11 months

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words and that was true of Collin's 11 month photo shoot.  It sums up exactly where he is right now.   

1. His favorite toys include small electronics (phones, cameras, iPods), anything that is plugged into an outlet, and any outlet that doesn't have something plugged into it.  

2. He is on the move.  He crawls, pulls up and attempts to climb. 

3. The two words that can bring a smile to his face? "No, Collin!"

4. The one thing that brings tears to his eyes?  Following through on #3.  

Here is a short slideshow of SOME of the out-takes.  

Camp til you Drop

We've been excited to get the most of our latest investment in a pop-up camper. We've taken 5 weekend trips so far this summer in addition to visits to Chicago and San Francisco, which means we've been out of town for 7 of the last 11 weekends.  We've had a blast but it is beginning to take it's toll.  Here is Collin on the way back from the pool at Jellystone on Sunday:

Sound asleep with his face resting on the tray of the stroller.  

We're happy to report we have nothing planned for this weekend.  

Our little Troy Bolton

Here are a few highlights from Will's last day of basketball camp:  

(I'm thinking I may need a digital SLR camera now...)

Happy Birthday Shane!

Sometimes I question my sanity.  It has been a crazy month for us.  A trip to Chicago at the end of June, followed by 4th of July weekend camping followed by a weekend trip to San Francisco at the end of the first week of summer school.  We live in a small town in the middle of nowhere and it is important to us that our boys see the world outside of SE Minnesota so when Grandma Sharpe called to say she would be going to San Francisco for my sweet little Godbaby Shane's first birthday I decided I would take the boys, too.  

Here are the boys on the first leg from MSP to Salt Lake City.  Will is in heaven.  He ate McDondald's for breakfast and the in-flight movie was 17 Again with Zac Efron (of High School Musical).  He has a scene where he battles with a lightsaber.  Could life get any better than Troy Bolton with a lightsaber?  I was happy because we were in a row with an empty seat so Collin didn't have to be a lap passenger for the whole flight!  

Will and his cousin Megan being silly.  When Will and I visited a year ago I was amazed how the two became instant friends and played with very little adult interaction.  Amy and I were a little surprised that they were feeling the need to be entertained when we first got there.  We have a feeling that the difference is that their grandmas (who love to entertain them!) were there this time! 

Our modern men, Shane and Collin, playing with the kitchen

All of the Boyce cousins in town for Shane's birthday

Will (5) Collin (10m) Shane (1) Megan (4) Trevor (2)

The birthday boy! 

When Amy and I were younger we were occasionally dressed in coordinating outfits for family adventures (more on that later) so we did the same for this reunion.  The kids weren't all about sitting for a picture. 

The Boyces/Malloys

Matt, Jodi, Trevor, Uncle Curt, Aunt Linda, Megan, Shane, Jim, Amy

Grandma, the boys and I 

(Aunt Bridget thinks Grandma is giving Will a wedgie in this picture)

The boys

The girls

We made it home safe and sound and it was worth the chaos of travel to spend the weekend celebrating with family!! 

4th of July

We spent 4th of July weekend camping with the Winters and 2 other families from Byron.  The campground is near Wanamingo, MN so we went "into town" (a phrase my friend Sue uses often, one I may never get used to) to watch the parade and fireworks.  

At the parade in Wanamingo

Collin takes a snooze on Sue's shoulder

Collin enjoying his first fireworks

Watching the fireworks from the back of Chad's convertible, aka The Rocket. 

Nine years ago today...

Ten Months

I can't believe Collin is 10 months old already!  The time has flown!  He is getting to be such a big boy!  He is pretty much done with pureed foods.  He wants to eat whatever we are eating.  He is into everything using his crazy army crawl and his latest skill of pulling up to his knees.  He isn't standing yet.  He is still a bit of a peanut.  At his 9 month check he was in the 40% for head and height and only 2% for weight.  I wish I could take credit for those genes! Like Will, he is an easy going boy.  We are so blessed!