15 months

Our Tanner Matthew is growing like a weed! Tanner has so much personality and is such a fun loving little boy! He definitely has a silly side! Tanner is doing something new everyday it seems. Just this week he has mastered how to sit down and slide all by himself. He loves to play at the park and run around with Carson. It's so much fun to watch him discover new things. He loves water, and has really enjoyed all of our splash park fun this summer. In just the past few weeks, he has really started talking! He can say Mama, Dada, Papa, Nana, Bubba, Ball, Bye-Bye, Uh-Oh, Done, Milk. He still signs some, but would rather try to say the word. He can also quack like a duck (cutest thing ever!!) and lifts his arm up when you ask him what an elephant says. He has a mouth full of teeth too! We are so thankful for our healthy, happy little boy, and enjoy every moment watching him grow. He is all boy and loves life!

Labor Day

We spent Labor Day relaxing and having fun with family and friends! We started off the day at Uncle Steve and Aunt Lori's house. The boys were so excited to see Ginger the horse walking down the driveway when we pulled in. Of course we had to get out and visit Ginger.
We were quickly greeted by Brooke, Ali, and Michael on the buggy! They were having a blast! Our boys are so blessed to have such close cousins, and enjoy all the adventures of the river! Ali took us on a nature walk. Carson loved following Ali and pointed out all kinds of things he saw.
Time for some fun on the swing! Ali is just the bubbliest little girl! What a cutie! Carson's turn! Uncle Matt loving on Tyler! Such a sweet boy and Tanner's partner in crime! After some fun in the river and great food, we headed to our friends house for another cookout! Sarah and John just bought a new house, and we were excited to get to hang out with them for awhile. After dinner, we let the big boys ride their bikes, and went on a nice family walk. Eli was cracking us up! He is a serious bike rider!
What a fun day!

Gilbert Park

We woke up to the most beautiful weather Saturday morning! There was a little bit of a cool breeze, it was perfect park weather! We couldn't wait to spend the morning outside, and headed to Gilbert Park in Mt. Dora. Matt followed Carson all over the wooden playground. They were little climbing buddies. Carson having fun on the slide... And Mommy having fun with her boys on the slide too! After our playground fun, we went on a family nature walk. I have many memories on this nature walk as a kid. My mom and dad used to take me on this exact trail. We saw all kinds of plants and animals, and enjoyed nature. That was until Daddy took us on his own trail and had us climbing over fallen trees! :) Back on the real path and having fun again... Carson insisted on making his dinosaur "ROAR!" out of this tree! It's hard to tell in the picture, but T-Rex is there...roaring out of the tree! Love our family time!

Reading Tent

Carson loves to read! We enjoy going to the library every couple of weeks and picking out new books. Recently we turned the boys play tent into a comfy reading tent. Carson and Tanner both love going in there to "read" books. Usually, Daddy and Carson spend time reading together at night, and Matt was all about climbing in and reading! Listening so intently!

Popcorn!

Ever since the 4th of July when I popped popcorn for the fireworks show, Carson talks about popcorn all the time, and loves to eat it when it's around. At the grocery store recently, he noticed the big bags of popcorn in the deli department, and insisted on buying this giant bag. When I finally agreed, he even told a stocker nearby that he "was going to take home this popcorn!" I snapped this picture to show Matt later that evening how excited he was to put his popcorn onto the grocery belt all on his own. He was jumping for joy as his popcorn got closer to the scanner, and the cashier quickly picked up on his excitement. I was so thrilled for Carson when the sweet cashier had him run behind the counter, and she scooped him up and let him ring up his popcorn all on his own!
I'm sure the cashier thought I was a complete nut as I snapped pictures on my phone, but I was so excited for Carson, and couldn't wait to show Matt! What a fun thing for Carson to get to do. :)

Future Baseball Players

We love taking the boys to a local practice field to let them run off their energy by running the bases! Carson is getting very good at it, and Tanner takes off just as fast as Carson does. On your mark...get set...GO! Looks like Carson is in the lead, but Tanner is not far behind! Little TT rounding third. Such a big boy! Afterwards, they love to ride the tire swing. They giggle together and have the best time.
Love our sweet boys!

Gymboree

On Thursday morning, while Carson was at preschool, I took Tanner to his first Gymboree class! At first my Mommy guilt for taking Tanner somewhere so fun without Carson was in high gear, but I kept telling myself that Carson got the same one on one attention before Tanner came along, and it was good for TT and I to spend some quality time together. Tanner had a blast! At first Tanner stayed a distance away from the other kids having fun on his own, and just watching. He immediately found the trampoline and squealed with delight with each jump! After warming up to everyone, he jumped right in and participated in the climbing exercises and made his way across an obstacle to the pull up bar.
Tanner loves to play with balls. There were several scattered all over the floor, and as he picked up this red ball, he said "ball" for the first time! After free play, it was group time. All the kids in the class ran to the mat, while Tanner stayed put on the seesaw and became completely mesmorized! This picture describes it best, haha! But then the parachute and bubbles came out and he made his way right to the center! All of that gym playing makes a little boy tired! I'm excited to take Tanner to class again, and to participate in the open gyms where Carson can come and play with us too!