Browns Lake

We took a trip up to Brown's Lake in Burlington, WI on Sunday. It was James' first trip to a lake, first time on a beach (he was in sandbox heaven) and first trip on a row row (what he calls a boat, from the nursery rhyme, Row, Row, Row Your Boat). The heat and humidity finally dropped, so it was a beautiful day and James was able to heat-regulate well. Gma Chele, Uncle John, Dan and Matt and Tara (whom James loves to play with) all joined us for the day.
Above :: James cheeeesing at the picnic table with Brown's Lake in the background
Below :: Safety first! James in the life jacket we borrowed from the Campbell's -- THANKS!

The life jacket made it easy for Daddy to direct James on the walk to the "row row" (Jim wasn't pulling up, the life jacket just gave him that much of a wedgie -- good thing he had a thick diaper on)!

James and Mommy trying to stay in the boat as Uncle John drives really fast

Taking a break to hang with Daddy and Gma Chele

But Moooom, I'm big enough to tube, I promise!

The beach was a big hit -- good thing Gma Chele got him a bucket the night before because I cannot find ours anywhere!

Sifting sand and brushing it off his belly

He really enjoyed the water too -- it was like bath water, even I got in without a problem!

All wet from splashing in the waves

Video #1 :: splashing in the water

Video #2 :: First Boat Ride!

Splash Park

Saturday was beautiful and Daddy had gone golfing, so James gave his friend, Katie, a call to see if she wanted to try out a splash park we'd heard about. It was a) FREE b) really close and c) not crowded! There is also a huge jungle gym and sand pit for when they get older.
Katie jumped right in and had a blast in the water and James was a little more laid back and wanted to just check things out first. The top section is designed for little kids and just the little fountains. James took a break to sit on the wall like a big boy and get some words of wisdom from Matt :-)

After our friends had to leave quickly (their alarm was going off at home and a car window had been broken the night before on our street, so there was some unnerving there -- luckily, just a false alarm) James ventured down to the big kid's area.

They had a climbing area with sprays on it, a slide that landed in the big puddle, and lots of spray areas and waterfalls. Per usual, James loved to play in the puddles with his shovel :-) If we go back, I'll wear my suit and go through this area with him, it looked like so much fun!

Week of 8.9.10

James was overly tired and spending some time in pack'n'play prison for hitting Daddy, so I gave him a binkie and he laid right down in there -- so I covered him up with the blankie Aunt Amanda made him and he just thought it was the coolest thing ever! So, once we had our talk about not hitting and told him we loved him, covering up with the blanket became the new game. I guess it's pretty exciting stuff since he still doesn't sleep with anything in his crib with him.
Cute story of the week :: while on a buggy ride at school, his friend, M, was sitting next to him (she's a 20 month old language genius, I swear). She kept hugging him saying, "James, he just soooo cute!" HA! I guess she's heard that a few too many times at school from all the teachers at school that come to play with him on their breaks because he never sleeps the whole nap time:)
Thursday involved Tooth #7 popping on through! I guess he only teeths in pairs (all but one have come in pairs within a week of each other). He also added some new words :: "TV" as he was concerned it wasn't on when he walked past (Daddy uses it to unwind after work) and, my favorite story of the week...
Jim (as he is counting because James is standing on the couch) :: "Onnnnneeee"
James (without missing a beat and perfect voice inflection) :: "Twwwwoooo" and then sits down on the couch. Now, I'd like to believe he was just showing us he knows the number two comes after one; however, I have a feeling Jim was being sassed by a 17 month old :-) We are in t-r-o-u-b-l-e I tell ya.

Welcome, Genna!

Ms. Genevieve Grayce joined the Campbell Family on June 22nd. She took her time cooking until after her due date....and then, Wham...her mommy just barely made it to the birthing center! We are very excited for Lauren and Clay and big sister, Michaela -- thanks for letting Amanda and I meet your little cutie pie!

17 Months!!!!

Our lil' buddy is 17 months old!!! We just can't believe it! He's growing up so quickly, I'd like to just bottle him up to keep him like this forever (OK, we can add "potty trained" and "good eater" in the mix). And he finally hit a solid +20lbs, so he can now safely be forward facing in his car seat! It's so cool to look back and see his big brown eyes looking at you :-) Although he's already asking for the "kees" and telling me to turn the car "ahn" -- thinks he'll be driving by 2, I guess!
James figured out he can use the side rail of the obstacle course to shimmy his way up the slide and go down head first -- somehow, for him, I think this is safer than the alternative of going down on his butt.

