January- Means Sunbeans and Primary... Whoa!

January 15th 2014

Well, Eithan turned 3, which means that he started Sunbeams this month. Wow. I really don't know what to say about that. He still seems so little and yet he is learning so much so fast as well. It's amazing how we can look back and just from month to month can see the changes and growth in him.

On January 11th he had his first primary activity. They had a pancake breakfast and were able to meet their teachers and then played a live version of CandyLand. He had a blast. Especially since his friend Tyler was there!

It was so much fun to see him run around with all the kids his age, and kind of get the hang of being with older kids too. Sunday was a different story. He wasn't that excited to go to Primary... but I think we'll get there.

On top of all of this excitement, we found out that we're having a girl! So I had to go out and buy a cute little onesie and surprise my parents with it... it took them a second to figure it out, but they got it. I think Collin and I just assumed it was going to be a boy.. that we were pretty surprised too! I'm already dreaming of pinks and yellows and reds for a girl's room. Eek!

We are all doing well, I finally quit Macy's and Collin has a part-time job now{and school}. So I finally feel like a proper stay-at-home mom again, and I'm totally ready for that!

This Little Guy...

{1} Is a little OCD like his mom... whenever he gets a collection of items he has to line them up in a row and they must stay that way or he freaks out, until he is done with them and then they can go whichever way he wants to throw or put them. 

{2} Head bangs and sings along with me to Radioactive by Imagine Dragons in the car. He even has the 'Ahh' at the beginning of the song just perfect. And I love it!

{3} Loves jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler on. This will keep him entertained for at least an hour and he is always dissatisfied when I tell him it's time to come in and take a real bath. I guess it isn't quite as much fun. 

{4} Is still really unsure of car washes. I thought he would do better the 2nd time, but he obviously is still scared of them. I think it's totally rational from his part, the car wash is loud and wet and he has no idea of what's going on, but it's kinda funny to see his reaction.

{5} Is talking and mimicking like crazy, but not really make much sense at all still. His favorite word right now would probably be 'tuck' which is stuck. He uses that to tell us he needs help and to come right now or he's gonna get loud and crazy with us. 

{6} Misses his Daddy like crazy, just like Mommy does because he's been gone for 5 weeks now and we still have 7 to go. But is learning to be content with phone calls and Skype. And he's being a trooper as he bounces back and forth from Grandma&Grandpa Winks and Grandma&Grandpa Roses' on the weekends while Mommy goes back to Spokane to work. 

**************

All in all, Life has been a little disorganized and crazy, and I feel like I'm living in 2 places at the same time, which can get a bit confusing when it comes to clothes and figuring out what I have where. But we're doing OK. And Collin is finally making money, YAY! So... Like Relient K says, 

"I know, the pleasures gotta come with pain,

And I know things won't always go my way,

And I know life is gonna suck some days...

But I can't complain."

Easter Egg Hunt-Winks Family Style

On Saturday we popped over to Collin's family's home for a good ole' fashion egg hunt. 

It turned out to be quite a big deal. Grandpa Winks had hid 70 eggs, and then we brought 24 more.

Needless to say there were plenty of eggs to find and lots of fun to be had.

But, I think most people get the gist of an egg hunt through pictures. 

Raleigh was doing this, while...

Penny was trying to eat all that was in each egg she did find.

Eithan looked like this when he found his eggs, but first he did this...

He had to study it a little bit and then put it in his basket

{which Collin carried around for him}

Which was then followed by a little comparison... 

Raleigh was really patient and helped Eithan find eggs, pointed eggs out to him and wandered around while telling him where to look and what was going on.. it was really cute. 

It all ended with this... counting the eggs to make sure we found them all, which we hadn't, so we scoured the yard a little more, found a few more.. {but, of course, not all. ; ) }

It was a fun play outside all day while the grown ups talk and get a little bit sunburned and the kids wear themselves out and sleep peacefully all through the night day. Loved it.

Officially Missing You

It's been 4 years today that our handsome little guy returned home to His Father in Heaven.

And every day we remember what a miracle he was and what a blessing he is in our lives.

The Lord Has Not Forgotten You- Linda S Reeves

.."Our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, know us and love us.... They feel the depth of our suffering, and we can feel of Their love and compassion in our suffering.

