Surprise Birthday Trip

John surprised me with a birthday trip last weekend. My parents watched Mark and the boys and we spent two nights at Big Cedar Lodge just outside of Branson, Missouri. We had a great time and surprisingly I did just fine leaving Mark for the first time. Maybe because he did so great. I called several times a day and only had good reports. I don't know, maybe I should be sad that he didn't miss me more! I guess he's used to me being gone since I seem to always be at work. Anyway, John and I first drove up to Branson Landing, a new outdoor shopping area and boardwalk, and then we went on to Big Cedar Lodge. It is really pretty and has a neat waterfall that runs through the campus..you even drive through it several times...its pretty cool. When we left Big Cedar we stopped back through Branson and did some serious shopping at the Tanger Outlet mall there! Whooo-hoo! Here's a pic of me at the entrance to Big Cedar.


This is me at the spa about to have a massage on my birthday...I was one happy camper!

I have never seen more animal furs, deer heads, and stuffed animals in my life! Big Cedar is owned by the same people that own Bass Pro Shops so it is pretty rustic and outdoors-y. We stayed in the "Falls" lodge which was huge and beautiful...this bear was in the main lobby of our lodge.

On Friday morning, we slept in, ate at the little deli on campus where I had hot apple cider(yummy), and then we had some time to kill before we went horseback riding, so we went canoeing! We didn't realize that the 20 mile/hr wind was behind us when we started out...but needless to say we got our work-out in as we headed back towards the marina!

Then here is one of me in front of the stable. Not the best pic but the ones we took of each other actually on our horses (Scout and Snickers) just look silly. Funnily enough we just don't look normal sitting on horseback. I guess we are more city-slickers than we thought!

So here is a pic looking up the hill to our lodge. you can see the waterfall that runs through the property. At night everything is lit up with white christmas lights.


We had two nice dinners at Big Cedar. On Friday we ate ate the Worman House which was actually the home of Mr. and Mrs. Worman built in 1921. He was a railroad man I think. Anyway it really was a great dinner.

And last but not least when I got back in town I ran in the Route 66 Marathon Relay with Lisa, Courtney, Kizzy, and Rachel. We had fun AND we got third place in our division! We are gearing up to win next year!

"Nothing Really"

People always ask whats been going on at the Wingerter house or what I've been up to and my typical response is, "nothing really" or "working". When really, I work and then spend every waking moment enthralled in this little guy we have to hang out with now. We happen to think he is just the cutest thing in the world of course and are sure glad we got a new camera before he was born because we are burning it up! Here are a few pics from the last week.

Mark loves his daddy. I'm not sure who is funnier. John is always laughing at Mark and vice versa. They crack each other up

The other day I tried to put Mark down for a nap when he wasn't quite ready and this is what I saw on the monitor a few minutes later. Cracked me up!

We like to call Mark's cousin Lexi, "Miss Independant." Well I would like to introduce, "Mr. Independant!" Mark loves to stand up. And not just stand up, but stand up and let go. He has been doing this ever since he learned to pull up which was WAY before he even approached any type of stability. But since he does it about 100 times a day he is actually getting a little more stable. He can hold it about 5-6seconds before plopping down on his bum or grabbing on to something again or smacking his forehead into something. Like Lisa said about Britton...I think Mark will be bruised on his forehead for a solid 6 months!

Mark loves to go outside. And I really would let him more often if he could at least walk. But I'm not too keen on him being trampled by the dogs or putting his little hands on every single dirty thing outside. He is always looking out the front door (day or night) and I thought this pic was so pitiful because he is watching the boys accross the street play. Poor baby being left out!

Yes! Mark is finally eating solid food! We had quite a time trying new things...he seems to have an enormous gag reflex! But at the suggestion of a friend, we attempted jellied cranberries. You can see for yourself it was a hit and if I leave the pieces big enough he can feed himself pretty well. We've also moved on to potatoes, cottage cheese, sliced peaches, rice casserole, etc. He seems to like everything so far!

We I just couldn't leave these out. Mark sure loves Rocky. And Rocky sure is patient with Mark. Mark loves to use Rocky to pull on to stand up. and Rocky just doles out the kisses which sometimes makes Mark laugh and sometimes makes him scream. He can be pretty moody!

"I'm a little Peanut"

Yes, thats right folks, Mark was a peanut for his very first Halloween. I saw this costume and thought it was hysterical and had to buy it! Our Halloween was a little crazy as we drove all over town visiting family and friends. But Mark was a trooper getting in and out of the car and in and out of his costume. And every time we put him back in his costume we cracked up laughing all over again. We tried to get pics with all of the family we visited, but the pics with Grammy and Papa, Aunt Lindsay, and Britton are on their cameras..and yes we would like copies please!




Here is the best head-to-toe shot we have. He was chewing on a butterfinger wrapper at Mimi's house!



Opa and Ann got him a HUGE Hershey's bar!


And I just had to throw this one in. Mobley really does love Mark Thomas and now I have the proof! (notice Mobley's tongue perfectly contoured to Mark's face!)