Christmas 2013

Wow, this has been a fun couple of days.  Grandma Colleen and Papa Bud got here Monday evening.  Then, we had Tim and Annie, Mike and Kathleen, Tio and JQ, and Morgan over for Christmas Eve.  Lots of good food and you boys got spoiled with toys. You made Morgan's day by calling her "Organ" and chasing her around the house!

 Then, today, we got up and had a fun breakfast and opened more presents!

Christmas is so much better through your and your brother's eyes!!!!  Thank you!

Mission Mill Christmas Lights with Monica

Coffee Cake

Lately you've had this thing where you want to make a "coffee cake" but you are thinking it's cake with coffee in it.  Not sure where this is coming from.  I know you really enjoyed helping me make Aunt K's birthday cake so maybe that's it. 

But, this morning while I was working on cookies, you played with the water in the dirty dishes in the sink and told me you were making a "coffee cake" to take to your friends at preschool!  You are adorable you silly!!!!

Butt-Up

I received the following message and picture from Tio this afternoon:

"He is butt-up, wrapped in his blanket, on the coffee table.  No, I'm not tired.  No, I don't want to read in mama's bed."

You are too stinking cute my little boo!

And, then I got this message and picture:
"Lured Dylan to kitchen for cookie.  He is now sleeping with said cookie."

Aunt "Caffeine's" Birthday Cake

We made a birthday cake for Aunt "Caffeine" today.  You got to decorate it by putting little bees on it.  Fun was had by all!  After we had dinner with Aunt K and Uncle Mike, they helped you decorate our Christmas tree too.

The joy and excitement you experienced over making the cake was too much.  I adore your smile in the photo above!

It Snowed

You didn't get a change to play in the "Christmas snow" as you called it yesterday.  So, today I agreed to take you and Riley outside to see it.  You were so excited you put your socks on, correctly, all by yourself.  Guess you do well with the appropriate motivation ;)

You kept telling me you needed to shovel the entire alley so the cars could drive.  You also wanted to visit with Da and Gigi but they weren't home.  I finally convinced you it was cold and you agreed to come back in the house.

This evening we also went to the tree lighting at Willamette.  You were so tired when we got home that you literally walked in, grabbed your blankie, and passed out on the couch.  You had gotten really cold at the lighting and got upset that we had left blankie at home.  Needless to say, you were pretty thrilled to grab it as soon as you walked in.

Barbeque with Laurie Gordon

Tio, you, your brother, and I all braved the snow and ice to meet Laurie Gordon at a local hotel to have dinner and swim in the pool.  By donating to a local shelter or something like that, Laurie got the upgraded room with a big tub.  After we ate, you and Riley had a grand ole' time playing in the tub.  You and I did end up swimming and playing in the hot tub downstairs later.

Growl Games in the Dark!

I get home and Tio tells me:
      "We turned off every light, then screamed as loud as we could, making monster noises. Bailey might need therapy, but the boys will never be afraid of the dark, ever! Lol. This is an in the dark snapshot."

Best. Selfie. Ever!

Tio handed you his cell phone while you were getting your haircut today.  Resulted in the Best. Selfie. Ever!!!

Coast Trip

Your brother, you and I all got to go to the coast for a few days this weekend.  Two of the days were just so beautiful and we got to walk on the beach with Papa Bud.  You love taking your walking stick and poking at things. 

Grandma and Papa Bud got bunkbeds for my old room.  You were thrilled and kept telling everyone to come look at your "new room."  Don and Laura came for dinner on Friday night and you made them go look at your "new room" too!

Then, on Saturday, we went up to Grandma Abbie's and Grandpa Keith's and had a big family dinner.  Mandy and Steve and the boys were down, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ralph were visiting and Bob and Jerene were there so it was kind of like an early Thanksgiving.  It was so nice to be able to visit with everyone and we stayed overnight so we got to have breakfast with most of them and didn't have to go anywhere when you and Riley were tired after playing hard all afternoon. 

It was so very nice to have a long weekend with family!  Thank you for sharing it will me.

Happy Halloween!

What a fun day!  Tio brought you and Riley to the office so you could have lunch with me and I could show you guys off.

Then, we went trick-or-treating with the Jeffers.  You and Eames had a blast!!!!

Oregon Gardens

Today you, Riley, Jawea and I went to the Oregon Gardens.  They had some scarecrows set up around the garden and it was just a good day to get out of the house.  Afterwards, we went to downtown Silverton and had hot chocolate and cookies!

