Little Drummer Boy!

Jackson has taken a very strong liking to the plastic drumsticks. He finds them and carries them around with him and can even drum pretty well with them....a nice drum set may be a future present??

Bunk Beds!

Jackson's ready to climb the ladder...he actually was standing at it until right before I took the picture!
The dressers...and yes, they are now all filled with clothing for all three!

Trying out their new spots....thrilled! Even Jackson is below trying to climb into what will someday be his bed!

Jackson....9 month update

Wow....9+ months old....it's gone so fast, way too fast! Can't believe that we've already lowered his crib mattress all the way down, that he's done with the super saucer and jumping thing, that he's eating table food (and very happy about it), and that he's wearing size 12 to 18 month clothing.

At his 9-month check-up he was 24 lbs. 12 oz. (95%) and 29.5 in. (87%)....definitely our biggest!

He is such a sweet boy...such a happy, content boy (unless he's sick). His smiles and giggles are priceless.
Working on his "cheesy" grin...the wrinkling of the nose and squinting the eyes!

He pulls himself to standing at nearly everything...chairs, couches, walls, doors, you name it! Here he was trying to figure out how to get out that door to join the rest of the boys outdoors!

And we're starting him off as a Steelers fan...we'll see if it sticks! Who knows maybe he'll play football one day!

I borrowed this fencing system from a friend as I am really not interested in putting the gates back up. He seems to be okay with it for now....we'll see how long it takes him to climb out!

A few videos....and no I wasn't trying to make him choke...I just had to get his laugh on video.

Demonstrating his standing skill....

Go Steelers!

Enough Said!

A Boy Can Never Have Too Many Shoes....

Over the last few weeks I've spent much time going through boxes of clothes and shoes that no longer fit Jason and organizing them so that in upcoming years I can easily find the stuff I need for Jackson. I realized I had shoes in every box and decided it would be better to have them all together so that I when I need a particular size for Jackson I can easily find it. I threw all the shoes on the basement floor and the boys helped me match all of them. I then organized them by size.....from 2 at the top to 9/10 at the bottom this is what we have....I don't think I'll need to buy Jackson any shoes for the next few years! Crazy thing is that many of these were hand me downs from my nephew Timothy and most of the rest were bought used at the tot swap....

Birthday Parties aren't just for Kids

Before hurricane Irene came through our area we headed out as a family to Adventure Park USA to celebrate our friend Dalton's 5th birthday. The kids had a blast on the carousel, the tea cups, and the helicopters outside and then we moved inside to enjoy the moonbounce and the many arcade games.

And here's why my post is titled as it is....none of our kids were tall enough for the roller coaster so the adults took our turn on it....first the ladies (sorry no pictures or videos), then the men. They were all excited, can you tell?

Here's a great shot of all the kids enjoying the teacups....I think Carson spun everyone in his cup to death before the ride even started. I'm just glad noone threw up...we had just eaten pizza and birthday cake!

And one quick video of the men enjoying the roller coaster.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Today was a milestone event for Madison...her first day of kindergarten! She didn't seem nervous at all but woke up excited for her first day. Even though she'll take the bus to and from school every day I decided to drop her off today....I needed to do that more for me than for her!
A quick picture on the front step.
Once inside the school I snapped another picture! Still all smiles!

Once she got in her line I snapped one more...still smiling. The boys and I gave her all big hugs and kisses and out the door we went. As I looked back she was still smiling and waving. I can't wait to see her this afternoon and hear all about her day!

Stray Dog...

This morning a dog appeared in our yard as we were sitting on the front porch enjoying our coffee. At first he was skiddish and I wasn't totally comfortable with the kids approaching him but he quickly warmed up to the bunch, especially Madison. She wasn't there when he initially appeared and he wandered off while we were having breakfast but then he made his way back to our house. Madison loves animals and this dog can tell. He immediately was following her wherever she went. She said that since he didn't have a collar, we could keep him! She's even begun thinking of names for him. Carson said that Target is getting old and is going to die and that this dog is not getting old but getting new! We cracked up at his logic and vocabulary!
He has now attached himself to our porch. I gave him some water but we are refusing to feed him! He is definitely too big for our house and we don't want another pet! He is very sweet....so if anyone is looking for a dog....

Jackson....7 1/2 months

I don't think Jackson could be an easier baby. He is very happy and content almost always. He is on a nice schedule but does great when we have to be out and about when his naps occur in his carseat or stroller. He laughs and smiles all the time and loves to watch the big kids. They entertain him very well and he finds anything they do laughable....even the inappropriate stuff like opening their mouth when it's full of food! He is such a delight to our family and we can't imagine life without him!
He's really found the fun in his jumper. I wonder how many calories he burns in this thing...

Visits with Great Grandma, Church Picnic, and More

The glow sticks and bracelets were a hit with the kids prior to watching fireworks.
Great Grandma Helbert comes over for a visit and holds the youngest of the 9 great-grandchildren!

The Pier children take a moment to pose with great-grandma.

The kids enjoyed the older style climbing apparatus at the church picnic.

Bet you haven't seen one of these old slides for awhile!

Who can resist this cutie pie?

The boys spend some time working on workbooks after breakfast.

Carson spends time building.

Grammy gets them to cooperate for a quick picture.

And another one of Jackson.....

And Madison enjoyed the big kid slide at the local city pool.

Car Show and Remote Control Airplanes and Helicopters

We stopped by a little park in Ashland where some men show off their remote control airlplanes and helicopters....didn't see a whole lot of action but what we did see was pretty impressive.
A handsome shot of Daddy and Jackson.
The 3 big kids hanging on a pole as a helicopter takes off in the background.

We then headed to Loudonville to see hundreds of antique cars....really impressed with the number of cars there!

Jackson enjoys the ride in the stroller!

A very cool car for the 4th of July!

Tractor Rides and Climbing Trees

One of the highlights of visiting Grammy and Grandpa in the summer is getting rides with Grandpa on the riding lawn mower....aka, the tractor!

Madison patiently waiting for a turn.

Catching a few rays as Madison has a turn.

I try to keep Jackson entertained.

And even Jackson gets a turn!

Now it's time to climb trees.....

Grammy and Grandpa keep their feet on the ground.....

While I head for the top....it was easier going up than down!

Madison loves spending time with Sarge!

Fourth of July Weekend in Ashland, Ohio

We really got to do it all when we visited Mom and Dad in Ashland, Ohio for the 4th of July weekend....the annual hot air balloon festival, 2 different pools, fireworks, church outside at the park followed by a picnic, the Loudonville car show, and a concert in the park.

Our weekend started off at the balloon festival....waiting....
...and finally watching....

We went back at dusk to find some seats to enjoy the balloon glow....so very cool.