Halloween fun

Trick-or-treating with the Flakes.

Jon was a low-budget/ low-maintenance Plex and Henry was an adorable Yoda.

This is Jango Fett and a braying (is that what they do?) zebra.

Jengo Fett trying to take out Yoda.

A very belated post

Henry thoroughly enjoyed his first trip to the pumpkin patch.

He also enjoyed sampling the gourds (it reminded him of something).

Alta lives for horsies-- she gets so excited she pinches them!!

We love watching Dean drive his big sissy around. She loves it too.

Yo Gabba days

Look who's turning one in a few weeks!! He can't wait for his Yo Gabba Gabba party!!

Shortly after the above photo was taken, I found Henry in his bath (that I neglected to empty); he likes to be naughty.

This is Dean after filming his episode of YGG. I don't think we are allowed to post any pictures from the set until after the show airs. He stars in episode 301 (the school episode) which will air sometime next fall (hopefully); look for the nerdy-yet-cute teacher clad in a bow tie and glasses.

The wrap party for season 3 was kid heaven. Too bad you can't make out the kids' costumes 'cause they were cute! Alta was a zebra; she couldn't help caressing herself in her unitard/blanket/pajama outfit-- it truly was a costume fit for Alta. Dean was Jango Fett (all he knows about him is that he is on Star Wars and he really liked the gun that went along with the costume). And last, but certainly not least, Henry was Yoda. This picture had to be taken fast before Alta ditched us (or pinched DJ Lance), but it makes me happy because I think it's the first family photo since our new little guy arrived.

Dean Speak
-------------------

Dean: "When I go in to see Jill's baby I want to hold him."
Jon: "Dean, you have to wait in the car, kids aren't allowed to go in the hospital to visit the baby."
Dean: (cue major waterworks) "I want to see the baby!! That's not fair!!"
Jon: "When mommy goes to see the baby, she will take a picture and bring it back to show you."
Dean: "Okay. Mom, I want you to take a picture of Jill too, I need to see how the baby comes out of her body."

oh boy!

One more week!!

I can't wait for school to start so I can spend more one-on-one time with this chunky monkey:

.... and for other reasons such as this:

Two polliwogs

Dean finished swim lessons last week and he had a blast.  I thought we were in for a similar fate as the first week of preschool, but much to my surprise Dean jumped in feet first--literally-- and all smiles the first day of lessons.  I really think it was all about the peer pressure; there was no way Dean was going to be outdone by those he knows and loves best.  He didn't quite pass the polliwog class, but I sure am proud of him-- he even jumped off the diving board without a second of hesitation!

Beach Bums

I may be biased, but I think my friends--including those not present at the beach this day-- make the most beautiful children.  They are even cuter when childhood bliss is written all over their beaming smiles.  Overall it was a great day with old -- old as in I've been friends with them for 14 years, not old in age or appearance--friends.  I wished I could've visited more with my "old" friends, but a certain 7 year old wished to ravage camp and lay in the surf so that the salty sea water could filter into her tube-filled ears (I'm a bad mom-- I forgot the Mack's ear plugs).  Nonetheless, it was a fabulous day and my kids had the time of their lives.  The older I get, the more I realize that fun isn't defined by how things/events/people please me, but rather it is defined by how these things affect and please my children.  When my children have fun, I am pleased.

(Dean copying Porter)

(Henry and North)

(Alta doing what she does best)

(I think this might be one of Alta's favorite days ever)

(Dean trying to hang with the boys-- Jonas and Porter)

(Henry after a fistful of sand)

(baby meadow)

(Janie girl)

(Darling Zinnia)

(Blue)

(Lyd and North--the most smiley baby ever!)

Happy Birthday Alta!

(She always gives the horsies a good man-handling)

(gorgeous as ever)

(she mostly liked this ride because of the cool draft of air it blows in your face)

(she is stunned/obsessed/frightened by fire)

Our darling Alta Bear turned 7 today.  Here are 7 reasons to love her:

1.  Her smile: not only is it a gorgeous sight to behold-- with those perfectly-plump, envy-evoking, rosy-red lips-- but it also signifies a genuine regard for the beholder.  She hasn't learned to fake it or manipulate egos for her gain, so it truly is a heart-felt action.

