September 2012

We are slowly, but surely catching up on 2012. Next up: SEPTEMBER! Here is our month summed up in *mostly* Instagram photots...



In desperate need of haircut!

 

We still have a dog. Yay Stewie!!

 

We had Otto's 1 year check up. He is a healty, growing boy!! 

 

 

 

On 9/15/12 Otto got his first haircut. We went to our friend's apartment and he cooperated like a champ!!

 

Before & After

 

 

 

 

Playing in his toybox!!

 

What a silly boy we have!!

 

We went to Downtown Nashville to see SPOKEN (Daddy's old band) play at the Hard Rock Cafe. Otto had a great time playing with his drumsticks and running around. There is a video on Facebook, if we are friends go watch it!

 

We had my niece & nephew's birthday party at the end of the month. It was a Mickey & Minnie themed. Here is Aunt Kika (me) & the birthday girl (Claire)!!! 

 

Otto loved his ears!!

 

 

to be continued to October...

 

August 2012: Birthday Extravaganza

August is always a fun month for us. The month began with a trip to Indiana just for fun (just Otto & I). We got to play with Claire, Owen, Aunt Ashy, Grandma, Grandpa & the "doooegs". 

Otto had his trip to Donut Bank Bakery! He LOVED the donuts!!   

We then went back to play with cousins at the grandparents house. For lunch we made homemade pizzas from Grandpa's recipe. The kids got to put whatever toppings they wanted on a piece of pita bread (I think).



Ashley helping Claire & Owen make their pizzas. Claire was getting into it.


The fun thing about August is that it is FULL of birthdays. Since we live 3 hours away from the family who celebrates (goes out to dinner), we try to do our own celebration at home. This year we stopped at Kroger on August 15 and bought an apple pic for Dad/Grandpa's birthday. He turned 25 this year! :)

Otto was all about celebrating Grandpa's birthday!

A few days later we had some nasty storms roll through our area. The high winds ended up ripping out another chunk of our front tree. Thankfully, we have awesome friends and they came over to lend their chainsaw. Otto was waiting for his turn with it...

Gimme that chainsaw Mr. Rob!

On August 25th, we had our boy's 1st Birthday Circus! Grandma & Grandpa Geis drove down Friday evening & brought him his big present. A brand new toy box, hand-crafted by Grandpa & finished by Grandma! He LOVED it. He still LOVES it. From time to time he likes to get IN it.

Otto & Grandpa checking out the toy box.

The rest of the crew (Uncle Mike, Aunt Ashy, Claire & Owen) drove down Saturday morning to join us. Aunt Ashley made his INCREDIBLE birthday (she borrowed the tiger Raja from her kids Aladdin toys).




We found an awesome circus tent IKEA for the kids to play in



The goodies: Popcorn, Animal Crackers, Chips, Pretzels, Fruit, Veggies,
Cotton Candy, Hot Dogs, Candy & Cake!!



Cake made by Aunt Ashley

Otto got his own smash cake



I think he liked it!


 

Our happy little Ring Master!

 

Otto & Daddy

 


Otto & Mommy

Out of chronological order

I know I said I'd start posting updates from August-December, BUT I have to make a small detour to follow up my last post. Today my company (Provident Distribution) hosted a private screening for The Bible at the historic Franklin Theatre. Mark Burnett and Roma Downey came to Franklin for the event to talk through the making and thanked everyone for coming. So I FINALLY got my picture taken with them!!!

July 2012

We had a pretty fun July. Otto got to go swimming for the first time. My boss invited us to her community pool at her new house! We all had a really fun time and Otto seemed to enjoy himself. As soon as we left he zonked out in his car seat.



At home, preparing to leave for the pool. He was a bit nervous.

Cool dude in his shades

 

One of the hardest parts of being a Mommy came with a work trip I took. One of my responsibilities at work is organizing my company's trip to the International Christian Retail Show each year. The 2012 show was held in Orlando. I really didn't like the idea of being away from my 10 month old & husband for 5 days, but I knew I would be really busy and hoped to just be distracted.

 

Otto helped me back before my trip.
He enjoyed throwing everything out of my suitcase.

 

I flew down to Orlando on Saturday to get our booth & hotel rooms situated.
I had a little fun reading on the plane. This was a Book Club pick and was actually pretty good.

 

Leaving the boys at the airport was really tough and I approached it like ripping a band aid off. I didn't want Otto to see me upset so I just kissed them and headed off to security. Jef and Otto's teacher made sure to keep me updated with photos and stories while I was away. One of the coolest parts of my week was getting to have dinner with TV producer Mark Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met and definitely the most famous. They came to the show to share information and clips of their upcoming TV series for The History Channel called The Bible that begins airing March 3. I didn't get any photos with them, but I wish I had.

 

I did however get my picture taken with George W. Bush again. JUST KIDDING, he really a G.W. impersonator named John C. Morgan. Pretty convincing isn't he!

 

 

 

On July 21st we celebrated our friend Liam's 1st Birthday!! Jef had to work that Saturday so Otto and I went alone. We had a great time celebrating his accomplishments! It was a Mustache Bash. Amy made all of the kids little shirts or onesies with mustaches on them. They were adorable!



The kiddos & their Mommy's



Otto & Mommy

 

Amy, Liam, Mike

That pretty much sums up July. Now on to August - our BIRTHDAYSSSSSSS!!
 



So far behind!!

I am so sorry that I am PAINFULLY behind on  blog posts. To say we have been busy would only be about 75% truthful. To say we are completely exhausted would be 100% truthful.

My goal for this week is to catch you up on what has been happening since JUNE of 2012. Stay tuned for more posts (or emails if you are family).





Erika