Week of 8.2.10

James went back to school full time on Monday -- he celebrated by teaching his friends how to climb up on everything in the classroom -- tables, the play school bus, you name it! Ms. D stole James for a bit and got this awesome picture of him in the office :-) Tuesday :: he told me that a kitty cat says "ooowwww" (without any prompting, but it has yet to be repeated) and he kept saying "GG" over and over again when he saw her on Skype -- although he keeps calling Pops and me "Daaad." They finished pouring our new sidewalks and apron of the driveway later in the week, so now James can reach the street again (= trouble). Friday :: his 6th tooth popped through -- top left, 2nd one in -- now 3 on top, 3 on bottom with that next top one on the other side ready to pop through any day! Saturday :: I had a wedding shower, so James and Daddy hung out, then later, Daddy went to play golf while Aunt Amanda and James and I watched some baseball.

Above :: lookin' good in his hat that Gma Chele picked him up in Park City, Utah

Below :: He was so focused, I can't wait for this lawn mower to be the real version :-) (although I will have to work on his technique)

Bella giving Easton some love -- she's made some big strides this summer with not being afraid of him

More things on the head/face :: colander

James loved to watch the "truck" work -- kept him entertained for like 10 minutes (a lifetime in toddler world)

"Cheeee" with Mommy's shoe on

James gets soooo excited every time he sees the camera come out now --- "CHEEEEE" :-D

Rest of Weekend

Sunday we went swimming at Gma Chele's in the morning. James went in his float for the first time -- we were very surprised that he took right to it and enjoyed being somewhat independent in the water! Of course, he had to take the paint brush with him for safety :-)
He's now posing for pictures :-D

G-O-O-F-B-A-L-L!!! Our little shepherd was entertained for quite awhile (again, with something on his head)

He saw my camera and kept saying "cheeeeee" and posing for me, haha. We Skyped with GG and Pops on Tuesdsay, Aug 3 and James said "GG" a few times and pointed at her!!! He loves to talk to Pops too, but is still calling him "Dad." He read them a book and blew them lots of kisses.

Lying on a pillow with Daddy after a long, busy day at school -- James went back full time on Monday to get prepared for the school year ahead (BOOOOO, but I do have a job, so I'm thankful there). When I was getting him ready in the morning, he told me a cat says "ooowwww" (he misses the "me" part)

In the video, James shows us his lightning speed of climbing up onto the couch and then says "cheeee" for a picture.

OK, and I'm finally ALL CAUGHT UP for July blogging -- WOO HOO -- gotta go get my Bug from school now -- I'm interested to hear their story -- supposedly the toilet in between the toddler rooms "exploded...just blew up" today -- and James was the last one near them -- why am I not surprised?!?! t-r-o-u-b-l-e-m-a-k-e-r :-)

Garage Sale Weekend

James is a true boy -- loves his "choo choo"
Choppity Choppity Hair -- I finally got at least 8 inches to donate it. I went with Children with Hairloss because they take hair that has been highlighted...it was crazy to see my hair not attached to my head! Below :: James and I are rockin' our sunglasses inside (mine are new because he broke my old pair the weekend before) and I'm rockin' the new 'do! I am really enjoying it although it has a whole mind of its own -- wants to go all wave in every direction -- but I can still get it all off my neck if I go with two pony tails (clutch for school).

Ahhh, the life -- haven't gotten a sleeping picture of James lately -- his pants are all camo-like with his sheets

Rachel was nice enough to let us throw some things at her garage sale, so Gma Chele came over to play with James on Friday, July 30 :: James was fascinated with the "trucks" that started working on our street (taking the curbs out and re-pouring them) and actually added "trucks" to his repertoire of words!

Saturday we went to LaVilla with Aunt Jen, Uncle Dom and Aunt Amanda met us....so yummy and we got to show James where we got married. It was nice to see Chris, Sam and Joann (Dominic's family) too -- they couldn't believe how big James has gotten!

Aunt Amanda's Surprise Party

The rest of the week involved some water table fun (mostly dumping the water out onto Mommy's feet) and Friday we went to the Farmer's Market with Laura S. and Rachel and Abby Wehrle. James was a huge fan of the apple pie bread I bought -- he kept saying "Yeah Yeah Yeah" and emphatically doing the sign for "more" during lunch. Saturday we attended a Surprise 30th Birthday party for Aunt Amanda! Ada and Gunnar had a luau theme -- James loved the lei's and insisted on wearing one until it got itchy because it was warm. I even dressed him in his White Sox outfit, just for Aunt Amanda.
Waiting for Aunt Amanda to come with Daddy

Playing Nok Hockey with Davin (who just started taking some independent steps himself)

I hope they share this nicely in a few years!

