CHELRISSAREE*

2008-11-30T15:12:00.001-05:00

Meet Snowball! He is our new pet. We believe that he is a westie-poo... half westie, half poodle!

Fun with Aunt Chels Chels

2008-08-21T17:25:00.002-04:00

The other day Chelsea and Autumn came over for a little bit. Joselyn LOVES her Aunt Chelsea. This was a pile on. Baby doll sat on joselyn's lap who sat on Autumn's lap who sat on Chelsea's lap! Fun!

Walking Baby Charlie

2008-07-03T22:38:00.004-04:00

Our little munchkin finally figured out that he already knew how to walk. Isn't it amazing how that works? I think all of us have these abilities that we don't realize we have, and the only reason we don't do them is that we don't think we can. And then one day, when faced with a challenge, we take a leap of faith and try it. Then we realize, "wait... I know how to do this! And I'm GOOD at it, too!"

That was Charlie today. After months of really being able to walk on his own, though he didn't have the self confidence to try it, he decided today that he COULD walk, and that he could walk WELL, too.

Watch and witness his amazing abilities!

We are proud of our little boy... and can't believe he's growing so fast. He turns 1 in just over a week!

2008-07-01T08:49:00.001-04:00

Okay... Awesome news! I have a new laptop! I can blog, watch videos, listen to videos! Yay!!!!

Sleepover!

2008-06-17T15:13:00.005-04:00

Kade has his first sleepover last night with a fellow 2-year old named Alex. He's in our ward, and we wanted to give his parents, who are good friends of ours, a night out on the town. SO, what resulted (before bed time) was mass pandamonium, with air-mattress jumping and ice cream eating and all sorts of other chaos. However, once bed-time came, it got quiet quickly, and they went to sleep rather smoothly. If this is what all sleepovers are like, we can do it! (Ha! I KNOW they're not like this most of the time... but maybe with little kids it is? If that's the case, our friends have offered to watch our two boys, and Aaron and I will get a night on the town. SWEET!) Here are a couple of videos of the boys in the house having fun on the air-mattress. Charlie did join in on the fun later... ;)

You may hate cats....

2008-04-24T20:49:00.000-04:00

But how can you say that this is not adorable as can be?

Little Pianist

2008-04-24T19:23:00.003-04:00

Joselyn got this little piano from her nanny (Adam's mom) and she quickly learned how it made sounds. It has now got to be her favorite toy! I'm tellin ya, this girl is going to be musical!

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

2008-04-18T14:17:00.005-04:00

This is one of Kade's many favorite books. He asks for it all the time. We read it all the time. I'm serious. And, perhaps like many other children, he memorizes his favorite books. Even after just a few readings, if he likes a book he can finish the sentance or phrase. In the mornings when Aaron brings him in the room for "jump on Mommy time!"-- yeah, talk about a nice wake-up call-- he'll say "No more monkey jumping bed!" And then, he'll jump on me. And on the bed. Jumping... another one of his FAVORITE things to do. Serious. I guess he doesn't think he's a monkey... So, maybe I need to start reading the book differently?

"Eight little Kades jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head!
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
'No more Kades jumping on the bed!' "

Naw... I don't mind so much, so long he doesn't jump on the furniture, little monkey boy!

So, some of his favorite books right now are:

Mother May I?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?

Anything with a train or cars in it

Cars

No more monkeys jumping on the bed

Scriptures (the scripture reader books with pictures put out by the church)

How do dinosoars say goodnight (this series is AWESOME!)

Bear wants more!

The board book version of "Where is my mother?" (he loves to say, "down down down, plop!" and "snort!" and "oh no!")

Green Eggs and Ham

CTR (he says, "Choose Right! Choose right!")

and others...

Let him laugh!

2008-04-15T23:28:00.004-04:00

It's about nap time, which explains why Charlie is SOOOOOOOOO ticklish! LOVE IT!

Cute video of Joselyn laughing

2008-04-15T15:59:00.003-04:00

Party in my tummy

2008-04-12T21:33:00.001-04:00

Amaree... here is the "Party in my tummy" video... HALARIOUS. Get Charlie and Kade to watch this... This is one of Autumn's favorite TV shows so I watch it sometimes.

Out of the mouths of babes

2008-04-11T16:49:00.002-04:00

Today Amaree and I were talking on Skype, both of us with our babies on our laps. Well, they decided they wanted to talk and have a conversation too, so we let them:

[4:32:19 PM] Marissa Noe says: b y ahbxu hh
[4:32:41 PM] Amaree says: i8,lk tytc, cbhby5bv6b6bvhg768v7u777777
[4:32:45 PM] Marissa Noe says: YY YYYYYYYYYY J
[4:33:01 PM] Marissa Noe says: BK6YHJKM H7KL99999999N887UHYJ
[4:33:03 PM] Amaree says: b yvgf bnb cbk gvfnm bbgf gn nniovfj,.vf vbvfmk l m, bi b ;
[4:33:10 PM] Marissa Noe says: U 7B
[4:33:13 PM] Amaree says: / b hjnnmknnjbff fc rev vf trg
[4:33:28 PM] Marissa Noe says: MIIY7IO NUUJY
[4:33:29 PM] Amaree says: jhj bgnmvm ,kmkkihjumj,gyiukkhmi uom,hy79-i8n798EVVRGE;-[4:33:29 PM] Amaree says: =
[4:33:34 PM] Amaree says: JKB J,MU,DS4N
[4:33:45 PM] Amaree says: i0 pkm yyght itbg4fA
[4:33:50 PM] Marissa Noe says: JN,MU
[4:34:02 PM] Marissa Noe says: HB NNNNNNNNNNNNN
[4:34:03 PM] Amaree says: hHQ HHHHHHHHH/FFF [RT /
[4:34:07 PM] Amaree says: ;[
[4:34:16 PM] Marissa Noe says: J, T TY INUI L;HUT66
[4:34:18 PM] Amaree says: INB IK,ytyg g
[4:34:25 PM] Marissa Noe says: MN
[4:34:28 PM] Marissa Noe says: UHMKL
[4:34:41 PM] Marissa Noe says: MLOLUYGYIK,
[4:34:47 PM] Amaree says: gh 77rdo. b sdfasdvn as ndas mefabnas asduidasbnasdbyasdbhjmkl mvsdg nam sd
[4:34:49 PM] Marissa Noe says: (yawn)

We may not understand what they wrote to eachother, but babies have their own secret language. They know what's going on.

