Looking Older!

I posted one of these on fb and the many responses were how old he looks.  We have to agree, especially this one:

Kind of scary.  Almost didn't post it because of it. :)

 I wanted to get a picture with his hat AND gloves from the Johnsons.  I LOVE them, and was even more excited when I realized that they match the coat I just got for him perfectly!

 I was happy that he decided to keep the hat on since it's so cold, but the gloves only last for a minute or two.  I think I need to put rubber-bands around the wrists or something.

Another time that I can't choose a few, so you get most of them.

He often stops at this drain pipe to watch the water drip out.  Seems to find it quite fascinating...maybe since it only happens every now and then.  

 Just being a goof-ball

He seemed to really like his new coat (only $7, by the way, from a kids thrift store. Thankful for that find).

 Another one that I wish had turned out clear, but still wanted to post it.

We LOVE our morning walks! 

Maybe the NEXT one will be with Grandma and Grandpa! 

Christmas with the Parkins

Since we'll be out of town for Christmas we had ours with the Parkins last weekend.  

It was fun to watch Caleb really anticipate what was coming and enjoy the process of opening gifts this year. 

 Also fun to see Zoe, his cousin, so grown up and enjoying helping him with so many things.  She's already a good babysitter....someday soon she'll be the best all by herself!

 I truly thought Caleb would see his gifts and then move on to the next thing.  I was completely wrong.  He loved his new microphone and at one point was carrying it around WITH the popper thing pictures below.

 Joshua sportin' his new As hat from us (but really from Uncle Matt). He's super excited to start playing T-ball in a few months.

 He LOVES his new car!

 fuzzy but so cute.  We missed so many great pictures.  We've learned our lesson and when he opens any more gifts we'll have the camera ready the FIRST time he tries whatever it is out.  His reactions are classic!

Thank you Uncle Al, Aunt Alison and Abby, for the writing mat.  He really likes it already!  We just wish you could be with us this year again.  We miss you and love you so much!

Can you tell that things have truly become about the kids?  I didn't get any good pictures with Bob or Beth or Chuck, and Matt and I are only in a couple because we were by Caleb.  Hmm, gotta work on that. :)

Dovewood Court

We took Caleb and Opa to Dovewood Court to see Christmas lights the other night, and had lots of fun doing it.  

 Poor buddy didn't have a coat yet and his hood kept falling off, so we held him the whole time to give extra body heat. He didn't seem bothered by the cold.

 One of our favorite houses was a tropical theme!

 Self portrait attempt.  

 Caleb wasn't sure about the fake snow falling.  It'll be fun to introduce him to the real stuff tomorrow on our trip.

 So many lights can be overwhelming for a little guy.  He got tired out pretty quickly.

 This was his favorite stop.  Someone filled their garage with moving characters and music.  The kids lined up next to the little fence to watch.

 Not very clear but I like how it captures his interest in the lights all around.

Our little gingerbread boy. :)

Guitar

Caleb loves when Daddy will get the guitar out to play.  He often goes over to it and asks us to get it out these days.  Daddy took a break from decorating the tree to play for him.  

 It was the first time that at the same time Caleb went and got HIS guitar and wanted to play it at the same time as Daddy. :)  SO cute!

 After trying to play along, he soon decided it was time to join Daddy with the REAL one!

 SO wish this had turned out better.  We need a picture editing program.

Can you tell he likes it? Hmm, maybe he'll be a professional someday. :)

Helping with Christmas Fun

Last year Caleb wasn't old enough to help out, but this year he is and he's enjoying it. 

 Hmm, it doesn't quite look like it here. :)  I should have taken a picture when he first discovered the string of beads (I was feeling grumpy myself, so missed it.)

 His favorite ornament is a little light up snow man that says his name on it.  We just wish we could remember who gave it to him last year.  Any of you?

 Talking to a little snowman puppet.

 Helping Daddy decorate.

Trying to put on his ornament, which he just held up to the tree and then ran away to play with it!

 I made a couple treats to give away to neighbors this year.  It gave me a chance to try some new recipes and not have to eat it all. :)

My helper! 

Now we can't wait for lots of pictures at Grandma and Grandpa's house with family!  Less than 2 weeks left!  Can't wait!

Thirty-FIVE!

I've never felt weird about any age until this one.  I've just never imagined myself as 40, since that's only how old my parents are, and 35 seems closer than ever!  How did this happen?  Now I understand what everyone meant by always seeing yourself as younger but the mind never catching up to reality.  Funny.  

 The day of my birthday this year was similar to the day I was born...RAIN.  YUCK!  Matt planned the perfect gift.  I woke up to him in his swim suit and flip-flops.  I walked into the hall and found mine, and into the living room where Hawaiian music was playing on the computer....

 ...my bright colored towel was out, the happy-light turned on...

 ....a basket of treats, a card, wind up frog and crab, a pineapple and a coconut with a candle in one of the holes....

 ...and a palm tree and two suns on the wall!  Perfect! I think I'd like to wake up to this every day!

 Caleb got busy getting into everything.  While I was trying to get a good picture with the lei on, I didn't realize he was taking a bite out of the candle.  This is blurry but you can see his reaction! :)

 Then the candy...he chewed a hole right through the middle leaving it looking like a mouse had found it.

Of course he needed a snack since we wouldn't let him eat the candy, so next he tried some crackers.

 They were a bit hard, so he filled his mouth and just walked around like a chipmunk with his cheeks full. :)

And my favorite...some nice shades for the sun!

 Other than Hawaii, I also got to open gifts from mom and dad, some friends brought some flowers and a card over and we enjoyed a movie with ice cream!  It was a good day for the most part! :)  I feel blessed and loved!