10.17.11 - Big truck

Nate has recently become fascinated with big trucks, tractors and school buses. He loves that Grandpa Shepherd drives a big truck and tonight got to explore it for the first time.


Here he is checking out the bed liner.


And "smiling" for the camera.


Still "smiling" for the camera.

10.13.11 - Playgroup

Nate enjoyed playing cars and trucks with Dr. Quadri, a second-year psychiatry resident, during a childhood development playgroup at KU today.


I think the doctor had fun, too!


Nate's new thing is cars and trucks. He's getting some for Christmas and likes to look at Grandpa Shepherd's big white truck every time he comes over.

06.23.11 - Proud Papa

Nate clings to Grandpa Shepherd after hanging out as his house for awhile. I'm struck by how proud my father looks here. More than once I've heard him or my mother comment that he enjoys watching the kids grow as he gets to experience all that he missed all those years working the night shift. And considering I never really got to hang out with any of my grandparents, I'm glad they live close enough that they can share in their lives.

01.10.11 - Inside recess

Wichita received its first measurable snowfall of the season today. We probably had three or four inches at our house. But because Nate's got a cold, he wasn't able to go outside with Mommy and Maddie after work. Instead, he had to stay inside and play with Daddy. He didn't really play. He just stood by the patio doors and watched. Poor guy, I wish I could have taken him out! I have a photo that shows him considerably upset but I opted not to put the grandparents through that!

12.25.10 - A K-State Christmas

Today was more Christmas fun. After opening gifts from Mommy and Daddy AND Santa, we headed to lunch and MORE presents at Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's house. It was our first holiday in their new house. And even though Nate had a full day, he was all smiles late in the evening when he modeled his Daddy's K-State Santa hat with his new K-State jammies.

11.30.10 - Window shopping

Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd asked for our input on picking curtains and window treatments for their new house so we spent some time at the mall tonight looking (and playing) around.

11.28.10 - Grandpa's basement

We went back over to Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's new house today so Angie could take a tour. While she looked around, Nate practiced his standing with grandpa in the basement.

11.22.10 - Grandma's (new) house

Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd closed on their new house today and we got to take a tour before dinner. Nate loves it! It's a big house with room for lots of toys and only six blocks from our house. They'll move in in a week, after all their new furniture and appliances arrive. We can't wait to have them closer!

11.04.10 - Grandpa and me

On Halloween, I snapped this impromptu photo of Maddie and Grandma Shepherd only to realize later that I didn't have one of Nate with Grandpa Shepherd. Since grandma asked me for a print of the girls I thought it only right to also have a photo of the boys. My parents have really stepped up and helped us out tremendously with our day care needs since Nate was born. (And we snapped this photo tonight as we were getting home from work.) Heck, they've even been known to fold a load of towels and wash a sink of dishes now and then. We really couldn't do it without them! I didn't know any of my grandparents growing up so I'm grateful for this time our kids get to spend with theirs.

09.17.10 - Grandma's gonna getchya!

Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd came over tonight to watch the kids while Angie and I went out to celebrate my birthday. I don't know who's more excited!

09.09.10 - He crawls!

We got home from work today and right away Grandma Shepherd told us that Nate was sooooooooooooo close to crawling. About ten minutes later, Nate crawled across the floor to get one of his sister's shoes! Later, he crawled into the kitchen.

04.03.10 - Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's house

We sent the kids to Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's house today so that we could get some work done around the house. It was Nate's first visit to their house and they had a great time playing with him and his sisters! I didn't pay attention to what outfits they had on until I snapped this photo. Nate's reads "trouble maker" and Maddie's, well, you can read for yourself. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come!

03.06.10 - Look at those cuties!

Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd came over for dinner tonight. These two can really be an armful but Grandma Shepherd didn't mind!

And neither do we!

02.11.10 - Snoozing, again

Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd came over for lunch today. Of course, Nate was either sleeping or feeding the entire time they were here but that didn't stop them from getting in a little quality time!