Snorting Charlie

2008-04-08T17:42:00.003-04:00

SNORT!!!!

Kade being canned!

2008-04-08T17:34:00.005-04:00

Kade likes to play on our balcony. We have some #10 cans that he decided to stack. However, playing on the balcony has been rendered impossible now that the wind broke our plexiglass preventing the boys from crawling under or between the railings... You'll have to twist your head to watch the video. Sorry...

"Baby Bubble Hat"

2008-04-08T16:36:00.005-04:00

One rather successful bubble bath resulted in "bubble hats".

Please also note Charlie's "bubble goatee" as well. He likes to drink the water/bubbles (yuck!!!) and so ends up with a goatee every time we have a bubble bath! SO funny! Kade now asks for "baby bubble hat" with great frequency!!!

2008-04-02T21:50:00.001-04:00

Daddy Toot!

2008-03-28T22:00:00.003-04:00

Mom always said that she had "Sweet Toots!" Yeah, right, whatever! Kade has learned the word "toot" and so whenever I toot (on those very very rare occasions) or anybody else toots, he'll always announce, "Mommy Toot!" or "Charlie Toot!" or "Kade toot!" or "Daddy toot!"... Yesterday as Aaron and I were playing with the boys before bedtime, I will admit to passing some gas. Shocking, I know. Kade was apparently rather shocked, too, because he said, "Daddy toot!". No matter how much Aaron tried to convince him that it was me that tooted, Kade was adamant... "Daddy toot!"

And I didn't even bribe him!

As promised...

2008-03-27T14:01:00.003-04:00

Here is my recipe for Lemon Bars/ Chocolate Orange bars. The lemon bar recipe is one of my favorites.

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 powdered sugar
2 cups flour

4 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp lemon zest
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 flour
1/2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven 350 degrees

Beat butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually blend in flour, just until a soft dough forms. Press evenly into a 9x13 pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
In another bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, zest, and juice, beating until blended. Gradually blend in the flour and baking powder. *important-- if you add the flour/baking powder in with the other ingredients at the same time, the chewy upper crust does not form.
Spread evenly over cooked base, and bake 25 mintues longer. Place on wire rack to cool completely. Sift powdered sugar over top.* The lemon bars will cut more easily and keep their shape better if cut when cooled completely.

*Orange zest/juice or lime zest/juice can be replaced for the lemon juice if desired.

*To make Chocolate Orange bars, replace the lemon zest/juice with orage. The crust recipe follows:

1 cup butter.margarine, softened.

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup flour

Autumn

2008-03-21T09:49:00.002-04:00

What a cutie she is...

Potty Training Video from Japan

2008-03-20T23:04:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine has been following my blog about Kade potty-training and saw this video on YouTube and sent it to me. HYSTERICAL! AND so typical of Japanese people. I LOVE IT! So, since I can't easily post videos on my blog, here we go!

Maybe I should start singing this song to Kade when he needs to go poop. Already we do a cheer for him (if I try to do it without Charlie moving his hands like a Cheerleader, Kade ALWAYS asks for "Baby Ra-ra!")

Ra-ra ree-ree! you can go pee-pee
Ra-ra roop! you can go poop!
Ra-ra ree-ree! you can go pee-pee
Ra-ra roop! you can go poop!
Yey! (cheer madly like a muppet)

Jacobson Park

2008-03-13T21:38:00.005-04:00

Today was such a beautiful day so Chelsea and I took our girls to Jacobson park! Everyone else was also taking advantage of the as well. There were LOTS of people there!

Experimental Cook Amaree

2008-03-10T14:32:00.003-04:00

Well, as most people in my family know, I LOVE to cook. And, I'm getting pretty good at just "making things up" without using a cookbook, and having it taste pretty darn good. I also love to try new recipies, and am constantly scouring my gazillion cookbooks or the internet for an interesting recipe, especially when I'm low on ingredients (the other day I made some peanut-butter noodles with veggies for dinner... OH they were good! Whoddah thunk peanut butter and spaghetti noodles would go together? No me!). Tweaking recipes is a given... I am not one for following recipes all the time... but so far I have had few failures.

And then there are those days when I am PURELY experimental. I take recipes that I am familiar with and totally shake things up. Like today. I have a great recipe for lemon bars (Not Missys... but only because my microwave is HORRID!) and have a huge affinity for the chocolate/orange flavor combination... Yes... Chocolate Orange bars have been created. They are still in the oven, so I can't give you any feedback, but if they turn out good.... and they do smell good as they're baking... then I will share the recipe... And, if they're good, Aaron will get some in the mail. Yummy-licious!

BTW- I didn't use my cool Bakers-Edge pan, only because I wanted a huge 9x13 pan worth of orange bars. I hope I don't regret it...

Update

Well, they turned out pretty good. Interesting, but pretty good. I think I might modify the chocolate shortbread recipe I have... it called for too much salt (I should have known better!). My friend Quinn liked the orange bars... I will send some to Aaron and see what he thinks. I don't like my 9x13 pan, however. The more I use it, the less I like it. Shortbread is not supposed to stick. Chewy Granola bars aren't supposed to stick. And neither of them come off this glass pan! Frustrating!!! I guess I will just have to grease the pan every time... I will post the recipe later :)

Goodbye old yucky kitchen faucet- HELLO to pretty new shiny one!

2008-03-10T07:50:00.003-04:00

We bought a new kitchen faucet and two bathroom faucets a few weeks ago, and on Saturday Adam installed the new kitchen one!! It looks SO much better... see for yourself! (it's amazing how one little change affects the whole look of the kitchen)

Before:

After:

New School Prayer

2008-03-09T22:15:00.003-04:00

I got this in an e-mail and thought it was interesting. So, share it I will...

New School Prayer

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen !

Kade at his best.

2008-03-06T23:16:00.005-05:00

Here are a couple of cute things Kade does.... He LOVES to put on "hats" (anything that can go on his head). A sock that he drapes over his head... newspaper... buckets... headbands... it doesn't matter what it is. If it goes on the head, it is a HAT!

He also loves tickling people. It's so funny! "tee-ko tee-ko tee-ko! Tee-ko daddys feet!" He will tickle anybody's feet, tickle Charlie... Tickle tickle tickle!!!

