Boating

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! We recently bought a new house and we have been extremely busy trying to sell the old one and welcome the new one into the 21st century! I will add some new house pictures as we start moving in. Here are some pictures from our 4th of July and lake time.


I was trying to get a good video of Drew walking, he is gaining stability everyday!


"What milk on his face?"

We took a break on the 4th of July and headed to Grand Lake for some boating and firework show. It was Drew's first boat ride. At first he wasn't too sure of it, but by the end he was trying to climb out of the moving boat into the water! Later that night we went and had dinner with the Schroeders (thanks guys) and Drew got to see the gang! Right after we put Drew down for bed, we witnessed the neighbors rolling out at least five, huge rolls of black cats. I, of course, freaked out and wanted to take Drew home thinking that he would wake up scared. Sam, of course said his famous line "its fine Mindy, calm down!" So I packed up the car ready to go in case Drew woke up screaming and needed to leave. Sam was shaking his head at me the whole time. Anyway.... the show started out with 3 or 4 huge planes flying over the house so loud it shook the house. I ran inside just knowing that I would have to rescue Drew, but nothing.... just silence. I walk outside and there is Sam just smiling as if he knows that I know that he was right and he is taking great pleasure in this fact. Next comes the firework show... it was the prettiest, loudest show I have ever seen. We kept running inside to see if he was awake and he wasn't. Finally came the part I dreaded the most, the neighbors set off their never ending black cats. At this point I am basically sitting beside Drews door because I am sure this will wake him up and need his mommy, but .......... he didn't. I am officially going to say, "Sam was right". Just this time!

The next weekend we headed back to the lake with my sister, her husband and two children. First boat ride for Brandon and Kyle. The boys did awesome; Brandon faced his fear of the wind and loved the ride. Kyle on the other hand slept every time the boat was in motion. Drew had so much fun playing with his cousins. We look forward to the future trips with Kyle and Brandon.

Drew, Brandon and Kyle

Hang on... Drew is driving!
Mom may have gone over board on the sunscreen in his hair!
Sam and Drew, Adam and Brandon relaxing in the water.

He even looks cute in a life jacket!
Check out this picture and the one below. Almost exactally a year apart in the same place. I can't believe he has grown so much!
Daddy and Drew getting ready for his first boat ride! He did so good.
Faster Daddy!

Drew loves his tractor!

Hey... when a cousin needs a place to rest, Drew comes to the rescue!
Brandon, Kyle and Drew
Kyle and Drew (don't worry Grandmas, we were holding them)

1st Birthday

I want to start out by saying thank you to everyone for helping us through this first year with Drew. We have tried to do the best that we know how to do for him, however a lot of that has come from watching others, listening to advise some of you have given to us and just having people there to listen. In this first year we have experienced almost every emotion possible and at times felt like we had no idea what we were doing, but we made it through the first year. He is on his way to walking, laughing all the time, making new sounds every day and keeping us entertained. He has realized certain things make us smile or laugh and repeats them over and over again. We continue to enjoy the gift we have been given.

We had his first birthday at our home town park. Over 40 people came from all over to watch Drew have his first cake. (Thank you for making the trip!) Drew was in his high chair waiting for the cake, I was holding it in my hand looking for my mom and he reached over and dipped his hand in the frosting. So when we sang him happy birthday he already had icing all over his face. He loved the cake. Enjoy the pics.

We started the celebration off by Grandpa Blackard coming over and giving Drew his first check. Look at that sweet thank you smile he is giving while holding his check. Thanks Grandpa! Daddy will help him endorse the check. Now that he is one he thinks he should climb on all the toys. Here his is with Grammie Blackard.
Of course Drew's first party had to be a Jayhawk theme. We are sure that is what he would have picked had he been able to pick.

Here he is after he got the first swipe of cake. The only other sweet he had before was a little ice cream on his actual birthday!

Dig in!

Mine!!!! All Mine!!!

Drew had alot of help opening his presents.

After the party he thought all sweets were fair game. Here he is trying to get Uncle Adam to let him taste pop. (That did not happen!)

The day after his party we took him swimming for the first time in the Independence pool. We have a water baby on our hands.... he loved the pool.
He just walked around holding our hands and didn't mind when we dunked him under the water.
Drew made a friend. He loved to play in the little fountain.
More water baby!
"Daddy don't hold me too tight the ladies are watching!"

The weekend after Drews' party we headed to Liberty, Missouri for another party. Hayden turned two. Drew was so excited on his way to see Hayden.

Birthday boy Hayden. Drew had his first pony ride. At first we weren't sure if we would get him on the pony. He didn't like the noises that they make but reluctantly got on. Cowboy Drew! We had so much fun! Thanks Morehead family.

Look Mom.... no hands!

At the party Drew fell and got another black eye! Yes... I did say another. I have a feeling that we will need our health insurance with this kid. He is so active, never sits still and has no fear, not a good combination.

Trip to the Zoo

Walking between Mom and Dad!



I just happen to have the camera on Drew when he took off for our dog Lucy. I know I sound like a dork on the video, but hey I'm proud!!!

We took a trip with our friends Jeannie and Michael to the Tulsa zoo. We had a great time. The boys were very good and exhausted by the end of the day.

Here is Drew having some milk while looking at animals! He enjoyed the stroller ride.

After a long car ride and then stroller ride, we let him out on the ground to be free.

Watching Michael run around! I am sure that he was thinking "some day"!

We had a good experience with the grass. He picked the grass and played with it, but didn't try to eat it.

After a long day Drew was wiped out! He took about an hour nap in the stroller!

Michael was so excited to be on the merry-go-round! Drew slept through it, he has no idea what he missed out on.

Still sleeping!



Michael fell asleep shortly after we got in the car.

April

Drew got to hang out with his grammie and grandma for a night. He had fun, I'm not sure he even missed us. Here he is reading his bedtime story with Grammie.

Drew and Grandma laughing and having fun.
Drew out grew his footed pajamas so we had to get him some big boy pajamas! He is getting so big!

Drew and Mom. Notice Drew is eating the grass.

Dad letting him touch the grass.
Drew and Lucy. Drew is still looking for some grass to eat!
We took Drew on his first park train ride. Independence has a wonderful park. The train is only a quater a ride. They also have a merry-go-round that is only a nickle to ride but we haven't tried it yet. This is while we were waiting in line for the train.
First train ride.

I would say he really enjoyed it.

Drews friend Michael came over to play two days in a row. His mommy had to work so we got to play with Michael. Drew just loves Michael.

Michael insisted they sit in the chair together. I wasn't sure Drew would sit still but he liked sitting with Michael.


Here is Drew with his great-grandpa. His great grandparents were in town in March.

Drew and his great grandma.

Drew has now figured out how to open the lid to his snack container. Now I have to watch where I leave the snacks.