Alma testified:

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

“And he will take upon him … their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know … how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

I know this is true. He loves me. He loves my family. And He is taking care of my little one now.

I will forever be grateful for all that He does for us. 

right now I'm loving...

{1} Outside snow gear strewn at the front door.

Because it means the hubby and little guy had fun today playing outside. 

{2} Gifts for me from Christmas!

Because it means I smell my favorite smell all day long. 

{3} Daily bath times with the little man.

Because it means I get to see his fun, crazy side in the tub.

He does all sorts of funny things in here.

And he loves it!

I'm always impressed with how comfortable he is on his back splashing around in here!

{4} New smelling baby soap.

It isn't that I didn't like the original stuff, It was just time for a change.

Vanilla Oatmeal is delicious!

{nevermind that it smells a little girly, he doesn't mind!}

{5} Christmas presents coming in the mail

Because it means Eithan's rejuvenated in coloring again.

Something about a new coloring book and crayons just really gets him!

He has been coloring and carrying those crayons around since he opened them!

{means quiet time for mommy!}

{6} Christmas lights hanging behind the TV.

Because it adds that special something that nothing else can.

I think it's going to stay up for quite a while.

{7} My huge wall calendar.

Because I can finally write everything on one day that I need too!

Between my work schedule, Collin's class schedule, and other misc. items... it was time to upgrade.

{I don't know if I can go back}

plus I bought it at Walmart for $3.88... can't beat that!

{8} My equally big new pink calculator.

I saw it and couldn't resist.

Now I have no reason to say that I lost it and couldn't find it.

If I do... you'll all know how ridiculous that really is!

{9} Christmas cards hanging on the wall.

Because it reminds me of how much we are loved, and how much I miss friends and family.

I love getting to see everyone and their creative ideas for cards at this time of year!

{10} Eithan kisses.

He is mostly giving them to us now when we get hurt. 

He comes and kisses our 'booboo'.

But he also kisses each of us goodbye when we leave. 

{cute side note, he's started wiping his face whenever we kiss him... which makes me kiss him more and he reacts like a typical little boy and runs away... I love...... and hate it.}

and I wish i had a better camera.... all these pictures make me realize... it is time to upgrade from the iphone camera.

its the only thing i use to take pictures... ugh

Recently...

Who knew that working part time at Macy's would be so exhausting?

After working, then taking my days off to take care of Eithan while Collin studies and clean the house, I'm tired.

So please forgive the absence from here.

November 12

Bundling up and playing in the snow.

It didn't stick around for very long, but it was fun while it lasted!

November 13

My favorite past time.

Daddy reading to Eithan.

November 18

Eithan turned 2!

We didn't have a party or anything, because I have one planned for December 1st.

So he blew out some candles on his french toast, and we called it good.

He doesn't really notice yet, right?

November 21

We finally made it to the Radio Flyer Red Wagon Slide

{it was closed when we first arrived here}

Eithan did not ever want to leave.

But who could blame him? It really is an amazing thing.

November 22

Thanksgiving was quiet and uneventful.

We stayed home because I  worked the day before and the day after.

Eithan snacked all day long so he wouldn't eat Thanksgiving Dinner. Go figure, right?

Plus we made chocolate dipped pretzels, he may or may not have eaten lots of those!

All of the food was good, though.

We made all the classics: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing and green beans.

Just writing about it is making me hungry...mmm

November 24

Eithan has started sleeping/napping in his twin bed.

We finally bought a bed rail and put his pack 'n play in the closet.

I'm loving it. Collin's loving it. And Eithan's loving it.

He just sleeps a little better in it.

And I don't worry about him climbing out of bed anymore. 

And that's what's been happening recently.

Fall Family Pictures

Green Bluff

October 19th 2012

We finally made it up to Green Bluff.

It is this conglomeration of farms north of Spokane.

A wonderful idea, really.

There are about 20 farms and they sell their produce and other miscellaneous special items.

We went specifically for the pumpkin patches.

{bonus the patch experience was free!}

The farm that made the biggest impression on us was Siemer's Farm.

We spent a lot of time just wandering through the pumpkin patch.

It spread on for a long way.

So I decided we needed to look at as many pumpkins as possible...

 to make sure we picked the perfect ones!

