Happy 4th of July!

Our long weekend in Chetek began on Thursday night as we headed up North. We had a low-key night overall because on Friday, Mommy and others planned on running the Fishy Four. This is an annual run/walk that Mommy and Daddy have done in the past. Mommy decided to be more competitive this year and run it. To prepare, we have been running 6 days a week for the past three or four weeks. Daddy decided he would run it too (without training) and he agreed to push me in the jogger, instead of Mommy. That made her really happy. Everyone else in the family (auntie Erin, Uncle Ben, Grandma Lois, cousins Bennett and Kyra) all participated too. Kyra raced in the 1/2 mile kid race and she did great! Mommy ended up running the 4 mile route in 34 minutes (which is an 8 1/2 minute mile...she was happy about the time overall since the run is hilly and she didn't train for that long). She came in first for the Klay family,130th out of 700 or so participants. Auntie Erin came in two minutes after Mommy and Daddy came in 3 minutes after Mommy. After our run, we decided to reward our hard work by having fun on the pontoon for the rest of the day!

Here we are after the race-hot, sweaty, and awfully red (mommy's trademark after running)

Uncle Ben let me drive the boat on Lake Chetek

Bennett and Ishared ice cream treats at this little restaurant/bar on the lake

The following day, was my 2nd outing at the 4th of July parade. Last year, I slept the whole time in the Baby Bjorn while this year, I was very excited to see the tractors, band, and floats. The Chetek parade is the LONGEST parade ever (seriously, it is about 2 hours long because they let everyone participate). After an hour of watching, sweating, and attempting to drink from Mommy's waterbottle, we decided to head out on the lake to cool off.

We dropped off Grandma at the Beach Party and continued to enjoy the lake with Uncle Matt and his girlfriend, Jill (sorry, we forgot to take a picture of you two!) We floated along with a million (not that many, but a lot) of boats and visited with some of the locals.

We picked Grandma up a few hours later. Boy is she happy to see me, or do you think it was the beer at the beach party that made her smile?!?!

Mommy and Auntie Erin thought it was critical to get all 3 of us cousins together for a picture. They both wonder how a family with 3 kids could possibly have any GOOD pictures! We attempted a few times and I believe these are the best ones captured.I was definitely ready to be done after a few minutes of silly noises and clicks from multiple cameras. Notice that Bennett and I are dressed alike. Mommy bought us matching tops (mine was a shortall and Bennett had a t-shirt). Everyone thought we looked so cute together.

Celebrating the 4th of July fireworks in the crib!

Mommy attempted to take a picture of the fireworks to show me. Definitely not the same as being there in person!

Mommy didn't let me stay up this year for fireworks (again, last year I was sleeping comfortably in the front carrier during the fireworks). So, because Grandma lives on the lake, they put me to bed and watched the fireworks in the backyard (they blast the fireworks over Lake Chetek). I had company in the bedroom though because Liberty has a serious anxiety problem with fireworks. Strange for a hunting dog, don't you think?!?!

This would never be allowed at our house!

Yes, I AM wearing a SPEEDO. My parents tell me this is the ONLY age where it is cute to wear these!
The following day, we enjoyed the lake, once again, thanks to great weather and great company. Daddy barefooted, Mommy slalom skiied, and even cousin Kyra got up on skiis this year! Daddy tells me he will teach me to ski next year when I am two (Mommy disputes this).

Yeah, cousin Kyra!

We took turns skiing and "spotting" on the boat. We were taking a little break in this picture but I LOVED how fast the boat would go when we were pulling skiiers (to Mommy and Daddy's surprise, I didn't get upset with the fast boat).

We headed home on Monday because I had my first day of swim lessons at the Chippewa Pool (we will add these pictures on our next blog entry). I loved seeing my cousins, Grandma, auntie and uncles of the 4th. It truly was a blast! I am sure it will get better and better each year. Hope you all had a great 4th of July too!

Getting Over My Fears

Caden's tip: Don't forget the sunscreen, especially in your hair!

Well, I am happy to report that I am making progress overcoming my fears. I went to the pool party last week and I did just fine in the pool. Mommy threatened to cancel my swim lessons this summer if I didn't start liking the water. The only thing I didn't like was being placed in my little boat. I wanted to be held in the water, but it's still progress!

Carter and I were just taking a little break from swimming. Here I thought he was checking out my octopus swim trunks and crab towel.

