Not too tired

I apologize if these pics are too freaky, but this good humor had to be shared. Now that Gus can stand up in his crib, he's decided to give us the look when we put him down for a nap or for the night. It really is hilarious to click on the video monitor and see this face staring back at you.

We're waiting for the day when he figures out how to moon the camera or pull a Ferris Bueller and cover his teddy bear with his blankie, meanwhile he'll be sitting out of camera shot in the corner of his crib, not sleeping, just a laughing away.


I recommend a video monitor to all new parents out there. It's functional and fun!

Out on the town

We hit some major Fargo hot-spots over the weekend. Friday night we dined at the Texas Road House. We loved it while we were there but at about midnight I wasn't loving it quite as much and come Saturday, Ross wasn't loving it either. Gladly, Gus didn't eat the food even though he was having hard time deciding what to order.

Not so much hungry as he was thirsty....hmm....let's see...ah ha! I'll take this.
So smart already, isn't he?

He got a new picnic table, too. I actually bought it as part of a last mad-dash trip through IKEA the day before we moved. We forgot about it until now so it was a nice surprise to us all.

Saturday we toured the famous Red River Zoo. Mini horses are cute.

Here's Gus petting a huge bison-tiger. It's a collection by a Fargo based artist and from what I understand, there are all sorts of different themed bison sprinkled around town. They are all disguised as other animals, very clever and artistic but confusing if you're a kid! How do I explain what that thing is?

Kristie and Skunny joined us and Gus thinks Kristie is pretty. So do we.

Finally, he's starting to pose for pictures! I was wondering when he would get used to the camera.

Gus and Ross hiding from the lemurs and other dangerous predators.

He loved watching the carousel go 'round and 'round and 'round and 'round..... Maybe next time we'll hop on. For now, just watching was entertainment enough.


All around it was a very relaxing weekend. The only thing we might have done differently was to eat at Subway or something a little more fresh. There's always next weekend.

Great folks in Minot

We had a busy weekend in Minot but the more we go, the better we get at making the rounds and seeing everyone that we want to see.

Gus got a new basketball hoop from Grandma and Grandpa Steve & Debi. He loves it. We were really surprised by this gift choice, didn't see that one coming.

Enjoying the fresh ND outdoors with Grandma Vickie and Great Grandpa Marv.

Grandpa Marv was impressed with Gus' crawling skills. Gus crawled right up onto his lap.

This is a new game that can only be played outdoors especially when Ross is the one playing with Gus. It is just too dangerous to be played under regulation-height ceilings.

Grandpa Dave trying to teach Gus how to say Grandpa Dave.

Great Grandma Betty and Gus peering out the porch window.

We were excited to see the twins and how much they've changed! We were excited to see Tadd and Jody, too, but they haven't changed much...they still look great! Olivia and Gus were stretched out on the floor, trying to see who is taller. It is close but Olivia still has Gus, for now.

Violet was OK with her Dad holding Gus as long as he could hold her, too.

Gus thinks Uncle Kyle is cool. In this picture it appears that he has told Gus a tall tale and he's waiting to see if Gus believes him. He does believe you, Uncle Kyle and he will for many many more years and will probably fall for all the tricks you have up your Pankratz sleeve.

Uncle Kyle reading Gus his favorite book of all time: Brown Bear.

He hit up Great Grandma Ethel for some reading time, too. She was teaching him all about eyes, noses, mouths, and ears.

On Sunday morning we went to Carpio to listen to his Great Grandma Ethel play the organ in church. As you can see he was excited to the point of shock that she actually let him play the organ. That is a kid's dream - all those buttons just waiting to be pushed. Grandma did a great job and it was fun to hear her play, we were proud.

Amazingly, the only other Gus we've ever heard of was also in church on Sunday morning - this was a big day. This is Augustus, but he goes by Gus.

He's 2 months older than Gus, but despite their age difference they could relate.

Going to bed on time was not going to happen so we just let him stay awake and play until he was completely wiped out. He tended to the garden with Grandma Debi and Grandpa Steve but that still didn't tire him out.

Going strong after the sun had gone down and in ND that's late! I think the sunset is around 10pm.

We are happy that Gus has taken a strange liking to his car seat lately. It's his new favorite toy which made it easier for us to load him into it for the long car ride home.


