He's the giggle monster!!!!

He has the best laugh. Today, during his dinner Grammy is making him giggle, Mommy is taping....

Cute, cute, cute as a button....

Today was the day of Easton's 6 month shoot. I brought over a white wicker basket on a whim and my dad ended up loving it! So we threw in a "nakie" Easton and let the smiles roll!

Okay, not to brag, but Easton is so fantastic in front of the camera, a real natural! He was hamming it up at every turn! We ended up with so many great shots, but the two below were the ones that ended up getting the quickest response of "Awww!" when we all looked through the collection of photos....

I heard this song the other day, by Celine Dion and it gave me chills, I wanted to share the lyrics. So beautiful, so true, so touching and everything I want to tell Easton every day of his life....

Miracle

You're my life's one Miracle,

Everything I've done that's good

And you break my heart with tenderness,

And I confess it's true

I never knew a love like this till you....

You're the reason I was born

Now I finally know for sure

And I'm overwhelmed with happiness

So blessed to hold you close

The one that I love most

With all the future has so much for you in store

Who could ever love you more?

The nearest thing to heaven,

You're my angel from above

Only God creates such perfect love,

When you smile at me, I cry

And to save your life I'll die

With a romance that is pure heart,

You are my dearest part

Whatever it requires,

I live for your desires

Forget my own, needs will come before

Who could ever love you more?

Well there is nothing you could ever do,

To make me stop, loving you

And every breath I take,

Is always for your sake

You sleep inside my dreams and know for sure

Who could ever love you more?

And a quickie family shot. My boys are awfully yummy.

Oh and for an update....Easton is sitting up on his own! He has actually been able to sit up on his own since about 5 1/2 months for a few seconds, but he officially now can sit up on his own for long periods of time while playing, etc. and if he wobbles and falls, he catches himself with his little arms. Goodness gracious he's becoming such a big boy! Also, he is enjoying his baby foods. He's a big fan of sweet potatoes and carrots! And....today we gave Easton his first try with a sippy cup, just for fun. He really thought he was the cheese holding his sippy with milk dribbling down his chin....Good times.... :-)

He has a sweet tooth....

Last Wednesday my mom, Aunt Vonnie, Easton and I went out to Rockford where we shopped and had lunch at Red's on the River. At Red's we noticed the table of ladies next to us get a tasty birthday dessert so we promptly informed our waiter that it was Easton's 6 month birthday (which it was!) so he brought us a dessert (we laughed, we were only kidding - sort of....). My mom thought Easton should partake, being that it WAS his 6 month birthday, so she gave him some whipped cream. He loved it, uh oh! He got his mama's sweet tooth! :-)

Easton and his Grammy enjoying a lovely lunch on the deck :-)

This was last Saturday. Easton loves his Grammy so much he asked her to be in a picture with him!

And he decided to throw me a bone too and take a picture with me because he didn't want me to feel bad that only Grammy got the photo op!

Also last Saturday we went to our friend's house in the evening and hung out. We ended up taking some pictures of their baby, Alana and Easton together. In this picture Alana is 3 1/2 months and Easton is 6 months. Easton HATES a pacifier, but for some reason, when he saw Alana had something in her mouth, he decided he wanted it and took it out of her mouth and popped it into his!! He quickly spat it out though, once he found out it was a paci! We tried to get him to do it again to get it on video, but he wouldn't do it again once he figured out all she had was a lousy pacifier!

For comparision - here is a picture of Easton and Alana taken when they first met. Alana was 5 weeks and Easton was ALMOST 4 months.

For once in my life....that is our song....

Yesterday, July 10th, Ryan and I celebrated 4 years of marital bliss. I love you sweetheart. Thank you for being my partner in this beautiful and crazy life of ours. We're so blessed to have a marriage where God is in the center of it all and where laughter and cuddles abound. I am so proud of you and am honored to be your wife. I look forward to the rest of our lives together and where the windy road leads us.

*Sigh* I want to put on my dress again. I am tempted to put it on and sit in the living room listening to jazz while drinking a nice bottle of wine....Silly, I know. :-)

....the littlest firecracker....

What a gorgeous 4th of July weekend!

Friday we had a great time with my parents, brother, Aunt Vonnie and Uncle Ken taking boat rides, playing games and cooking out. It was a nice relaxing day - and I found out that I am quite good at bean bag toss! I thought I was the queen of bean bags until I was quickly dethroned by both my mother and aunt, oh well!

Saturday and Sunday was more fun on the lake. The lake water finally got warm enough to where we felt Easton could go in for his very first "swim" and he loved it!! I was able to do some jetskiing and tubing as well and it was so nice after having been "sidelined" from all water activities (with the exception of swimming) last year because of my pregnancy. It is so funny because last summer doesn't seem like it was that long ago, we were so giddy about the pregnancy and Easton's arrival felt like it was so far away at that time and now he is here, enjoying life with us - our smiling, happy baby boy. Life is definitely more fun with him around!

Here are some pictures of our weekend!

Easton decked out in his holiday gear! A 4th of July onesie that read: "Little Firecracker" which describes him well! :-)

Smiling with Grampy!

E-Man bouncing with his Great Uncle Ken, who we refer to as Uncle KB! ;-)

Out on the lake with daddy! All suited up for his first big swim!

In the lake for the first time with daddy! He loved floating around in his crab!

Daddy scooting E around the water.

After getting out of the water, Easton still wanted to play in his crab....

Ritzy getting some daddy swim time!

Ritzy chasing after his water toy

The guys sharing some laughs after a fun weekend on the lake!

Have a wonderful week everyone and be blessed!