Oh, he is learning and imitating and soaking in everything he sees and hears! I just wish I was a better role-model. I need to start doing more behaviors that I want him to imiate and less that I don't... ::sigh:: At least he'll make me a better person, right? And I perhaps should start imitating him a little more sometimes... going to bed at 7:00... running around naked... pooping on the floor... throwing major tantrums... (ok... just kidding with the last three...)

This is our response.

2008-03-06T00:05:00.003-05:00

I owe it to you all... have no personal blog to post this.....

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

Chelsea – I think my parents liked the name?

Autumn – A name everyone seemed to agree with and like.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Chelsea – A week ago? I really don’t remember…

Autumn – “me no go to big girl bed, I lay down mommy”… hmm… some little stinker didn’t want to go to bed tonight.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

Chelsea – My handwriting is awful, although my cursive is great!

Autumn – If it involves a green crayon, I love it!

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Chelsea – Roast Beef!

Autumn – I think I’m a vegetarian… I don’t like meat!

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Chelsea – Autumn!

Autumn – I have my baby bear, my baby monkey, my baby Jocelyn (and if it concerns “Baby Things” she is saying this in a high pitched baby voice.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH

YOU?

Chelsea – I dunno. It really makes you think though…

Autumn – Of course! Im the funniest person alive!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Chelsea – Im a Kravetz… do I need to further explain this one?

Autumn – Im learning from the best, and am really working on it… example:

Mommy: “Are you my little princess?”

Autumn: “No, Im Autumn!”

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Yep. (for the both of us)

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Chelsea: Not sure. How much will you pay me to do it?

Autumn: Will daddy catch me?

10. Favorite cereal?

Chelsea: Fruity Pebbles

Autumn: Mucky Charms (Exact wording)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Chelsea: Nah

Autumn: Mommy wont buy me lace up shoes… L She wants me to learn how to put my own shoes on!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Chelsea: Not at all physically… mentally, bring it on!

Autumn: “I strong, Daddy strong, Mommy? No strong..”

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Chelsea: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Autumn: She is already jumping up and down at the thought of ice cream, period….

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Chelsea: Their shoes… don’t ask why.

Autumn: I see if they pay any attention to me… I need 100% of it!

15. RED OR PINK?

Chelsea: Used to be red, although more pink lately

Autumn: Why not green? (although pink it okay)

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Chelsea: Lack of education

Autumn: I get sleepy (?)

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

Chelsea: Shawn and Autumn when I am working

Autumn: Probably mommy.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Chelsea: Blue Homer Simpson pajama pants. (White socks)

Autumn: I don’t have pants on tonight, its “jumbo” t-shirt night.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Chelsea: Some delicious home made chicken soup, made by Shawn

Autumn: A cookie that I really was not supposed to get because I didn’t eat my dinner.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Chelsea: The sound of my typing.

Autumn: Im sleeping.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE

Chelsea: Orange?

Autumn: GREEN…. (I hide green crayones EVERYWHERE!!!! I want them all to myself!!!!)

23. FAVORITE SMELLS

Chelsea: Ralph Lauren’s “Hot” Perfume

Autumn: “Motion”… meaning, lotion…

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE

PHONE

Chelsea: My mom

Autumn: Hmmm… I think I called elmo last, although I could have spoken to cookie or mickey mouse….

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

Chelsea: No one really sent it, just decided to “Join” the crowd!

Autumn: I like EVERYONE.

26. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?

Chelsea: Dancing? Is that a sport?

Autumn: FOOTBALL… “Go Cats!”, and yes, I watch and cheer them on with daddy and pops.

27. HAIR COLOR?

Chelsea: Brown

Autumn: Dirty Blonde?

28. EYE COLOR?

Chelsea and Autumn: BROWN

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Chelsea: Somen

Autumn: Macaroni and cheese

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Chelsea: Scary usually doesn’t phase me.

Autumn: I tend to not be phased by anything scary either! If its scary, its in “trouble” and I tell it to go to “time out” and everything is okay from there.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Chelsea and Autumn: “Fushaway”… Flushed Away. Autumn was sick last night, and we watched this at 1AM!!!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Chelsea: Gray

Autumn: Pink.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Chelsea: Definitely summer

Autumn: “Snowman outshide?”… She LOVES “snowman”, which is what she is now calling the snow.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

Chelsea: I like hugs

Autumn: Nose kisses, baby kisses, monster kisses, honk honk, boinks, and squish squishes. If you have been around Autumn, you know what these are.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?

Chelsea: Mochi

Autumn: Suckers

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Chelsea: Im sure EVERYONE will be shocked that I actually took time to do this.

Autumn: If it gets me attention, I will do it!

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Chelsea: That would be me?

Autumn: I respond to EVERYTHING. Watch out!

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

Chelsea: With what time? I read whatever magazine is in the bathroom.

Autumn: “Its Okay Book”

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

Leopard print

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT?

Chelsea: A movie… “The whicker man”

Autumn: Yo Gabba Gabba (I watched it about 4 times)

42. FAVORITE SOUND?

Chelsea: Silence

Autumn: Monkeys chattering!

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Chelsea: Beatles

Autumn: Yucky Bug!!

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Chelsea: Japan

Autumn: Grannys house?

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

Chelsea: I have no clue

Autumn: “Wanna see my butt?” as awful as it is, she is VERY amused by this, and is VERY proud of her “Baby butt”!

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Chelsea: Flagstaff, AZ

Autumn: Lexington, Ky

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

Dunno.

A Day at the Park

2008-03-04T10:50:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was such a beautiful day, so Chelsea brought Autumn over and we went to the park close to my house. Joselyn tried out the baby swing and LOVED it!

Matching Outfits

2008-03-02T20:42:00.003-05:00

Too bad jos was in a bad mood and didn't want to take a good picture. There's always next time! Autumn was very excited about the matching outfits though, and it was definitely fun. We have a few others to look forward to in the future!

A Tour of Joselyn's Nursery

2008-02-20T17:02:00.003-05:00

I would do a lot more if we had the money to do so and the space (since this room also houses a couch and our bikes- for now) but I am pretty happy with it.

The rocker-glider that we got from aunt Sherry next to a bookshelf I just bought. You can also see the butterfly display on the wall that I created.
A cute pillow I found at Target. It matched the colors in the room perfectly.
The Pottery Barn bedding I HAD to have. It's SO cute!
A large view
The small display on the bookshelf. I want a new lamp.
A close up of the butterflies on the wall. I used wooden cutouts bought on e-bay and at michaels, covered them in pretty paper and sealed them with some sealer.
Did the same thing for her name above her crib. A fun little project.
Her changing table next to the closet door... and the picture Amaree made me for Christmas. I think it needs it's own fram though to give it the justice it deserves.