These three photos courtesy of Jawea Mockabee.

Pumpkins!

We went and picked pumpkins tonight.  It was warm and gorgeous.  You loved it...except when you tripped and the vines were pokey.  Then, we went and saw Marnie and she painted a spider on your cheek.  To top it all off, the three of us shared a combination plate at Dos Hermanos!

Showing Grandpa Bud the Cool Bridge on Court St. and Hanging with Eames

You were pretty excited about this morning - we went to Lowes and Home Depot with Grandpa Bud!  On the way home, we stopped at the cool bridge on Court St.  You had to bring Bailey's leash from the car to "fish."  You are definitely creative and imaginative!!!!

Later Eames was next door because it's football season!  So, we invited him over to play.  Riley got a kick out of watching the two of you - and I got some laundry folded because you were all so engrossed in your play!

The Chef and the Onion Gobbler

THIS Is the Way to Greet Monday Morning!

You and a Basket...or Being Naughty and Trying to "Hide"

Baby Zombies

Our neighbors that have a band did a music video with zombies in it.  They video taped you and your brother for the ending.  I got some of the original footage and you were hilarious!

And, boy are you strong - pushing your brother up the entire length of the alley!!!

Helping Lori with the Door Jam

Thoughts on Miracles

Eames' Birthday and the Firetruck

You got to sit in a firetruck at Eames' birthday party today.  His Uncle Fleming convinced one to come to the park for you guys!

Photos from Fleming Jeffers

3 Year Check-Up

I can't believe we already are taking you in for your 3 year routine well-child...no longer well-baby check-up!!!  

Today's stats are as follows: 33 lbs 6 ounces and 38.5 inches tall.  Love you baby boy!!!

I think this might have been the first time they took your blood pressure too!  You sat there very patiently and let the nurse do her thing.

Labor Day Weekend - 2013

We had a nice weekend.  Didn't set out to do anything special other than I took Friday afternoon off so your brother, you, and I could go to the library and watch the showing of Lady and the Tramp.  I don't remember the last time I saw it.

Saturday we hung around the house in the morning and you played with your kitchen.

Our neighbors were supposed to be shooting a music video at the local lavender farm so we were going to go be zombies.  But, the time got changed and we didn't know that.  So, we checked the place out and then went to the park in Monmouth.

Then, because you were thirsty we stopped at Aunt Christy's and played with their new kitten.  On the way home, we picked up a bunch of extra produce from Minto Island Growers to donate.

When we got home you even got to play with Eames for a bit.  But, as soon as Eames left, you crashed on the floor in the living room.  I ended up picking you up about 2 hours later and putting you to bed in your room for the night!

Then, yesterday we went to "Aunt Caffeine's" and "Uncle Abbott's" where you got to play with the dogs and the chickens, eat plums and grapes, and ride in the yard cart!

We finished off the long weekend by going to Minto Brown Park with David, Marnie, and Eames today for a picnic lunch.  Lots of fun and yummy food.

I Love You!

Birthday Card from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Shaffar

As usual, Grandma Abbie put together an adorable card for you.  I had to scan it so you could play with it because you enjoyed it so much!

Fun At the State Fair

It looks like you had fun at the State Fair with Daddy today.  He sent me some adorable pictures.

What a great birthday weekend for you!

Three Years Old!

How did that happen?  There is no way you can be three already! And yet, it feels like you've been part of my heart forever.

This was a hard birthday for me because of the other things going on in our lives.  I think maybe you benefited though ;)

Tia, Crystal, Aaron, Eames, Riley and I went to Red Robin Wednesday to celebrate.  Then, today, your Dad brought you into town so we could have a party at Riverfront Park.  Annie made you an amazingly adorable cake, Monica got you a cool pirate ship pinata, and then we took you and Eames to the Superbounce.  You were completely worn out by the end!  

I think a lot about you and what I want to say to you for when you're older and you look back at this blog.  There are never enough words though to express to you the love I feel.  You are an amazing little man surrounded by loving people! Never, never lose your sense of wonder, amazement and power of observation.  It makes you truly unique!  You've taught me a lot about what it means to love another person.  I can't thank you enough.

Twilight Strawberries

We dropped some honey off for Elizabeth and Chris tonight.  Elizabeth told us we could go eat as many strawberries as we wanted.  I think all three of us took that as a challenge ;)  Both of you were sticky with strawberries and happy in the beautiful golden evening light!