2.  Her sense of wonder and amusement.  For instance, most of us like to look at magazines or books for visual and intellectual stimulation; Alta not only enjoys them for these purposes, but she also loves the sound of crinkling the pages; she loves the feel of the book/magazine on her fingertips; and she even enjoys an occasional smell/taste of the product.  Sometimes I think Alta is just on a higher plane than the rest of us and has mastered the art of the sensory experience.  What a joy it would be to see and experience the world through Alta's eyes; I think that is going to be my special treat when I pass on to the next life.   

3. Her quirks and idiosyncrasies.  Finding amusement in situations where it would be so easy to indulge in frustration really helps when living with Alta.  It's pretty funny to see her touch strangers on the arm as they walk by, and then blatantly smell her hand to detect their scent (maybe she's part vampire).  I also love when she walks in the room with a pant leg wrapped around her arm, a pair of underwear over her shorts and a sock covering her hand like a glove.  There are many more, but I'll stop here since this post is already a short novel.  

4.  Her sweet little spirit.  Since birth all those around her have been able to detect the angelic  eminence that radiates from Alta-- it's basically impossible to be impervious to it.  

5.  I love the language of Alta.  I love her intonation, her cute and dainty voice, that she has the need to finish sentences, and that she says "please, otay (okay)" after every expressed want.  I love that she can and does talk.

6.  I love her cuddles.  She was our little cuddle baby.  Cuddles from Alta are even more meaningful now because they are only permitted when she is the seeker of them.  Jon is the beneficiary of many more cuddles than I am; I love their special bond.

7.  Her glee.  Those that know her best appreciate the sheer enjoyment and the squeals of delight when she rides on a carousel, eats pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's, goes to disneyland, sees animals (in person, or in books), or plays in water.  It is a joy to watch her joy. 

Thank you Heavenly Father for sending Alta to live with us seven years ago.  I know she was sent here to refine us as parents rather than the other way around.  We are blessed.

We love you Bear!

 

Firsts

As soon as I sat down with the scrumptious bowl of rice cereal, this is the reaction I got from Henry:

It was as if he was thinking: Finally I get the good stuff (he didn't know that rice cereal tastes like cardboard yet.)  I think he was just happy to not be on an all-liquid diet. 

After giving him about 3 bites, Henry swiftly grabbed the spoon from me and took matters into his own hands.
He got a little overzealous; apparently his gag reflex works fine.
All done.
Hankster is already trying to crawl-- he has a quiet determination (as opposed to Dean's vocal ways.)  I don't want my baby to grow up!!

Happy belated Easter!

I am finally getting around to posting about our wonderful Easter festivities.  Here are some photos of my Easter-clad cuties at grandma Alta's.

This is the best shot I could get of Alta-- candid shots are the only ones we get now-a-days.

This little stinker wouldn't take a picture without his tongue. 

Gotta love those ample cheeks and the gratuitous fat rolls on his fore-arm.

Dean managed to find all the Easter eggs this year-- an amazing feat given his competition.

Alta discovering her basket.

Henry getting aquainted with his basket.

Dean and his goodies.

Easter = good times.

Blessed baby

Finally, after 4 months, Henry gets a proper blessing; and what a wonderful blessing it was.  Dashing the hopes of many, there was no surprise middle name bestowed to our little one; I guess he'll get to pick out his own in a couple of years.  

It was raining the day of the blessing so I purposefully neglected (forgot) to bring our camera to the church, thus explaining why I have no photos except the ones that Ruth managed to get at our house.  Thank goodness for Ruth-- not only are her photos far superior than anything I could've produced, but it also required minimal effort on my part (I literally parked my rear on a chair for about 5 minutes while a mini photo shoot ensued).  Once again, thank you Ruth!  Because of you, Henry will have photo documentation of his important milestones. 

Our blessed baby

Blessed parents of a blessed baby