Month 17 - February 25

The word of this month is creativity.  We wish we could say it was a creative month with something artistic but mainly creativity with entertaining this very active 16 month old.  This past month we have had a variety of different weather conditions.  We would be at the park on a beautiful, sunny afternoon one day and then would get caught on a walk in the rain the next to a blizzard on the next day.  Gotta love this Texas weather and playing with a little boy indoors!

One of Julie's neighborhood playgroup friends saw us at the park and took this amazing picture of Caleb.  Chrystalyn is so talented and such a beautiful artist.

Playing in Mommy's car (while parked in the garage) is fun.  Especially pushing all the buttons, locking the doors, pushing the hazard button, climbing over the seats, all while passing at least an hour of our day.  (Unfortunately, to this 16 month old it has caused a few confusions when he wants to play and we actually have to buckle up and go somewhere).

This kid doesn't crawl into the shower anymore...he steps in and has so much fun opening and closing the door.  A great activity while Mommy is trying to get dressed in the morning.

This is Caleb at our fun Super Bowl Party that one of Craig's Small Group Families hosted.  Caleb really was having a ball playing in this basket of balls (despite his tired, worn out face)!!  Caleb always says "Ba-Ba" and he will even throw anything that he gets his hands on.  (And might we add that he has quite the arm.) We would love any tips for helping him know what he can and can not throw. 

Since he is now walking...Caleb loves to play basketball with Dada.  Dada "shoots and scores" by putting Caleb in the basket.  Then Caleb wants to be just like his Dada and puts his puppy, Scoop, through the hoop!!

Another indoor activity that didn't go so well...Finger painting!! Unfortunately, Caleb did not want to wear the make-shift smock (nor does he want to wear bibs at meal time anymore).

We left the attempt of painting, cooled off with a game of basketball, didn't put the smock back on, and presumed with a beautiful piece of artwork (a Valentine's Day Card for Dada).  This activity only kept Caleb's attention for all of 1 minute.  Maybe, next time he will enjoy it more.

One cold and rainy day we needed another activity and this was SO much fun.  Mommy would push Caleb around the house and he would point and say "Please" (in sign language) and would carry yet another awkward toy around the house.  In the picture below Caleb is caring a rake, a music box, a cart of markers (which are just a few of his favorite toys).  This was good for both Mommy and Caleb because she got her exercise, cleaned the house, and entertained Caleb all at the same time.  Could this boy be any happier?!?

Work Out Time: Daddy showing Caleb how to do push ups.  We keep some dumb bells under our bed and Caleb often times rolls them out and plays with them.  This particular day our little body builder managed to lift the 10 pound weight by himself.  And lastly a few chin-ups can't hurt anybody, especially if you are getting a little assistance. 

Caleb is discovery the joy of coloring.

Maybe we should get Caleb a real golf club since he is already learning to hit balls with sticks.

A fun yet messy activity is finding the hidden treasures in the tub of rice.  It's all fun and games until Mommy is constantly sweeping and vacuuming up the little morsels of rice from every nook and cranny in the house.

Random picture of Caleb carring around toothbrushes, paint sticks, pens, and markers-all while wearing one of Mommy's house slippers.  Too Cute!

One of our dear friends from our Community and the best co-leader to our 9th grade girls had their baby boy a few weeks ago.  Cary and Cori named their precious 5 pound 14 ounce baby boy Samuel Christopher.  We were trying to have a Surprise Baby Shower for Cori at Small Group for 2 weeks Cori was unable to make the "party" because of Sam coming early.  So, we finally took the party to her for just a few minutes of hugs and gifts.  We are so excited to have our 7th child in our Community!!!

Feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions for any indoor activities that you enjoy doing with your child (or outdoor activities).  We are running out of ideas for entertainment!

3rd Snow Day of the Season - February 11-12

On Thursday morning we woke up to a beautiful morning of snow dusting the ground with about 2 inches of snow. Julie and Caleb played outside in the snow but he was just enjoying walking around in the fluff and stomping in the puddles of slushy snow. The snow continued to fall all day long along with the temperature. The sky was incredible. It was bright with a pinkish/purplish hue glowing and reflecting against the snow. We woke up to even more snow (about 8 inches in our front yard). We played in the snow, Craig built our very own snowman, Craig had a snowball fight with some other neighbors (it was cute to see 4 grown men acting like kids). He then shoveled the drive way and drove into work with no problems. Hope you enjoy these beautiful pictures as much as we enjoyed playing in it (well most of the time.)
Caleb is not quite sure about all of this on Day 1 of snow... Caleb is much happier when our family is together playing in the snow on the second day of snow 
The proud architect, builder, and decorator

Julie's Little Snowmen

We forgot to take a picture of the front of our house on Friday (this is the farthest away we get-isn't beautiful) Notice the difference in this picture and the one at the top of the page.

