Norris Lake

Every year we like to go on a boating trip over a long weekend. We didn’t go anywhere last year because I was pregnant and not really up for boating long periods of time. But this year we definitely made up for lost time and we went in with 3 other couples and rented a house right on Norris Lake. It was a beautiful 4 bedroom 3 ½ bath place to call home for the weekend. We spent a lot of our time outside on the 3 story deck that overlooked the lake. Here is a view of our place from the lake and a picture of the view off our deck.




Here are some pictures of us relaxing after a long car ride.





Carson amazed us all with is mad water skiing skills.




Nathan loved the boat and the water.





While we were out we stopped at one of the marina and picked up a new life jacket for Nathan. Of course Nick was easily convinced that Nathan needed the life jacket when he found out it was scarlet and gray. Mason got one too. Here are some pictures of Nathan and Daddy and Mason and Katie (Mason's mommy) and their matching life jackets.




Daddy and Nick tried their hand at wake-surfing. Nick was even able to drink a beer and surf at the same time. Amazing!!!




We had a lot of fun and are already planning our trip back for next summer. Here is a picture of the Brauns enjoying their boat and a picture of the Bardo family.

Ballons!

It is funny how the simplest things can keep Nathan entertained for hours. I had a mylar balloon left over from Emily’s wedding shower that I took off the mailbox to throw away. Nathan saw the balloon and was very curious and amused by it so we kept it around. It last over two weeks. Nathan had a good time playing with the balloon and it instantly became his favorite toy.

Daddy's Hat

Nathan loves to wear and play with Daddy’s baseball caps. Here are some cute pictures of Nathan doing just that.

Like Father Like Son

Here is a snapshot to show that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree…or something like that. Nathan and Daddy sleeping together.

Slip N Slide Fun

It was a really hot 4th of July weekend so the Brauns came over for a little Slip N Slide Fun. Carson had a blast and he made every one go down the Slip N Slide including Brutus and Pooh. There were 3 lanes on the Slip N Slide so of course we had races. Carson won every time!!! Nathan and Evan loved playing in the water pool at the end of the Slip N Slide.

TATTOO

TATTOO is an event at Wright-Patterson AFB where historic and present day planes fly over the crowd and afterwards a rally of fireworks are displayed. TATTOO this year was a lot of fun. Nathan was awed by all the fly bys, and was little startled with how loud some of the jets were. Nathan played with Sully and then they took a little nap together in the only shade around…an umbrella. Grandma and Grandpa Shouse were also able to come to watch the fly by and fireworks. I was a little worried that Nathan would be afraid of the loud bangs from the fireworks, but he just slept on Grandma during the entire fireworks display.

Vaca Part VI - Beach Baby

We went to the beach a total of 4X when we were in N.C. and Nathan was a happy baby the whole time. He slept in the shade, played in the water, ate the sand, and looked cool wearing his shades.

Vaca Part V - Some More 1st

So Nathan had a lot of firsts on this vacation (ie: 1st vaca, beach, aquarium, pickles etc…) and among them were his first efforts to crawl and scoot on the floor. He was trying so hard to figure it out and it was a toy that was a little too far out of his reach that finally motivated him. Nathan also got his first tooth! It broke through his gums on the bottom and the second tooth came days later. But of all the first the only one that we were able to catch on film was his first Hooter's experience. All the Hooter's girl were ooohh and ahhhh over Nathan. He was the cutest little guy in the whole restaruant.

Vaca Part IV - First Fever

Nathan was doing really well and then on the 3rd day of our trip he had a 102ᵒF fever! We called the doctor and she was not surprised being the first vacation and away from home. So we gave Nathan some Tylenol and striped him down to his diaper and put a cold wash cloth on his head to help cool him down. Even though he was not feeling well, he looked too cute for me to pass up the opportunity of taking a picture of Nathan’s first fever.

Vaca Part III- N.C Aquarium

One day we went to the aquarium because it forecasted to be over 100ᵒF!!! Nathan loved looking at the alligators, fish, and SHARKS!!! And as we were finishing up we walked through the gift shop so Nathan could pick up a souvenir. He liked the stuffed turtle and stingray, so I gave him a choice one or the other. And he reached his hands out to both of them…so mommy bought both the sea turle and stingray.