We had a great weekend. Thanks to everyone who visited or hosted!

If you're going to walk you need new shoes

Gus hasn't taken any steps on his own yet, but he did master stair-climbing tonight. He planted his hands, bent his knee and crawled right up to step #2 & 3 like he's done it a million times. It helped to have our laptop with Grandma and Grandpa V. live on video conference as bait a couple stairs up. He went straight for them and never turned back. I will get some footage posted of the stair-climbing as soon as I can.

Earlier this week he finally realized that he can move in the walker. Yes, we realize every parent magazine or blog or newsletter highly discourages the use of walkers for babies of any age but he really likes it. And I think we all used one when we were children and none of us walk funny as a result so we figured a couple times a week in it shouldn't be too bad.

He needed some new shoes since he likes to walk around in the garage and on the sidewalk. He got 2 new pairs this week, both of which he likes to wear and chew on.

These are his new sneakers. Wow, his leg looks long in this picture, doesn't it?

And these are his high-tops. Is that even a term anymore? Or was it only valid in the 80s?

Testing them out on the pavement.

He loves it! Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa P., for my first set of wheels.

Whoa, dead end.






This next set of pics has nothing to do with walking or new shoes but we thought we'd post them anyway. Check out his 2 teeth.



He's had hours of fun with the laundry baskets.

We're getting used to this place

As you may have noticed,our blog entries have picked up again and I think it's because we have finally gotten the hang of our new schedule, house, and city. It's good to be back to normal! Here's some highlights from the week.

This is his favorite ducky and duck towel.

Check the collar. Very cool.

Kristie and Skunny came over for dinner on Wednesday night and Gus decided to put every last one of his diapers on display for Kristie to try and impress her.

This is him half-way standing up. He would have stood all the way up but he heard the camera beep so he had to turn around and give me a cheesy smile. This kid knows a camera when he sees one.

I hope to get some more photos of him pulling himself up on the couch this weekend. He's ready to stand!

Neighbors galore

We like our new little neighborhood, especially all the kids running to and fro on a daily basis. Slowly but surely we're getting to know a couple of the families pretty good. Tonight Gus and I went outside to relax on the sidewalk while Ross did some lawn work. Within seconds of us sitting down, 6 kiddos were smack dab in front of Gus, petting his head and holding his hands. He loved every second of it, especially since the real interested ones who stuck around for more than a couple seconds were all girls.

Here he is with Riley, Alli, Mya and Avery. Their moms later told me that they always ask if they can go over to Gus's house to play. This cracks us up because he doesn't do much yet but apparently he's entertaining to them!

Family Reunion

Happy 4th of July! We had a great weekend at lovely Lake Ida celebrating our independence in the company of about 80 of our relatives on dad's side of the family.

The captions are going to be short (I'm tired) so the photos will have to do the talking.

Here's the group that made this reunion possible. They are the cream of the crop! Verna, Grandma Ethel, Nellie, George, Elmer, Esther and Lyle.

The cousins, all together.

Apparently some people think there is a family resemblance between the 4 of us but I guess I don't really see it. he he.

Water activities are fun...but wait, is this safe?

Lake-side gamers.
Air Braden. He was a maniac on the rope swing.

Gus on his own rope swing.

Christy and Uncle Elmer.

Gus swinging while Grandma and Grandpa sing to him.

It put him to sleep.

Ahhh, the smell of a fresh lake in the morning.

Bowl-head.

This Tootsie pop looked good.

It tasted good, too!

Ross got to taste it too, I had to be fair.

Christy and Josh bundled up watching fireworks.

Ross and Gus bundled up watching fireworks.

Cousins, just relaxing in the shade. It was hot! Maren, me, Lindsey, Laura, Gus, Brett, and Ross.

Gus eating outside.

Meg, Bjorn and Gus.

Little chef cooking it up in Grandma and Grandpa's camper.

Laughing with Grandpa.

It was a whirlwind of a weekend and pretty neat to see all the relatives again in one place. Thanks for a great weekend, everyone! I wish I had a photo of each and person that was there but picture taking at these types of events isn't as easy as it used to be. Give me another year and Gus will be my assistant and everything will be back to normal.