A few night pictures of our backyard (the pictures don't do the sky any justice)

















A picture of our patio before it begins to melt :(

Community Retreat

This past weekend we were so blessed to be able to take a few days away from the busyness of life and enjoy a cold weekend with our Community at an incredible lake house. We have been hanging with this group for almost 3 years and luckily we have been able to have a getaway weekend every year. Our Community is great at laughing a ton together, whether we are playing Wii, watching TV, playing games (the boys are cheaters), or sitting around talking about the past. These four couples have impacted our life and it is a true joy to "live life" with them. Thank you Mimi and Papa for keeping Caleb! It was nice not to think twice about how much love you two would give. Thank you!!

Month 16 - January 25

We think the word for this month should be exploration. Not only does Caleb love walking all over the place (with a little assistance or holding something in his hands for comfort, like string, a toy, a crayon, shoes, or clothes-picture below.) But he also has been exploring/climbing to great heights in our home and has learned to do so by himself. Our little climber learned instantly how to use a step ladder. Caleb has even discovered climbing into our ottomon/toy box
And he still enjoys climbing behind two large plants and playing "hide-and-go-seek"
Like Father Like Son...
Caleb is just like his Daddy in so many ways, more than doing exactly what his Daddy does all the time but, Caleb LOVES "Shhhh" (shoes) just like his Daddy did at this age. Big Boy using a spoon by himself. He is so proud of himself when he feeds himself but it sure does take a while :) Caleb is showing off his new haircut that Daddy gave for him. It is his fourth one and could probably use another one.

Our church has been celebrating their 10 year anniversary. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon they had an incredible party with bounce houses, pony rides, a band, and plenty of carnival food yummies. We had a great time and Caleb enjoyed "walking" everywhere. Maybe next time he can go in the bounce houses and ride the pony. This is our attempt of a family picture with an active little boy. Caleb is enjoying his first ever roasted corn on the cob. He ate a ton of it especially with his new molars. He now has a grand total of 12 teeth!!
Julie's two favorite boys Caleb wishing he could ride the ponies and making his super cute horsey noise Our sweet friends, Stacie, Ben, and Hamilton

We have been enjoying this incredible weather in the middle of January and went to the Arboretum with friends in our Community (We missed Laura and baby Braysen. Sorry you two weren't there. We will have to do it again soon). Entertainment with the deer statues
Caryn and her sweet boys, Stacey and Wyatt Cori and precious Grace Kristin, Sorry I don't know how I don't have a single picture of you and Cade.

One of Julie's favorite views at the Arboretum with two silly froggies jumping up and down.

It has been a fun, relaxing, and very enjoyable month! "Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." Charles Swindoll

Month 15 - December 25

The past month with Caleb has been SO fun! We had Thanksgiving and Christmas in this last month and a ton of excitement in between. Oh how we love this time of year and are so sad to have the two big holidays of the year over. There is nothing big to look forward to in the month of January.

Caleb's 9th and 10th teeth came through without us knowing. They were the big one year molars and we think he is working on the other two big molars now or at least we blame his sudden change of temperament or is that being 15 months and mobile? Caleb is tall enough to reach the door handles (and can even open the pantry door). Guess it is time to toddler proof the next level.

Sadly, this year we did not get a chance to hike miles through the snow to chop down our own tree but Lowe's specials were just right for us.

Caleb got his 1st real haircut (not from Mimi). We drove our 88 year old neighbor to the barber and decided to go ahead and get a free haircut while we were there. But, his hair grows so fast and could use another cut now.

A big accomplishment this month is that Caleb is now able to get on his tractor by himself.

Finally, we were able to take a little Field trip to West Dallas to visit Julie's old school, faculty, and precious students. One of Julie's dear friends, Catherine, from college has been working with Campus Crusade all over the world since we graduated. She now lives in Dallas with her husband and not only is teaching at West Dallas Community School but is teaching Julie's old students who are now in 4th grade!! So Fun!

Caleb still loves playing with awkward toys, including one of Mommy's Christmas presents, no not the syrup.

A sweet friend of Julie's from college, Jenny and her adorable daughter Bekah, were in town. Here are a few precious pictures of these two beautiful girls.

Caleb was able to be a part of Julie's 9th grade girls Christmas Party. They just adore Caleb and are all GREAT babysitters. Let me know if you ever need someone!

We made Gingerbread Houses with our Community for part of our Christmas Party. There was not a lot of making but definitely more eating.

Caleb is able to point to some of his body parts. The list includes: belly, button, hair, nose, tongue, mouth, head, foot, shoes, hat. Here is a picture after bath time where we get to see their tongues.

Caleb was able to really be part of a white elephant gift exchange that we had for Craig's work party. We baked a cake, bought a "cake saw", took some pictures of Caleb enjoying the cake, developed the pictures, wrapped up the half eaten cake, and there we go... a great White Elephant Present. (At least it was not a toilet this time!)

Julie's sister, brother-in-law, and their 3 kids came in town for a quick visit. Below is some loving from one cousin to another and Three Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.

Caleb loves holding objects (any object) to his ears, he calls phones Dada, and has pretend conversations with who knows who (not using any real words).

We go to the pediatrician next week and are excited to see how much this big boy weighs and how tall he is.