. This time, we went with a few people from my Mom's club which was especially nice for Addison because she had some friends to dance with and for me so I would have an extra set or two of hands to help out with both kids.

After a good deal of time up on the stairs of the stage (they weren't letting the kiddos on the stage this time which was probably a safe idea), Addison decided to head back to where her friend, Raegan, was and danced the the morning away.

This little guy slept through most of the concert and was all smiles when he woke up. He enjoyed the music, too!

Me and my babies (and Rae) :)

Getting some love from my angel girl!

Unswaddled

Dearest Chase,
We took you out of your swaddle yesterday and you have done wonderfully through today. You've taken your typical naps and slept 9 hours last night. I'm hoping tonight is even better. You wake up every once in a while, flailing your little arms and kicking your little feet, but then go right back to sleep. I'm relieved that it appears you will make a smooth transition with this! That's my good boy!!

Silly Old Me

Literally. Don't you think this looks like the old me (circa 2006)? I was really excited when I first had it done, but now I'm not sure I can get used to the light blonde again. My stylist took a great deal of time straightening the mop...something I don't have time or strength to do. As it gets longer, I'm hoping the curl dies down, too, so I can do this myself without my arms falling off.

Memorial Golf Tournament

My good girlfriend, Jen, came in town for the weekend and we hit up the Memorial Golf Tournament. It rained all weekend, but we managed to go for a 3 hour dry window. It was so much fun!


I don't know much about most of the golfers on the tour, but I do know Tiger Woods (because it's Tiger) and Adam Scott (because he's hot) and got within arms length of both of them. It was pretty darn cool! (That's Adam below....right after he 3 putted. I just wanted to give him a hug...poor guy!)