{Eithan grabbed an apple before we could stop him and bit into it... he munched on it the whole outing.}

In reality, Collin and I were the ones searching for the pumpkins.

Eithan just liked looking around and eating his apple. 

We did stop at a 2 other farms.

One to buy Pumpkin Donuts.

They did not disappoint.

I am craving them as I write this. 

The other to see their 'petting zoo'

It did disappoint, but that's ok!

Eithan loved his donut, and he wanted to wave "Hi" to everyone.

{we tried to get Eithan to put his head in here... but he would have nothing to do with it. [smile] }

All in all, a really fun trip.

We're excited to go back up in December... they sell Christmas trees and have fields of them. 

P.S. We had fun, we enjoyed our trip, we found perfect pumpkins... and then the next day the pumpkins were stolen from our porch and smashed in the lot behind our building. Bummer! At least I took lots of pictures of the fun trip we had!

Cliff Park

Today Eithan and I did our usual...

We went for a drive to find a new park.

This one was not a typical go and play on the toys type of park. 

I was really quite surprised by its 'nature-ness' in the middle of the city.

It was really quite beautiful. 

And Eithan loved just climbing around and being surrounded by trees and birds.

In the center of the park there is a huge rock formation. 

We kept going around it until we found these stairs that led to the top.

It was just a huge grassy area that overlooked the city.

Just a quiet place to go and reflect.

This is the view.

In the very background you can see the city.

And down from the top. 

All the trees and grass... just a quiet spot in the middle of town.

Really quite amazing.

***********

As we were wandering around, Eithan found some quail.

He kept saying 'Ba' over and over... He was so excited.

So I just had to share this silly little video of him trying to get to those quail,

and then getting distracted by red berries on the ground.

Cute Little Somethings

I haven't done a very detailed post in a while. 

So I thought that I would share some "Eithan-isms" that Collin and I are loving lately. 

{1} Whenever we put Eithan to bed he asks for "Pooh", who he then snuggles.

We sing songs, say prayer and then do kisses.

I kiss Eithan on the forehead and he then holds Pooh out for a kiss as well.

If I kiss him numerous times on the forehead every time I come up he holds Pooh out for another kiss.

I cannot leave the room without kissing Pooh, and Eithan will not go to sleep without him.

{2}He is talking, not a whole lot, but he is talking. 

Some favorite words are:

{Bal} = Ball

{Ba} = Bottle

 {sippy cup actually}

{Way} = Away 

{to take something and throw it away}

{Side} = Outside

{Going outside or on the balcony is what he wants}

{Shoe} = Shoe

{So} = Sock

{short o}

{Tee} = TV

{Sad, I know}

{Pay} = Play

{No}= No

{Mor} = More

{Dun} = All Done

{Peez} = Please

{Wha Zat?} = What's That?

{Poo} = Poop

{He then grabs his diaper and is telling us to change it}

{Da Doo} = Thank You

{Da Doo} = Bless You

{We know which it is based on context}

{3} We've made it a mission to visit all the parks in Spokane.

Trying to find the best one, you know?

And Eithan climbs around and goes crazy when we get there, 

but when he goes down a slide we either have to go before or after him or with him. 

It depends on the day. 

And he can be quite particular about which order it is that we go in... and if it isn't quite right.. 

HE LETs US KNOW.

{But we can't seem to resist that adorable face}

Those are just a few of the things that we are loving about him right now.

********

What am I up to you may ask??

I now have a job at Macy's. I pick up shifts when they are available and I am slowly being trained around the whole store. I will probably work in all of the different departments 

before the end of the year.

 And I have to dress "professional" .......  so my wardrobe received a bit of an upgrade.

I am loving it, it isn't quite my style, but I'm getting used to it.

{That didn't make any sense did it?? But at the same time it does?}

I am also trying a whole bunch of new recipes from a cookbook I received as a birthday gift

 {Thank you Brittany!}. So far they are amazing! I'm excited to try many more as the weeks come up.

P.S. I'm trying to decide if I should do another blog with the crafts that I've been doing/building/creating.. what are your thoughts? Is it worth the time and effort to do so? I just don't feel like posting them on here {the family info blog} is worthwhile, but should I post them at all? Let me know your thoughts.