Caleb is 9 months!

Caleb David is 9 months old!

26 lbs 13 oz and 30 inches tall

Still off. the. charts.

(Sensing a theme?)

This happy kiddo is growing, growing, growing. Not that anyone is surprised! He's enormous and wearing 24 month clothing. Seriously. He's such a happy guy and so much fun to have around. He loves smiling and laughing and clapping and he especially loves his big brother. Now that he's crawling at lightning speed, he follows us all around the house and thinks it's so funny when he "finds" us. He's beginning to get into things (cabinets, the dog toys and food) so we're making sure to keep an extra careful eye on him but when he gets going in stealth mode he's very quiet and sneaky. He still loves eating (duh!) and is eating mostly real people food now. He's able to pull himself up to a stand and cruise along the furniture and the pediatrician said he'll start walking any day now. Eek! 

A little brotherly love.

He's an expert crawler but would much rather be standing and walking. Here's his latest attempt at standing on his own. (Get a good look at those thighs... awesome, right?!)

Silly mustache pacifier kid.

Caleb loves to eat!
Spaghetti and watermelon...what was I thinking? :)

 He's getting so big these days. So big that Levi started asking us for the baby. We pointed at Caleb and said, "Here's the baby!" and Levi looked at us, shook his head and said, "No!" I guess he's right, Caleb certainly isn't a baby anymore. :)

Camping at Lake Alpine

 We thought we'd give camping another try this summer and it was (mostly) a success! We drove up to Lake Alpine with our cousins and Bryan and Alison and camped out for two nights. We slept in a tent, played in the dirt, attempted to fish, took lots of walks, and ate great food. It was so fun!

The second we got out of the car the kids were off and running and playing together. They especially loved finding sticks and rocks and playing the in meadow behind our tents.

We gave Levi this special treat when we got the tent all set up: his very own "Cars" sleeping bag!

We all played in the dirt-- even Caleb!

Ashley, Jack and Levi ate at their very own "kids table" and their Bass Pro Shop chairs came in very handy.

The Lockridges were a little wussy in the cold morning air so we snuck in the car for a quick warm up.  Maybe it was because we were up at 5:30am the first morning?!

We hiked down to the lake to try our hand at fishing. Caleb and I got to use the backpack for the first time!

Jack fishing

Ashley fishing

Dave & Levi fishing

Bryan was the first and only one to catch something!
Can you see the stick? :)

Back at the campsite: Uncle Joey and Levi having some snacks.

The newlyweds and their new tent.

Levi loved being on Daddy's shoulders.

The whole gang!
Back row: Ashley, Joe, Bryan, Levi, Dave
Front row: Jack, Julie, Alison, Megan, Caleb

Neither of my boys slept great the first night- up late, up early- but they managed to take naps and push through the fussiness to have a good day. The second night was great and they made it until 7am. Yay! It was so fun to watch the kids play and enjoy the outdoors and we can't wait to make it an annual trip.

God Bless America!

This 4th of July we spent in true Modesto fashion: at the parade and the annual Harden BBQ! Both boys were in great spirits and loved the cars, motorcycles, horses and music at the parade. Caleb had just learned how to clap and it was perfect timing for watching floats and fireworks. It was a great day filled with hot weather, good food, swimming and awesome friends and family. And, of course, we got to remember this awesome country we live in and celebrate the freedoms and blessings of calling America home. 

Lockridgeland at the parade.

Dave and Levi (and Mickey) waiting for the show to begin.

Caleb taking a quick snooze in the BOB.

Cousin Charlie (1 year) and Caleb (8 months) making silly faces.

The "big" kids: Jack (3), Levi (almost 2), Ashley (5).

Sisters :)

We teach patriotism young!

Mom & Dad

Ashley & littlest brother Charlie

Mommy and Caleb

We had lots of fun at the BBQ too. Levi decided that he could swim by himself in the floaty ring, he loves jumping off the diving board and he would sleep in the pool if we let him. He is a water baby! Caleb enjoyed the pool too, but much preferred to get cuddles and smiles and playtime from all the extra friends at the party. We ate too much (see Levi's double fisted dessert face) and set off fireworks when it was still a little dusk out. It is, hands down, one of my favorite days of the year!

Our little swimmer!

Cupcakes and ice cream cones- God bless America!