Movin' and Shakin'

Our little Finny isn't so little any more. At his one year check-up, he was 32 inches tall - in the 90th% for his height (up from 25% - unbelievable). His weight was in the 40th% and his head was 95th% (oh yeah, I always knew he had a big ol' noggin!) He's had quite the summer, doing all kinds of new activities. Here's a snapshot of some of his summer activities and acquired skills.

He has figured out how to open all kinds of things. He loves getting the lids off of things he can eat.


And he's developed quite the sweet tooth. Here he is with a classic strawberry milkshake mustache - I think he would be a good candidate for the "Got Milk?" commercials.


Our little buckaroo has also been to TWO rodeos this summer. Most recently, we went to the Caldwell Night Rodeo with our friend Anna. Here's Finny in his cowboy boots and jeans, enjoying the action.


He loved people watching

There was quite a crowd there - Fin couldn't decide between people-watching and watching the events

He was a happy camper for the entire rodeo

He would clap to the music and cheer when everyone else was cheering

This is the only shot I got of the events - here are the cowboys headed down the arena for team calf roping

Fin also switched to his big boy foward-facing car seat! He LOVES being able to see out the windows and I love being able to check on him in the rearview mirror.

Finny also took his first trip to the zoo. Zoo Boise is a nice little zoo; it was sweltering hot the day we went, but we still had fun.

We saw lots of animals - some of them Fin wasn't too sure about - check out his apprehensive face here....cute.

The tigers were out, which was neat

And this was a giant tortoise that I thought was a statue - nope, he moved.

They had a little petting zoo - here were some hungry goats

Fin was terrified and clung to my hip the whole time

Getting braver...

Now he's at least waving at them

Ah, his favorite part of any day...SNACK TIME

Then it was off to see the giraffes - we got pretty good views of them

Fin liked the fact that they were pretty far away

He was so exhausted that he conked out immediately on the car ride home

And when we got him home and into bed, this is how we found him when we went to check on him. Tired little bug!

Fin's also got the art of walking down. At first, he only walked well with a musical walking machine that our friends Rick, Lorena and Hannah got him for his 1st B-day - he got exceptionally good at walking with it, dancing at the same time, and navigating corners. Here's a little video.

Then he wanted to walk on his own. At first, it was a very awkward walk with his hands held straight up in the air. Dru called him "Franken-Fin" because it looked so much like Frankenstein. Here's a video of that.

Then he got to a point where he could walk and drink from his cup at the same time.


Then things got really impressive - he has a plastic recorder that he's figured out how to play, and here he's playing it AND walking at the same time. Boo-ya!


And now, he's running. Here's a very cute video of him playing with Dru - he loves to be chased and Dru is happy to oblige.

Lois Jean Smedshammer

Dru's mom, Lois Smedshammer, passed away last week, June 26th, after a severe battle with Parkinson's Disease. By all accounts, she was a funny, generous, witty, kind, talented woman. I had the privelage of meeting her 2 years ago; at the time her disease had already progressed, but she had a few good moments with me - she told me she was so glad Dru had met and married me and how much her sons meant to her. She also made me laugh with her mischeviousness and her love of ice cream. Fortunately, Dru had flown out to North Dakota for a visit 3 weeks before she passed away - a blessed time for him.

Our whole family was able to fly to North Dakota for the funeral. All 3 of Dru's brothers and their families were able to be there as well, which was wonderful. The first day there, we all met for lunch and then spent the afternoon looking through pictures and sharing memories.

At lunch - from bottom L to R - Bucky, Matthew, Rose, Fin, Isaac, Jacob


And the other table. From L to R - Darris, Mars, Kerry, Dru


Auntie Rose and Fin - the first time he got to meet her!


The four brothers - Darris and Kerry in back, Bucky and Dru in front

And the four grandsons - Fin, Jacob, Matthew, and Isaac

The service itself was lovely. Dru grew up attending a small Lutheran church, and one of the pastors who had influenced Dru quite powerfully as a young man, Dan Faust, performed the service. Afterward, the church had a very nice lunch during which I got to meet several of Dru's old high school buddies. Then, there was a nice graveside service, during which Lois was buried next to her late husband, Burton. Dru said she always looked forward to the day she would be reunited with her husband. Both Lois and Burton are with the Lord now, which we are so grateful for.

The four brothers at the graveside

Our family

Us with Dan Faust, the pastor who performed the services

We stayed with Dru's Aunt Sharon and Uncle Harlan, an absolutely delightful, generous couple who have opened thier home and hearts to us. We asked them if they would step in as Fin and the new baby's surrogate paternal grandparents, as both Lois and Burton are gone. They were happy to do so.

