Saturday, November 29, 2008

Post Thanksgiving

We spent this Thanksgiving with the Clarkes this year. The Thanksgiving spread was replete with all the holiday classics: mashed potatoes, Grandma's World Famous White Bread rolls, turkey (one baked and one fried), dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato souffle (sue-ful), and soda. I feel like I'm leaving things out, because it seems as if the list should be longer because of how much space the food took up on the table.

Jonah and Elias snarfed down their little meals first. They both enjoyed their first feast. Then, following tradition, they promptly took a nap after they were stuffed.

The rest of the Clarkes finished eating, then gathered upstairs for one of their other slightly quirkier traditions that dates back to the days of Pennsylvania. We settled down to watch Christmas Vacation.

I ate so much tasty food I felt sick afterward. But I had to make room for the pie! And it was something to write home about. Becky made a large pumpkin. I finished it off for breakfast and lunch the next day. She also made a few smaller pies. I thought they were single serving, but she says you can get at least 2-4 slices out.

The days before and after Thanksgiving have been spent painting and moving crap. For as much as we are pulling out of the Clarke house, it sure doesn't look like much in our own.

I can't wait until everything is painted and unloaded and put into place. I really want to get some before and after pictures up. I'm proud of my little castle. I think I did a good job picking it out. Bryce will do a good job of filling it up.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Monday, November 10, 2008

Busy







We've been to Alaska and back, dressed up for a first Halloween, moved on to eating solid foods, purchased a house, and walking since the last post. It's been a little crazy. I always tell myself that I'll do better at updating, but I know better.

The first picture is of a time when we went to the BP building to visit Bryce.

The second picture is the Anchorage to Seattle (trip home). The plane was getting ready to take off so everyone was still in a good mood.

The third picture is Elias's friend that he made in Alaska. The little girl's name is Adrianna.

The fourth picture is Elias being a stinker in the hotel room. I think he was cutting teeth, and that lid kept him from trying to eat the mess of cords under the desk.

The last two pictures are of him in his little snow suit enjoying the first snow he's been able to play in.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Boy and Witches

I just want to start out tonight by saying that I love my husband.

One of his coworkers went to visit Columbia and brought back a few presents. One of the gifts of for Elias. It's a Halloween doll that is a little witchy thing. When you press it, it shakes and then pops up and screeches or says "Happy Halloween" in a witchy voice.

Bryce was excited to show it to Elias. He started the doll up.

It freaked the boy out. He started backing away a little bit when the witch was shaking, then screamed and burst into tears as it started to cackle.

Bryce felt horrible that he scarred our boy for life.

My poor boys. They'll get over it.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Mom's Prediction




One time in the car mom was predicting what we were going to do when we got older. I can't remember what she predicted for my brother and sisters, but I remember she said I was going to be a airplane stewardess. She said that was because she knew I wasn't going to stay in West Virginia. She was kind of close. I do get to travel a ton.

Since we've been in Alaska, we have been down to Whittier. We saw the glaciers and hiked between the lake and Prince William Sound. I took Elias to the Botanical Gardens here. I plan on dragging the boy to the zoo, Native Alaskan Cultural Center, a shop where they weave muskox hair, and maybe even Palmer.

It's been a great time. I'm excited for this weekend and next week.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Flight to Alaska

Getting to Alaska took a little longer than I had planned. But that is ok. I was the only person dancing around when they announced that our flight was leaving two hours later.

We got to stay the night at our friends' house in Salt Lake. I hadn't seen them in a little over a year. Elias and I ended up staying the night at Dan and Karlie's house. Elias had a little nap while Karlie and I stayed up and talked the whole night. I almost missed my flight out. Karlie looked out the window and went "Oh no! What time is it? The sun is coming up already!" Panicked, we changed the boy, threw everything in the car and high tailed it to the airport. No worries, I still had 10 minutes before they started boarding passengers.

Friday, July 11, 2008

The Florist



I was loitering in the kitchen a few days ago while Heidi was getting some of her dummy cakes ready for the bridal show she's doing in a few weekends. She was making a traditional white bridal cake that she was going to decorate with fondant carnations. (Everything cake related she touches is delicious and beautiful.) Then she showed me how to make them. I was a little hesitant to learn because my talents don't lie in the arts or anything kitchen related.

My little carnations might not have been the prettiest or most lifelike, but when they're clustered together on a cake you really can't tell. I had a blast making those little things.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Garbage Disposal


I've finally started giving Elias real food. I was a little hesitant to give it to him earlier because food allergies and all that scary mess. But the little man loves to eat bananas, applesauce, and now avocados. He still doesn't seem too keen on the rice cereal. Maybe that is because of its texture.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Tooth Time

My son finally cut his first tooth. I never would have noticed it. I generally don't go sticking my fingers in there. But he decided to chew on Grandma Clarke's finger, and she found it.

It is coming in on his bottom left. It feels like a little chip of plaster jammed in his gums ready to make light work of eating.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

First Swim



May 28, 2007 was the first time that we threw Elias in the pool. He floated around in the little crab floatie. Later I pulled him out, and he splashed in the water a little bit. I think he enjoyed his first dip.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Sweeney Todd


Yesterday Bryce and I got to go see Sweeney Todd. It was a great play! Although it's one of those ones that makes you feel a little guilty for loving it because it's so dark.

We left a little early so that we would be able to take our time getting to the building and finding our seats. If you don't get there on time, you don't get in until the first half hour is over. Neither of us carried cash, so we had to park in a building a mile and a half away. And then we had to run. In our nice clothes. In the Houston heat.

We had a few minutes to air out before we sat down. Then our seats were so good we could see spittle fly when they sang! After the play we had a nice, long stroll back to the car.

While we were off running across Houston and having a ball, our boy was driving his Grandpa crazy. Thanks for watching him! I'm sorry I've made such a little momma's boy!