There ya have it! Joselyn's Nursery! I will try to get pictures from around the house up soon too, although Adam and I are working on a few upgrades at the moment. (replacing the kitchen faucet and the upstairs bathrooms' faucets, putting tile down in the bathrooms upstairs etc.)

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T17:41:00.003-05:00

Some cute pics for ya... Happy Valentines Day to my dear sisters!!

A MIRACLE?!?

2008-02-13T21:46:00.002-05:00

Tonight was the 4th night of putting Joselyn to bed cold turkey. Adam and I went to the gym at 7:30, got home at 9:00, I fed Joselyn (who was drowsy at this point) and then we "played" with her quietly for a while for about 5 minutes. We told her we loved her and gave her a lot of attention and she was very cheerful. I changed her diaper, swaddled her and laid her in her crib without a pacifier. I was so afraid this was going to be a bad night because she wasn't really as drowsy as she has been the past 3 nights. I went downstairs and joined Adam to watch Mythbusters and we waited for her cry... it never came. It was so weird I had to go check on her... and sure enough, she was asleep! No tears, people! After only 3 days! Now, I realize this may not be an everyday occurance, but it could also mean many nights of putting Joselyn to sleep with no tears! What a good baby Joselyn is.

Joselyn is a star!

2008-02-13T12:11:00.004-05:00

Joselyn's picture is featured on the gumdrop pacifier website! Check it out here

(you can go to the photo archives and see it as well)

Sweet cousin

2008-02-12T16:30:00.000-05:00

Autumn and Chelsea came over today. I think Autumn is finally warming up to Joselyn. She wanted Joselyn to have lots of toys to play with in her swing... can you find Joselyn?

Yet another cooking disaster by Marissa

2008-02-12T16:15:00.000-05:00

Adam LOVES oatmeal chocolate chip cookies... and since he is coming home from Texas tonight(yay!) and I am so excited because I missed him like crazy, I decided to make him some. But he likes them chewy... and Chelsea said to add extra butter if you want your cookies to be chewy. Well, the cookie recipe must have already been chewy. Read on...

Specimen #1: First dozen. A bowl of too gooey cookies. They wouldn't even stay together! I added some flour to try and remedy my mistake.

Specimen #2: Second dozen. Staying together but looking pretty bad... called mom for help, she suggested adding even more flour and a little bit of baking soda.

Specimen #3: Third and fourth dozen. Perfection!! I fixed it! Two dozen went to waste, but at least I have another two dozen. And do they taste as good as they look? You bet! Chewy too! Adam will be so happy :)

"iced" in

2008-02-12T10:05:00.000-05:00

Jos and I are 'iced' in today and happy about it. We both slept peacefully as the snow fell followed by freezing rain. (Jos slept 6.5 hours last night! Yay! Then another 3!) When we woke up, there was a thick layer of ice covering everything.

The roads, our vehicles...

The bushes...

Did I mention my truck?So as you can see, we can't really go anywhere. So Joselyn and I are just having a relaxing day at home. I am currently sipping on a cup of hot apple cider, watching Pelican Brief (movie) on TV, and watching Joselyn as she plays peacefully on the floor.

update

2008-02-11T07:17:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it... after Jos fell asleep, she slept a WHOLE FIVE HOURS!!! It was amazing. She hasn't done that in quite a while... NEVER in her crib at night. I woke up at 6 to feed her, put her back in her crib RIGHT after and she was out once again for another 3 hours. So grateful for that. Can't wait to see if she'll be good tonight. Maybe she'll cry a little less? We'll see!

Breaks my heart!!

2008-02-10T22:48:00.000-05:00

I did the unthinkable tonight... I let Joselyn cry herself to sleep. My heart is broken. Adam is on a business trip in Texas until Tuesday, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to "train" her. He needs his sleep, so I figured if I did this while he was away he wouldn't be bothered... or have to go through the heartbreak that I just went through! I tried the 5 minute method... let her cry for 5, pat her and comfort her, add 5 minutes (so cry for 10) so on and so on... adding 5 minutes each time. Here's what happened:

After I fed her at around 10:00 she was really drowsy so I just laid her straight in her crib. I actually thought she would be out for good. But about a minute later she woke up crying... so I decided to let her cry. This was really hard for me... I hate hearing her cry and it's just been a bad week as it is. (I've been going through a terrible absentmindedness phase that is driving me up the wall for starts) I also miss Adam like crazy, and that kind of made it worse. I could only wait 3 minutes before going in to comfort her. I patted her, told her I loved her over and over again and left the room again. She cried another 5 minutes and I went back in the room, did the same thing. Within another 5 minutes she was asleep. Of course I had to check on her to make sure she was still breathing when she stopped crying... and she was. She was sound asleep, her chest rising and falling. It was so hard, but I know it was for the best. Best for her so she can learn to comfort and soothe herself and get herself back to sleep in the middle of the night; Best for me because I will have the peace of mind knowing she CAN comfort herself. I am truthfully not even really concerned about myself. Yes, more sleep would be nice, and I complain when I have to get up in the middle of the night to put her back to sleep, but I really don't mind it in the long run. I rarely feel deprived of sleep. However, these past two nights she was been waking up WAY too much. I've kind of thought she was going through a growth spurt so I've been feeding her more often in the night, but 30 minutes later she is up crying again, wanting to be held. Despite how much I love cuddling with her and feeling good that she is comforted by me holding her, I know that eventually she's going to have to learn to comfort herself in the middle of the night... and so I put myself through heartbreak. Joselyn is usually a pretty fast learner so I hope that she'll catch on fast... I'm having a hard time with this. It really just breaks my heart, and I hate having to go to bed with all these feelings... it's like I'm ending my day on a sad note :( So, wish me luck!

What a smartie!!

2008-02-08T18:24:00.000-05:00

For Christmas, Adam and I got this littly play gym for Joselyn. She has always loved it, but is now just figuring out how to pull on the little lion to make the music play. She did it for the first time this morning and ever since has been getting better and better. I had to wait around to catch this video, but after I took it she became a pro and kept on getting it!

