Silly Boy

Well I spend more time trying to figure out which ones of these to post, so again, I'm just posting most of them.  Cindy took these while she was here.  I think she brings the silliness out in Caleb...although it doesn't take much! :)

 I love this one...cuz I love these two!

 Goof Ball

I'm lucky.  Amazing sister and little boy!

Aunt Cindy Came!

Caleb LOVES his Aunt Cindy!

 I think he connects quicker with her than anyone since she looks and sounds so much like me.  That's just my guess though.

 I love seeing Caleb getting quality time with family.  Just wish it could be more often.

 SO thankful for the time we DO get though. 

 Uncle Brian couldn't come so they had some face-time while looking at pictures of his cool, red mustang!

So many great memories in a short time.

Thanks for coming Aunt Cindy, and loving Caleb so much!  He is a lucky little boy!

Big Boy Bed

I know that some people wait til they are three, but since Caleb was potty training, I thought it would be easier to have a bed.  We found one on Craigslist for a super good deal and made the switch.

 He was so excited!  I'll post a video on our video blog which shows his enthusiasm (mattandcherylovideos.blogspot.com).  He wanted to try it out right away!

 And of course no bed is acceptable without being jumpable!

And the test run with his giraffes! :)  We first just put the mattress down since he moves around so much, I was sure he's fall out and never want to sleep in it again.  The first night he was excited to sleep on it until he realized it was FOR REAL.  Then he wanted back in the crib.  I think he slept in the crib 2 or 3 nights and then made the switch!  And yes, he rolled off a few times.  He was so proud of his "big boy bed!"  

 So the time had come to say good-bye to the crib.  Kinda sentimental.  We took a last few pictures..

....and took it apart.  Someone had given it to us, and we were happy to pass it on to someone else in need!  Caleb was sad for the first couple nights, but it helped when he was proud that another baby was sleeping in it who needed it.

We left the mattress on the floor for a while since he rolled out regularly.  I finally figured out how to set it up but create a little safe spot.  I just turned his shelf and it's perfect.  He's still rolled out of the little opening once or twice (poor guy) but he now loves it!  Mommy loves it too cuz now I can lay down by him and cuddle before gong to sleep!  It even helped when he was super sick and woke up ALL NIGHT.  I just slept with him for a night or two.  Not sure that would have worked in the crib! :)  And he's only wet the bed twice!  Yay Caleb!  Our Big Boy! 

Christmas

Okay, so time to catch up and document some more memories.  :)  Looks like I skipped some Christmas pictures, so....

 We had a quiet morning at home together.  Caleb's As hat, like daddy's!  :)

 And what's in there?

 A little bus!  So funny, he tried to ride it. Hey, it has wheels, it must be meant to ride. :)

 Then we had some visitors...

 Grandma and Grandpa! Wish it could have been in person but SOOoooo thankful for Skype!  Caleb opened his gifts from them while they watched.  The only sad part was when Caleb decided it was time to go see them in person and went to the door.  He didn't quite understand why we couldn't just go.  Thanks for being part of our Christmas morning mom and dad.

 Hmm, I can't remember what we were watching, but I do remember enjoying just relaxing together and eating a good popcorn snack to save room for dinner later.

 We went to the Parkins' for dinner.  Here's Chuck with his giant cookie that we made for him.  He LOVES desserts!

 And Judy helping with some yummy sopapias for dessert.  Oh my goodness, SOOOOoo good!

 I brought an activity to do, and at first no one seemed interested, but I was happy that eventually people joined in and seemed to have fun creating marshmallow creations!

 Caleb was very proud, and of course enjoyed eating it more than anything else.

 Zoe is growing up so fast!  She is in 5th grade now and truly a young lady.  She's just about ready to babysit too!

Joshua is in 1st grade and still loves his cousin to pieces.  He LOVES legos, so I was amazed that he took time to join us and made his own creation.  We had a great day together with family!

Can't wait for this coming Christmas when we'll, God willing, get to join family in Oregon!  Merry Christmas! :)

My New Job

      I can't explain how thankful I am for my new job, which started at the end of November.  The list is long for all the ways it is a blessing.  Caleb and I get to be together, which also makes it more possible for me to do OTHER things in the evenings (friends, having people over, time on the computer without missing out on time with him...and he's okay with it, cook, etc).  My stress level is also a million times less, and I get to bless Brady's parents by doing things to make their life a little easier once they are off work.  They both work from home, which is also nice since it gives some adult interaction when we're home a lot.  

Of course the #1 toy- boxes!!! Here's our new little buddy, Brady!  He's almost 19 months and we love him like crazy already! He's a sweet little boy, full of energy and  excitement!  We're all so happy that even with an 8 month difference the boys have really bonded and get along well.  Of course they have their conflicts, but over-all, they just love each other!

 Doing crafts isn't the favorite thing yet, but we still try it out now and then!  I can't wait til it's more fun for them since I really enjoy doing it with them.

 But there's so many other great things to do as well!  Last month we made gingerbread men, and we've made muffins a couple times now.

And the best part...taste testing!  Brady tries everything from flour, to baking soda to the batter.  He's so funny.  Once we get to the finished product, he's not as interested in trying it. :) 

Enjoying the Christmas gifts they got for each other!  

 Another highlight is getting to go on "field trips!"  Here's just a look at one of them.  We go to a couple libraries and their events, to parks, and will be starting a play group that we met on accident last week.  I'll post some more pictures later from going to the fish hatchery, a mini-kids-town, and another park.

 This was a great tree!  The branch came down from up high almost to the ground so Caleb could bounce on it.

 See...I'm there too! :)

 And so much beauty in the area!  Yes, we need rain, but it's honestly still hard for me to pray for it since I love the sun so much!  I often feel like I'm dreaming when it's January and sunny! :)

I'm a happy mama and wife these days!  SO thankful, but also realize that this might just be for a time, so I'm enjoying it while it lasts! :)  THANK YOU GOD!!!

Just Caleb

Thanks for the tie and vest Aunt Cindy! You never know when they'll come in handy! :)

 And for the cool towels Grandma and Pa-Pa!

 I find Caleb here, doing this more and more often. :)  I love how he brought the baby seat on top of the chair.  It' still out since he likes sitting in it.

 Curious George is his favorite lately. 

 A little relaxing like Daddy in the living room. :) 

And a little crazy hair after his bath.  I love this boy, but definitely accept all prayers for wisdom and discernment each moment.  He's certainly asserting his will these days. :)