State Fair

Eric and I haven't been to the Texas State Fair in years, but this year we decided that Eli and Timothy needed to experience it! Phil and Kelly left Charlie with my parents, and then we all loaded up and went to the fair on Thursday night. The boys were totally blown away by all that there was to do and see. They just rode around on Eric's and Phil's shoulders with their mouths hanging open as they took in all the lights and sounds and people. It was adorable to watch. We tried to give them a good sampling of fair food, took them to see the pig races, saw the parade of lights, and let them ride a couple rides. They also just stood in amazement at the ferris wheel for quite some time. :)

When we saw Big Tex, Eli said, "Him not bite us?" :)

A few pictures...

By the ferris wheel- us and then Phil, Kelly, and Timothy:






I look like a dork in this one, and you can't really even see the boys, but I love how they're looking at each other! They just stared at each other and laughed and laughed the whole time!



Another ride, this time with Kelly:



Before we left, they shared a drink and a fried snickers. They were absolutely giddy with excitement and exhaustion. :) It was a perfect childhood experience for them!

Family Camping Trip Fall 2011

Last weekend my whole side of the family (Bergstroms) went our our annual fall camping trip. As usual, it was a fantastic time of relaxing and playing and enjoying being outside and with each other! Here are a few pictures from the long weekend away...

Everyone getting ready for a hike around the lake:



Going for a swim with Pop-Pop:



Eli and Cooper partaking in the plethora of unhealthy snacks we had this weekend: :)



The park had a "grand reopening" event on Saturday with some cool stuff for the kids to do, like this giant slide. I love the expressions on everyone's faces (Pop-Pop, Eli, and Timothy):



Part of the festivities included a visit from Smoky the Bear, who happens to be Eli's idol right now, for some reason. :) Eli and Jacey were so excited to meet him and hug him! Eli keeps saying, "Smoky the Bear loves hugs!"



Our little family:


A great time was had by all!

The Hi-Light of Eli's Week

One might guess that the hi-light of a three year-old's week would be a trip to the zoo, a camping trip, a pumpkin patch visit, playing outside with cousins, or a baking fest with his mom, all of which Eli has experienced lately.

But the thing Eli has been the most excited about lately? A trip to the dentist. :)

I don't know what this says about him... maybe he's headed for a career in dentistry? that he's picked up on the habits of his oral-hygeine-loving parents? that he's just wierd?

Whatever it means, it sure was cute. :) He woke up yesterday morning and said, "I can't wait to go to the dentist today!" (We had been talking about it daily when we brushed our teeth.) He marched into that dentist's office, gave everyone a smile and a hug, and let Vickie, our wonderful and amazing hygeinist, count and clean his teeth! I was so proud of him. After Vickie was done, Eli asked, "Where's the dentist?" :) Dr. Taylor came by to say hi, and Eli was enthralled. I was so proud, also, of the really good report they gave him of his clean teeth!

He picked out two tubes of toothpaste and a new toothbrush, which he carried around with him on our other errands, and then as soon as we came home he brushed his teeth for a good 5 minutes with his new toothpaste and toothbrush. And he repeated the whole thing once Eric got home from work.

Crazy? Perhaps! But at least he has super-clean teeth!

*The picture is unrelated- just cute! :)

My Little Pumpkin

The obligatory fall pumpkin photo...

Fall 2011, 3 years old:



And just for the sake of comparison,

Fall 2010 (2 years old):



Fall 2009 (17 months old):



Fall 2008 (5 months old):



I can't believe how much he has grown! It makes me a little sad...

I wonder if he'll still let me take a photo of him in the pumpkins when he's 16. :)