Charlie videos

2008-02-07T12:22:00.000-05:00

And here are some videos of Charlie :) He is crawling now, and pulling himself up. He laughs, wants to eat big people food when he has the choice (and even when he doesn't!), and idolized his big brother Kade, who in turn loves to entertain Charlie. So, here are some cute videos of Charlie for ya!

kade videos

2008-02-07T11:56:00.000-05:00

Here are some new videos of the boys. Charlie and Kade are both silly and I love them dearly!

Aaron got me some lillies for my birthday, so I taught Kade how to smell the flowers. So funny! So funny! Watch his little nose as he sniffs the flowers.

When we are at church, during Sacrament meeting, sometimes we will take Kade's hands and help him "conduct" the music. Well, I'm not sure where Kade learned this newest trick... but he has gotten into the habit of conducting music at home with a hanger... And he will pick up a hanger and say "music! music!" and start waving it around...

Kade likes to climb into Charlie's crib and play. And he likes to imitate Charlie all the time. So here is the best of both of his habits! We actually had to lower Charlie's matress yesterday because Charlie is now pulling himself up and standing and I was afraid he would fall out of the crib...

Cousins

2008-02-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

It only makes sense to post this picture on this blog too!

We're going to miss you!!

2008-01-31T13:08:00.000-05:00

Joselyn is going to miss her "gimpz"!!!

A few cute pics of Autumn

2008-01-31T12:58:00.000-05:00

I think the baby has a broken leg... looks so funny.
Shawn does this to Autumn.
"It's my turn in the stroller!"
Yesterday Autumn just randomly found this stocking and stuck it on her leg. It was so halarious!

Chelsea's House: Front and Bedroom

2008-01-28T22:11:00.001-05:00

Chelsea's house: click on pics for larger view

Chelsea's House: Autumn's Bedroom/Bathroom

2008-01-28T22:05:00.001-05:00

Chelsea's House: Office, Dining Room, Kitchen, Living Room and Backyard

2008-01-28T21:50:00.001-05:00

Funny

2008-01-28T08:12:00.000-05:00

See more here

Happy Birthday Amaree!

2008-01-21T19:16:00.000-05:00

(there are 28 candles on this cake for you) I can't believe you are 28!! That means I'm almost 27! Wow... we're growing up, aren't we? Well, hope it was wonderful. Miss you and love you bunches!!

Wings

2008-01-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Chelsea and Autumn came over once again after dance class. Autumn had her hair in cute pigtails and took them out... her hair stuck out so bad and it was so cute! It looked like she had little wings on the side of her head! Big smile too!!

"Sleepy" Boy

2008-01-16T22:01:00.000-05:00

Kade just started saying the word "Sleep" today. He didn;t say it in the video, however. But he has started climbing into our bed and wanting to "sleep" and will lay down on our pillow and pretend to sleep... for a second or two. It's cute! Kade is so funny. When he drags his hand over his face, he is signing "sleep".

I am actually pretty glad that Kade has learned some sign language, as we just had a family move into the ward with a deaf little girl in Nursery with Kade. Perhaps he will continue learning his sign language. Speaking of Nursery, Kade loves Nursery. In fact, when we get to church we try not to pass the Nursery door because he starts saying "Nursery, Nursery". We don't even have to go down that hallway, just going to church gets him excited for Nursery. I'm glad he likes it... I sure like not having to worry about a squirmy 1 1/2 year old in Sunday School!

Cuddly Boys

2008-01-16T21:37:00.001-05:00

Kade is a very affectionate brother. He loves to hug and cuddle his baby brother. When Kade does something that he shouldn't have and hurts Charlie, I tell him to say he's sorry and to give Charlie a hug. Kade will promptly sign and/or say sorry, and give Charlie hugs and kisses. In fact, it doesn;t matter if it IS Charlie that he hurts, or if he's just done something he shouldn't have, wen I tell him to say he's sorry, he always says it to Charlie even if I'm the one he should be sorry to! Anyway, Kade loves to cuddle. Watch Charlie's face, though... It's hysterical!

Making Cookies with Aunt Missy

2008-01-12T15:08:00.001-05:00

After dance class, Chelsea and Autumn came over. While Chelsea tried to console the cranky baby (she just wasn't being her usual smiley self this morning) Autumn and I made Andes Mint Chip cookies. They turned out okay... but it was fun making them! Autumn was so helpful... she stirred things for me, poured all the ingredients into the bowl and even had a few tastes to make sure they would taste okay.

After all the hard work this morning, Autumn settled down on the couch, cuddled under some blankets with one of Joselyn's elephants and watched some silly Nick Jr. show I can't remember the name of. At least she enjoyed it!

Another dance class

2008-01-12T14:58:00.001-05:00

Joselyn and I went to watch Autumn at dance class this morning. I was sure Jos would love watching the little girls dance, but instead she was a little whiny. Oh well. It was lots of fun to watch Autumn dance. She is so full of energy. She is also very sweet. There was a little girl who was too shy to dance today and was sitting on the side with her mom. Autumn went by and sat down next to her a bit and said hi. It was really sweet. Here are a few pics from this morning!

Autumn with our parents' next door neighbors granddaughter:

Autumn looking at herself in the mirror:

Chelsea holding Joselyn:

Sitting in a circle:

2008-01-09T02:40:00.000-05:00

TaDAAAAAAA!!!!!!

You will actually be shocked to know that yes, CHELSEA is posting a blog!!!

The good news is that I have my scanner hooked up, and my computer all set up... everything is ready to go.... so therefore, I am ready to post a couple of my favorite pictures of my baby girl!!! (One with me and mom at the movies)

Im sure you saw a while ago a video of Autumn freaking out about her "Yucky Bug" from McDonalds... Well, mom and I took Autumn to see the Bee Movie, and we decided to have fun in the photo booth. Autumn, to this day, is STILL laughing at these pictures!!! The other picture is an ALL time favorite of my Mother (and me)... This was Autumn's "Flower Girl" picture from Amandas wedding. :) Well... when I get more time on my hands, I shall post some more fun stuff!!! Enjoy!

Mom felt left out....

2008-01-08T10:12:00.001-05:00

I'm having way too much fun with this!!

2008-01-04T15:03:00.000-05:00

Adam's morph into Michael Owen

2008-01-04T14:57:00.001-05:00

People in Thailand used to say that Adam looked like him!!

My morph into Anne Hathaway

2008-01-04T14:44:00.001-05:00

Joselyn's almost 2 months old!

