Mr. Trouble, Jr.

I think it was about two years ago that I made a post entitled Mr. Trouble at that point I was referencing Jacob. This time it is Caleb's turn! Funny how all little kids experience all the same things. This particular morning I was stuck on the couch on my lap top needing to finish my Deals to Meals job...needless to say Jared was at work and the three monkies were doing what they do best...Needing my attention. So of course when I can't give it to them they try new things. Jared on his way out the door did the best he could to "baby proof" the house. He pulled our green chair in front of the entry way to keep the baby from crawling into the office, he shut our bedroom door, secured the stair gate and picked up everything off the floor. On his way out he said, "The only thing left for the baby to do is climb up the stairs!" So within 5 minutes of Caleb exhausting all of his other options in the front room he quickly made his way to the stairs. No more than one attempt he was up and away! I realized I needed to run for the camera to document this occasion! (Yes this is another messy face picture! I don't think I have taken one picture of him with his handsome clean face!)

Extended Family Home Evening

Our entire extended family decided to get together for a little FHE at the church. Something our family enjoys is playing volleyball at the church. So that is what we did. We had all the extended family gather together with dinner and some good ole volleyball. It was a delight to have so many family members there.

Here is Grandpa playing with Caleb. This is my dad's dad and he is 88 years old. He has always had such a love for all these little babies. I was able to catch on video Grandpa getting Caleb to giggle. It was a precious moment.

The Volleyball Players

Oh, and here is the engaged couple in action. I have a better picture of the two of them, but I thought this was cute. Kath and Duane finally recieved the temple papers to get married! Yeah!!! They are so perfect for each other and I can't think of any two better and deserving singles to have found each other. Prayers are answered and miracles are still happening! March 26th is their official sealing day. We couldn't be happier for them!

I can't resist sharing these adorable pictures of the little man. Not to mention and document that he has two teeth. He is also 9 months old. He is crawling EVERYWHERE, he pulls himself up to a standing position off of anything, we have had to lower his crib down to the "big boy" position. He enjoys eating real food. He started enjoying real things like, sandwiches, pieces of fruit, etc. way more than the mushy baby food. It makes life easy when I can just plop him in his high chair and he does his own thing. You know when he wants more because he will "smack" his lips together and look straight at you until he gets your attention. And when he is finished the hands go up and his head turns back and forth and his jaw is locked shut! As you can tell from the picture he is a normal baby...messy!

Here's to Success and Failure...

Early bed times and reading with my kids are the best part of the day! So these moments are "successes" around here! Cute kids huh! As some of you know I have been working a few nights a week (in my home) but it required my kids to go straight to bed which would always limit our "talking & reading" time. I happened to be on a walk with Alayna and I was telling her how I wouldn't have to do that anymore and she said, "Oh, fun mom that means we can just snuggle and talk and read books together...I know, I will set up a special blanket and all of us can just snuggle and read together!" I couldn't have been happier with her reaction. Each night she now says, "Mom can we talk?" You know that as a mother you can't ever resist a time when your kids just want to sit and talk with you. I just love this snuggly girl.

Then I think I have passed off the success of enjoying to bake with the little monkies. Thanks to our great neighbors who have been delivering truly the most heavenly sugar cookies this holiday season to us! YUM. (And I don't like sugarcookies or frosting...but let's just say they are DELICIOUS!) So we had to get the recipe and have friends over to help bake them. I love this picture because if you notice in the background there is Jake literally climbing on the table, feet up surfing through all the different cookie cutters! They were in heaven...let's just say clean up wasn't so heavenly but it did allow them to have hours of FUN!

Here's to the failure part of the day...I was baking Grady my bro-in-law some birthday cupcakes...He and I share the LOVE affair with German Chocolate Cake. So I was SO happy to volunteer to make it for him. When I didn't have a box cake I decided to get on my fav website, the food network of course and try out a recipe I once saw made. Let's just say the recipe appeard to good to be true. By the end of the cookie day, cleaning and making this cake I was completely DONE! At his party later that night I told him I would owe him a great cake and one with the heavenly coconut frosting! So much for trying...*I must admit though it wasn't the recipe that was wrong it was me...I realized that later!* So I guess I will try it again!!!

The next success was a bridal shower for my aunt. We had it on Saturday morning and it was SO much fun. I was just so happy to have all the family around to celebrate in her special upcoming day! Not to mention the muffins were a success! I just love it when recipes DO actually turn out.

It's official!

He's on the move! Let's just say we have had to officially put up a stair gate and be aware of what's on the floor. This kid goes everywhere. He crawled into the kitchen and poked his little head around and gave me a look like, "This is so great...I can chase you when you leave me!" He has been found eating bouncy balls, any piece of paper, and pretty much any toy, cord, my lap top and ANYTHING else found on the ground! Oh, the joys of our baby being mobile. Good thing he's so cute.