Feed the Birds

We had to refill the bird feeders for our little friends. Finley was a big help. He only ate one small pinch of birdseed...I know but that is miles for us. Ask how much dog food he consumes daily? Ok, don't, I am ashamed. He could keep Mounds in business.
Anyway, Finley loves to watch the birds (and chipmunks, and squirrels and rabbits) all enjoying the seed from the feeders so rightful that he could help mommy with this.
The pile of bird seed that ended up on the patio was just more chipmunk bate (ok that came from Howie and Opsec) :)

Tailgating with the Troops

The Brigade threw a party at the Coliseum this Sunday. They had live feeds from Iraq and invited families to come watch the Packer/Lions game and enjoy some food and fun. We attended with Erin and Lauren and my sister - Aunt Chris. Apparently the kids weren't all that thrilled to be in their strollers during the opening National Anthem and remarks by the MC and the Generals and Colonels in Iraq, not to mention the Governor.
After the presentation we got to see live feed of the guys in Iraq also watching the game over there and enjoyed some lunch and yummy Culver's Custard. Families were also able to talk to their soldiers via web cams but Nate and I opted not to do this since we are lucky enough to talk daily and have Skype ability at home.
The highlight? Borders donated 50 boxes of free childrens books for the military children. Finley and I seriously came home with 17 books! And these were really nice books, not just crap they could not sell. We had fun looking through the mounds of books and everyone was able to take as many as they wanted with plenty leftover to distribute to families that weren't able to attend the event. Again, I am impressed with Borders and will gladly give them my business everyday. Afterall Mr. Finley LOVES to run around in their store.
The kids had fun once they could eat and run around a bit but they were too little to take part in many of the events. There were lots of "mascots" walking around like Chester Cheeto and Scoopie (from Culvers). We called it kind of short since both kids needed naps by 1:00pm. It was a fun little day though.

Trapped in the stroller but looking at his new "Cars" Golden Book

Lauren getting a snack

Now this is more like it

A boy on the loose

14 Months

Finley is 14 months old today!! What a big boy! He amazes me everyday with showing me more and more of his personality which is so fun. He is just hilarious most of the time with a big sense of humor. He has added a few new words to his vocabulary like raspberries, watermelon, banana and digger. Yes these are big words....for some reason Finley does not choose to say a lot of simple words but he will burst out with one of these here and there? I am totally stumped by this but whatever. In general he is not a big talker and 9/10 times if you ask him to say a word he knows he won't but then 10 minutes later when he thinks you are no longer listening he will say it!! Again, just a mystery to me but we'll go with it. He also has become quite a fan of Sesame Street and I usually turn it on every morning. Since he doesn't tune into it like a zombie I think its a good program for him. He tunes into certain things but reads his books and plays with his trucks all the while it's on. He also likes a show called Word World on PBS which I don't mind as well. I have to say that I honestly welcome a little break when he will tune into something for a little while I just don't want him glued to the TV all day long.
Finley's newest favorite activity is playing hide and seek in any curtain or hanging coat? he can find. This is especially great since I am in the process of hanging new curtains in our living
room :)

I think I can say I am loving this age so far the most. Everyday brings a new adventure...

Would you like my truck?

Sticky tag from new truck shirts I found at Target

Dream Park

Yesterday was finally a nice day among a bunch of rainy ones so I took the opportunity to walk Finley down to the park to play. We went in the early evening (the time he needs entertainment the most and usually when I am tired/out of ideas!) and though it started getting a bit chilly Finley ran around like a crazy man. He followed kids, kids followed him. He climbed, pushed tire swings, slid down slides and just had fun.


This is how you step down...



He's petting the serpent/dragon thing that's coming out of the ground - I am pretty sure he thinks its a really large dog



Whoah, you're tall


Action shot

Seriously, you're really tall...

Wordless Wednesday

Phone Talker

Finley has taken to pretending to talk on my phone these days. Yeah yeah, I realize kids are like sponges and I may be slightly responsible for this behavior :)
He gets most interested in doing this after we talk to Nate in the mornings. He likes to pretend to talk to Daddy quite a bit but will take EVERY opportunity to snatch my phone away for some chatting...

Can't you see this is important business Mom?

Apparently he uses his hands to talk also...

He still does PLENTY of this too.

Go Pack!

I am currently watching the Packers v. Vikings game- the big rivalry game since Brett Favre sold out (for the 2nd time?) and joined the evil Minnesota Vikings (it's an NFC North thing, ok?). Anyway. Finley got ready for tonight's big game by wearing his Packer gear today and his Packer pajamas tonight. He has a cute little Ryan Grant jersey Uncle Jake bought him at Lambeau when he went to a game earlier this season. Finley is sound asleep now and I am having a hard time not yelling loudly at the TV...damn turnovers!

All I can say is Go Pack and PLEASE pull this one off??

Telling Opsec something (pointing)


Sucking on a bottle top...

Oh?


Complete with an appropriately green night night bottle

Based on that face the game must have been intense monetarily

The suspense is killing me... (nice diaper showing too :)

Bring on October

I really can't believe October is here already. I am excited as I love the month of October. It's probably my favorite. I love the weather and I love Halloween. I love the fact that it means we are closer to the holiday season and this year I love the fact that it means we are closer to Nate's leave dates and the end of this whole deployment! Today was not exactly the epitome of the perfect October day- it was chilly and rainy outside all day with some thunderstorms this evening. Good thing Finley and I had the chance to enjoy some time outside over the last few days which were cooler yet sunny. Here he is enjoying some backyard play this week.
Our house is welcoming October and fall - here's hoping that the rain stops though!!