2007-12-29T23:17:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that Joselyn will soon be 2 months old! She is such a sweet girl and so pleasant now. I honestly feel incredibly lucky because she really is getting to be a content baby. Her best times are early in the morning when she wakes up and around 6 pm. That's when she smiles and talks the most. This video was taken this morning after she woke up.

Autumn's OTHER Christmas present.... just not as exciting

2007-12-29T22:36:00.001-05:00

Christmas time

2007-12-26T21:13:00.000-05:00

Christmas time sure was wonderful this year. We definitely missed having Amaree, Aaron, Kade and Charlie around though. Here are a few fun pics of our Christmas day at the Kravetz home!

Autumn was loving the presents and looked so adorable in her sock monkey PJ's!

Dad, of course, loved his "I Married Up" T-shirt!

Adam is showing Joselyn some of her toys that Aunt Chelsea got her! She looked happy!!

And THIS is the beautiful photokami art from Amaree! We already have it framed in Joselyn's room. We LOVE it!!!!

Here is a sweet video of Autumn opening her present from us. Her reaction was priceless!

Charlie's recent addition to his vocabulary

2007-12-20T08:41:00.000-05:00

I got a cute video this morning of Charlie and Kade. I was trying to caputre Charlie's recent noise... He rolls his tongue and squeals... SO cute! And he did it lots for ya'll. And, as I have mentioned to most of you, Charlie is a rolling maniac. He is all over the place; under couches, beds, dressers... He is quite proficient at rolling. Anyway, here ya go!

BTW, Kade really did take his own initiative to clean up the spit-up. It's funny that I caught it on video. He's such a good little helper! He got a big Tonka Truck Dump truck from his Grandma and Grandpa Matthews for Christmas, and he likes to push it around. Yesterday he helped by pushing it to our dumpster with a bag of garbage in it. I was very grateful for the help :) I think he was just excited to push this dumptruck outside! He loves to help when I'm cooking dinner and washing dishes, and most of the time he's a big help when it comes to picking up his toys.

A funny video

2007-12-19T09:10:00.000-05:00

This is an adorable video of Autumn trying to get into Joselyn's car seat. What a silly girl... she sure does keep up smiling! Hopefully we'll be seeing more posts from Chelsea soon since she is getting the internet for Christmas!!! Woohoo!!!

Nativity Picture

2007-12-17T06:24:00.001-05:00

I plan on a better post later on today, but wanted to share a quick cute story. We had our Christmas program at church yesterday and so they had this Christmas picture on the front of the program:

Autumn had came to church with mom and was sitting next to me while she did her various musical numbers. I showed Autumn the picture and asked who the baby was and she proudly said "Joselyn!!"

Matthews Look-alike Meter

2007-12-15T13:13:00.001-05:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Some movies of boys!

2007-12-12T22:34:00.000-05:00

Here are some more videos :)

Kade sitting on the ball that he put on the chair. Silly silly boy. You've probably seen the picture on our blog, but I just thought this was so funny! I turn around, and there he is sitting on the ball on top of the chair. What he's saying and signing at the end of the video is "stop! stop!" but I didn't understand that until a few days later as I was watching the video. I hadn't learned the sign yet, and didn;t know that Kade knew "Stop". We play a game now, going back and forth with each other saying "stop!" and "go!", "yes!" and "no!". Kade thinks it's a hoot :) Aaron taught him to sit on balls and bounce, or on cushions... or couches... or beds... or me in the morning... Anyway, I thought Kade was so cute and clever for thinking of this.

My videos are rather large files, so it takes them a while to load. I'll just throw in some commentary while I am waiting. Kade has become quite a sweetheart. Every once in a while he comes up and gives me a big hug, and a kiss, just because. It makes my heart melt. And he has started to become more attached to me and Aaron. When he gets hurt, he signs "hurt", sometimes starts crying, and says "Ouch" and comes and gives me a hug and just keeps saying "ouch, ouch, ouch." It is precious... He just loves his mommy and daddy, and it is just wonderful to feel needed and loved by this precious little boy. Charlie has brought out this more tender side of Kade, I think. I think he struggles sometimes with having to share Mommy, even though he probably doesn't remember not having Charlie around. I try to shower him with attention whenever I can, especially if Charlie is asleep and he's not.

Here was a cute Charlie moment. It's just fun to watch him talk and coo and grab his feet... His facial expressions tell such facinating stories. And, the cookies were delicious, by the way! Buried Cherry cookies. http://southernfood.about.com/od/chocolatecookies/r/bl11201e.htm Here's the recipe if you'd like :)

Please pardon the laundry on couch... Motherhood=endless laundry. I never see the end of it, and I only have two kids. I can't imagine what having two more kids will be like. Good grief! It's not that I mind folding the clothes... I just hate putting the laundry away. I don't know why. I think part of the problem is that I usually put the boys down in different rooms, mine and the boys' room, and I don;t want to put laundry away and wake them up. Anyway, here is a video of Charlie scooting, rolling... and being himself. Ah... he is so very very cute. So is Kade. They must have inherited all of the good, cute genes... I just hope they didn't get the bad ones!

And he did end up getting the sock, by the way!!!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!

Kade and the Christmas Tree, and Charlie talking

2007-12-03T22:03:00.000-05:00

Kade is getting so funny. He LOVES to take his little stool and set it in front of the Christmas tree, and just sit there and look at the pretty tree. He gets tempted to touch the tree, but he really tries hard not to since he knows he's not supposed to. He's actually done a great job at not touching. I am really proud of him. I also got him to say a couple of his newest words on the video. And he's starting to try to "jump", and it is SO cute!!! Anyway, Kade watched the video several times (he likes to look at the pictures and videos on the camera) and kept saying "cute!"... Our little vain boy!

I have been trying to capture Charlie talking for a little while. He's got such a cute little baby voice, and it's much higher than Kade's was. He also blows raspberries, which is hysterical. And, of course, his precious smile... I think I got a little of all of them in these few videos.

Here is Charlie smiling for ya!

And here is Charlie talking for ya. And trying to blow raspberries while eating his hand. Less effective, but cute nonetheless.

For more pictures and stories, see our Matthews Family blog! www.photokami.com/blog

Jos being content

2007-12-01T17:07:00.000-05:00

I was trying to get Joselyn to smile for the camera... she had just woken up from a nap and was content as can be. I thought the video captured her personality very well, so here she is even though there was no smile. (I'll try to catch it!)

