Celebrating Veteran's Day

One of the things that Jeff and I love about Punta Gorda is that there is always something going on Downtown on the weekends.  There is usually something going on in Laishley Park, which is on the Harbor, and every weekend, we go down to the Farmer's Market and get fresh fruits and veges.  This year, the Punta Gorda Chamber held the Veteran's Day Parade the weekend before Veteran's Day.  We really wanted to get down there for this to not only honor all the Veteran's, but to also honor Jeff.  Jeff didn't know it, but Cash and I made sure that he had a special outfit to wear that day...it was a secret just between Cash and I!  The parade was a little less than an hour, but we were able to see the whole thing.  Cash really liked looking at all the people...he even didn't mind the marching bands and the motorcycles!  Here are some pictures from the parade.

Cash and Daddy...everyone that walked by commented on how cute Cash was and how he was even wearing camo!

Our little Cashew!

Here is Daddy's surprise...I of course helped Cash out with getting it ready!

Cash sure is proud of his daddy!

My boys <3

Momma and Cash

 

We also celebrated on Veteran's Day too...Cash wore his special onesie for Daddy and we went out to dinner to one of the many restaurants that were offering free meals for Veteran's.  Even though Cash is still too young to understand what an important day Veteran's Day is, he has Jeff and I here to teach him the importance of it and to tell him how special it is to be a part of the Armed Forces.  I know that Cash will be so proud of his dad one day...just like I am proud to be Jeff's wife. 

Happy Halloween!

Another big first for Cash this month was his first Halloween. We did get Cash a Tiger costume to wear for some pictures, but Cash didn't go trick or treating this year.  Our neighborhood doesn't have paved walk ways on the streets so kids don't usually go trick or treating here.  The downtown Punta Gorda historic district (think downtown Plymouth) has trick or treating every year and it's pretty crazy...lots of people and most of the houses really go all out with decorations.  We decided not to take Cash this year since he is so small and we would have had to carry him the whole way or use the stroller which would have been close to impossible in the crowd.  We will definitely take Cash next year and we know that it will be exciting for all of us!  We did take some pictures of Cash in his costume and carved a pumpkin for him.  Here are pictures of our Halloween festivities this year!

Our little Tiger!

He had to give the pumpkin a taste...since he couldn't put it in his mouth, he brought his mouth to it!

ROAR!!!

Hiding out

Such a cutie!

Pretty good pics for doing them myself!

Cash checking out the pumpkin...Jeff and I love this picture for some reason!

Feeling the guts...wasn't too impressed

He's having fun!

Cash and momma

We were surprised that he didn't try to eat the guts

Jeff did a great job carving the pumpkin for Cash!

We thought this would be a good idea...

until Cash tried to lean forward and almost topple the pumpkin!

And he is done!

October-A Month of Firsts

October was definitely a big month in our house.  Cash has continued to grow and change so much and he is hitting so many milestones!  On his 5 month birthday, he took his first plane ride to Michigan.  While there, he met many family members for the first time.  On October 20th (which is also Grandma Sue's birthday), Cash woke up with his first tooth!  I couldn't believe it!  He had been acting a little different when we returned home, but we thought he may either be coming down with something or that he was just trying to get back into his routine at home.  But that morning, Cash had his bottle and proceeded to put my finger in his mouth...no big deal since this was a daily occurrence.  But that morning when Cash bit down, there was a tooth in there!  Imagine my surprise upon feeling that tooth!  On October 29th, tooth #2 made it's debut and Cash is now sporting his two front teeth on the bottom!  At the end of the month, we also started Cash on cereal to get him ready for real food.  He wasn't too sure of it at first as you can see from the pictures, but he has grown to love it and is like a little birdie when he sees the bowl and spoon!  We can't believe how much he has changed in just one month! 

Cash's first taste of cereal...not too sure about it

Day 2 of cereal...REALLY not feeling it at all!

I had to put this one on here because of the Elvis lip...too cute!

Now Cash knows what is going on when he sits in his high chair...here he is ready for daddy to feed him!

Here is a picture of Cash's first tooth!

Cash also got his first mustache this month...best 25 cents I've spent in a long time!

Family Trip to Michigan

On Cash's 5 month birthday, we flew to Michigan to visit our families and have Cash meet everyone.  We were only in town for 5 days and boy, did we pack a lot into those 5 days!  We did our best to see everyone and were able to have a few large get togethers as well.  Our first day in town, we met Jeff's Aunt Rene for some family photos (those will be posted later).  A few of my high school girlfriends were able to stop by that evening to meet Cash for the first time.  We had planned on taking Cash to the zoo with my dad and stepmom, but we had a change of plans due to the weather and visited Henry Ford Musuem instead.  Cash loved looking at all the cool stuff there and got to spend the day with Papa, Gabby, Aunt Jenny, cousins Jake and Eric and Uncle Steve.  We were also planning on a big group trip to the Cider Mill, but due to windy weather and one tired baby, we weren't able to make it.  Maybe next year!  Jeff's Aunt Rene offered to have his mom's side of the family over for a get together at her house and we were able to relax and visit and get some pictures of the newest members to the Ouellette side...Mia, Cash and Joshua.  While we were all glad to get home and back into our routine, we had a great visit and loved spending time with family and friends.  We hope that we will be able to do it again soon, but flying with a baby sure is a lot of work!

Posse Ladies...Monica, Hayley and her son Roman, Cash and I, and Sara

Roman really likes Cash!

Eric and Jake hanging out with Cash

Grandma Sue loved having some extra time with Cash

Aunt MeLynda and cousin Emily Elizabeth

Papa David and Grandma Sandy

Cash really liked Uncle Dave!

Cash and Great Aunt Ann

Papa Gordie and Cash

Steve and Jeff

Our handsome nephew, Nicklas

Uncle Jimmy and Cash

Nicky giving Cash a kiss goodbye...it was the sweetest thing!

3 Generations

3 Generations and Great Great Grandpa Earl

Great Great Grandpa Earl and Cash

Cash and Grandma Michelle

Cash loving on his cousin Mia.  Mia is 10 days older than Cash and it was so cute to see them interact together

Looks like trouble to me!

Mom and her girls...Jenny, Momma Sue and Shell

Siblings...Jenny, Steve and I

Grandma and her boys:Jake, Nicklas, Grandma, Cash and Eric

Happy 5 Months Cash!

Time flies when you're having fun and we couldn't agree more!  We can't believe that Cash is 5 months old!  He is getting so big (as you saw from the last post) and is such a joy.  Cash celebrated his 5 month birthday in a big way, going on his very first airplane ride to Michigan!  We made sure to get his monthly pictures before we left so we wouldn't forget...so here they are!

Celebrating 5 months with Sophie

Such a sweetie!