Momma/Connor Time in Missoula!

Lets do the Time Warp again!!! Way back in August, after Mom and I got rid of boring old dad (like WORK is more fun than hanging out with me in Montana), Mom's friend Charmel hosted a lovely dinner for auntie Pam Pott's birthday in Missoula. Before dinner, I played with Char's daughter Haislea (Haze-lea) and Zepher in the backyard. The have the COOLEST ride on toys which the editors are totally promising to get me (just like they are promising to be more faithful about blog posting), and Charmel, as she did for my parent's first anniversary, used her photography talents to capture my best side.

I also showed off my yoga skills and snacking prowess.

After dinner, I gave Mom one of my famous open mouthed kisses. Since it was Pam's birthday, I decided to give her one as well. What woman could resist? Happy Birthday Auntie Pam!!!

Montana adventures

Faithful readers, per our revised mission statement and due to being way behind on posting, we are utilizing this lovely Indian Summer to remember the lovely days of actual summer and post some Montana trip pics.


You will notice the romper I am wearing, the full text is actually "crabby but cute", which is the exact correct way to describe me throughout my time in Big Sky Country. It just so happened that I was a tooth cutting MACHINE out in the American West, adding what seems like four teeth (including a pair of molars) in just over two weeks in Montana. We finished August with 6 new teeth, and for good measure added three more in September. One thing that seemed to ease my grousing was when Mom learned how to make melon sorbet from everyone's favorite convicted felon Martha Stewart. I enjoyed Grandpa Jack's and Grandma Michele's sorbet quite a bit after I polished off mine.

Here I am, giving my "picture smile." I paste that baby on whenever I see a camera coming. I learned this from the best, as many, many evidences of this type of smile can be seen on the face of young Brendan Beland on our cousin blog, the Chronicles. Still, a hard look to pull off wearing only a diaper; I feel it is safe to say I did so with panache here. You will notice I am posing with my favorite toy in the world for the length of this trip, Auntie Bryn's Ab Roller (TM). You may recall I was JUST starting to walk with regularity on this trip, and this was an excellent support/entertainment device. And yes, Bryn SWEARS it works.

Chilling in the arm chair after a long walk outside ...

I learned the downward dog position while I was in Montana, and spent a lot of practicing this yoga pose. My parents later tried to do some revisionist history and claim this was me trying to learn to stand without climbing up other objects, but in truth, I know how much yoga means to Grandpa Jack, and really wanted to share that special experience with him. Also, have you seen how big my head is? How am I supposed to lift that monster above my feet?

Just before we left for Montana, Grandma Patty taught me sign language for "more." It has become one of my favorite things to do, and I use it anytime I want anything, or am just generally unsatisfied with the state of my world. It is strange that I am unsatisfied in this instance, as I am playing with my second favorite toy in Grandpa Jack's house, his corded phone. Must be looking for more cherries.

After Dad left, Mom and I took a trip down to Missoula to celebrate Auntie Pam's birthday. We went with Pam, Charmel, Haislea, and Zephyr to enjoy lunch in the park. I believe this is currently the park being "occupied" a la the Occupy Wall Street protest, as if there weren't already enough hippies there.

Apple picking

To celebrate the 80 degree weather in October, I took my parents apple picking over the weekend. I left most of the actual picking to dad, and focused on testing the apples. Not to brag, but I am a bit of an apple expert these days. I usually spend a couple hours each day carrying apple slices around, nibbling them every so often to make sure they are still good.

More fun with Ella

Earlier this month, my friends Paul, Hiranda, and Ella came to visit Grand Rapids. Ella and I had a ton of fun fighting over my toys, carrying badminton rackets around the front yard, and eating cider donuts! My parents foolishly left their camera behind pretty much anytime we did anything fun, but they got a few cute pics.



Ella has a TASTE for fashion, especially tall boots. More like hip waders in this instance, but damn if she wasn't rockin em.


I spent the weekend REALLY wanting to do what Ella was doing. In this instance bouncing on my big plastic ball. Thanks Paul for giving me plenty of turns!!!

The photographers couldn't quite catch one of our many kisses.

First day of school

As is clear to all of you, my faithful readers, I am a super genius. While my parents MUST know this, it took quite some time of me prevailing upon their better angels to get them to do something about getting a professional in to exploit my limitless capacity. Finally, a couple weeks ago, I started at Stepping Stones Montessori. It is only a couple days a week at this point, but already my brain is growing like the Grinch's heart when he heard all those whos singing. Look out CalTech, here I come!

The best part (other than the snacks, drinking out of open cups and ALL the educational wooden toys a boy could ever want) -- I get to ride in with my dad in the mornings! Here I am, goofing off with Dad before getting in the car on my first day.

Gub Lake! Culinary Capital of the World!

As many of you have no doubt followed on our sister (cousin) blog the Chronicles of Brendan and Lainey (fka Brendan Beland's Blog, aka Not as Good As Connor's Corner, but Way Better at Posting Content Blog), we took a fun family trip (Ed. Note: the word "vacation" has been retired until someone is old enough to leave with his grandparents) down to Gun Lake in beautiful Shelbyville, Michigan with the Beland family! And what a trip! Utter, sugar-induced chaos. We think everyone came back about 5 lbs heavier (including myself, who now weighs as much as my dear (year older) cousin Kellan). But having the Master Chef in residence was such a treat for us Ada Gearys, as we ate so much that was delicious (from Brian) and so much that was forbidden (from Nabisco/Mootown Dairy/Smoreheaven/Godknowswhere). But there were many, many kiddo adventures, as this blog will be the first of at least two and maybe three, but given our track record, maybe don't hold us to anything...

On our first morning we discovered that Dad/Uncle B had picked up a variety pack of sugar cereals from Kellogg's! Needless to say 1) we ate breakfast that morning out of bowls on the floor, yes, like dogs and 2) the corn flakes mysteriously were the only things left at the end. But this was better than the donut holes that came later in the trip...

A VERY similar pic was posted of Lainey's birthday party on the Chronicles, but seriously, this is the cutest thing ever. Baby folding chairs! Just as fun as they look!

Cousin Lainey. Working what G-d gave her.

But, for future reference Lainster, THIS is how you show off the goods. So I had a bit of a diaper rash problem for most of the trip, this just means I ROCKED OUT outside in the buff. Seriously, the neighbors must have thought it was the 60's again at our place. Nonetheless, it ain't bragging if you got it...it of course being the cuteness.

If I look sad here, it is only because this is just before leaving, I had exploded my applesauce packet all over my face, and I knew that the sugarcanalia was coming an abrupt end. Cold Turkey is No Joke. Hopefully more to come!

Connor's Chair

The most popular place to sit in our house lately for Connor, toddler guests and, yes, mom and dad (Ed. Note: dad only got stuck once, and it wasn't even that big a deal, whatever mom tells you) is CPGs sweet Adirondack chair from World Market. Snatching up outdoor furniture at the end of the season can lead to great things, in this case a perfect snacking and (very occasionally) TV watching venue.

Baby, you can drive my Car.

No, it just looks like the same background in all these pictures. Me and dad were totally cruzin.

Laid Back. Got my mind on my money and my money on my mind.

Darn blind spot, anyway.

Oz Forever! We love you palehose!