Some recent pics of Autumn

2007-11-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

Since Chelsea is still without the internet, she's asked me to upload some recent pictures of Autumn that she took. Here they are!!!

Autumn will be a great babysitter

2007-11-24T08:07:00.000-05:00

Autumn could be a mother if she really wanted to... she knows how to hold a baby...

She knows how to swaddle...

She knows how to change diapers...

And she knows how to buckle a baby safely in a carseat... at least a toy elephant anyway.

One day old

2007-11-17T11:11:00.000-05:00

I didn't have a chance to post this video yet, so here it is... Joselyn is one day old and I sound so drugged and tired! (which I am)

Little long toes

2007-11-17T08:41:00.000-05:00

Joselyn is now two weeks old! Time is already flying! Not only is she growing, but she is more alert and ready to play. She looks around at the world a lot more and yesterday even sat on the couch! We love her more and more... and can't get enough of her little toes!

His little brother's keeper

2007-11-12T12:06:00.000-05:00

I tried to post videos on my blog, but since it doesn't work videos will alway be posted here (until they add that feature, anyway...) I have a few cute little videos for you today.

This video is of Charlie rolling over. He's quite adept at this rolling stuff now, and he is able to roll both ways quite smoothly. Oh, he's growing so fast! Look at his little face... he sucks his little lower lip in, and is starting to blow little raspberries! So cute! Please ignore my strange voice at the end of this video... I forgot to cut it out. Oh well. Moms are allowed to make silly and strange noises, right?

(Kade sharing Candy)

Kade likes to make sure that Charlie gets a piece of whatever it is that he is eating or drinking. I was able to catch it on video. So, here is to Kade sharing candy and his milk :) Isn't Kade so sweet and generous? Last night he was sharing his vitamin C (he thinks it's candy) with me. Of course, he only shares when he wants to, and he sure gets jealous of Charlie when he's playing with any toys (C'mon! a RATTLE?) But, Kade's only 19 months... what do you expect, I guess?

(Kade sharing his milk!)

Blankets

2007-11-09T10:49:00.000-05:00

Autumn and Chelsea came over yesterday and Autumn fell in love with a pair of Joselyn's pants. They were really soft and she loved the way they felt. She even tried to put them on, lol. I didn't catch that one in time. Then Autumn decided that Joselyn wasn't warm enough with one blanket and decided to give her about five. What a cutie.

Visitors

2007-11-09T10:41:00.001-05:00

Joselyn loves visitors (so does her mom!) Chelsea came over yesterday with Autumn and we realized we didn't have a picture of them together yet! (lots of videos but no pictures) Autumn is really warming up to the baby... she's really gentle with Joselyn and loves to put blankets on her.

Grandma and Gimpz came over the other night too and spent some time with me and Joselyn while Adam was at the gym. We watched America's Funniest Home Videos and it was nice. Joselyn loved snuggling with Gimpz.

Autumn meets Joselyn

2007-11-09T03:20:00.000-05:00

When Autumn first met Joselyn, I think she must have been a little confused. We had been talking about a "baby" for so long, but the "baby" was actually my belly. I wonder if she ever connected the two when she met Joselyn? Autumn was a little scared but I think she is warming up fast. She came to visit yesterday and was having a good ole time with a pair of Joselyn's pants.

Joselyn Love

2007-11-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I got a text message (FINALLY!) at 3:00 in the morning (5:00 Kentucky time) letting me know that I have a new niece! Yey!!! Welcome into this crazy world, little girl! Hopefully you'll get to meet your boy cousins soon. We love you tons already.

Trunk or treat

2007-10-30T20:32:00.001-04:00

The "trunk" decorated by Chelsea and mom. We had bubbles blowing too, and dad and I passed out the candy to all the kids.

My little baby girl

2007-10-30T15:25:00.001-04:00

The trip to the Doctor went well today although there has been no progression. The doctor was happy with what he saw. She weighs 7 pounds 12 oz as of right now. Monday morning, if by then I haven't had the baby, I will go back to the dr's office for a non-stress test. I am scheduled to be induced on Monday evening, November 5th. It's looking likely that I will have my baby on mom's birthday! It will be so fun! I think our baby girl will enjoy having the same birthday as grandma. It will be special. Anyway, here is the picture of her face! I included another picture for some help in deciphering where everything is.

At McDonalds

2007-10-30T15:20:00.000-04:00

Cute Autumn at McDonalds.

Train

2007-10-30T15:18:00.000-04:00

Autumn doing the train at dance class.For more videos of her dance class on October 27th, go to the following link:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8015508138123328574

Halloween Ballet Class

2007-10-30T10:06:00.000-04:00

It was dress-up day at dance class on Saturday. All the girls dressed up in their Halloween costumes. It was so adorable. Of course, it made all the girls a little rowdy as well. They had fun though! I also added some pictures from McDonalds. Chelsea and Autumn have a tradition of stopping there before dance class to grab some breakfast. Autumn loved her little "Bee" toy.

Autumn's Dance Class

2007-10-23T08:02:00.000-04:00

Since Chelsea moved and doesn't have internet at the moment, I decided to post some pictures and videos of Autumn I took at her dance class on Saturday. It was my first time going to watch her dance and she was SOOOO adorable. She did pretty much everything her dance instructor told her to do. Precious.

Our brother the Pizza Delivery Man

2007-10-23T07:49:00.000-04:00

After a fun night out on the town (Adam and I went to go see Antsy McClain perform in the Woodsongs old-time radio hour at the Kentucky Theater... see my blog)Adam and I ordered some Pizza from Sol and watched Heroes. Fun night :) Here's Solomon at our door with the Pizza he made himself special for us. 16" half hamburger/half pepperoni. Always a treat!

2007-10-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

I was able to take this rather adorable picture of Charlie the other day and thought I would share his ever-smiling face with ya'll. He is typically a happy booger. I am really enjoying the fact that he goes down with Kade- by that I mean that he's ready for bed at 7:00 p.m. Wahoo!!! Now if only he would sleep ALL NIGHT like his big brother!!! His day will come, I know...

Anyway, here is the cutest little baby boy in the world!

Signing Time! Potty Time!