Fin with "grandpa" Harlan and "grandma" Sharon

Playing with grandpa on their front lawn

Grandma feeding our little bird ice cream...yum!

More!

In this video, grandma Sharon is still feeding Fin ice cream. His reactions are priceless.


And, Fin took his first steps while in North Dakota!!! On our last night at Sharon and Harlan's, he was entertaining us with his shenanigans - he was dancing and taking some steps. In this video, you can see him do both!

Birthday Extravaganza!!!

Incredibly, our little man turned one on Wednesday, July 14th. It seems like just the other day that we were in the hospital, marveling at this tiny little infant. And now, we've got a bustling, energetic, adorable, funny, blonde bomber. How we have been blessed to be this little man's parents. God has absolutely overflowed our cups with blessings. The following is the account of Fin's birthday party. You will understand by the end of this post why I can't scrapbook - I can't choose just a few pictures!!! I LOVE pictures - I love the stories they tell. So, please excuse my overload of photos and enjoy the day we celebrated Findley James' 1st birthday.

We decided to throw a "buckaroo" western party for his 1st birthday. Fin was dressed in his little wrangler rompers and a shirt with a horse that said "Little Cowboy". He also had a hat. Here he is in his cowboy get-up before guests arrived.


"Mommy, this hat itches!"


Then Aunt Juju, Uncle Ben, Gretchen, Aunt Chelsea, Uncle Heath, and Callia arrived. The 2 girl cousins were in the western wear. Here's all 3 cousins in their cowboy hats....sooo cute!


Fin wouldn't leave his hat alone....I think he liked being "sheriff"

We had decorated the patio and back yard for our western party. Here's the set up.

Adorable cowboy hat/boot garland I found

We set up a "drink station" on haybales with bandanas

And I found western paper plates/napkins

And western serving dishes!!

And the guests - here, Julia, Poppy, and Gretchen

Nana, Chelsea, and Heath

Poppy, Gretchen, and Callia enjoying pre-dinner horseback games (courtesy of Poppy, of course)

Time to eat! My friend, Anna, joined in the festivities. Dru was busy grilling.

"Hi, Poppy!" "Hi, little buckaroo!" I LOVE this picture

The cowboys are ready to eat!

Food!

Callia and Poppy

We had baked beans, melon salad, burgers, chips, and veggies

Fin entertaining himself by poking Gretchen - she was a good sport

Me and Anna

Our family, chowin' down - notice little Fin's hand is in his mouth and he has a piece of hamburger bun on his head! :)

After dinner shot of us

Mommy, Daddy, and the BIRTHDAY BOY

Then it was cake time - Fin almost immediately reached for the cake

He seemed to know right away that it was something GOOD and YUMMY

Here's a close-up of the cake - I made it using an idea I found online at familyfun.go.com/recipes/horse-cake-685952/ - I think it turned out really cute!


Fin can't get enough

I took the cake away from him briefly to cut off a piece for him, and this is the reaction I got

Mmm...that's better, Mommy

This is SOOO good

And the obligatory appropriately covered in cake photo

Then we went inside to open gifts - first, though, Callia decided to push Poppy, Gretchen, and Fin around and around in Dru's giant captain's chair

And then we had to get a pic of Poppy with his 3 grandkiddos - nice hat, Poppy!

Fin's (well, Daddy's) opening his first gift!

It's his first tractor! - a cute lego one

I got my first card, Mommy!

Ohhh..what's this BIG gift???

It's a rocking horse!!! Thanks, Aunt Juju and Aunt Chelsea!

This is fun!

Another present?!?

It's a car that makes noise - funny!

Look at all the tissue paper, Mom

What is it???

I like presents! Are they all gone???

Reading my new book from Nana - Goodnight Gorilla. Hey, who put a bow on my head?

Ah, cool, I can push and hit buttons and stuff pops open.

The 3 cousins playing with all the new toys

Finny and Anna

Poppy's little helpers - putting together the rocking horse

Now we mean business - the boys will get this horse together tonight!

"Is it ready yet, Poppy???" "Almost, little buckaroo...be patient"

Finally - Fin's first ride on the rocking horse!

Whee - I got my arm up just like a real cowboy! Ride 'em, pardner!

Fin trying to put two cowboy hats on his head at once - notice he would rather do this than play with all the new toys scattered at his feet

One last shot with Nana and Poppy

Wow, what a great birthday! Happy birthday, our dearest little Fin. We love you!