JLA "when I wake up on all the days you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to blast everyone like phweew!" (insert image of Buzz Lightyear lazer arm)
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Nate Arnold
M +1 814 397 6921
E nathaniel.arnold@ge.com

September Sunset at the Beach in Erie!

After enjoying a nice Mexican dinner on upper Peach, we noticed it would be the perfect timing to drive down to the beach to watch the sunset. A storm was blowing in (thankfully cooling it off but bringing rain too). The wind was strong and waves were really big on Beach 1 allowing our boys to show their true colors. Jeremy was freezing cold in the breeze, and didn't want to head down near the water at all. We had to wrap him in a towel and sit him on the life guard chair and he was still asking when we could go home over and over!
Cody headed straight for the water. Unfazed by the huge waves, he was drawn to all the rocks on the shore and eager to throw them into the water like Dad. He went in so far that a crashing wave took him out. He didn't cry, just wanted the wet clothes off so he wouldn't be so cold. He spent the rest of the sunset in a diaper just as eagerly exploring as before.
It was a really relaxing time for Dad and Mom. Dad is stressed with starting a new job at GE (and still really doing his old one). Mom is a bit stressed/slash/anxious - new baby is a week overdue and we are eager to meet him or her. Erie is known for the beautiful sunsets and this one didn't disappoint. The crashing waves made it all the more impressive.
My favorite quote of the night from JLA as the sun finally made its way below the horizon, "Daddy, does the sun like to get wet?"
Such a great time...

Birthday Weekend Humor

A couple of funny quotes from this weekend...

I was outside trying to wind up the hose and Jeremy kept grabbing the end that connects with the faucet, walking it over and trying to attach it. It kept falling down but he was relentless, even as I pulled it back toward to me as I was winding. Finally, he pulled it really hard toward him and with one more forceful attempt to put it on the faucet he turned confidently to me and said, "there you go Dad, I have it all screwed up for ya!"

Gretchen and I were up early this morning, I was reading and she was beginning to cook pancakes in preparation for the awakening of the hungry young boys. We were having a nice conversation around many topics (including baby names honestly..unbelievable how hard it is, you think we'd have it down by now). I know it was just a couple of hours ago but I honestly don't remember exactly what we were talking about. Whatever it was she cut me off in the beginning of what was sure to be some long-winded explanation by me and said, "I was only half-asking." Say it fast...it is hilarious. I contend that she "half-asks" a lot especially when pregnant :)

Cody Falling

Quiet possibly one of the funniest videos so far of young Cody. Many more to come with this guy, he is a care-free rebel. We still don't know how he got standing up on the radio in the first place!

Make sure your sound is up, that is half the fun.

Jeremy threw a dog toy this morning, and then patted Cody on the butt to race after it by saying “everybody start your babies!”

 

 

JLA regarding a new peanut butter granola bar "this is the umm-est !"

Jeremy quote tonight: "Hey Mom and Dad, hear this. Tigers are really roaring so watch out!"

Jeremy Update

A couple quick updates on our oldest heading into a fun spring of baseball and music here in Erie!

• Jeremy likes helping me take out the garbage to the end of the driveway. I try to leave our green plastic can with wheels a little lighter so he can pull it by himself. This past week he was pulling it down the driveway for me. It was heavy for him, but he was doing it without a sound or complaint. I was proud of our strong boy. At the end of driveway near the sidewalk a neighborhood girl Peyton that he often plays with was walking by, she's about 7 or 8 years old. Jeremy looked up and said "I'm just helping my Dad take out the garbage..UGH, UGH." UGH was him grunting as if he was working really hard. The back story on that is we taught him that grunting like that was when someone was working hard so he would understand when Mommy made those kind of sounds in labor. So the young man knew what he was doing...pulling the can was no problem most of the way, but for some reason as his "favorite girl" went by he wanted to impress her by showing her he was working hard. That-a-boy!
• Jeremy has adopted a new word that represents when something is really good, or loved.. "Prontoed" - as in a response to the question "how was your dinner Jeremy," "PRONTOED!"
• A couple of other favorite words for Jeremy: Pinkalompis (something you don't eat), Boseefoose (definition unknown), Tree Song and Movie (these are times when he climbs up on the fireplace step and sings and dances for us...very creative).
• He will not be found without a car (Hotwheel size) in his hand lately. Most are from the movie Cars like Lightning McQueen, Doc, Mater, or Chick Hicks, but he also has a favorite little yellow car who's name is actually Yellow Car. All of these come with us in the truck, in the store and most importantly to bed. I woke up the other night only to dig out Chick Hicks from under me in bed and set it on the nightstand. Below is a picture taken by Jeremy himself of one of his current favorites Doc.

JLA Dancing at AU!

Trying out our new toy, the Flip video recorder. So far it definitely fits our style...small, fast and easy to use. Seems perfect for those quick 30second clips we always try to shoot of the boys.
theflip Ultra HD

We did a quick visit to Ashland Ohio to visit our good friends the Schaafs Friday night. Gretchen met up with some lovely AU ladies for dinner, Bryan and I made a late night trip to BW3 (just like old times), and all the boys enjoyed playing with someone new. Jeremy had fun in this video entertaining another little guy like he does with Cody.