2007-10-15T18:42:00.000-04:00

Well, Kade caught me off guard yesterday. We've been watching a few videos- Baby Signing Time and Signing Time- to help Kade communicate with us. It's been really helpful, and Kade can tell us a lot of things that he wants, or point out cars and cats and trucks and airplains and dogs, etc. It's pretty cool and I'm glad we've taught him some signs. Anyway, he has learned the sign for toilet (or potty). We talk a lot about potty and toilets and what people do on the toilet (when he comes and joins me as I am going... I know... TMI!) anyway, we were up at my in-laws yesterday, and they have a little kiddy potty for my nephew. Kade went up to my father-in-law, and also me, waved his little fist (the sign for potty), and then went and sat on the little potty! Well, although he's not completely ready, he's getting there! So we'll be getting a little potty seat soon so Kade can "practice" going in preparation of potty training. He actually sat on a stool this morning with Aaron and was "reading" the newspaper, just like daddy! It was cute... I can't wait. I am dreading having to buy diapers for two (we've been given a lot of diapers for Charlie.)

The power of punctuation!!!

2007-10-11T18:37:00.000-04:00

Honk Honk!

2007-10-10T20:30:00.000-04:00

I taught Autumn a new trick tonight. It was adorable. I honked her nose and she copied me... except she was honking everything including my shoes. I finally got my camera out and caught her doing it a few times.

2007-10-09T17:32:00.000-04:00

Missy- I keep meaning to tell you how much Kade loves that teddy bear. We sqeeze the paw of it almost everyday, at least twice. And then he'll kiss it on the nose. Sometimes he'll roar. Too cute.

Kade has become obsessed with cars, and anything with wheels. The funny thing is is that he was born with this love of cars. I have never pushed cars on him, nor did I teach him to "vroom" with cars, and yet it is instinctual. Talk about nature vs nurture. Cars are just something he loves. At my in-laws house, where they have a lot of bigger toy cars and trucks and trains, Kade will run around their big room around the island pushing a car or truck with my nephew Hunter for hours on end. He plays with little match box cars for hours on end at home, running them up my arm, leg, and all over the tables, vrooming and putting. And this afternoon he was pushing the little train all over the house. He would get so frustrated when the little box cars would come apart. So frustrated, in fact, that I sent him to bed. He seemed rather too tired to be awake. He only gets crabby like that when he's tired. Anyway, I got some video of him pushing his "choo-choo". It's cute.

He also likes Frosted Mini-Wheats... I finally gave him his own bowl instead of cherrios. So, a picture of him eating cereal. So funny.

I also got a cute little video of Charlie talking. He's getting so big!!! Almost three months old now. He likes white noise when he sleeps, as we discovered yesterday. He's napping better for me today as long as it's not quiet. He's in my room on the bed right now, with the fan of our AC running. It's the longest he's napped all week! I have attached some pictures of Charlie that we took over the past couple of days also, since I had them handy. The ones where he is wearing white was when we were watching conference, and the one with him laying on the couch was this morning.

2007-10-08T15:35:00.000-04:00

2007-10-08T15:05:00.000-04:00

As a side note to Kade's "woohoo"-ing, it doesn't matter what kind of "trick" we are doing, flipping him around, spinning him on chairs, him going down slides, he always "woohoo"'s. it's pretty dang cute.

2007-10-08T14:58:00.000-04:00

2007-10-08T14:51:00.000-04:00

2007-10-08T14:31:00.000-04:00

Well, we have the other laptop for a couple of days, which means I can load some video and pictures. Kade is now officially 18 months old!!! What an exciting milestone (I keep wating to say landmark or landstone... goofy brain of mine!) he can now go into Nursery officially. ::WHEW!!!:: Charlie, Kade, and Aaron (who is home sick after puking his guts out multiple times last night... it's a wonder he has any guts left!) are all taking naps now. I should take a nap probably, too, but... I need to use this opportunity.

Charlie is really starting to talk. I remember Kade talking, but Charlie's coos are much higher (Kade had a low voice) and he talks for what feels like is such a long time. I only got a couple of coos on there, but you'll hafta live with that until I get a better video of it. Kade is also saying more words- "Baintee" (blankie), "Papoh" (apple), "gpsh" (grapes), "baooo" (balloon), "woohoo" (video of that), and some other cute words... "Truck". He knows the word MOM, but I have yet to hear him call me that. Aaron says he does...?

There are a bunch of odd-ball pictures, but lemme see if I can comment on them, albeit will be rather random and not in order. Kade wearing MY shoes (two videos also of that. I CAUGHT him walking around in them, I did not put them on him!), Kade giving himself a moisturizing treatment with BUTTER, Kade playing in the bathtub (he LOVES his baths!), Kade reading scriptures on my bed (once again caught in the action), Kade playing UNDER his bed (Dad taught him that one... it's one of their favorite places to play), Charlie on the floor, Kade being VERY thirsty, Grandma Matthews and the two boys (as we were cleaning our carpet), Kade playing the piano at church (he always "conducts" when he sees a piano or a hymn book... he knows it's music and when we sing at church I sometimes "help" him conduct to keep him still) and Chipmunk Kade stuffing grapes (the record is 5, I think) into his mouth.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2007-10-04T19:09:00.000-04:00

Dad is turning 15! Wait... how does that work? LOL! Anyway, sorry about the darkness of the video... it was, well, dark.

2007-10-02T18:44:00.000-04:00

And Last But not least.... A couple of "Family Pictures"

2007-10-02T18:38:00.000-04:00

I figured while I was at it, I would show some pictures from Autumn's first day of Dance Class...

2007-10-02T17:45:00.001-04:00

Hey!!!! Yes, I managed to find time to finally start doing this.... It has taken me a while to upload all of my pictures. Well... anyways, let me contribute to my little pumpkin noodles birthday party!!! Here are some pictures... It was a fun little party.....

2007-09-29T23:41:00.000-04:00

Charlie's getting so alert now! Most of the time he's so happy and smiley, it's adorable. He's got these deep dimples when he smiles, one in each cheek, and his eyes are so big, almost like he's just so amazed at everything around him and is try to soak it all in. Since he sleeps on his tummy, he's pushing himself up pretty high now and I can tell he's so proud of himself when he does it. (I mention this only for Missy's sake... most babies, who sleep on their backs, don't build those strong arm and neck muscles as fast, since they typically don't end up liking being on their back or don't spend as much time on their tummy. Charlie doesn't mind being on his belly since he sleeps that way, and is getting strong fast.) I get on the floor and just look at him and smile, and he'll smile right back. He's so daggon adorable! He's cooing and gooing, and oh, so much fun.

Just thought I'd let you know a little a bit about Charlie!