Simon Says: Love

Simon called me into his room after I had already tucked him in...

Simon:  I love Caroline at school.
Me:  Awww, that's so nice.  Why do you love her?
Simon:  Because she's a sweet friend.  But that's a secret that I told you.

Don't tell him I posted it for the world to read.

Simon Says: Cows

Simon:  Who wipes cows after they poop?

Simon Says: Grocery Store

Some background info: In addition to cooking, Andrew also likes to do the grocery shopping. On weekends, he will often take Simon with him while I try to accomplish something around the house. The other day the whole family took a spontaneous walk to the grocery store together to pick up a few miscellaneous things.

Simon: Are we going to the grocery store?
Andrew: Yes.
Simon: Oh!  Mom's never been to the grocery store before.

Big Baby Miles

Cereal time for Miles.  Whereas Simon had a voracious appetite for solids, Miles isn't quite as eager.

"Yeah, I guess.  I mean I'll try anything once"

"Oh my, I think not."

Simon is not a fan of watching Miles eat.  When things got a little sloppy, Simon's hair trigger gag reflex kicked in.  We had him turn his chair.

Bros

Shag rug + Sophie the Giraffe = Heaven for a 5 mo old.

Blue Eyed Baby.

Hondo with our Homeboy

What's that?  We're invited to a friends' ranch with three other couples?  Only one-year olds and younger are coming?  It's when Miles is supposed to be getting baptized? Well that's an easy answer.

I cut out of work early last Friday so that Erinn, Miles and I could head west of San Antonio to Brian and Sarah's family ranch with Gage.  Both Simon and Henry were taken by grandparents so that it could be just the little ones.  Joining us were Will & Stephanie and their new baby Posey (a girl?  what's that about?) and Joe & Kelley and their new Newb, Hayes.

The perfect setting for relaxing with friends.

Any game where you throw/ move/ slide an object to get it close to a target is my favorite game.  Shuffleboard, horseshoes, bocce, petanque, washers, ladder golf, beer pong... these are the games of the gods.

If this picture had been taken one year prior, there would probably be a beverage in Joe's left hand.

It was especially nice to get to spend time with just Miles.  We don't really ever get a chance to do that.

Here's Miles listening to Joe.

Miles watching Gage sit upright.  I don't know if it's possible, but Gage might be more smiley than Miles.

All weekend long, big ol smiles from Gage.

From youngest to oldest.

Proud Mommas.

Spent a lot of time doing things I really enjoy, which is what a vacation is about.  Just doing things like...

 Check out small town High School Stadiums... Go Owls!

 Smoke an unplanned brisket ....

Let Miles watch me prep dinner...

Research Children's Literature inside a deer blind...

 See deer from deer blinds...

Help to remove a nuisance...

Pose like Teddy Roosevelt over your kill...

(It's like looking in a mirror.)

At the end of the weekend, it was good to get back to Simon.  This was a much needed respite that all four of us benefited from.  Loved the opportunity to spend time with friends that I don't get to see as often as I'd like.