Back-Up Giraffe

As stated earlier, Caleb LOVES his giraffe!  He's squeezed, hugged and more than anything, chewed on it a thousand times.  Of course this leads to a bit of grossness. :)  Food, sticky medicine, milk, water, and just plain saliva add up to stink and disgusting....but I still put off washing him for several months simply because of what might have happened to the little guy if washing him went south.  Finally, though, I just had to do it, if anything, to keep Caleb from getting sick from the filth.  SOoooo...

 We found a back-up giraffe first!  Not exactly the same, but as close as we'll ever get.  Some pictures were in order to document the difference! :)  I like to call it LOVED instead of gross. :)

 I think these pictures are pretty funny too.  Looks like the new giraffe is truly happy about his cleanliness!

 Saggy Bottom!

I don't know, I think they'll become friends, although Caleb still always chooses #1 over the new one.  Cleaning went pretty good.  I just did it by hand in a bowl.  It was quite disgusting seeing the water after each rinse, but now I know it can be done without destroying it.  Caleb wasn't too happy about waiting for it to dry all the next day, but he made it.  That was about a month ago now, and I think it's time for another wash.  

Apple Hill Day with Family!

LOTS of pictures of a fun day for us while Dad, Mom and Cindy were in town. 

 We enjoyed a relaxing morning, and even got a nap in.  Mom and Dad were sitting outside reading, so when we woke up we joined them for a bit.  Caleb got to chat with Grandpa...

...some more.  I like this picture.  It reminds me of my grandpa spending time with me through the years.  I hope Caleb gets lots of these memories as well.

 And some Grandma time too of course!

 All weekend he found it important to point out where I was located whenever with someone else.

 Once we were finally all ready to go, we stopped at Baja Fresh for some lunch!  Caleb LOVES the order number signs there!  SO much fun!

Hmm, maybe we should have just bought him a couple of these for his birthday! :)

 Next stop, Apple Hill!  More specifically, High Hill Ranch, which is where Matt has many childhood memories.  We stopped to watch the pony rides...

 ...and then Caleb got one of his own! :)  Pretty funny actually since i didn't realize how fast it went and I'm sure I looked like a crazy mama running around holding onto Caleb so he wouldn't fall off.  Then Matt and I traded off so I wouldn't fall over.  :)

 We needed a good picture with Grandma and Grandpa, so here's the winner!

 I love seeing these pictures with Caleb hanging out with family...here, Aunt Cindy helping out with the afternoon bottle.  It makes me so thankful for these times, but also sad that there aren't more.

Next, we decided to try out a new farm where there might be a petting zoo that Caleb might enjoy.  Before the animals, though, he got to do one of his favorite things, but with Grandpa this time!  He loves sitting in the front seat of the car and pushing buttons and whatever else he can find to do. 

 This is one of our new favorite places at Apple Hill since there are several things to do with little kids. Caleb enjoyed watching the goats, chickens and rabbits.

 Dad and animals always brings me back to when we were kids and he worked on Harry M's ranch.

 Fun family memories

 His first "face in a hole" picture. :)  I'm not sure what to call it. :)  He wasn't too thrilled about it, as you can see.

 I love my sister

 and my Mom and Dad!

 and my guys!

 This was the weekend of learning to walk!  Ready, set....

 GO!!!  Oops! 

Try, try again!

So much fun with lots of people to help!

 I set Caleb down on the hay and he had a FABULOUSly funny reaction.  Too bad we didn't get a picture.  This is all he'd give us once the cameras were out!

 But then I moved him to a barrel and we caught a few fun looks! 

The Big Flirt!

 Our Big Boy!

 LOVE Him!  

Right before we left, we found a fun tractor to sit on!  The thing I loved about it was how it smelled.  It brought me right back to when I was a kid in Grandpa Gabbert's barn.  Fond memories that I miss. 

 Matt is such a great dad....if you look close you can see he's making tractor noises and all!

Love it! Boys havin' some good fun!

Of course we had to have some apple pie and ice cream before we left.  Then, once we got home we had some good family time looking at the pictures from the day, with lots of entertainment from Caleb to go along with it!

A great day to remember!  Miss and love you Mom, Dad and Cindy.  Thank you so much for coming for the weekend.  We can't WAIT for Christmas to spend more time with all of you!

AAaaahhhh, Family Time!

I Absolutely LOVE my family, so whenever they come visit I'm always SUPER excited!  Now that Caleb is around, I get even MORE excited, but not just because I get to see them, but so that they can see Caleb and  he can get to know them better as well.  One of the hardest things since Caleb was born is not living by my family.  We all are thankful, though, that at least we're closer than all the way around the world (feeling for you, Johnsons and Greens).  Every 3 months or so is better than 6 or 12. 

 A few months ago Caleb went to men easier than women.  This time it took longer to warm up to Grandpa. It didn't take too long to feel okay with Grandma, and Aunt Cindy is the easiest since she looks and sounds so much like Mommy! :)

 Grandpa is so good at finding ways to connect!  The little squirrel from The Grand Canyon did the trick.  After some playing around, pretty soon Caleb was laying right over next to Grandpa, laughing and having a great time! Way to be patient and persistent Dad! :)

The rest of the weekend wasn't so scary for Caleb....but fun!  Some shoulder rides...

 ...and with Grandpa there HAS to be tickling and laughing!  SO much fun!  Caleb loves his Grandpa!

 And I was SO happy to have a dinner all together around the table!  Feels good!

 Mom and I wanted to look at flowers so we headed out to Green Acres.  The boys found something fun to occupy their time!

 Hmm, who's having the most fun here?  :)

We should go shopping more often! :)

 Saying Good Bye to Aunt Cindy.  She always has the coolest an most interesting jewelry to look at!

And I found this picture from the birthday celebration day...some of his first steps toward walking with everyone around to see. :)

I have one more post to finish the family visit weekend.  All out of order but at least I'm getting caught up, thanks to Matt, who took Caleb out for a while.  :)

1st Birthday..."I Got Another Package!"

Hi Abby, Aunt Alison and Uncle Al! 

 Thanks You Thank You for the birthday package!  I love the book, and the Olympic lion is SO cool!

Do I look like an elf with my ears out?!  I really like my hat...

...especially taking it off! :) Mommy and Daddy are wondering how in the world I'm going to stay warm this winter! :)  hee hee. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!  (Mommy says to tell you that the gifts are perfect!  She LOVES the hat and mittens and thinks the book is wonderful too!  You are really good at picking things that she would pick out herself!  Thank you)