Time with Grandma

Hmm, do you think Caleb likes spending time with Grandma? :)

 We had a great visit a while back and are already looking to the next time when Grandpa gets to come too.

 Trying out a new bubble wand.  I missed the good big bubbles since I was cooking.  Bummer.

Snuggles.  We love you mom! 

Sleepy Boy

Well, he's at the age where he's fighting taking a nap.  This means new challenges for us all.  The good thing is that he always catches up even if he misses some time...although I might lose more than him.  Oh well, I can't complain.  At least I get to sleep through the night now.  

 He loves his giraffe.

 For a few weeks he would only fall asleep here.  I turned the light on to take the picture.  I'd come in ten minutes later and put him in bed.  He sure seems heavier when he's like a wet rag.  :)

 And here's the result of no nap.  He falls asleep on the way home, I carry him in and put him on the couch for a while. Then he wakes up and is grumpy for an hour. Hoping this passes soon.

A bedtime story with Oma one weekend.  It's nice having here living here now.  Next step- teach him that he's okay going potty by himself at night.

Fun at Home

This is what happens when Daddy dresses Caleb! :)

 Of course he think it's the best thing ever...until his head can't take it anymore!

 Glow stick party before bed!

 What happens in the morning when someone is super grumpy...Mommy dresses him and everything turns better! :)  At least this one time it worked.

This is "Doggy."  Caleb fell in love with him from the day I brought him home.  He talks, laughs, plays, and does all kinds of things with him.  I wish I would have gotten a puppet a long time ago.  Of course at this point it doesn't have to be a puppet....even a foot or hand will do.  If it interacts with Caleb and we make it talk, he talks to it and has a great time! So much fun!

Joshua's Birthday

Just a few pictures from Joshua's birthday.  

I like this.  It captures real life. :) 

 All the cousins are getting older and all excited about gift opening time!

 Zoe is the one that amazes me. Seems like she became a woman this year.  She's just finishing 5th grade.  She's in that age between kid and adult.  I really enjoy sitting and talking with her and hearing all that's on her mind.

 Again, Caleb bonding with Uncle Al. 

And the highlight of the night....DANCE PARTY!!! 

Sweet Times with Johnsons

It was such a gift to get to have Matt's sister and her family here for a few months.  Since Alistair is from England, and they met in Romania, they live overseas, which means we only get to spend time with them every couple of years.  Skype is great but nothing compared to regular time together in person.

 We really enjoyed having just the three of them over one evening while Alistair was here (for the last of the 3 months that Alison and Abby were here). Caleb and Abby became best buddies, and seemed more like brother and sister.  They had so much fun together and we also experienced the normal transitions and stages of two year olds in our times together....some pretty emotional and intense moments.

 Caleb wasn't too sure about Uncle Al when he first met him, but it took about one or two interactions for him to become one of his favorite people of all time.  He actually started asking to see Uncle Al more than Abby, which was quite amazing.  We all enjoyed some great, deep talks about life and God together.

And of course lots of laughs! 

Caleb constantly asks about Aunt Alison, Uncle Al and Abby.  In face, he's in bed "going to sleep" right now and I just heard him saying their names.  Hopefully it's not too long until we get to spend some more quality time together again.  We love you guys! Thanks for coming to our end of the world for a while.  Treasured Moments. 

Driving to Daddy

One day a while back Caleb came up to me holding Matt's apron and asked me to put it on.  Then he went looking for Daddy's work shoes and was upset that they weren't there (He was wearing them at work).  

 So he settled for his other shoes and then proceeded to tell me that he was going to see Daddy at work.  I said okay, he opened the door and started on his way.

 That is until he realized he didn't have the keys and all that he needed.  I let him borrow my phone and keys and he took Daddy's sunglasses as well...all the things we normally grab on our way out.

I figured he'd take a couple steps in the big shoes and get frustrated and fall out and move onto the next thing.  Nope...

 ...he kept on walking, slowly but surely all the way to the car.

 "Bye Mommy."

 I asked him how he was going to get there as he was inching out to the car, and he said very matter-of-factly, "I'm going to drive there."  Hmm, okay.

I helped him unlock the door, he closed it and wanted me to leave and said goodbye.  I think he rally would have driven by himself if he could have figured out how.  He was pretty bummed that we didn't really get to go.  I think we ended up going later in the day since he wanted to see Daddy so badly.  Lately, if we're home when Matt leaves, he always walks out to the car and waves goodbye as Matt goes.  He loves his Daddy. 

Open Mic

Matt and Alison used to be in a band together with some friends and haven't performed together for quite a while.  Actually, I've never seen them perform at all, so it was really fun when she was here and they decided to sing at an open mic night at a coffee shop. 

 Caleb is pretty proud of his daddy and singing his own songs. Someday he'll learn how to hold the guitar.  I'm pretty sure he is right handed but might just be mirroring the way Matt holds it.

 We were there before many people showed up so Caleb had the chance to show off his talents.  He was really quiet at first but once someone clapped he set down his guitar and burst out into song and dance.  (see mattandcherylovideos.blogspot.com)

 He sang his favorite at the time, "1,000 Reasons" by Matt Redmond.

 Abby and Caleb gettin' their groove on as Matt plays.  When the two are together their energy level is at 100% I think.

 We had to go outside and run around for half the time just to get the excitement of being together out.

 I really loved hearing Matt perform with Alison!  They sound amazing!  It was hard to just relax and enjoy it since I had the two sillys with me.  I recorded most of it, which is why I don't have a good picture.  I think I already posted it on our video blog as well.

 Proud son dreaming of being like his daddy, I think.

I hope we'll do this again someday soon.  Matt is a great singer and I know he really enjoyed getting to use some of the talent God has given him.  I did for sure.  And pretty soon Caleb will be up there for real as well. :)