Images That Time (Almost) Forgot, Part I
Well, we’re almost caught up to the Florida trip! Before we go there, however, I wanted to show some images that are from Melissa’s laptop, her phone, and Melanie’s camera… these are shots that are from all over chronologically that I didn’t have access to when they fit in our story. So it is time for a two-part entry of flashbacks!
April 1st, 2010. See this image larger.
April 2nd, 2010; I’m pretty sure these are from a trip to Ohio that I did not partake in… Looks like the ladies had fun! See this image larger.
A full year later, April 29th, 2011. Ian and Nina investigate Kaylee’s car! See this image larger.
Looks like Nina has Minnie Mouse ears! See this image larger.
I love this shot of Nina. She looks like she has the confidence to take that thing off-roadin’! See this image larger.
Crazy cousins, and Ian’s got Nina in a choke-hold. See this image larger.
This chair must be for watching Connor playing soccer! See this image larger.
*Bye-bye cousins, see you again soon!* See this image larger.
*I’m taking this with me though, sorry! (Just kidding!)* See this image larger.
Don’t be shy, Ian, this isn’t your first pic-marathon. 
*Hi everybody, welcome to my marathon!* 
T-Rex! 
*Uh, Daddy. Pics in my underwear at age 4? Kinda weird.* 
Yep, I know. I’ll cut it out if you could wear some clothes more often. As it is I had to photoshop a toe out of this image because it didn’t look like a toe. 
If these images look a little strange it is because in this shot I took it in the complete dark, using the flash to bounce the light off of the ceiling. Effective! 
Ian and his old man. 
Such a good kid. These pics were all taken July 12th. I was a few days away from the contest deadline, and a few days prior managed to cut a nice slice into my left index finger while cutting bread… they made me wear a splint which is why I mention all of this, you can see it in the image. The injury did not make working on the contest any easier. Incidentally, if you are wondering, as of this date, august 8th, they still have not announced a winner. 
He knows how to be frustrating sometimes, but when he’s not, he’s a total angel. 
We all have our grouchy moments though, am I right? 
You might hear Ian mention a game called Casey’s Contraptions, or you might wonder about the kind of thing the kids play on the iPad. They learn all kinds of stuff via some educational games, the one pictured here is more about cause and effect. In this mode, Ian gets to design whatever he wants. In this case, the three balls will hit the three switches, opening the three trap-doors, resulting in three smashed piggy banks. 
July 10th, just look at how well she’s holding that crayon! 
She inspects the page… *Hmm, no this one won’t do.* 
*THIS is a good one. See? Has Elmo.* 
*Page approved. I will now begin coloring.* 
Have I mentioned the Nina loves Elmo? 
Ladies and Gents, I believe I mentioned some dresses just seem to be made for Nina? This is one of those. 
Look at how graceful! 
She does a little spin on the catwalk… 
*Off the shoulder? This IS an evening party, why not!* 
*Are these the right shoes, Mommy?* 
All in a day’s work to look so beautiful… 
Almost a perfect pose… 
And there’s your winner! Adorable, punkin! Probably worth a look larger -> 
See you all in part II of the Nina-Pic-Marathon!!! (Mommy, go sit in time out for sneaking into the Nina-Pic-Marathon!) 
The fourth of July! Yay! 
*Peek* 
Bruised bathing beauty! I don’t even remember which bonk that was. Like Ian at this age, she’s collecting them. 
I guess she wants more water? 
July 5th, we got out the potty seat so that Nina might get used to seeing it around, etc… Ian put the inner bucket on his head. 
This is one of those things where, as a dad… you say “Get that off your h– Wait a minute. (Get camera. Click.) Alright now get that off your head.” 
July 8th, who is that, Nina? Oh right, Elmo! 
It was “funny hair day” at daycare… 
He’s still pretty cute, isn’t he? Just wanna pinch that cheek! 
Ok back to July 3rd, and we’re outside playin’! 
Slip ‘N Slide didn’t quite work out as expected. It is really difficult to explain to a 4 year old that he needs to get velocity, and then land in a forward motion with an inflatable sled under your body. So I threw him. He loved it. 
*Uh, you’re not going to throw ME, right Daddy?* 
*And now for a wagon ride all the way around the block! Alright everybody pile in!* 
*We’re a quarter of the way there… Walk the wagon time, everybody pile out, but hold hands.* 
*Alright now is the part of the wagon ride where we ride our parents instead…* 
*Ok nows the part of the wagon ride where we walk separately. Aaaand, we’re home!* 
The sun sets on July 3rd… and it is as beautiful as the day was. 
Ian prepares for his decent. 
Hellooooo? 
Nina carefully stands… 
Looking cute! 
Ian gained a friend… so Daddy had to push two kids and try to take this picture at the same time! 
Here she goes! 
Look at her go!! 
Go pumpkin! 
Almost here! 
She did it! 
Time to start again! 
Picnic! 
June 28th, and there’s more fun at home to be had this day, with Mommy! Child labor laws only apply if the kid gets paid, I think! 😉 
Based mostly on observation of Mommy or maybe Daddy, Ian ended up being pretty darn good with a vacuum! 
Hi peanut! (This is a great shot, see it larger! -> ) 
*And this is how you get out, Nina!* DOOMP. 
*Daddy’s upside-down!* (Have I mentioned that Ian says the opposite of upside-down is side-up-right?) 
They obviously had a lot of fun with the laundry basket. 
The concept of the “stinky sock” has somehow become the pinnacle of hilarity around our home. You can see one floating in a pre-attack stance here. 
*Hoooo boy that’s funny stuff!* 
Ian shows Grampa Dave something cool on Mommy’s iPad. 
Grampa Dave shows Ian the finer points of robot-to-plane transformation! 
A tradition that goes as far back as I can remember! 
I almost got everybody smilin’! Ian’s at one of those ages where he has to be pretty heavily bribed or persuaded. 
Grandma Marcia helps Nina with her shoes, but Nina wonders who is going to help Gramma Marcia with her big white boot?!? (It was quite the cast! The kids got to write something on it later!) 
A quick shot of Ian, Nina and Great Grandma Betty… GG Betty quickly realized Nina’s left the days of baby weight far behind her! 
Ian giggles his way through some tickles. 
*INside. INside, Daddy. Ok, put down the camera…. come over here… open this door, yes this one. And let me inside. Ok?* 
A nice outside shot before we had to say good-bye! We have you in our prayers Grandma Marcia, quick-heals! 
June 19th, this is before Ian and I had a serious talk about smiling for pictures. 
This is not after said talk, but he’s getting there. I think we had the talk after the visit to Gramma Marcia and Grampa Dave and G.Gramma Betty… But I’ll get to that visit shortly! Love the dress sweet pea! 
Awfully bright out there… 
Put on your sunglasses! 
There ya go! 
Contrary to how this image looks, Ian was not contemplating strangulation of younger sibling, that I know of. 
Not quite a roller coaster. But soon, Ian… soon. 
Wagon-ride! 
June 20th, Yay! Popsicle! 