Binge Blogging

Admission is the first step to any addiction. So here it is: I admit it. I am a binge blogger and have been for a long time. I often will post about three new posts in a day (see below), then call it good for the rest of the month. As weeks go by, our raving fans (okay, maybe just you Heather) are starved for more posts, and I go on another binge. I can't help it. Enjoy!

Family Vacation

Whoopie!
Last week was spent at the "Waterpark Capital of the World" in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Brian had one week off between his second and third years of med school, so off we went! The resort we stayed at had 4 indoor and 4 outdoor waterparks, plus indoor play areas and lots of other activities.
Our good friends, the VanTassells, went with us with 4-year-old Markus and 2-year-old Jonah. It was perfect. Ethan LOVED having the boys to play with. We played at waterparks during the day and at night, we all crashed from exhaustion, especially the two pregos--me and Nicole.

We also stopped for a day in Madison, WI, for a visit to the zoo. I wasn't even sure Ethan would like anything about it since he is mostly familiar with farm animals, but he loved the animals he saw, telling each one "Hi" and then "Bye" and then immediately asking for "More." By the end of the trip, he was exhausted from missing naps and late nights, and dropped into Dreamland before we finished the zoo.

The Big Boy

Last week at a garage sale I picked up a toddler bed for Ethan, with the intent of moving him into it a month or two after our baby was born. Brian had a better idea--let's try it now! I told him he was crazy, but figured he'll learn as soon as Ethan cried and kept running out of his room at bedtime.
I was wrong. That night, as we put Ethan to bed, his eyes were big and his face confused, but... he went right to sleep! With the exception of one night of fighting it for about 20 minutes, Ethan has been perfect at going to sleep in his new "big boy bed." Hey, as long as it works, I'm fine with that. I just hope potty training goes this well... (and no, that process will NOT begin before our baby comes).

Girls and Guys Nights Out

At the end of May, Brian took Ethan on the annual ward Father Toddler Campout. Though they didn't end up sleeping there, they still had a good time.Hanging out with buds Tanner and Vance in a tent.

Problem: Picky Ethan refused to try a marshmallow. Solution: pin him down and feed him one with your mouth. (Hey--it worked, he liked it! Although one was enough for Ethan, he changed his mind by the time the second marshmallow was offered).

Meanwhile, I got to get together with a bunch of friends for a Girls Night Out.

Dinner at Chili's

Then to Sarah's for chocolate fondue, karaoke, and Lots of girl talk. We had some real booty-shakin' talent with those mics.

I'm pretty sure this annual campout should turn into a... monthly campout. All us women had an awesome time!