Eli has figured it out!

 

This picture doesn't really go with this post but it was a collage that disappeared when I went to blog it a few weeks ago. He was pretty cute. I wanted to write about Eli's progress. When my sister was down here for Labor day two weeks ago Eli was taking 3-5 shaky and careful steps away from furniture before he would fall over. This weekend as we watched Eli around her apartment we both watched in awe at his accomplishments. He was walking clear across the room. He could stop in the middle pick something up and keep going. He could turn around and go different ways. He could be sitting in the middle of the room and decide he wanted to go somewhere and just stand up right where he was and walk. It took him a long time to decide to do it but now he has it figured out. Micali loves watching him walk and we both giggle together to see him toddling all around the house. I don't think I will have to worry about carrying two babies around come February. He, I am sure, will be quite independent by then! We love our little man.

A lot of driving

 

We decided to make the drive up to northern utah to stock up on groceries, see friends, and spend time with our sisters. The drive took us close to five hours and we had a packed schedule the entire time. The kids stayed up the whole way there until 10:30 at night. We were sure they would pass out way before that. The next morning we loaded up our van with groceries, had lunch with some great friends,visited with my Kendra and Austin---where we SCORED on lots of clothes and baby gear from her neighbor. Then we headed back to Luke's sisters for games. Sunday we just spent the day driving back home and due to our AC going out we made a lot of frequent stops for cold drinks, slushies, and ice cream. The pictures in the collage were just of our last hours drive home. I was sad I didn't get the camera out the whole weekend!

The coach

 

Luke had his first home game last Thursday. The kids and I went up to support him. We had a good time eating popcorn and watching daddy. We made it until half-time and the score was already 34-0 so we decided he could get the win without us. He is learning a TON about football and enjoys it more and more everyday as he works through the learning curve. Football is so much more complex than we ever thought.

Micali looking marvelous

 

Micali's beautiful blonde hair was getting out of control. It is so fine and breaks off easily when I put it up. So she was starting to look like she had a mullet it was so short on the sides and long in the back. I didn't want to cut it all super short though so we just took off half the length in the back. I had been thinking I would take her somewhere to get it done but decided that with her attention span I could probably do just as good. I bribed her with some chocolate pudding that she had made with me the day before. We wrestled each other the whole time, I was constantly reminding her she needed to be careful so I didn't hurt her with the sharp scissors and she kept telling me "don't be so dangerous, mom". In the end it didn't turn out so bad and Micali still got her chocolate pudding to enjoy!

Tickled Pink.......

 

We are tickled pink and happy to say
a darling baby girl is on the way!

Pictures of Today

 

 

A great day outside

Micali and Eli had so much fun riding their bikes on Saturday that I decided we should do it again. We packed a picnic lunch and headed off for some fresh air. I decided to ignore the dirty dishes and laundry that needed folded and just have fun with my kids while we can still enjoy such nice weather. As you can see from the following videos they were thrilled.

Eli Walking!

Lastnight we took Micali and Eli up to a large open flat area for them to ride their bikes. Micali rode her bike like a pro and totally loved the wide open spaces. Eli took the oppurtunity to work on his walking skills after he got tired of riding his bike. Luke and I were totally surprised when he walked a full 20 feet without falling over. Once he did fall it was very ungraceful and he almost face planted but, while he was walking he was very focused and just took his time. Today hasn't been any different. He keeps letting go of things and walking all over the place. We quickly got the camera to capture a few moments of him walking slowly and carefully because I think before we know it he is going to be running right along side his big sister!

Labor Day Weekend

 

 

One definite bonus of living in the lower 48 is being able to have family come visit. My sister Kendra and her husband came and spent Labor Day weekend with us. We enjoyed a very entertaining game of golf, fresh cinnamon rolls, good ol' camp food and two nights under the stars. The kids did pretty good camping and thankfully our visitors were patient with Eli's early morning crying. It was great to just relax and spend time together.

God bless America!

I am just remembering on this day all the blessings I have by being and American. I am thinking of all those who have given their life for the freedoms we enjoy. I remember the shock this nation felt 8 years ago today and remember the calm assurance that I felt as I listened to David A. Bednar give our opening semester devotional at BYU-Idaho that afternoon. Not only am I grateful for America but I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that gives me a focus and balance in life no matter what is going on around me.
To hear a 9/11 survivors story click here.

