Kirtland Camping

Last weekend we took a road trip to Kirtland, Ohio to see the historical church sites, but mostly to meet up with my sister Lea and her family.  We had so much fun.  AJ had a blast getting carted around by his cousins.  We have a lot of photos, so I'll have to do a few posts to cover the trip.

Here's AJ helping me pack up. His shirt says, "I'm faster than you....and I crawl!"  Courtesy of Aunt Betsy.

For AJ, the fun started right away.  He was a good sport about being in the car for so long.  But he loved getting out of the car, because that meant he got to see semi trucks.  You would have thought he was at Disneyland by watching how excited he got watching the trucks drive by on the freeway.  At one stop we hung out on the grass to watch the trucks and stretch out.

I tried to get a shot of AJ showing off his new skill of standing all by himself, but this is as good as I got.

Once we got to the campground, AJ had a great time exploring the tent, cruising around on the grass and pulling rocks off the road and onto the grass.

Unfortunately, AJ didn't really like sleeping in the tent.  I think he would have done ok, but babies don't mix well with rainy nights in tents.  The first night we all got a little damp, so AJ woke up.  He tried really hard to put himself back to sleep, but every time he drifted off a smattering of rain would fall on the tent and wake him up again.  We were all really tired the next day.  The next two nights rain was in the forecast again, so AJ and I moved into the Searcy's camper.  We all slept better that way.  Next time we camp in a tent, we'll make sure it's just for one night with no rain.

But that doesn't mean AJ didn't enjoy his temporary home. 

He is an outdoors loving kid!

Independence Day

What's this? Two posts in two days?  I know, it's unbelievable.  Make sure you scroll down to see yesterdays post if you haven't already.  I know I'm catching you by surprise.

AJ celebrated his first Independence Day on July 3rd.  We went with some friends to see a minor league baseball game near our house.  The Potomac Nationals won.  AJ had a great time.  He really likes staying up past his bedtime. Every day he is more of a little boy and less of a baby.

 

Look at those teeth!

Everyone was curious to see how he would do with his first experience with fireworks.  Would he cry?  Would he be scared?  Would he love them and be amazed? 

His eyes were like saucers the whole time.  He even cracked some smiles.  Our little boy - he's not scared of anything....except the vacuum.....and his vibrating toy turtle....but definitely not fireworks.

We're in the Navy now.

Sometimes, when you grow up in near a big city, you get to do cool things at a really young age.  For example, by the time AJ turns one year old, it looks like he will have gone to the Pentagon twice.  This last week was his, and my, first time in the Pentagon.  We went to see Jessica promoted in the Navy.  Not only did we get to walk (and crawl) around in the Pentagon, AJ got to make friends with the MCPON.  If you are like me, those letters would have meant nothing to you.  But as Navy people well know, the MCPON is to be feared and respected.  He looks like a scary guy, right?

The MCPON is the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.  He is basically the uber-head honcho over all the enlisted people in the Navy.  So if you are a Navy grunt, he is your big boss and you should be scared of him.  Everyone was joking that he was recruiting AJ to the Navy, but I think he may have scared AJ off.

But if AJ does follow in the footsteps of his Uncle John and Aunt Jessica, and joins the Navy someday, won't these eyes in a uniform cause all the girls to swoon?