Submarines and a Bounce House

What do they have in common? Topher got to go inside both this weekend! Before I talk about them though, I wanted to throw up this picture of Toph reading a new book he got this week. He loves anything that moves (especially airplanes), and he will look at this book all the time. Sometimes he doesn't even want me to read it, he just tells me what the pictures are and that everything goes fast. He actually fell asleep reading it in the car the other day. He's so funny!


Anyway, a friend and I took our kids to a Submarine Museum (the official name alludes me, but it was on an awesome naval base) down near the coast. It was so much fun! Usually, Toph doesn't really mesh with the whole museum scene (he's a toddler for crying out loud!), but he did great! Partly because he loves hanging out with other kids, and partly because the museum was pretty hands on and he was able to see boats which of course, as I was informed over and over again, go fast.

Toph was able to push buttons, turn dials, and steer a submarine simulator. I thought he'd died and gone to heaven!

Looking out the window at the real submarine we got to tour.

Gangplanks scare me to death. Not so for Toph. He was just so anxious to get inside the sub!

Inside the sub, where I did NOT die from claustrophobia I might add. I was proud of myself. Toph did great! Who would've thought that small enclosed areas actually make him behave better??

I snapped this picture quickly and then freaked out at Toph for climbing on the guardrail. Sometimes my imagination is a bit too vivid for my own good. At least it keeps Toph alive :)

I was so proud of Toph for being so good at the museum and I think he had a ton of fun! Then yesterday, Toph had another chance for some fun when we attended a friend's wedding reception. She and her husband were married in Italy earlier this summer, so it was fun to see them and hear all about their beautiful wedding. The set up was really nice, and thankfully we were seated at a table with people we knew.

Although Toph was a bit suspicious of everyone...

As much fun as dancing, chatting, and eating are for a toddler who didn't take a nap, Toph's attention was turned rather frequently to the bounce house that was set up for the kids. Our shy child wouldn't go in without Scott at first, but gradually, he warmed up and played so hard that he was sweating up a storm and eventually refused to get out. We had to send Scott in after him and he was so angry!!

It was great to see friends and eat great food! And thankfully, Toph fell asleep on the way home :). It was a fun weekend!

It's Summer!

This picture really says it all:

Despite this picture having said it all, I will go ahead and say some more about summer, though.

We have been busy, busy, busy this summer. I don't just mean this in the sense that I learned that the UConn library starts flicking the lights on and off when you are there too close to closing time. No, we have been some traveling fools, too. First off was a trip to Utah to see our families. Topher had a great time.

Here he is learning to do cartwheels with his Aunt Libby.

Topher never did figure those cartwheels out. He is getting pretty adept at his somersaults, though:

He also had a good time watching some balloons go up,

Hanging with all of his grandparents,

Only one grandparent pictured.

And getting his Elton John on.

We made sure to find some time to relax, both in a nearby stream,

And in the traditional manner.

I retract my previous statement. This picture says it all.

In between trips, we took some time out for the local K-9 Olympics.

The K-9 Olympics are really good if you are a fan of watching fat guys get bitten by dogs. And really, who isn't?

From there it was time to visit Palmyra, NY. This is basically our first family vacation as just our family. We had a great time.

This smile brought to you by tricking Topher by asking him "Where are your teeth?" We've come a long ways from the Cheeser days.

I think Topher's favorite part was having ready access to a bed that was just perfect for jumping.

If anybody reading this happens to have been staying in the room below us: We are so sorry.

We had a great time there and highly recommend it to everyone.

This is as close as you get to a smile from Topher these days without tricking him.

And here is one more shot of Topher at the Hill Cumorah. No funny caption, it's the Hill Cumorah for Pete's sake.

So that is the update.

But wait... There's one last thing...

Eat your heart out Steve Jobs.