Happy Times :)

Well, I've been trying to catch Aubrey's smile on camera, but I haven't done very well. The flash always seems to make her scowl :) While I keep working on that, here's what I have managed to get on camera...

Talking and smiling with daddy...

...until I tried to take a picture and then she got serious.

Aubrey can be a very serious sleeper.

Caleb loves to play with mommy's cell phone.

Almost got that smile...

There's part of a smile :)

 Some brother and sister shots from the last week or so...

A Family Wedding!

We took our first "trip" as a family last weekend to attend mommy's cousin Garrett's wedding in Indianola/Des Moines. We left around 11:00. Aubrey slept the entire way, but Caleb fell asleep about 5 minutes away from the hotel. We checked in to our hotel and then headed down to Indianola for the wedding on Simpson College's campus. Caleb enjoyed running around and playing with relatives big and small :) We took part in the Ramthun family photo...wow the family just keeps growing!

Aubrey fell asleep just before the wedding started and slept on Grandpa Dennis' shoulder through the whole thing. Caleb started to get very restless in the middle of the wedding, and I knew he would either fall asleep or make a scene. Luckily he chose to fall asleep :) What a beautiful wedding, and so heartfelt! 

After the wedding we headed to the reception in downtown Des Moines. What delicious food, a beautiful setting, and wonderful conversations! We headed back to the hotel around 9:00 because Caleb was about to fall asleep, and Aubrey had run out of food and energy too. It was a beautiful day, and we are so happy to welcome Amanda into the crazy Ramthun family!

Sunday morning we enjoyed breakfast with some family, and then we headed to the pool for a little swim. (We had promised Caleb...although I bet Matt wished we hadn't because the water was very cold!) After about 20 minutes, Caleb's lips were quivering so hard we had to force him out of the pool. The boys dried up, we packed up our things, and headed on home. We had survived our first real "outing" as a family of 4 :)

(In our usual style we forgot the camera at the hotel, so I had to use my cell phone camera. I really have to work on my memory!)

 Daddy and Caleb before the wedding, and Great Aunt Denise and Aubrey ready for the wedding.

At the reception Great Great Aunt Coleen with Aubrey, and then mommy's cousin Delaney with Aubrey.

Grandpa Dennis and Caleb. They were buddies the whole day.

Yummy cupcakes...Caleb ate it like an ice cream cone. Frosting first :)

Great Grandpa Ron and Aubrey

Great Grandpa Ron and 2 of his 4 great grandkids. We missed Nolan and Landon.

Trying to get used to the cold water :)

Our fearless boy! He would totally jump in the water by himself if we weren't watching.

So I just about dropped the camera at the end because Aubrey head-butted the camera. Oops! But luckily I didn't drop Aubrey or the camera :)

Sleeping on the way home after a busy weekend of cuddling.

Aubrey Is One Month Old!

As I stated in the previous post, my how time flies! Aubrey was one month old on Tuesday the 9th! Aubrey is overall a happy baby. She has just started to smile when prompted, and sometimes she will try to "talk" to you :) It's so exciting to watch her grow and respond to you more. She has grown out of her newborn clothes and wears 0-3 month clothing. I have to admit I have enjoyed "dressing her up," but I haven't gotten too crazy. Caleb is still adjusting to being a big brother. He is very sweet with Aubrey, but you can tell he misses some of mom and dad's attention and works hard to get it. We are such lucky parents :)

Mommy, Caleb, and Aubrey had a quiet day at home on Aubrey's one month birthday; and when daddy got home we headed out to Cousin Jaxon's house to celebrate his 4th birthday. We had a good time, although Aubrey is in the habit of fussing from about 4:00 to 8:00 pm...Luckily the family didn't mind, and we had fun playing outside until it started to rain. We headed inside and ate supper. Then Jaxon opened his gifts, we ate some cake and the kids played some more together before we headed on home.

Aubrey flexing her 1 month muscles :)

Aubrey and Jeannie the giraffe.

Caleb wanted to be in the picture...and he wanted to be in his diaper just like Aubrey :) Also notice Aubrey's face...she was pulling her hair and wasn't very happy about it.

Cruising with cousin Makayla...

Chasing each other around :)

Jaxon sang Aubrey a song he learned at preschool...so cute!

Shooting hoops on Jaxon's new basketball hoop.

Slam dunk! (with some help from Uncle Jay)

Cake time!

Yum! Blue frosting!

Daily Fun :)

Well time flies! I have enjoyed being home with Aubrey and Caleb (some days more than others), and I realize that my time at home is already half way done. I'll be going back to work in less than a month, so I made a little challenge to myself to worry less about the messy house and spend more time enjoying my kiddos. Here's a look at some random days at home with my kids...and husband :)

Caleb sneaking in to give Aubrey a kiss when she's in her bassinet downstairs...

Sharing toys with Aubrey :)

She is such an alert baby when she's awake!

Our bright eyed girl :)

Caleb making faces at his sister...

and kissing her...

and sharing toys with her.

Family selfie :)

A sleeping Aubrey means...

...cookie making with Caleb!

Aubrey and her tummy time...with some help from her big brother.

Did you notice how Caleb tried to imitate Aubrey :) So funny...He loves to be right where she is all the time!

Caleb gets a haircut and we have more visitors...

Well, the time finally arrived. Caleb got his haircut. (I hope you are happy Uncle Adam!) Mommy cried when Caleb came down the stairs after daddy buzzed it. All daddy had to do was offer him a sucker... I'm still trying to get used to my little boy! It's crazy how hair changed his looks!

Before...

...and After!

Great Grandma Betty stopped by to see Caleb and Aubrey, and she tried to get some smiles out of Aubrey. She got some out of Caleb, but Aubrey hasn't smiled yet (except in her sleep).

I just love GG Betty's expressions! 

Talking to Aubrey...Caleb didn't want to miss out either!

 Last Sunday Great Uncle Eric and Great Aunt Ellen drove up to Northwood to meet Aubrey. We went to church (Aubrey's first time), spent time catching up, and enjoyed lunch together. We had a lovely Sunday together!

Aubrey and Great Aunt Ellen. 

Great Uncle Eric and Aubrey...

Aubrey got a whole bag full of cute girly clothes and things, and Caleb got a little farm set and animals. He loves it!