Micali turns 3

 

Micali had a birthday. It was way back on July 19th but we did take some pictures of her on her special day. She really loved her fruit pizza. We thought that once we got back with daddy we would have a big birthday celebration for the both of us since mine was on the 11th of July. It still hasn't happened. We won't let him forget about it though. I really could use some cheesecake!
Micali had a fun summer playing with her cousins and grandparents. She loved the cow, dogs, cats, and chickens at Grandma and Grandpa K's house. She also loved playing out in the grass and lunch picnics in Michigan at Grandma and Grandpa P's. She also enjoyed riding on the boat and tubing with her uncle while there.
She is finding some friends here in Monticello but often asks to go back to Alaska to see many her friends she had there. She seems to enjoy the warm weather and especially likes going to the park and daddy's work. She is proud of her dad and loves calling him coach. She thinks his whistle is pretty cool too!

Eli 18 and 19 months

 

Eli is growing up and doing so many things. He is climbing onto everything. I found him in the kitchen sink a few weeks ago when Micali left her chair next to the sink after washing her hands. He is talking quite a bit. He can say: banana, apple, cracker, cheese, "cali" for his sister, football, dog, please, thank you, more, done. And probably more that I can't remember right now. He has figured out how to give real kisses with his mouth closed. My favorite part of the day is snuggling with him in the morning right after he wakes up. This morning he kept pulling my face over so he could kiss me and then he would put his forhead on my lips so I could kiss him. He is a sweet brother and is a very good sport while playing with Micali. He loves going into nursery at church and has never had a problem with us leaving him there. He doesn't eat anything we put on his plate like Micali would. He seems to be a vegetarian as any meat we put in his mouth comes right back out. We do keep trying though. Occasionally he will eat a chicken nugget depending on the day.
He still hasn't totally figured out walking. He is taking 5-7 steps away from places before he falls down and decides that crawling is much faster. He is actually going to start some physical therapy here in the home through an Early Intervention program the school district has. They came over and did all sorts of tests with him. He passed with flying colors on everything except his "locomotive" skills which is walking, running, going up and down stairs, etc. It will be interesting to see what the PT lady does with him. She said she thinks he will be up to speed in no time though. I am just hoping that by Feb. when the baby gets here that he can get around by himself with out any problems.

Frustrated!

 

Our computer isn't in the most convenient set up to blog right now but I have been trying. A couple nights ago I put together several picture collages to blog about when I got a chance. Well now I have the chance but all the collages are missing. This picture of Eli describes how I feel.
Update: I did get to go to the Dr. last week and was relieved to see the baby in action during the ultrasound. I always start to get a little nervous before I can feel the baby move and before I can see that there is really a baby there. He or She was being very modest however so we don't know yet if it is a boy or girl. I go in on the 21st for the "real" ultrasound from the actual lady who is trained to do just that. The doctor just took a peek for me because I asked him to. He is also keeping the due date for Feb. 14th but I told him I would try very hard not to ruin his Valentine's day.
We were also excited to have my sister and her husband come down for Labor Day weekend. We took another little camping trip up in our mountains here. Luke and Austin also tried out the golf course here. The girls and Eli enjoyed riding along in the carts being the caddies and Micali especially liked all the deer meandering through.
More pictures to come but for now just enjoy the picture of Eli.

CUTE

 

Continued

For the best look at Micali's facial expressions, click on the picture to enlarge it. Don't worry she really was having a good time.

 
 
 
 

Best Laugh of the summer...

Shortly after we got to Kansas, Micali experienced her first really big thunderstorm. This particular morning it was raining super hard and created some puddles in the yard. Micali told her Uncle Derrick she wanted to go play out in it. He thinking my little girl wouldn't want to get wet searched for a rain jacket for her. She refused it and just wanted to get outside. He decided he after all didn't need his rain jacket either. It was a nice warm rain. It didn't take long before she was jumping in and having a good ol' time. Derrick seemed to thouroughly enjoy himself too.