Looks to me he was after something else more interesting!

I don't mind overall. I am pretty good about sharing right now. That will all change soon as I realize what things are "MINE!"

The second fear I conquered recently was the boat. Last summer, I had no problems on the boat (although I had NO idea what was going on back then). Mommy and I surprised Daddy after work by having our boat loaded up and ready for the lake. We packed snacks, towels, and Liberty and headed to the state park by boat. I was pretty quiet most of the ride. I mostly just ate my snacks and looked around. No, my parents do not allow me to drink beer. Daddy's hand is actually underneath mine holding onto the Sol (this beer is usually not in our house, except we had some leftover from our Cinco de Mayo party). I had a death grip on that thing while we were boating. Daddy let me drive the boat for a bit too. I am still not cracking a smile here.

Land, ho! We finally made it to the park. I was able to get out and crawl around and we took a dip at the beach. Daddy hates this hat, although Mommy thinks it was the greatest find. It has SPF 50+ protection, although it is still a bit big for my head. After the park, we decided to head back home with our stinky, wet dog and one messy boat (full of my snack droppings).

My latest craze is harassing the dog. She has become a fascination of mine. Lately, I have enjoyed mountain climbing up her back while she is laying by the window. That way, I can see better out onto the golf course. Mommy is deeply concerned that Liberty will jump up and cause me to nail my teeth on the window trim. She is getting on my nerves with the "no, no Caden." I usually just look at her, shake my head "no, no" and keep on.

This is my "I am not doing anything wrong here" look. Liberty and I even look a bit alike, don't you think?Giving Liberty hugs and "being nice" which is what Mommy and Daddy tell me to do when I am yanking her hair out.

On Sunday, we headed to the cities to shop for a new living room set. We sold our tables and couches so our living room looks like a big playroom, full of my toys right now. It's kind of nice for me, but Mommy is ready for furniture again. Before Grandma watched me while they shopped, we stopped by Papa's townhouse to say, "hi" and we had breakfast there too. Grandma Sharon's son (Jeramy) his wife (Stacy) and their two kids, Cole and Kylie, were all there to have breakfast with us too. They are visiting from Indiana, so it was great to see them since the last time we were together was in October for the wedding.

Me and Papa

Cole and Kylie taught me how to play ladder golf

Strange concept of a game!

Last week, Mommy found me in the refrigerator. This week, while emptying and putting the dishes away, she found me in the dishwasher! I am trying to convince her that I am helping, not playing, but she is not buying that. I was taken off of the dishwasher while throwing a major fit.

From left to right: Maddy, Ethan, Megan, me (yelling and laughing because Cory was being funny) and Carter (he was not a happy camper during picture time). There are others kids in our playgroup, but each week the number changes based on everyone's schedule.

Every week or every other week, we meet with Mommy's friends and their kids for playdates. Each week there is a little theme and this week was a Jungle theme at Carter's house in Menomonie. We were hoping to go for a walk to a nearby park, but it was super cold outside. So we stayed in and played for a few hours.

Megan loves giving hugs (probably to me the most since she is my girlfriend). My expression is priceless here!

Just catching up with the week's events

So, all in all, I am now not afraid of water/swimming and I am not afraid of the boat. I also did MUCH better at daycare yesterday. Jenny told Mommy that I only cried a bit, just off and on at the beginning. When Mommy picked me up, I wanted to stay and play for longer with my new friends there. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me. I am still afraid of my kiddie pool and I still don't like my baby swing. These are two "fears" we are going to keep working on. Have a great 4th of July everyone and wish Mommy luck running tomorrow's 4 mile race in Chetek!

Father's Day and Summer Fun

http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisklay08/CadenSOneYearPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCImFk82Plc24_AE&feat=directlink

The above link has my adorable one year pictures on it that cousin Kristin took of me. We are working on making it a slideshow, but if you click on the website above, you will get to see me!

Jenny's sons Mason and TJ


Mason is just a few months older than me. He's a little squirt too. Just look at that face...he has cute stinker written all over it!

