Barquist Band

Tonight the Barquist Band was practicing for future performances.



In this video you can clearly see the excitement in Colt's face. It's hard to hear him laughing with the volume of the harmonica.



Stay tuned for more information about upcoming concerts from the Barquist Band.

Birthday Party Recap

On Saturday we had Colt's first birthday party. We kept it small but still managed to fill up our house/deck/yard.

The boys had lots of fun with their cousins, Abi, Gunner, JT & Erik.



Gunner and Colt LOVED the balloons that Shawna brought to our house.



I attempted to make Red Velvet Cupcakes for the party. I didn't have enough red dye so they looked a little more pink. There's nothing like pink cupcakes for my boys first birthday party. Next time I think I will try blue velvet cupcakes. Colt (and everyone else) still seemed to like them.




Colt (& Brody) enjoyed opening their presents.




It was a very fun party. We are blessed to have such a great family near us to celebrate these milestones with us.

On the Charts

We had Colt's first year checkup today. He finally made it on to the charts for his weight. The doctor was happy with everything and I was relieved to hear that he did not have an earache.

Here's his stats:

Weight: 18 lbs. 12 oz. (4 percent)
Height: 27 3/4 inches (3 percent)
Head: 18 1/2 inches (70 percent)

It looks like we have small kids with the infamous Andresen head. :)

Happy 1st Birthday Colt!

Our little Colt turned 1 on August 20th. It's hard to believe it has been one year already since he came to meet us. What a true gift from God! While he is very different from his brother he has still been a fairly easy boy this first year.

Colt is a momma's boy...and although he is a little hesitant about going to others I secretly love the fact that he is so fond of me. He isn't quite walking but is very close and will soon be chasing Brody around. It's so fun to watch him get excited about the world around him.

Happy Birthday Coltie!



(This is the only picture I can post that won't turn it upside down. We will have more from his birthday party)

Make BEElieve friends

Yesterday I listened with a huge smile on my face as Brody had a conversation with his make believe friend, Mr. Bee. I wish I would have had a video but I think that would have quickly interrupted the conversation. Instead I wrote down some of the things he said.

It all started when he was playing with his Laugh N Learn playhouse. He was looking out the window and said "oh, no I see a bee." He ran over to me and hid from the bee. This is when I said "Oh, hi Mr. Bee. Are you looking for Brody? I don't know where Brody is, he must be hiding." It wasn't too much later that Brody became friends with Mr. Bee.

What do you got going on Mr. Bee?
Oh, you want my fire engine bee - oh ok.
Hi Mr. Bird, I'm talking to Mr. Bee. (I'm not sure where Mr. Bird came in)
Yeah, Mr. Bee is going to use my fire engine.
Mr. Bee, do you want to use Mark's wheelbarrow? (Mark is our neighbor)

Brody starts speaking with words I don't understand. Then it's back to Mr. Bee.

Shoo away bee!
Bee come on, help me out here.
I'm selling a car that's.....

It looks like this may be the beginning of imaginary friends.

11 months (and a few weeks)

Every month I try to get a picture of Colt in the chair. (I did this with Brody for the first 2 years). Our last month has been so busy that Colt's 11 month pictures and update are a few days (or maybe weeks) late, but he is still just as cute.

Colt is cruising around from wall to wall and couch to couch. You can tell he is so anxious to walk but hasn't quite mastered it yet. When he does walk it's going to be quite busy with Brody & Colt running after each other. He is starting to sign a few words, says duck and quack on command and occasionally seems to say other words. It's hard to believe he is almost one year.

Hi Hium Fishing Trip

We just returned from a family fishing trip to Lake Hi Hium in Canada. We had a great time fishing, feeding ducks, playing, taking naps and eating yummy food.

Colt feeding the ducks.


Brody ready to go fishing.


We were even lucky enough to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary with a romantic boat ride on the lake. Brad made a special fly to celebrate our anniversary. You can't really tell from the picture but I am holding up a fly shaped like a heart.




Here are a few more pictures.