2014 - Year in Review - Part 3 - July & August

Right before the 4th of July, I started getting ideas for a little photo session with Colin and it turned out EXACTLY like I wanted.

Yet again, my awesome co-worker helped me out and deleted the background on these two pictures!

This wagon was mine.  Dad bought it for me before I could even sit up!

Most of July was spent with me working new student orientations but once that was over, I had a week off.  Yet again, we were going to Pigeon Forge but Justin's work schedule changed and we had to cancel again.  We did go to UNC again that week and got to take a clear-faced baby this time.  He was sitting up on his own by this trip also and had two bottom teeth.

We spent lots of time that week playing outside and in swinging in the Cozy Coupe!

Oh those chubby cheeks!

We also had a play date with Leora

And then we realized 6 month had passed already....time was flying right by!

August

I don't have a lot of pictures from August but I did get a few of this little guy and his favorite book!

Colin's 7 month pictures

This is his expression after trying a leaf...

Now, how do I crawl?!?!

I love this because you see his inquisitive, serious side!

Colin's Dedication

On Sunday, June 8, 2014, we had Colin dedicated at our church.

An awesome co-worker designed this for me!

It was really important to me that our pastor and Uncle David both be involved in his dedication.  Uncle David is my grandma's brother and he is the one who married us (and most of our family).

This is one of the only pictures that you can see almost all of us.  From the left - Justin's mom, my grandma, my mom and dad.

After the dedication, Uncle David preached. 

 After service, we tried to get a few pictures but Colin wasn't really into it!  This is us with Dave & Sharon.

Cousins!  Sharon & Garrett - Garrett is Uncle David's son and Sharon's mom was my grandma & Uncle David's sister.

Granddad and his little buddy

Grandma and Colin

I made the two chalkboard pictures for his party and got the cake at Wal-Mart. I had wanted to make one but knew I wouldn't have time.  We also had hamburgers and hot dogs after church for the family.

Mom also had a family reunion the same weekend that we didn't go to.  We did get to see her cousin Brenda and Brenda's son Timmy.  We had dinner with them Friday night and then they were there Sunday for his dedication.

These are some of my favorite pictures of the day.  The last time these two families had pictures taken together was Easter and baby Leora wasn't even born yet!  It was very special to have these pictures taken with both babies!  I don't know what we would do with Phil & Heather.  They are a constant support for us and love Colin like he is their own.  Heather & I grew up together and I'm so thankful God has us raising our babies together too!

This was the sweetest moment...they took each other's hands all on their own!

Another special lady...Jessica...her husband works with Justin and I worked with her.  Darren had the bright idea to set us up on a blind date!

2014 Year in Review Part 2 - June

I thought I would put June and July in a post together because we have a lot more pictures for these two months.  But then I realized June still had way too many pictures and I want to document as much as I can, so here is June 2014

June

We had Colin dedicated at the beginning of June.  That same weekend Colin got to meet Uncle Andy, Aunt Michelle and Cousin Carmen (Justin's brother and his family) along with Uncle Dave and Aunt Sharon (Sharon's my cousin that I claim as my sister!).  We also traded in Justin's Mitsubishi Eclipse for a family size vehicle....a Dodge Durango.  It was a VERY busy weekend.  Mom also retired that weekend so we went to the breakfast the school had to honor those retiring.  She retired from one job to take on a better one....keeping Colin every day!!!

First, meeting Uncle Andy & Aunt Michelle:

From there, we left to meet Dave & Sharon to spend the evening with them.

Sharon took this one her phone - trying to get a picture of Colin and it turned into this cute picture!

 Aunt Sharon loving on the little man!  It took awhile for him to warm up but then he was okay with her holding him.

On Sunday we had Colin dedicated. Due to the number of pictures I was trying to post, I decided to make that a separate post.  But here is one picture! 

Justin celebrated his first Father's Day 

Justin's dad and step-mom came to meet Colin but we didn't get a lot of pictures.  Colin was having a pretty rough weekend with his eczema.

June was supposed to be a really fun month - our first family vacation.  However, Colin's skin kept getting worse and the dermatologist said we needed to go to a pediatric dermatologist.  We finally got in at UNC so that ended up being Colin's first trip instead of a vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN.  Again, more detail on that to follow!  We got a couple of pictures while we were there but it was an emotionally draining trip so we didn't take too many pictures.  I'm so thankful Mom & Dad went with us for support.  

Colin's first stay in a hotel

Before our appointment we stopped at the outlet mall.

Justin & I came out of a store to find Colin riding the Carousel with Granddad!

then Mommy jumped on for a ride!

And later Colin helped Bob the Builder with Daddy!

Colin started trying to sit up more, raise himself up and roll around some during June.  

He also tried cereal for the first time at the very end of June.

And he got a very cool swing :) 

We ended the month by turning 5 months old and with a CLEAR face!  Praise the Lord!!!