Happy Summer! It's been a fun few weeks of summer vacation so far. I love having Mommy home with me all day. She always keeps me busy and we are settling into our routine. On Wednesdays, I go to Jenny's house. Jenny will be my new daycare provider in the fall when Mommy teaches part-time. Jenny has 5 children (all but Mason are in school). She will watch me, Mason, and a little neighbor girl during the school year. I have been to Jenny's twice now. The first time, I cried the first three hours. I don't know why I cry because Jenny is so nice and a lot of fun. Mason is a great, little buddy too. Her other children are home during the day so I get lots of attention. Mommy thinks I am having separation anxiety and hopefully this will go away real soon. The second week at Jenny's house, I only cried for the first 2 hours. Luckily, Jenny is patient and understanding of my tears. Mommy keeps begging me to stop before we get kicked out of daycare (Jenny promises this is just a stage and NOT to worry!!) It is probably a good thing that I will have visits to Jenny's this summer so that I am more prepared for fall daycare.

Mommy loves this picture. She was making something to eat, and when she turned around, I was checking out the food in our refrigerator.hmmmm....decisions, decisions

"What are you looking at?" PS I usually don't have my pacifier in my mouth. I must have picked that up somewhere in the house without Mommy seeing me. My nuk is just a bedtime "treat" for me now. Mommy dreads the day she has to take this away during the night, but threatens to do it by the end of summer.

I must be eating one of my favorite foods. I have been very picky lately, causing stressful times during meals. I am a good eater when I want to be or when I get my favorites (grilled cheese, fruits, crackers, Graduates and juice and definitely not vegetables). Mommy has responded to my pickiness with a "Grandma-ism" by stating, "Than I guess you will just have to be hungry today!" . I wonder if she realizes that she is saying this to a one year old?

One of my favorite summer time activities is playing in my new sand and water table. I usually pick up the large tower in the middle of the water section, take the lid off, and take a big drink of the warm water that just sits in the table (I know you probably think this is gross and all, but I love it!) Liberty, also loves my water table because she drinks water from it too! What smarties we are.

I decided that maybe she had a good idea on how to drink water out of the table, so I gave it a try too. I had my first McDonald's outing last week when we were out running some errands. We didn't go to the one with a playland in it, which I am sure we will get to one of these days. I wanted to eat the cheeseburger whole, but Mommy and Daddy kept breaking it apart. I threw a little tantrum (minus the throwing myself backwards on the floor), so they decided to just let me win this time (to save themselves the embarrassment). I loved the fries in ketchup the most. No wonder so many kids are chunky these days!

Cheeseburger and fries=One happy boy

Luckily, I didn't choke and really make a scene

Onto Father's Day.... this was Daddy's 2nd Father's Day with me and we started our morning with a breakfast for him and some presents. I was being a good helper with the gifts.

I gave Daddy 3 pairs of pants for work, a pair of shorts and a matching shirt, coasters that we can put pictures inside of, the new Dave Matthew's CD, a picnic/beach blanket (this was a gift that Mommy really wanted so she bought it and gave it to Daddy), and a 3 pack of Buffalo Wild Wings sauce. Of course, he also received lots of cuddles and fun-time from me too!

I am sure Daddy will not like the angle of this shot. Sorry about that! You can tell Daddy dressed me in this picture because he put me in my monster onesie without any pants. We were supposed to go to Stillwater to go on Papa's pontoon, but the weather was overcast and chances of rain. Instead, we went to Great-Grandpa's house in Woodbury for a little BBQ and to visit with cousins and family (of course, Mommy forgot to take pictures until the very end). I did get a few pictures with Papa and my Godfather, Jimmy.

I was getting pretty sleepy by late afternoon... I think Papa has a pretty dark tan! The life of a retiree!

Going night-night on our trip back

A few other tidbits... I am not doing the separation thing before bedtime (thank goodness) and have fallen into a good bedtime routine. I am in bed at 7:15 and wake up at 6:15. Mommy and I then go for our morning run and I still take a morning nap around 9:00. She is hoping I can get down to just one nap a day, but for now, I am pretty tired by mid-morning. Also, I am walking with my lion and car walker all over the house. I took my first step without any help on Monday, which was very exciting. Mommy and Daddy think I will be walking on my own within a month. I have also mastered the stairs (I will include a picture of that next time). My question for all of you Moms is how do you deal with a fearful baby near pools and lakes? I used to LOVE the pool at the YMCA and now HATE going by water, even my little kiddie pool. Mommy signed me up for 3 separate weeks of swim lessons and is dreading it. We will be up at the lake this weekend and I have a pool party this afternoon. Mommy threatens to just put me in the water and let me scream until I know it is OK. Any advice would be great!!! Here is a little clip of me walking, which isn't the best clip, but you will at least get a glimpse!