Trip to Iowa

Okay, so I accidently deleted this from the middle of the post and have never figured out how or if you can insert pictures in the middle (new pics always just go to the top of the post), so here it is at the beginning because it's just to cute not to post. AJ LOVED Carter's famous John Deer motorized tractor. He quickly caught on, and Carter was gracious enough to share. AJ's favorite part was feeling the wheel as he drove (one-handed of course)!

This past weekend, AJ and I tagged along with my mom and her three sisters to visit my cousin Katie and her family in Iowa. She has twin boys who were born on July 4th and another son who is just 18 days older than AJ. We had a FABULOUS time, and the older boys really seemed to enjoy each other's company. After posting the pictures, I realized that I didn't take that many of the twins, Tristan and Tyler, but then again I spent most of my time entertaining AJ and Carter.

The first group of pictures shows AJ and Carter hanging out together at different points troughout the weekend. They both thought it was fun to slide out through the arms of lounge chair, and I just happened to catch them doing it at the same time!

Pictures wouldn't be complete without one of the boys in the tub. There's only a dozen of their mommies in the tub together at their age!

Carter and AJ reverted back to some of their "old ways." Here they are hangin' out in the Bumbos - a weekend favorite. Of course, AJ gets stuck in them now.
The Hoyt house/yard was full of new adventures for AJ. Here he is with Carter and Grandma Bonnie walking down the big hill in their backyard. He thought it was great!
Again, reverting back to old ways. They kicked the babies out from the playmat and took over! Oh, and they're also battling over the "cool" beads.

As I said before, the Hoyt house was filled with new and exciting things for AJ to explore. Another favorite - the white boa! He wore this all day Saturday!

They boys in their hats, and AJ with the beads!
The beads again, but now we have a bracelet to match!

Finally, pictures of Tristan and Tyler. AJ was actually quite intrigued with the babies, and would often just look at them and pat them. Here he is helping me take care of Tyler (I think - honestly I could tell them apart in person).

AJ picked up on this quickly. He's such a big helper! I hope he's still like this when he has a little brother or sister.
Buckeye Saturday! We had a regular tailgate party on Saturday for the Buckeye game, and to start us off, AJ and Carter helped Aunt Beth ice the football cookies!

All the boys! Tyler, Carter, AJ and Tristan! I can't believe they are all somewhat looking and no one is crying!
AJ wasn't so sure of Carl at first, but by the end of Saturday he let him and Carter play a game of "Get his toes!"
Here I am with Tristan (on the left) and Tyler all decked out in our Buckeye gear!
The spirited Buckeye FAM! From left to right, Ruth with Kirby, Katie and Carter, Beth and Tyler, Me and AJ, Grandma Bonnie helping me hold AJ because he was desperately trying to get down, and Barbie and Tristan.
Somehow we managed to get in a boat ride, thanks to Carl Hoyt Sr. FYI - the Hoyt's own a Marina. We were just going to visit the river house, but Carl Sr. had the pontoon all ready for us. AJ didn't mind the "boat-coat" and our favorite part was the handle on the back that you could quickly pull to keep in from walking off the dock. He cried when we loaded him on the boat and wasn't too sure about it at first.

Here's AJ clinging to me at first.
Once we got going, he decided he was brave enough to just hang out next to me. Carl, Carter and Barbie. Thanks again Hoyt family for having us and for the WONDERFUL weekend. We miss and love you tons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!