Pumpkins and Potty!

Brody trying to fill dad's shoes!

Brody and I had the opportunity to go and visit my good friend Barb and her two daughters this weekend. We went to Boo at the Zoo on Saturday night in Detroit. It was a lot of fun to walk the kids around and look at all the different animals they had made out of pumpkins. I think Brody's favorite moment was seeing a life size Shrek blowup figurine (he has recently become obsessed with Shrek movies!).

Last Monday night we carved our pumpkins. At first Brody wasn't sure what he thought about the slimy insides - but as you can see he quickly started to pull them out!

The most exciting news this week is that Brody used the potty this morning! I think it is pretty funny how much having a child revolves around them peeing or pooping - I can remember 2 years ago writing posts about how much Brody was or wasn't going to the bathroom and now I am posting that he was able to go on a potty!

Up, Up and Away

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to go on a hot air balloon ride. While I was a little apprehensive to be risking my life in the air, I thought what the heck, this is a once in a life time opportunity. So off I went with my brother and his girlfriend, Amanda, in to the big blue sky!

Uncle Neal and Brody watching the balloon inflate

Brody posing by the big balloon

There were a few things that occurred prior to take off that led to this facial expression: 1. the need to fill "tanks" very last minute 2. the flame went out in the balloon and it seemed to take just a little too long to relight!

Lift off!

It didn't feel like we went very high in the sky, but looking back at the pictures, I guess we really did.

A view of corn that you don't often get!

The view looking up from the basket

The fields made beautiful patterns when looking down on them

The trip was not uneventful. As we were looking for a place to land...we ended up in some trees. I don't think I have been quite so scarred and unsure of what to do in my life. Fearing for my life I hit the floor in the basket while Neal and Amanda battled oncoming branches/trunks. After we finally cleared the trees everyone turned around to find me crouching in the basket! Looking back it was quite humorous...at the time I was scared to death! I didn't let go of the basket for the remainder of the flight!

This picture was taken after the tree incident - proof that the balloon kept us afloat!

We ended up having to land in a field of weeds, but luckily there happened to be mowed paths leading to our location so everyone was able to come and get us.

After we landed Jim thought he would help out by making sure one of the ropes didn't get caught in the brush..

He didn't know that this would lead to him running as fast as he could with the rope to deflate the balloon!

It's hard to see Jim's face in this picture - but if you look closely you can see that he is in disbelief that he just had to help bring the balloon down

Elephants, Elmo and Birthdays...oh my!

Oh what a difference two years makes! It seems like yesterday that I was meeting him for the first time!

He has grown so much in just one year!

We had a great birthday party for Brody on Saturday with about 15 friends and relatives present. It was so much fun for me to watch Brody play with the other little kids and get so excited for his presents and Elmo themed party!

Showing off my masterpieces - An Elmo Cake for Brody

And a carrot cake for my mom (her birthday was on the 10th)

Brody's reaction to us singing Happy Birthday

mmmm...cake!

Since Brody was born on the 12th and my mom was born on the 10th, she came up with the idea to always do something special on their "in between" day. This year was definitely something special! They were able to ride on an Elephant at the local Apple Orchard. I was shocked that Brody would ride on the elephant - but as you can see they both enjoyed it!

Gotta get the perfect apple!

Brody was even brave enough to ride the pony (for about a 2 minutes - then he jumped off!)


The celebration finally ended today (on his birthday). We spent the morning opening some more presents and visiting the local children's museum.

Welcome to the Terrible Twos!

Pumpkins and Two Year Portraits

We went to pick out our pumpkins last Saturday - as you can see they had all sizes!

The same day I attempted to take Brody's Two Year photos at a local park. We had success with a few!

Feeding the Ducks

This is now one of Brody's favorite places to play!

Brody and I met my mom in Lowell for dinner tonight. We ate along the river and had to take advantage of feeding the ducks before heading home. Brody was so excited to feed the ducks - there were so many of them following us and waiting for our food! For those of you who don't know - my mom and I have a fear of birds (I know it makes no sense, but it is still there!). I did surprisingly well with the ducks and my mom only freaked out a few times!

Come on ducks!

All gone!