Happy Birthday Mom!

Today has been a great day! I have quickly come to realize that birthdays mean extra ice cream and sweets! Mom's good friends, Stacie and Dana arrived this morning with flowers, ice cream and an amazing chocolate cake! We had little more than that for lunch and once the sugar rush wore off, I took a long nap! After a fine mexican feast for dinner, I indulged in my first ever ice cream Drumstick! YUMALICIOUS!
I think we should celebrate birthdays every day!!!

Friends!

My friend Joelle and her mom came to play today and while they were there, Jo wanted to hold Meekin. She's excited because she's going to have a new baby brother soon too! I'm pretty sure she'll be a good big sister, just like I'm a good big brother.
We've also just wrapped up an eventful weekend, with of course, no pictures. Mom's been forgetting the camera a lot lately! Saturday, we went to a party at the Sisk's house. Jared drove us around on a hayride and shot off lots of firecrackers! It was my first time seeing firecrackers, since they are usually around long after I've gone to bed. I loved them! I also got to play with lots of other kids on swings, a slide and in the sand box.
Sunday, we went out for lunch to celebrate Moms birthday and I ate sushi!!! I had lots of new foods and liked them all! We started off with edamame, then had miso soup and seaweed salad. After that, I ate unagi (that's freshwater eel, for you non-sushi eaters) and sake (salmon), but I wasn't too keen on the salmon. I also ate rice, teriyaki chicken and veggies! To finish it all off, a scoop of green tea ice cream couldn't be beat! YUM!!! I have a feeling Mom and I might be sneaking back to Crown Center on a more regular basis! Aside from the food, I really liked our waitress! Mom's a little worried about me having a crush at such a young age!

Oktoberfest!

Does this look like a happy kid or what? We went to Oktoberfest in Lee's Summit last night and had a blast! My favorite performer, Mr. Stinky Feet was even there! Since there was a big crowd, I got to ride on Dad's shoulders so I could see the show.
Mr. Stinky Feet himself!!
After the show, we went to the carnival and I drove a jeep. It took FOREVER for the jeep to get going, but after it started....
WHOA!!! Watch out! I love going fast!!

When the jeep ride was over, we headed to the big slide! Daddy and I walked up the 50 some steps, high in the air!

Here we go!!!
'RIDE AGAIN!!!! RIDE AGAIN!!! RIDE AGAIN!!!'
I rode with Mom too. With a smile from ear to ear the whole time, I could have rode all night! Next year, Meekin and I can race down!

Alldredge Apple Orchard

Mom and I went to Alldredge Apple Orchard last week with some of our friends. While we were there, we picked apples, went on a hay ride, read a story about bees and watched them through an observation hive, fed chickens, saw goats and had a picnic! When we got home, Mom even made a homemade carmel apple pie! YUM!

Hayrides are awesome!

Ms. Kristi read a book to us about bees and how they help to grow the apples. Since my daddy's a big time beekeeper, I already knew about that, but it was a good book!

Those crazy chickens ran all around us, eating out of everyones hands!

Mom's sure got her hands full, but look at all those yummy apples!!

Busy Boys

No, I'm not potty training (much to Daddy's dismay!), I just like to run around in my diaper - especially when it's hot outside. Mom told me to get dressed so we could bring Daddy lunch one day and this was my idea of 'dressed'. I love my bee boots and I thought I looked good.

This is a common scene at our house...you want to play with one of the many toys, but first, you have to tune on them! James and Daddy wanted to ride the 'hogs', and were just going to take a quick spin - after they worked on them for over an hour to get them going. I don't think Mom and Camille like it very much when they spend so much time tuning on the toys!

My latest trick...

When Daddy's not tuning on the hogs or working, he does help take care of us boys. It's nice for Mom to have a break from all the testosterone! Meekin and Daddy are sharing a moment...
I have developed a taste for frozen waffles. Mom thinks it's disgusting, but I like it because it's self service! I get them out of the freezer myself and don't have to wait for anyone to toast it. A growing boy likes me needs his calories and fast!
6 weeks ago this morning, Mom said, 'Henry, what do you think about having a baby brother today?' My reply was, 'Mom, get dressed, Henry, clothes on...GARAGE SALE!!!' Mom's not really sure how I knew it was Friday, thus garage sale day, but it didn't matter. There were no garage sales to be attended by us, because Mom went to the hospital to have Meekin. He and I are getting along very well and I almost can't remember what it was like before he was part of our family. Mom keeps saying how proud she is of me for being such a good helper and for being good to him. This morning, we snuggled bunches!

This is our cartoon watching pose... Meekin's not big on 'toons yet, but soon I'll teach him that Handy Manny and Thomas the Train are the ones to watch!
Meekin says, 'I'm 6 weeks old and THIS BIG!'

A Social Smiler

As a mom, I know I'm biased, but I believe another brilliant child has graced our household! Everything we've been reading says that babies don't generally smile socially until 6-8 weeks. Meekin has taken to smiling a lot lately - today, we even caught it on film!

Whipped Cream Fun

Story from Mom: Does everyone see what I'm up against? A house full of boys, 2 of which have decided they really like whipped cream... Nanny introduced whipped cream to Henry, then Daddy took it one step further by spraying it directly into Henry's mouth. Fortunately, Henry wasn't really keen on this activity - he prefers to eat it off a spoon. Before I know it, Meekin will be participating in these shenanigans as well!

My First Photo Shoot

Hello all, Meekin here! I've turned 4 weeks old now and Mom decided that it was time to have my first photo shoot. Of course, when I was smiling, the camera wasn't handy, so you'll have to admire my serious face!

Here's me showing off my night time look, post bath. For those who don't believe Mom, my hair really is curly when wet!

Being cute is exhausting!

A Birthday Bash

Three days of partying for my second birthday have taken their toll on us, but we sure had a good time while it lasted! Friday, we went rummaging with 'Great Momma' (my new name for Great Grandma and Grandpa Johns) and Nanny. We found some good treasures and had a good lunch too! Saturday, PoPo, Grandma, Bren and Great Momma Lessie came to see me and we partied some more! Here's me after I opened a present from Daddy and Mom. I'm almost as tall as my tower of blocks!
I then spotted my new trike, hiding in the corner. Mom wasn't sure if my feet would reach the pedals, but I thought I'd give it a shot.
OOOOWWWWW!!! This is not the way a ride is supposed to go, though it was good camera work on Mom's part!
We're upright and moving again. I have to have shoes on to reach the pedals, but I'll grow into it soon!
Sunday morning, PoPo thought he was being clever by hiding a present under a towel... One might think he's smarter than the average 2 year old, but one might not be!
VOILA!!! Off came the towel and underneath was a brand new Kawasaki 4 wheeler!!

Once again, I was off and riding! YEEE HAWWW!!!
In the afternoon, everyone arrived for my bash. I was a little concerned about the fire on my Thomas the Train cake...I'm not supposed to play with things that are hot!
I do, however, really like when people sing happy birthday to me!
The best part was actually eating the cake and ice cream!

After almost everyone went home, I got a present from Gram and Pappy... All of the sudden, the atrium became a train station...tracks were being assembled everywhere!
This is the very train that Daddy and Auntie Ally rode when they were little like me! What a riot!!
Being as active as I am, I decided I had enough riding for one weekend so I thought I would get off and push the train...gotta work off that cake!
Thanks to all who shared in my 'Happy Day You!"