Glen Carbon Homecoming

Every Father's Day weekend, Glen Carbon celebrates with their Homecoming.  It has been a couple of years since we last attended.  Luckily, the rain subsided on Saturday long enough for us to enjoy ourselves.  This year we went to the parade, rode rides, pet baby animals, and played games.

We found some shade and hung out while the parade walked by.  Of course, the boys loved the firetrucks and CANDY!

Once the parade ended, we bought tickets and went straight to the slide.  The boys love the slide.  I think this is the first time I've been able to go down the slide.  I have always been pregnant!! :)  Daddy took the boys a couple of times down the slide too.

There was a petting zoo section full of baby animals.  The animals consisted of a calf, baby goats, a baby camel, a pony, chickens, a baby pig, a rabbit, and a baby lamb.  Carter loved the rabbit!! He kept asking if he could get in the cage with the rabbit and hold him.  Nolan didn't want anything to do with the animals!

What's a carnival without overpriced games and a chance to win junk?  The boys partook in a fishing game with a guaranteed chance to win!!  How exciting!  Nolan and Carter went fishing and each chose a trumpet as their prize.  The boys had fun walking around the carnival tooting their horns.  Needless to say, the trumpets were lost on the car ride home and were never discovered.  

Blake did great while attending his first carnival!  The afternoon got the best of Blake and he was snoozing by the end of the day.

Bath time with Blake

Blake has always like bath time, but since he has been able to sit up I have incorporated the bath seat. Blake is liking his bath seat more and more.  Nolan and Carter are still too wild to share a bath with Blake, but before long they will all be wrestling around in the tub together.

Blake has awesome hair to play with while taking a bath.

"What did mommy just do to me?!"

"Okay, it was funny"

Out of the tub and all dried off.  Now time for some lotion and snuggles before bed.

Bill's Trip to India

Bill was able to embark on a trip to the other side of the world a few weeks ago.  Bill said his good-byes to us and jumped on a plane for a long fifteen and a half hour flight.  On May 26th, Bill traveled to Rayong, Thailand and stayed two days to meet with his coworkers at the plant.  After two days at the Thailand plant, Bill then flew to Pune, India.  In Pune, Bill spent a week with his coworkers and meeting suppliers.  After Bill recovered from his jet lag and became accustomed to the ten and a half hour time difference, he we was able to enjoy a few areas of India.

Bill visited 3 different temples.  Bill was asked to remove his socks and shoes before entering the temples.  The last temple he visited at the end of the trip had marble floors and hot temperatures.  Needless to say, Bill's feet didn't win the battle against the hot marble.  Bill ended up blistering both of his feet.

Bill took a picture of the "toll booth" on the side of the road.  If a car didn't pay 5 rupees, then the guy on the motorcycle would chase the car down, if the driver was caught he would have to pay 50 rupees for skipping his toll.  Bill said families traveled on mopeds.  Below is a family of four on one moped.

Bill working at the Pune Engineering plant with Sagar and Srini.

Bill visited a supplier to the Pune Engineering Plant.  The older guy in the photo is the owner of the "winding shop."  This is the shop were the motors are wound and then shipped to the Pune Engineering Plant for prototype testing.

Bill went out to eat with Amar and Sagar at a local restaurant.  Bill ate buttered chicken and really liked it.  The plate doesn't look like it has buttered chicken on it to me. ;)  Usually, Indians eat with their hands and no utensils.  

Bill and his coworkers would step outside for a break and drink from an Indian tea stand.  Bill said the tea consisted of 1/3 cream, 1/3 sugar, and a 1/3 tea.

Bill and the entire Pune team went out to eat at the Hyatt hotel.  Bill enjoyed the food in India because it is really spicy!!  

Bill was also able to visit some of his coworkers homes and meet their families.  As well as go out to eat and hang out with his coworkers.  The trip was a great team building event.  Bill said it's great to learn everyone's personalities.

Bill enjoying one last tea break with his coworkers before heading back to the States.

Bill returned home on June 6th!! We were so happy to see him!  Daddy brought back lots of goodies for us, but the neatest was the outfit for Nolan.  The outfit fit Nolan perfectly.  Indian boys wear this outfit for formal wear.

Blake is 8 Months Old

Blakey boy is 8 months old!!  Bill and I measured and weighed Blake today.  Blake weighs 18lbs 6oz and is 27 inches long.  Growing like a little weed.  The sunshine was limited today, so as soon as Blake woke up from his nap I scooped him up and took his pictures.  Since Blake was still a little sleepy, I didn't have too many smiles pointed my way.  That's okay though, Blake is still adorable even when he's not smiling.

Blake is still working on his tooth!!  Letter O is so close to popping through I can almost see the ridges of the tooth in his gums.  He keeps chewing and drooling!  Luckily, he hasn't been to uncomfortable during the teething process.

My little man has developed quite the personality these past couple of days.  Blake has become very vocal and makes sure he is being paid attention to.  Blake is starting to become more mobile as well.  Blake will inch worm himself along the floor to reach something.  Blake is pulling is knees under his belly and rocking back and forth too.

My little stud muffin is growing up.  Today I broke down and fed Blake applesauce for a midday snack and sweet potatoes for dinner.  He was ready!  Blake did great with eating and loved having his belly full. 

A Playdate with Aunt KK

I had been wanting to take the boys to the Edwardsville Children's Museum because it was revamped.  Nolan has been a couple of times, but Carter has never visited the Children's Museum.  Kelby came down last Friday to visit, and I decided it would be the perfect time to go.

We first arrived at the museum and it was full of kids due to a field trip.  I decided we should grab something to eat for lunch and then come back once the field trip had left.  Bread Co. it was!!  The boys devoured their meals and had a M&M cookie for dessert.

After lunch we loaded back up into the car and headed to the museum.  The boys went straight to the police/fire station exhibit.  Before I knew it, I looked up and Carter was coming down the stairs in fireman boots.  He had taken off his shoes and replaced them with boots.  Carter was ready for action!  A few minutes later, Nolan comes down with his notepad and fireman coat on.

The boys had lots of fun pretending to work at DQ, Bella Milano's, and the grocery store!!  There was a dental exhibit but neither of the boys were interested.  Carter was a very good waiter and Nolan did a good job collecting money for the tab.

Blake was all smiles the entire time we played.  Towards the end of our visit Blakey was starting to become hungry, so I took him out of his seat.  It was time for Blake to play too.  He thought the bubble mirror was silly!

Aunt KK was trying to give the boys a lesson on how to hula hoop, which turned into a basketball lesson.  Kelby volunteered herself as the backboard, luckily no one was hurt. :)

Thanks for coming down and hanging out with us KK!  The boys had a blast and I enjoyed having help. Love you!