O~N~E!!!!

How did that happen - our little buddy is ONE YEAR OLD!!!!  He hit the year mark a couple weeks ago on Aug 16 (oops - a little behind in my blogging!) and hasn't looked back since!

Here's a little update on Silly Willy -

Sleep - he has turned into a pretty good sleeper - at least for this week.  He will go to sleep between 7 -7:30 pm and wake up around 5:15-5:30 am - he's an early riser!  But he'll go down for his first nap at 8:30 am, sleep for about 2 hours, then take another nap at 1 pm or so and sleep for another two hours.  He's been sleeping through the night pretty much most of the time.  But it seems every once and a while - maybe averaging 2 times in 2 weeks, he'll wake up and fuss.  If he's not sick or teething he'll usually put himself back to bed.

Eat - he continues to love food!!  He now has 7 teeth and #8 is also just about through so he can eat a lot more food!  I have to make his plate of food about the same as Julianne's!  My formula is gone so he got his last bottle tonight!  He's been just getting one bottle of formula the last week and has been drinking milk the rest of the day.  He doesn't like his milk as much as he liked his formula so it's been a little bit of a struggle.  His favorite foods so far are spaghetti, yogurt, Cheerios, Ritz crackers, barbecue, potato salad, any kind of bread, bananas and ice cream.

He is now toddling all around the house!! He took his first steps at about 11 1/2 months and by his first birthday, he was walking pretty good.  He loves to play with my phone and the remote - not any of the play ones or the ones that don't have batteries - just the real ones that we are trying to use!  He also loves to try to get into Julianne's table where she has her markers and color books and has mastered the skill of opening the toilet lid. So, needless to say, we have to keep the door to the bathroom closed!

Will also has quite the little attitude at his young age!  If he doesn't get what he wants, he lets out his ear piercing screech!  I really should test it on the decibel scale - it would probably rank right up there with a freight train!  He has learned how to clap and wave bye-bye recently as well.

This year was full of ups and downs, but it's been so fun watching Will grow - I can't wait to see what the future years bring!!  Love you buddy!!

               

                    August 2012                                                  August 2013

July

I can't believe July is over already!!  That month just flew - here's a few photos from our month.  You'll notice a common theme... the lake!  We were at the Lake three of the four weekends in July and the other was spent at a campground in Spicer.  You gotta enjoy the summer while it lasts!

We spent 4 days at the Lake and had several family and friends stop by over the 4th of July weekend.  My parents brought their camper and camped in the yard for 4 days also.  Both my sisters and their families and both Nick's sisters and families were there at one point or another.  It was a fabulous time!  I'm so grateful that my family and Nick's family get along so well and can have fun together.  The 4th of July at the Frank home on Big Kandi has become a tradition!  

My nephew Henry  

Henry, Julianne and William in the pool

Jules and Will in the pool

Julianne was finally old enough to stay awake for the fireworks this year - and she loved them!!  We had a bunch of fireworks and our neighbors also has some so she got a first hand show!  The residents of Big Kandi out did themselves this year - it was a fantastic show all around the lake all night!  Each direction you looked, there were great fireworks shooting in the air!

Shay and Julianne trying out the water guns from Grandpa Steve!

BFF's

Grandma Sheri with all her grandkids

The following weekend, we went to Spicer for the day on Saturday.  My parents were camping there with some other families and they have a nice pool and playground for the kids.  My sister Alissa, husband Josh and Henry were there as well. 

 Jules in the pool with Olivia and Dalen.  We put Will in the pool, but he screamed as soon as his feet hit the water so he didn't last long... 

But Henry sure enjoyed the pool!!  Just chillin' in the floaty with mom

At the playground

Steady, Steady... 

Will loved the swing - 

and playing in the sand

The following weekend we were back at Big Kandi and some of our friends came for the weekend.  The kids had a great time and so did the "big" kids!

New best buddies -Julianne and Cade

Daddy with the kiddos!

My friend Megan and I

Cade and Jules picking out the perfect place to go swimming

We went for a pontoon ride and stopped to swim for a while.  The kids had a blast swimming!  Even William was enjoying the water this time!

Kurt with Cade and Jules

An after-swim juice box

Our friends Steve and Angie

My big boy!

Last weekend we were back at Big Kandi again - this time it was pretty low key; just us, Steve and Sheri and Sheri's sister Penny and husband Kevin.

Friday was Sheri's birthday so we had to bring her some cupcakes!

 Getting ready to blow out her candle

Three generations of Franks!

So, there it is - our July at the Lake!

It's finally summer!

The sun is shining and it finally feels like summer time!!  We've been enjoying the last couple weekends at Nick's parent's cabin on Big Kandiyohi Lake.  Here's a few photo's from the last two weekends.

Julianne in the sandbox 

The neighbor's flag 

Silly Willie! 

Steph, Nora, Steve, Bonnie and Henry stopped by the cabin.  These three monkeys had such a good time playing together.  It's too bad they don't get to see each other more often! 

 I think these monkeys had a good time together too!!

Captain Julianne  

Fishing with daddy 

 Grandma and Grandpa making smores by the fire

The road in front of the cabin is a perfect place to ride bike!!!  Much better than the gravel at home! 

We discovered watermelon rinds are a good teething toy!  Will was entertained for a long time with these!

Jules and daddy looking at the lake 

Last weekend Shay and Bree came to visit too!  This was our first time on the pontoon this year and the first time ever for Will.  He wasn't too happy with having to wear that life jacket, as you can probably tell.  But he was a trooper! 

A' hoy mates!

We're looking forward to more fun times at the lake this summer!  Julianne woke up this morning (Monday) and asked if we were going to the lake again.  The kids have a blast out there and I'm sure they are making memories that will last a life time!

Ten months!

I can't believe our little guys is 10 months already!

He's such a happy little guy.  He LOVES his sister, his blankie, chewing on any kind of cords or really anything he's not supposed to get into, stroller rides and FOOD!  Will loves to eat - I don't think there's anything he doesn't like - except for maybe some of those gross baby foods they make now - really, who would want to eat ground up Chicken and Apples - gross.  He mostly eats "real" food now.  Although, that has been a challenge at times because he still only has one tooth!  The other bottom front and top two look like they'll be coming in any day.  He still loves his mommy, although daddy is certainly close to taking over the "favorite" spot!    He is crawling all over the place and can walk along the furniture.  I suspect he'll be walking before he's one.  He's very strong and such a wiggle worm.  I just about need to put him in restraints to change his diaper some days!

Love ya buddy!!

Graduate

Julianne's preschool had a little "graduation" program to celebrate the end of their school year on May 9, 2013.  Her diploma was signed and she is ready to move on to her 2nd (and final!) year of preschool in the fall.

The processional - Julianne's school and daycare buddy Luke 

Our shy girl... she took one look at all the people and just about didn't go down the isle.  Good thing the teacher was there to help her! 

The class - both Tuesday/Thursday morning sessions

Jules getting her memory book from her teachers 

Our graduate! 

 Julianne and Luke

The first project in her memory book and the last - I think she made a little progress this year!