Beep, Beep, WAVE!!

Luke does this thing that absolutely drives me crazy. When we are in the car and he sees someone walking down the road, he'll beep as we pass by and wave the other way. He's done it since the beginning days of our relationship. Now he'll randomly beep at cars, people on bikes and pedestians and wave at them as if he knows them. It's sort of embarrasing.

Today he has turned a new page in the "let's beep at random people" book. He's gotten our son involved. On our way back from Packs this evening (YUM) he got into one of his moods and started beeping at people. He went as far as to roll down Aiden's window and he had him waving at people too. I have to admin, it was pretty funny. Everytime Luke would beep the horn, Aiden would wave and say "hi" as if the other cars could hear him. It was sort of cute.

As we pulled in the drive way Aiden asked if we could go back out and beep at people. (SIGH..what has daddy done)

On another note, the Callas family had a wonderful day! Luke's been working 12 hour days for the last week and a half (he's in training right now) so we haven't had any family time. Today we took the kids to the pool, had a picnic dinner and then went for ice cream. It was so great! Even Avery went swimming today (for the first time). She LOVED it! I LOVE that she LOVED it!

AND....Aiden is putting his face in the water all by himself now. We put a swim belt on him today and he and Luke swam back and forth across the pool. Aiden was using his arms and kicking his legs....it made me so proud :)

What a good day..too bad it's almost over!

A Callas Christmas

Deorations, dancing, eating, presents and family...oh my!

Christmas this year has been a whirlwind, that's for sure. Luckily we were able to stay local and just do some short distance traveling to visit extended family. I love staying home for Christmas, For one, it makes all the decorating well worth it come the big day and two, it makes life so much easier with a toddler terror on the lose (I say that with all the love in the world..wink)!

Christmas eve we traveled to Waynesboro, PA to visit Luke's grandfather (the man's in his eighties and you would never know it). Luke was unable to join us, as work called again this year (one of these days he will have the holiday off). Papa, as we call him, has been working on a train masterpiece for quite some time and given that Aiden just adores anything having to do with trains, Papa became his favorite person this holiday season! We spent a great deal of time in the basement admiring his work of art.

We were also able to spend some time with Luke's cousins who we don't get to see but once a year. Aiden has a second cousin, Joshua who he just adores. He follows Josh around like a little shadow. We all had a great time hanging out, eating and catching up on each other's lives.


Christmas day had finally arrived! Luke worked over night so I kept Aiden upstairs until Luke got home and changed (poor baby..he was absolutely exhausted but kept himself awake all mroning just for us!). We decided that it would be best to bring down one big gift at a time. When Aiden woke up from sleeping all night he came downstairs to find a basketball hoop. He was more than excitded about his new toy! He played with daddy all morning while I cooked everyone breakfast. When we finally pried Aiden away for the hoop, we got him to open one gift from under the tree. Last year Aiden was NOT into opening gifts at all. This year...totlally different stroy. He ripped through the paper and to his surpirse found a 'shoo shoo' as he likes to call it. The remainder of the monring was spent playing with the two new toys Santa brought him.

Luke's side of the family came to our house this year to spend the day. Everyone arrived around 2pm and instead of a traditional Christmas dinner, we decided to go light on the food and cooked things like meatballs and pigs in a blanket. I broke down and cooked mashed potatos (I can't live without them) and then we had a plethora of desserts (of course)!

When Aiden woke up from his nap we decided to let him discover his second BIG gift from Santa, a kitchen (while the basketball somehow dissapeared for the rest of the day). Down the stairs he came and when he saw it, his eyes lit up so big! Overwhelmed he was but he sat at that kitchen and made us all a wonderful dinner :)

After we ate we dug into the sea of gifts under the tree. Aiden was certainly beside himself with all the opening. He spent the remainder of the day playing with his kitchen, his new tools, and Nana and Poppy got him a Police Cozy Coupe that he couldn't stay away from (needless to say our child got WAY TOO MANY GIFTS this year)!

It was a great day!

On a side note some of the more notable gifts received this year:

I got a beautiful new charm bracelet (I lost my other one) and my first charm says 'I love to swim'! Oh yeah..and I got a wet suit...YIPPEE!!

Luke got a gym membership that he's been asking for, for about a year now.

Robyn got a new computer and a locket from Aiden that says 'Nana'.

We are all truly blessed to be healthy and together on this Christmas!!

Here are some pics from our Christmas festivities!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas in July at Jellystone

About a month and a half ago I was over at the Sweeney household and Jessica was telling me about this awesome place she found online to have a little mini vacation. After explaining all the details to me I went home that evening and checked it out and it looked awesome. Turns out I was SO RIGHT!!!!

We headed down to Jellystone on Friday stopping for lunch along the way. We got there around 2:00 and checked in to our cabins. The Sweeney's got one and we got our own. They were close to each other which made everything very convenient. For those of you who know nothing about this campground...it's really great! There is a fishing pond, putt putt, a huge waterslide, two pools, a big playground, laser tag, and these really cool bouncing pillows (Aiden's favorite thing). This particular weekend was also Christmas in July. Santa was there to hand out presents to all the good boys and girls. Of course Aiden began to cry the minute Santa stepped into the room. So much in fact that I had to remove him from the scene. Nat Nat (what Aiden calls Natalie) was very upset by Santa's presence as well. Needless to say, Santa was sort of a bust, but the kids got some cute gifts (compliments of mom and dad) and apart from this they all had a really great time. Most of our time was spent at the playground and the bouncing pillows. There was a sand pit around the pillows and that's where Aiden spent most of his time. He did bounce quite a bit too.

At night, we put all the kiddies down together in the Sweeney cabin and the adults sat around the camp fire, roasting marshmallows and enjoying some adult beverages!! We all truly had a great time. We only needed one more whole day to make the trip better. Next time we'll have to stay three nights!!

