Life at 17 months

 Christopher loves Daddy's remote control cars.

 He's actually pretty good at it.

 We love to snack.

 And paint with our sister.

 And hang out with Daddy!

Christopher still doesn't say much. He jabbers a lot and points to what he wants. Grandma and I have decided he's just stubborn! He's up to 15 teeth and has started "running" and jumping and loves to scribble with crayons, and stack up to 5 or 6 blocks. He's been throwing a ball overhand for a couple months now and can kick a ball too.

Christopher's 18 month checkup

Christopher had a huge growth spurt in the last 3 months! He gained 2 pounds and 2 inches! He is now 32.5 inches (55%) and 23 pounds, 13 ounces (25%). Next visit is at 2 years. He had two shots today and he barely cried. Audrey hugged and kissed him and it was all over. And they grouped all his vaccinations in such a way that he doesn't have another one until age 5! We only have to go in for an annual flu shot. Christopher is doing great with his gross and fine motor skills. He's a little behind on verbal but the doctor is not too concerned since he is a boy and has an older sister than speaks for him!

I can't find Jackson's 18 mo stats right off the bat but I know Angi likes to compare the cousins so here's what I have so far: Christopher 32.5 inches, Audrey 33 inches, Zoey 31 inches. So we'll see how it all plays out over the years!  :)

Grandkids Photo Shoot September 2011

 I finally get to post these picture now that Christmas gifts have been given! Enjoy the good, the bad and the ugly!

Is it Winter?

 I couldn't pass up an afternoon outside with the kiddos with temperatures in the 60's!

 Just like his sister, Christopher is into sticks!

I promise not to complain too loud when winter finally sets in!

Road Trip to Hays, Kansas

 We drove to Hays last weekend to meet Kristi, Lugene and Erin for a belated Christmas.

 We got there in just under 4 hours and the kids were very good in the car. It was Christopher's first extended car ride.

 Travis and the family met us there too and we went to the Sternburg Museum. It had lots of exhibits about what Kansas looked like 80 million years ago.

 The kids really liked the giant snapping turtle.

 This is a fossil of a 15 foot long fish that had eaten a 6 foot fish. Pretty cool.

 Audrey liked the mammoth.

 The three amigos.

 About every 3 minutes this T-Rex turned his head and roared.

 Then the kids dug for fossils.

 Even Christopher participated!

 And finally we went to the more kid friendly interactive area.

 There was so much to do and learn. And they had a lot of animals that I forgot to take a picture of. Snakes, spiders, salamanders, more turtles.

 Travis was getting a head start on Christopher's science education!

 Then we opened Christmas presents back at the hotel.

 Christopher needed a beer after the long day.  :)

 The best part of the hotel was the 2 story water slide!

 We all went down a hundred times!

 Audrey and Christopher loved the hot tub.

 After a quick 2 days it was time to say goodbye and head home.

But not before lunch and ice cream!