Baby Signing {Play}

Happy Darn

Thanksgiving was extra special this year because I got to do all the cooking and we had wonderful dinner guests.  My sister Kate, who is my favorite person in the world.  I think she likes me too as I am one of the only people on her facebook over 30 without a limited profile (I did have to fight for it though.)  My dad, who is super funny, outgoing and laid back, was the life to our party.  Kate's friends Michelle and Abby made the trip from Iowa too and they were lovely visitors.

Our Menu

Free Range, Brined and Oven Roasted Turkey

Mashed Potatoes and Turkey Gravy

Orange-Vanilla Bean Cranberry Sauce

Multi-grain Yogurt Loaf

Sizzled Green Beans with Prosciutto and Pine Nuts

Sparkling Grape Juice

Cranberry Walnut Tart

Pumpkin Pie

Instead of after dinner TV time, it was after dinner computer time.  Oh, how things have changed.

Once the food settled, we headed out for our traditional Thanksgiving hike. We have really only done it one other year, but I really think it will make for a great tradition.

Black Friday was just as pleasant as we enjoyed a horse trail through the mountains by Saguaro Lake.

Afterwards, Dad taught Brik how to ride his bike sans training wheels, as is tradition, set a couple years back with Layne.

Each night we played games, mostly The Great Dalmuti.  It was hours full of jokes, texts and laughs.  My dad has quite a few phrases that have become part of his everyday vocabulary.  Many of them are not the kind that you'd want your kids to repeat.  Layne was walking around the house saying "happy darn, happy darn."  We asked him what it meant and where he got it from.  "Papa always says it."  It took us a while to realize that the phrase "I'll be darned, " which Dad says in his Iowan way " All be darn, " was translated by a 7 year old as "happy darn."  It was a darn happy weekend, so we just went with it.

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Who knew Dyersville, IA could have a museum that rivals the Arizona Science Center? Mom took our family here when we were visiting in September. It was a great find, and I would love to go back.

The inevitable-battle for a family picture

Sharks, Catfish and Alligators

Crawdads

Build and Float your own boats.

Baby Signing {Animals}

Picture Perfect

At Roxwell's first well visit of his life, his doctor was so intense when he was looking him over.  Jarom and I looked at each other with worried glances because he had surely found that something was wrong with him.  NOPE.  After the thorough examination he announced the astounding perfection that my babe was to behold.

We were shocked to learn at age 16 months that this very perfect being had brain damage from birth.  Because of the atypical posturing issues that come with this condition, it can effect the way the bones develop.  Roxwell had his first x-rays yesterday and his bones are picture perfect.  What's more, the orthopedic surgeon was confident that his sitting posture would easily improve on it's own.

Brik on Allergies

“I have four allergies and Roxwell has four allergies.”

What are your four allergies?

“I have an allergy to mosquito bites, cats and dogs and wetting the bed.”

What is Roxwell allergic to?

“To mosquito bites, peeing in his diaper using his left hand and using his left foot.”

What about Layne?

"He is allergic to one thing, not being nice to me."

1 Project Down, 789, 341 To Go

I am so grateful to my parents for giving the boys this incredibly generous and equally useful gift for their fall birthday's and Christmas.  They love it.  Jarom has been building it in every free moment he has had for the past 2 months.  They were always excited to play on the newest part, even when it was just a platform to climb on.  Today it was officially completed and all the boxes and tools were cleared from the scene.  With our shed moved back to the side of you house, the lovely weather we are having, this play-set erected and my garden in full bloom, I find myself being drawn to our backyard continually.

Gone Fishin'

Little by little I am getting to this family record keeping business.  These pics are from our Iowa trip back in September.  The kids days were jam packed with activities.  Papa loves to take them out fishing.  He put Layne "in charge of the boat."  This is music to Layne's ears as he nuts about control.

Brik was pretty grossed out by the fish and the worms and the water, so pretty much everything fishing.  Layne felt okay about touching a fish, but not holding it in his hands. 

Layne was okay with touching the fish, but wouldn't hold one in his hands.  Papa was impressed with his increased patience waiting for a bite.

Baby Signing {Basics}