Hanging out with the Birthday Girl

Sunday, July 25 :: Gma Chele's birthday, so James and I called her to wake her up in Utah to start her day :-) James also started doing his version of the sign for "please" today -- patting his belly or chest with both hands repeatedly. He also discovered how to "blink" on purpose -- soooo funny to catch him as he tries to do it :-D

Monday, July 26 :: we joined the Wehrle's again for James' first trip to the Public Library!!! The kid's section is fabulous there -- he, Abby and Bella enjoyed "returning" books at the wooden book return the most today. Then we went to Applebee's and James munched on some of my chicken tenders (he only likes to get the whole big piece now, gets mad when I break them up, even if burning hot).

Tuesday, July 27 :: James went on a field trip with his class to Pet Smart! They all enjoyed getting out of the buggy to play with the kittens ;-) James also came home that night saying "oof" as he pointed to Easton!!! I've been trying to get him to make an animal noise -- guess all I needed to do was take him to the pet store!

Wednesday, July 28 :: my mother's day present came through -- a house cleaning by Molly Maids!!! Thank you so much to Jim and James and Easton!!! The house looks great and I love not seeing so much dust around :-)

Back Home

James was excited to see Daddy -- and Daddy was thrilled to see his bug and bud (Easton)! July 20 -- James was happy to go back to school. Later that day we went to Stonewood Ale House to see Gma Chele before she left for Utah for her birthday weekend -- Uncle John and Aunt Bailey met us there, too. July 21st was a big day for James -- his school had their annual Birthday party in the parking lot. James actually got in and "jumped" around in the bounce house! There was a petting zoo, face painting and balloon animals too but James was really not too interested in them. Daddy met us at school for some yummy dinner.
James and his girlfriend, E, enjoying some delicious watermelon. He said "Mmmmm" every bite -- I think he's become a big fan of watermelon :-D

James is in a very affectionate stage (which Mommy and Daddy love). Easton may not be such a big fan of the stage, but James has become much much more gentle with him for the most part (although he thinks it's hilarious to pull Easton's tail and to try and touch his eye balls)...but Easton is often the recipient of James' love hugs (especially when Mommy and Daddy encourage it). There's just nothing like a big hug, with his head down on your shoulder as he pats your back and a big, open mouthed, sloppy slobbery kiss (the best are the ones where he goes for your mouth, haha).

Sorry if the video doesn't work, blogger changed it up a bit and I'm trying to figure it out because it shows me the first frame but won't let the video play....working on it!

Weekend Around Indy with Mommy

I went to pick up James after our vacation and him, Easton and I stayed a few extra days. Thursday I got him from Gma Sharon's (Brian's mom) because I had to take Pops to get an injection in his back (which isn't helping, poor Daddy). Friday we hung out and played and then he played with Lauren (babysitter) while Pops and I went on a double date with Sherry and Dave Wood to see the Brooks & Dunn Last Rodeo concert (amazing)!
The Stage

Mom hooked Dad up with a golf cart ride back to his car -- his back just couldn't hack it but I was proud of him for going to the concert and having a good time still!

Me and the 'rents!

Dad and Mom, Dave and Sherry :-)

Saturday we went down to Ellettsville, IN (near Bloomington) to see Aunt Cassie and Uncle Brian's new house. Super cute house -- although you can't park on the street -- ever -- so they park visitor's cars on the lawn -- which I just find odd -- crazy southern IN towns :-)

James was a big big fan of Uncle Larry's new cowboy hat (he picked it up from the Brooks & Dunn concert) -- we should have known as he only liked country music when he was a baby :-)

Sunday we threw Aunt Kristen and Uncle Larry a baby shower! GG made an awesome taco bar for everyone to enjoy and they got some much needed baby gear. I can't wait to meet my new niece!!!! Mid-September will get her quickly though, so get ready, new Momma and Poppa!

Maddie was soooo excited to give Kris her present -- a "sisters" picture frame and a onesie that says "I'm the Little Sister."

I got everyone to decorate duckies for Mini Motesie -- I think they had fun and hopefully they can use them to decorate her bathroom or something :-) James went bonkers when he saw the ducks -- "DUCK DUCK DUCK" and doing the sign over and over.

Look at that baby belly and the excited Mommy and Aunties!

James gives Pops the best hugs. Here, he is saying "bye" to Pops at his lunch break because we were about to embark on our long journey home to Chicago. Pops, trust me, he misses you too! He goes around honking his nose, just like you taught him :-)