Merry Christmas to All!

Here is a photo of the Koepp family at Thanksgiving, Charlie had already changed into his pajamas since it was past his bedtime

We think Charlie looks a lot like his Grandpa Adams!

Thanksgiving pics with relatives

Charlie's Grandma and his Great Nana Koepp

Aunt Ruthie and Cousin Amanda

Reading with Grandpa

Charlie has fun with Uncle Jon

Hangin' with my buddy Benjamin!

A Thanksgiving Family Photo

Our little man got all dressed up for his first Thanksgiving. Grandma Adams gave him some special treats from the table so he was loving it! Certainly this holiday is a time to look around at the blessings that God showers upon all of us--family, friends, health, forgiveness and hope. 

Like Father, Like Son...

Disclaimer (for Grandma): This is only a plastic donut Charlie played with at the Strong Museum Wegmans.

Sweet...Potatoes!

Broccoli

"What are you doing with that green stuff, Mom?"

"Should've kept my mouth shut!"

Bath Time Rules!

Charlie loves his baths now. He could stay in there forever, splashing and chewing on his bath toys. I have to keep a close eye on him though...last night I found him trying to suck on the shower curtain--nasty! Hmmm, now that I look more closely at this photo it looks like he still has some squash in his nose, oops.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Our little pumpkin

Halloween Pals on Parade...

"Ella, you make a very lovely little pink flower!"

Charlie Brown enjoys some grub.

Cousin Aaron "Bear" (minus the fuzzy bear head and ears)

A bright and happy sunflower, Charlie's friend Maddy.

Jack, the drum-playin' fireman.

Sweet Little Ben, a rosy-cheeked bumble bee.

"Good Grief!"

This photo might be a little confusing, but subtract the hatchet stolen from a nearby "fireman," squint to see the brown zig zag at the bottom of the yellow shirt and voila --it's "Charlie Brown"! We figured, with the bald head and the name, it was the perfect fit. We spent the day at Strong Museum's Halloween party hanging out with friends then did a little trick-or-treating that evening. Charlie had a great time (especially since there were no "Lucys" nearby to call him a knucklehead).

More Camping Photos...

"If I'd have known food could taste like this..."

"....I never would've forced down those cooked carrots."

Charlie's first camping trip was to Allegany State Park last weekend. Weather was a bit chilly, but we were able to enjoy great outdoor meals, take the boys on a brisk afternoon hike and have a great campfire. Grandma brought Blo-pops along for a snack and Bob decided to let Charlie try his. As illustrated in photos #1 and #2, Charlie was initially trying his darndest to get the sucker inside of his mouth. As you can see by the third photo, he eventually caught on. He jammed the sucker inside his cheek and proceeded to make loud sucking noises while his eyes lit up with a newfound glee. Notice his unhappy expression in photo #4 when Dad took the sucker back.

Take me out to the ballgame...

Charlie's first baseball game was a Red Wings playoff game a few weeks back. The boys (Charlie and his cousin Aaron) looked so cute in their sporty outfits, but the rain forced us to call the game early, for the boys that is. We'll definitely be going back though; Charlie was fascinated by the game...well, I guess he was more fascinated by the people in front of us, watching his cousin clap and yell and, most especially, by the crinkly bag of peanuts.

Six months and still swingin'

Our little (well not so little) boy is six months old. It seems like he is doing something new every day. New syllables--"da da" and "ba ba," new foods-- avocado and bananas, new discoveries--how to bang on his high chair tray, throw things off his high chair tray again and again, and how to poke himself in the eye (hopefully this was a learning experience and will not be repeated by Charlie). Charlie was 21.1 lbs at his 6 month appointment and 27 3/4 inches long. The pediatrician said that he has moved from linebacker to lineman and advised us to check the weight limitations on our car seat (Charlie was a little offended). He had more shots, but handled it pretty well and got three very exciting bandaids to show for his pain: Elmo, Blues Clues, and Hello Kitty (again, a little offended).

It's sad to see the summer end as it marks the close of the first and a very special stage of our son's life. But, it's exciting too, to realize that nearly every day brings something new for us to love about him.

Mama's little boy

Hmmm, perhaps Charlie is outgrowing his infant seat?

We were at Eastman House for a picnic and Charlie started to look sleepy. We put him in his infant seat thinking he would maybe drop off for a nap. Pretty soon we saw his head pop out the top of the seat and his hands using the roof to climb out to freedom.

Can't get enough of those toes...

Hangin' with my buddy Abel