What did he say?!

He's all babble now.  I love it when he wakes up from a nap happy and he's just sitting in his crib babbling away.  But our ears perked up when he started saying dada.  It's so cute.  Now Craig REALLY has his dad wrapped around his little finger ;).

Been some of those days

The Groundhog said it himself...(herself??)Anyway, an early summer it said.  And it has been feeling as such.  So we have been trying to make the best of it.  Outside time and picnics at the park. Beautiful.

This was is the first time Craig has tried out the swings, and I wasn't sure how he would take it... but he loved it! Especially when Carson pushed.

The other day Carson.... oh I mean, Batman and I went out to play with Tanner, and give the dog some good exercise chasing a ball.

Craig loves the outside... it's funny though, he won't leave the blanket.  I think the grass must feel funny to him or something.  But I seriously doubt that will last much longer ;)

Here's to an early summer!

They Just make You Smile

Babies just melt your heart don't they?? Well, we are constantly getting a kick out of the new things Craig's doing.  He dances, jibbers, throws tantrums, gets into everything, follows the older kids everywhere, wants nothing to do with mom when dad is home (unless there is food involved of course ;), likes to walk when I hold his hands, slobbers on everything, and is constantly smiling.  He's 9 months now and  I wonder if I'm going to be able to keep up with him?! Yep, I just can't help but smile.

Sharing is good

YEP, sharing is good! And super cute ;)

We went to the pet store Saturday and saw this.  Sharing body heat:)

We can't always be where we want to be... so I am SO grateful for modern day technology so we can enjoy  others from afar.  This last weekend we had a niece AND a nephew get blessed.  They were born 3 days apart.  Thank you for sharing these pics with us!!

Ashlyn Christine Anderson

Lincoln Craig Christian

Momma Shelly hanging with Lincoln on Super Bowl Sunday

Grandma Elli loving Ashlyn on her blessing day

Shelly's mom, Penny, holding Angel Lincoln

Family pic for Ashlyn's big day

Lincoln's chubby cheeks

We also got some fun pics from Gail's trip to Texas.  We miss all these sweet ones who live so far away now! Every picture shared is cherished!

Grandma Elli with Bailey for school lunch

Jayden ready for her day out with Grandma Elli

Thank you for sharing with us!! They made my weekend :) 

SHARING IS GOOD!

7 & from Heaven

Alex turned another number! And we had some fun celebrating it :).  Grandparents got him stuff early and took him out.  The night of his birthday we downed tacos (his favorite) and made rainbow jello for his cake.  Never have I seen such a wobbily cake!  It was funny to watch the candles jiggle as we sung to him and had him blow them out, haha.  Then a movie night with popcorn, after presents of course.  The next day we had a house full of boys to continue the party.  Now THAT was a lot of fun.  Target practice, soccer, and bey blade tournaments (with some rough house wrestling in between all of that).  Alex loved every minute of it.  

We love you too Alex!

Seven things about him:

1) He enjoys math and numbers

2) He loves tether ball

3) He's totally into legos

4) He likes to fish and go to wrestling meets with dad

5) He rarely forgets to tell me he loves me before he leaves the house in the morning

6) He knows 12 out of the 13 Article of Faiths

7) And he's a complete carnivore!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX

ThiS and ThaT

Craig is cruising! He pulls himself up now.  So not only do I need to watch what is on the floors... but Also the couches...and the bookshelves... And the entertainment center... And etc...

Cami is on a baking spree again.  Every day she comes home from school, she asks, "Can I bake..." cookies/brownies/muffins.  She loves it and does it all on her own, (still working on the clean up part though ;).  It's a lot of fun to watch her cook.  And helpful when I put her in charge of dinner.  All these goodies though, are not so good for my uncontrollable sweet tooth! (aka. waist line!)

We got a karaoke machine for Christmas from Grandma Ellie and we have been trying it out.  Well mainly Jeremy and I... the kids just like to goof off with the microphone and make funny noises.  Craig here was checking out what Jer was doing... and I thought it was too cute to pass up this pic.

Here's some proof of the kid's microphone etertainment

When you say bed time....

...we get this.  You would think it would mean it's time to wind down.  But on many nights... that is just not the case.  Most of the time I get a kick out of watching... and sometimes I even jump in there my self when the kids call out my name for help!  I have special mommy powers ;)

With every able kid, I always ask Jeremy, "What are you going to do when the NEXT one can gang up on you?" We'll just have to find out ;)

Wrapping Up 2012

So first off... there is a ridiculous number of pictures on this post because of my lack of computer time.   SO, for starters we had a project in our kitchen. :)  Jeremy's dad Steve came up for a weekend and brought this beautiful old dresser that needed a paint job that he found at one of his job sites.  Because it was too cold outside to do any proper painting they brought it into the kitchen and went to work.

Before

During....

We had a headboard for Cami's bed that Gail and I found at a garage sale last year.  Funny thing though, they had the exact same coloring and gold trim! Who would of thought!  Anyway, we brought it out too thinking, might as well paint this while we're at it. Thanks Jer :).

Carson like's a good project too, so he's always right at Jeremy's side helping.  Like Father, like Son.

AFTER: Wah-lah!  Love it... seriously love it.  Thank you Steve and Jeremy!

That next Sunday while we were at church it was snowing buckets!  The kids in our primary class were just itching in their seats to go watch the snow come down. :) By the time we got home from church we had a few inches and I let the kids loose outside to play.  Children bring out the excitement in snow, and I can't help but get sucked into it ;).

Christmas Eve Jer's sis, Launa came to spend the night with us.  We brought out our scrap Christmas fabric and Launa sewed a stocking for her and her boyfriend's dog.  I realize now that I didn't get a final picture!  What was a thinking??? She did an awesome job :).  And Jeremy's good coaching helped too :).

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Carson loves anything super hero... so when we saw these hulk hands... we knew... these are for Carson!

Now I officially feel safe... we have a couple of superheroes protecting our home ;)

Slippers and Monster High dolls... happy, happy, Cami :)

This is Teah, Launa's dog... a beautiful Ridgeback!

You can kind of see the markings on her spine in this picture.  She was fun to have around and so good for Tanner!

Tanner is a little leery of bigger dogs in the first place because of past experiences.  But we got a kick out of watching them play and Tanner finally warming up to her!  Haha, we'll have to have Launa bring Teah back for another play date :).

Teah was very patient with the kids too.... especially when Cami tried to ride her.  Maybe SOME day we'll get a big dog... maybe ;)

Craig got to try out his new sweet potato puffs.  He is such a happy little guy!

I love this slobber bomber!

Jeremy felt it was time for Alex to get his first gun, a be be gun.  This will be the toy that bonds father and son :).

And Alex loves it!

It was a great Christmas.  Thanks for spending it with us Launa!

A few days after Christmas, 9 years ago, I had my first baby.  Cami arrived @ 10 in the morning, and from then on has been full of life and excitement!  This year we decided... it's time.  

Ear piercing! 

She was such a trooper.  She said it hurt more than she thought it would but didn't last for very long.

Now she has a little extra outward sparkle.

Cami requested smoothies for her birthday instead of cake.  It is her fav!

Happy birthday my Cami-lamb!!

Last but not least: NEW YEAR'S

We headed to my parents house and let the kids stay up late and watch grandpa set off fire works for the new year... Brrrr, it was cold!

After the big celebration, all the grandkiddos had a slumber party downstairs and fell asleep with their glow lights while listening to grandpa Cheeto tell stories.

Happy 2013!  Let's make it good!