Enjoy the pics!

Biking

Luke and I have been discussing the purchase of a bike trailer for some time now. He's training to be on the bike at work and I am just plain training (BTW, tri is in a month...YIKES). Given our current financial situation, we don't have tons of money to put out on one. However, we were lucky enough to purchase one from our wonderful neighbors (thanks J & S)!!!

We took her out for a spin on Tuesday. It was so great. The trailer is attached to my bike so I got in an extra work out. We went about 4 miles all around our neighborhood. Aiden seemed to really enjoy himself, although his helmet kept falling down into his face. We bought him one that's a little big because we couldn't find one for someone his size. He does have a pretty big melon...so it sort of fits.

Wonderful Weekends!

This weekend was another GREAT and BUSY one. Friday, my sis and I got together and walked in the park again. Then she came over and we took the kiddies to the pool. They had a great time splashing and playing together (they really do love each other so much).

Saturday morning was Aiden's show for the Winchester Little Gym. It's been a wonderful session with the WLG and we have thoroughly (and I streess WE) enjoyed each Saturday with Miss Laura. Aiden has learned so many things there and he's met so many friends. Aiden's grandparents came out to watch all the cool things that he learned. Saturday afternoon we headed over to celebrate another of my friends 30th birthday.

Sunday we went out to my dad's house for a BBQ. We don't get to see him THAT often so when we do it's so special. Aiden played on the slip n slide and my dad has this great playground! Aiden and I had such a great time!

The time is flying by so fast...before we know it, it will be Christmas again...YIKES!!

Here are some pics of us swimming!!

Show week at the WLG!! Way to go Aiden!

The animals in our back yard!

Yesterday was Luke's mom's birthday so we thought it would be a great idea to take her with us to Wilson's Petting Zoo. I hate to admit that in all the years I've lived in this area, I'd never been there before.

WHAT A COOL PLACE!!

There were not only deer and goats, but we saw bears, some sort of BIG cat, lions, camels, monkeys...you get it. In a way it was sort of sad to see some of those animals....they should probably be running wild in Africa somewhere...but at least Aiden got a good learning experience out of it!

Let me tell you, he loved loved LOVED feeding the animals..but then again, what kid doesn't.
We spent a lot of time at this one particular goat pin. They were the loudest goats I'd ever heard (not that I've been around a ton of goats or anything). Once Aiden was done feeding them we all began to walk away and all of sudden one of the goats BAAAHHHed (sp??) really loudly. It's startled Aiden so badly that he began to cry. It took everything Luke and I had not to laugh...poor baby ;)

here are some of the pics we took!!

Feeding the cute deer!

I don't know what Aiden is doing here??

Daddy and Aiden feeding the goats

A VERY happy boy!

more pictures to come!

The Deep South!

Last week we spent some much needed time away in good ole' Al-a-bam-a. Luke, Aiden and I all traveled via air to the sunny south to visit my mom and James. It was a much needed getaway and a whole lot of time was spent catching up, resting and relaxing. We arrived on Tuesday. We spent most of that day sitting around the pool. Unfortunatley it was a bit chilly for swimming so mom turned the hot tub down and Aiden and I got in. We had a blast. I haven't seen Aiden so happy about anything EVER.

Thursday we headed to the Mongomery zoo were I was surprised to see many really cool animals. I think Luke had more fun than any of us (he took about 100 pictures of the rinos and lions).

Friday mom and I went to get our hair cut by her very nice very "stylish" hairdresser Kong. Later that day my sister lisa came over from Atlanta with her husband and two kids. We spent the afternoon hanging out and playing the wii. It was so great to see them and it was the kid's first meeting with Aiden. They all seemed to enjoy each others company.

Fast foward a day and we are back in Virginia. Overall, Aiden did great on the flight there and back. It got a little hairy for a bit and I think that Luke sweat enough for the both of us, but I have to say he was a little champ. Our visit went WAY to fast. Why is that?? I don't know whene we will make our way back down but I hope soon!

Pics from our trip:

Mommy and Aiden on the flight down!

Aiden, Apollo and Looey (the craziest, most "love crazed" dog I have ever seen)

Aiden and mommy hangin' with Apollo

Aiden bouncing in this cool tye-dye sweatshirt grammy and James got him from the beach (it's a 2T by the way and WAY too big for him right now)

Daddy and Aiden

Mommy and Aiden in the hot tub

Pics from the Zoo:

Bathtime

It's really becoming my favorite time of the day. Aiden just loves his baths. He especially loves it when I turn the water on and it comes pouring out of the faucet. He giggles and splashes around and it just makes my day. We usually make it a family affair. The three of us pile into the bathroom and Luke and I just watch him go nuts. We bought a chair that attaches to the side of the tub and it's the GREATEST THING EVER. It makes it so that I don't have to hold on to him every second. He can just sit and play!

Aiden's Half Birthday

Today is Aiden's half birthday. I think it's the only time in one's life when those around them will be excited about the "half" birthday. I can't believe how fast these 6 months have gone by. Gees, it seems like yesterday that I just found out I was pregnant with him. I do know one thing...I can't imagine what my life would be without him in it....probably pretty boring.

This week Luke is on nights so every evening Aiden and I have been hanging out together. We've been taking long walks (and an occasional run) in his jogger and he absolutely loves it. Ocassionally, when I hit a bump he'll giggle, which makes me giggle. There really is nothing better than the sound of your child laughing.

My mom's coming to visit tomorrow and I am very excited. She hasn't seen Aiden since he was a month and a half old so there will be lots of catching up and hanging out. I have to say, it's been a wonderful week so far and a great "half" birthday!!