The growing months

For those who all ready knew - you can skip this first part as I explain this picture...

On 24 August - I tore my right quad muscle - and let me tell you what.... IT HURT! - and it still does. I wasn't able to walk much at all - even with crutches - (mostly wheelchair) for the first week - but while at work, instead of trying to get the chair into the bathroom, I'd just crutch myself very slowly. And since they were just sitting there... one of the guys I work with decided that he would entertain us a little and found this random hat that's been in our office and a little flag - he pulled up his leg - and here's what we got!!!



Raz.... quite the entertainer - and much appreciated in the job that we do!


My Dad was able to come down and help me out with things - helped coach my volleyball girls for the first couple of days - and then I went with him as well to watch my old high school and they played over in Nampa for a tournament. Here is Jonathan getting some much desired Grandpa Time!



Now I all ready posted about my newest nephew, Taylor, but I didn't add the pictures of my little man while we were up there in Couer d'Alene.



My sister gave into the pressure of kitty kats... and she has a couple of characters!!! Gideon and (i can't remember the other one's name) - anyway - it's the one that I can't remember its name that was always on my bed and so LJ got the oppotunity to cuddle with a kitty!





And wouldn't ya know.... my mom's dog had more puppies! And since they were only a day or two old - she had to bring them up with her... Aren't they cute little weiners...



After our short plane ride back to Boise (I love the 50 min flights!!!) we got to spend a little time just hanging out before I went to my volleyball game. Isn't this guy just getting big!





What man doesn't like to have his clothes off... I swear - this kid would be naked all the time if you let him.... And it's only just begun!!!



In the early hours of the morning, it's not very often that he wakes up now before I go to work until I pick him up to drop him off at Hollie's - but a few morning he does. However, he is still so tired and not awake yet that he has a hard time staying upright. Here he is working on his "come hither" bedroom look... what do you think? Does it work?



These next two are just hilarious. He really is a tired little boy - and doesn't wake up too fast in the mornings.... He was barely holding up his head... I just love it!






My little punk rocker lookin' sweet boy... I'm excited to keep watching him grow.

Taylor Bryce Armstrong

Over Labor Day weekend - I was able to attend the baby blessing of my newest nephew, Taylor Bryce Armstrong!!! My oldest sister, Tera (mother of Owynn, Bryant ~BryBry~, and Skylar) had her 4th child - and gave our mom the best birthday present - on August 13th!!! Check out this handsome little man...







Great Grandpa got in a little snuggle time with Taylor on Saturday afternoon when they finally arrived in Couer d'Alene.



Taylor, in his completely oversized blessing outfit - but he's still so stinking cute!!!!







Welcome to the Piper clan little Taylor buddy!!! And good luck keeping up with your siblings!!!

Very late - but finally posting...

SHANDY VOGT PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

Shandy was able to fit LJ and I in for his 6 month mark - and it was so much fun walking around 8th Street Marketplace and just finding little places to set him down and get some great shots....

So without further delay - check them out!!!

Where did August go?!?!?!?!

The time has come and gone - and the fall time is fast upon us. Jonathan is getting closer to crawling - which means sports are just around the corner!!! (I'll try to be patient while he at least learns how to walk)... But we've enjoyed the time to grow together as a little family.

In the peaceful hours of the early morning - I am always amazed just how incredible it is to just look at him. AND...... this was that last morning that he got to sleep in my bed!!! Yup - that's right - he sleeps across the house now!!! It only took him a couple of nights and then he figured out that I wasn't coming with each little cry so he might as well just stay asleep!!!




Some days after working and coaching - it's nice just to relax and hang out together on the floor. I have such a sweet boy - and here he is showing off his flirts!






A MAJOR BLESSING IN OUR LIVES!!! An immeasurable THANK YOU goes to Hollie and Caleb. Without them, I don't know where I'd be. It is completely evident that they both love my little man, and I'm so blessed to have them be a part of his development and growth. And Caleb is continually practicing to become a big brother someday!






And wouldn't you know - this little one found that it's easy to put his toes in his mouth!!! What's even more comical is when he bites his toes with his teeth - and then gets mad because it hurts - and turn around and do it again! It cracks me up!!!




After church - just chillin on the floor being a big boy by sitting up and entertaining himself!!!



Another BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU goes to Erica, Spencer, and Bentley. They helped me out so much the last week of August after I tore my quad and was unable to do much of anything - let alone take care of LJ very well. They stayed the night and took care of him during the night and dropped him off to Hollie in the mornings... Bentley was an awesome help in trying to teach LJ how to crawl - so hopefully we'll have the two chasine each other before too long!

But with all the crawling and exploring around - Bentley deserved a much needed nap - and what better place than in a puff bag - that's nearly 10x's bigger!!!

Ladies Night Out!!!

Oh yes - it was ladies night, and it felt just right..... Or maybe that's not how the song goes?!?! Oh well. Erica, Kim, and I were able to spend some time together racing go karts and playing a round of mini golf. We were goofy, crazy, energetic, (and if you ask Kim, she thought Erica and I acted like we were drunk... ) but above all else, we had a fun time (at least I'm speaking from my perspective - you'll have to ask them if they had as much fun as I did!) So - without further wait - check out our night! I had Erica and Kim climb up on the rock for a little picture opportunity (was pretending to be like Shandy for a brief moment, but she is SOOOO much better than I even care to try! I love her!) Anyway - I should've gotten a video of Erica trying to get up on this rock.... it ended with me taking a knee so they could climb up... and we'll come to the picture later about how Kim ended up... I tried to get in the picture... it's still fun! Kim's dream house.... but not really - I was just kidding! Erica seemed to be struggling with the rope here... ...then she just decided to love the rope! I was trying to spy inside of Kim's house..... :) Erica's "walk-across-the-bridge-looking-sexy" look! Kim's "I've-got-gorgeous-hair-with-looking-sexy" look! My "I'm-crazy-and-I-know-it-while-being-FAR-from-sexy" look! Kim just look fabulous in front of these colorful stairs... I think I've got a new idea Shandy!!! You and I should have a talk! Erica was just too cute against this wall! Pink ball... middle pocket! Ooops - wrong sport. My bad! Erica, deciding that she needed to take a close up picture of herself... Simply Gorgeous! Wait - was this NOT supposed to be an action photo? Dang - that's me again! I thought I had counted to 10 slow enough for the picture - but OBVIOUSLY I was a little early in moving... Luckily - there was a kind gal playing a few holes behind us that came down to take our picture... And a little closer. Erica's new friend let her hop on his back... Ain't it cute! You can't really see - but she really is looking through her knees and smiling at the camera.... Good form! Kim's trying to decide where to hit the ball! All the ball is off... I told you I would tell you about Kim's incident with the rock for the first picture... While stepping up on my leg and trying to sit down next to Erica, Kim decided to give some skin to the rock... I guess she figured she didn't need that particular area anymore... Ouch! The 18th hole.... did anyone make it in?!?!?!?!?!!