Caleb update

I'm way overdue for an update on this boy.  Caleb is quite the little man.  Here are some shots of the last few months.  He has the cutest face that is accentuated by any hat or costume. 

He is constantly getting into trouble.  If he can't reach something he wants he likes to pull out drawers to get to his goal. 

 When I found him with hair gel everywhere he just turned to me and said, "I'm just being handsome!"

 More messes.

 Hot chocolate time!

This is one of his favorite activities.  I tried putting a childproof lock on the pantry, but he just takes it off.  This kid is amazing!

He's really helpful when it comes to shopping.  He usually runs through the store tearing things off the shelves!

He was using his brother's pillow and it was time for his own, so we went to Joanns and let him pick out a fabric.  This one is so perfect for him - trucks, tractors and tools!  He loves his new pillow!

 Wesley gets to take something to share every few weeks.  He decided to take Caleb this last time.  So cute!  These boys are pretty good buddies.  For a long time he called him "Sessy"  but has recently found the W sound.

Some of my favorite Caleb quotes:

"Holy Cow, that truck!"
"Mine do it"
"Where are me?  Where are me Cayeb?" (Hands over his eyes)
"Mom, I have a supize for you"  (When he's trying to lure me into his room)
"Oh, there's my favorite tunnel!"
Walking by the bras in the department store, "Mom, like yours!"
Boops, instead of Boots
Bradon instead of Apron
He doesn't pronounce the letter S if it's at the beginning, so instead of school, it's cool, instead of squeeze it's gueeze, etc.  I love when he says he wants to give me a gueeze!!

He loves to sing really loud, especially at church.  Here are some cute singing clips.

And one more cute one of this little man just talking, one of his favorite things. 

 

This boy challenges me every day, but I'm so grateful for his fun little spirit and all that he adds to our family.  Love you Caleb Man!

Pinewood Derby 2014

Dillon participated in his second Pinewood Derby.

 We learned a few things from our first experience and did a little better this time.

Dillon was a great sport.

  Wesley got to participate in the Open Class with Dillon's car from last year.

 

They were both excited to be part of the fun.

  

 Dillon got 3rd place in his Den.  We were proud of our boy!

 

 

This was the 2nd of 13 consecutive years of Pinewood Derby for us. Ahhhh!

January visitors

My sister, Heather, and her son Bradley came to visit for a couple days from Georgia. Heather is such a fun person.  Every time I'm with her I am wowed by her positivity and spunk for life.  She brought with her my Christmas present -- a large pot, southern seasonings, and money to buy crab so I can make my own Low Country Boil.  I've been daydreaming about the stuff ever since our Georgia trip in March, so it was a perfect present.  Can't wait to try it out!

It was so great to have some cousin time. Mother nature totally cooperated and gave us a couple inches of fresh snow so Bradley could experience snow fun!  I kept the boys home from school so we could maximize our time with them.

 Heather is always the most fun aunt.  She headed right out to help them build a snowman.

 

 

 We tried out the new sled Santa brought.

 

 Caleb was really helpful in the shoveling department!

 Aaron made sure to get some good wrestling time in.

We made time for dancing

 and time for treats too!

 

I was glad my dad came to pick them up so my boys got a little time with Grandpa. He is such a great sport ...i.e. letting Caleb tighten tools on him!

 

 

 

 

We always love time with family and I'm so glad Heather made the trip to see us. 

 

The next week.  We had a couple more visitors, from just down the road.  Cousins Carson and Cade stayed with us while their parents were in Hawaii.  Lots of fun with 5 boys in the house!!!

 

New Years 2014

 We were back in Boise for New Years and I really pushed hard to try to plan a party. It worked.  "Bruke" decided to join us and the Tuckers.  They drove up during the day on New Years Eve, in time for the boys to get a little work done on the jeep.

Sometimes I don't love this big old thing in our garage, but most the time I love it, because it makes all these boys so happy.

 I was grateful to have some more time with my little sis too!

Amy and I both put together some yummy appetizers that we all enjoyed throughout the evening.

We played fun games like Headbandz and Charades with the kids before celebrating with them at 10:00. 

Poor Wesley had a run in with Cade's head moments before the countdown started.  He was pretty tough.

It was a very loud couple of minutes!!  BOYS!

 

Then we sent the kids to bed and started the real game -- Settlers of Catan.  It's been too long since we've played and I'm still not convinced the Tuckers really wanted to, but we had an opportunity to play without children around so we took it -- and I won.  Brought back good memories of our days in Virginia when we would play with our friends all the time!

We smooched our honeys at midnight, finished up the game and hit the sack.  All the Tucker children transported nicely back to their beds!

The next morning we enjoyed gingerbread waffles for breakfast. The boys took the jeep out while our tummies had settled, and then we headed to the rec center for some racquetball.  The men had a great time.  Britt and I spent some time on the elliptical and then attempted a racquetball game.  We were pretty entertaining!  I burned plenty of calories laughing at myself trying to move my pregnant body across the room fast enough to get the ball.

We had a yummy ham dinner before "Bruke" had to hit the road back to Twin Falls.  It was a great start to a New Year.  Thanks for driving to join us "Bruke".  And thanks for helping me host Amy.  Love you all!

Red Christmas Tree Party

Aaron's grandma is one of the sweetest little ladies. She remembers every birthday, anniversary, etc. and also sends the most heart felt gifts.  One of her favorite traditions is her Red Christmas Tree party.  I got to participate in one when Aaron and I were dating and assumed we've been missing out on them all these years because we've lived away.  But this year was the first in several years she had one, so I was excited we were around and able to go. 

 I can't believe the amount of work she went through to prepare this little party.  I special bag for each individual with tickets inside for each activity to participate in.  And a special gift on the red tree for each of us.  She's amazing!

 Fun to interact with all the cousins.  My favorite part was singing all together.

Unfortunately, when it came time to leave, our car didn't want to start.  We were so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful family though.  After some trouble shooting, we ended up loading into Uncle Lewis's big 12 passenger van and left ours with him to find a mechanic.  We got to drive the big beast to Twin Falls that night and Boise the next.  A week later, after ours was fixed Lewis met me in Twin to switch back.  Pretty slick for what could have been a huge headache.  So grateful for family!!