Pensacola and 16 months old

October 20th: Hartz and I headed up to Pensacola for our planned weekend with Nana and Hogpaw. We drove starting in the evening and it ended up being a really great drive (6+ hours) due to the Hartz- man snoozing most of the way. Chris was in Kansas for work, so he ended up flying in Saturday morning and meeting us there. We had a super great time attending gallery night, a fall festival, and having dinner with Uncle Keith and cousin Sarah to end the weekend. 

Puzzle that makes sounds from Nana! 

Heading out to Gallery Night

Devouring a cake pop

Van Slyke Men

First Dog Sitting Job

Camo and Tractors

Fall Festival Duck Fishing?!

Bowling!

Hogpaw, Nana & Hartz

Love our Family!

Picking the Perfect Pumpkin

Our Pumpkin

Uncle Keith, Sarah & Hartz

While we were in Pensacola, Hartz turned the big 16 months. 16 Month Update:

New Words/Sounds/Signs: 

MAMA has made an appearance!

Trash- sounds more like "trah" 

Vroom with hand motion up for plane.. we hear planes ALL the time, so he gets lots of practice

The sign please has happened a couple times

Other Highlights:

FRONT MOLARS are in the house. He has 3 all the way through and the 4th is trying hard to break out. We have been doing motrin some and it really hasn't been too painful (for us or him). His 3rd front tooth is in as well. The total count is 10 teeth at 16 months! 

He has attained elite status on Southwest Airlines... he is allowed in the cockpit. jk.

The last couple times at church, there has been no crying when daddy drops him off.

He is able to follow some commands (putting things in trash, items back where they belong.. working on mowing the yard next :) )

He can spin.. he falls down quite often trying, but he tries hard. Guess hokie pokie should be taught soon.

That is all Chris and I can think of that is new.. we love our boy!

Austin

We took off on another jet plane to Austin, to watch Robert and Marina get hitched. 

Here are the snapshots...enjoy!

Whoopie Cushion Training

Action

Galaxy Cafe Rocked!

Hot Husband

Robert, the Groom, at Rehearsal Dinner

Sweet Ella

Hartz giving Ella a Cow Ride

"My horse is over yonder"

Ready for the Wedding!

Pre-Party in Backseat

Hartz and an awesome sky

Family

Mineral Water Tasting

The Bride, Marina, gorgeous!

Ceremony

Van Slyke Boys

Hartz ruling the farm

Weeding

Worn Out Babies

"Hello, Mr. Dinosaur"

Riding cows yesterday, today it is dinosaurs

Cool Lights

"Is he alive?!"

Austin Children's Museum Was Way Cool! 

Haircut #3

 I think I was a little wussy on haircut #2, so after realizing in Minnesota that my kid's hair was out of control, I attacked with the scissors again. I think this will be the last haircut by mommy and we will find an actual expert out there next time aka daddy.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

Minnesota

Our trip to Minnesota was the first time Hartz and I flew somewhere alone. I was quite nervous, which was shown by my uncontrollable shaking after we got through the security line in Orlando. However, my baby seriously made flying and the trip in general way fun. It was an amazing visit seeing so many family members in such a short span of time. Here was our timeline.. kinds felt like we were on the amazing race.

Friday, September 30th:  Flew into Minneapolis and stayed at Carla's beautiful home (my mom's 1st cousin). Ione was waiting for baby Hartz patiently.

Saturday, October 1st: We hung out at Carla's home in the morning (Hartz napped) and then we headed out to John and Loretta's lakehouse around lunchtime. Hartz LOVED the lake. He hung out with 2nd cousins twice removed (who knows the exact family relation.. only Jennie would!) Leif (age 2), Audi (age 5) and Sierra (age 11). Sierra took a babysitting class that morning so I hired her for Ione's party the following day... didn't turn out exactly how she wanted. After a delicious meal at the lake, Hartz and I took off to pick up my cousin, Ben, and head to Rochester to see my Uncle Fred and Aunt Sherry (Ben's folks). We ate again and got Hartz to bed before 10pm I think. ha. Was a great visit that ended with a game of pitch. We won't discuss who won.

Auntie Carol teaching
Hartz to play piano

Sierra and Hartz

 

The Boys

This is how I found Hartz when we stopped to pick up Ben.. I readjusted car seat so his neck no longer  flopped forward... poor boy.

Sunday, October 2nd: We got up early and attended church with the Rengstorf Family. They actually encourage all ages to stay in the service, so Hartz attended his first full church service (with some exits with Aunt Sherry and Mama).

Then Ben and I headed back so we could get to the big 95th birthday bash (sadly, I have no pictures from Rochester and the Rengstorfs). Hartz and I got back to Carla's and had a little downtime and then headed over to Ione's place for the festivities. We had food, wine, and of course BROWN BAG BINGO. Ione would never miss an opportunity to surprise us with amazing gifts... this time I won White Rain Hairspray (didn't even know that they made it still). 

Ione and Hartz oooing at the balloon

Hartz enjoying Ione's Patio

Fall Leaves! 

Wondering why the guy won't talk back?! 

Monday, October 3rd: Auntie Ione took us all out to breakfast at Perkins. Hartz slept through the entire thing. Then we headed to the airport to head home. 

Chilling at the Minneapolis airport.