Getting ready

We invited a few friends and family over to hang out and eat soup on Halloween, so yesterday we cleaned out he garage and carved some pumpkins.
Ezra is actually a great helper. If you show him a simple task he will imitate it. He is a good cleaner upper for this reason. He and I gutted a pumpkin together.

and then he took the spoon over to help Dad

Here he is in the zoneRowdy was so excited to carve his pumpkin and Cody helped him get the big chunks out and then basically handed him the knife
Sometimes it is just better for Mom to leave the room when Dad has a project with the boys. Ezra, mowing the garage for our guests Rowdy not to sure about the slimy pumpkin gutsRowdy is a great big brother. He had Ezra cracking up on the swing, while we did some deep cleaning in our garageToday, Halloween, we made some Root beer. ooooooh love the dry ice.

smatterings of October

I always love Cody but October brings out the magic in him. It cracks me up to see him blog surfing for crazy halloween crafties or ideas to do with the kids. Its been fun to have a bunch of family projects together...when he was home. He worked on the road a lot this month. Here Rowdy is with part of the skeleton they made out of milk cartons. Ezra chowin' down on some blood worms Cody made with the Carmack girls. They weren't bad once you got past the weird texture. Ezra was probably the only one who didn't mind. They were basically just jelloand speaking of texture :)
Rowdy has been going to preschool with "Miss" Lynda on Tuesday and Thursdays. They invited Ezra and I to a little Halloween party. They sang some Halloween songs, did the pledge of allegiance and Lynda made an awesome Halloween lunch. The "brains " on the right were clear Asian noodles cooked in chicken broth with a little green food coloring. They were good but the texture was a little funny. Rowdy ate the first bite no problem and then I think Lynda and I and the boys just kept referring to them as "brains" "brains" "brains" . anyway the next bite Rowdy took of the noodles his face turned kind of white and he got that look. I call it the sushi look... like oh no! ...I can't handle this. It was so funny/ sad. He was totally gagging.. and loud! I couldn't even help him I was laughing so hard. Sorry little buddy. Last Saturday the 23rd was a busy day full of fun things. Cody was of course out of town on such a day as this. The boys and I had gone to bed late because of nickel auction, which was very fun. and then of course they still woke up at their usual time. Anwyay I had to finish off their costumes for the trunk or treat at the church at 5. and Cody had started making Livee's costume which needed a lot of finishing also. Lynda and Amelia threw me a baby shower from 1 to 3. It was a crazy morning. Ezra liked the way the baby food felt and was massaging it all over himself. Gave the boys a bath wringing my knuckles about making it everywhere on time. Rowdy was into everything, being very independent and opinionated. It was pouring rain. I asked Rowdy to play with Ezra while I just rinsed off in the shower. Came out like 3 minutes later and Ezra was soaking wet. Rowdy had let him out the front door. Luckily Ezra was good sensed enough to come back in.
The baby shower was perfect. Lovely, cute and good people. It was a vintage back to school theme. I need to steal some pics from Lynda. It was just really nice. Thanks to Paige for being my on call baby sitter this crazy weekend. Made it home just in time to finish Livee's costume. and I seriously debated just not going to the trunk or treat but we went anyway and it was fun but we only made it to the last 15 minutes (Our church is 30 minutes away) Then we ran home grabbed dinner and Paige and I went to go chaperon the youth dance (30 minutes the other way) I think I missed Cody getting home by 20 minutes and then had to wake up early for 8:30 church. And then Cody got called in to work right as we were getting in the car! Whew!
It was crazy but it was fun.
Here is Livee, the Lego girl and Mr. Fredrickson

Mr. Fredrickson and Russel from the movie UPLove these little stinkers

quick interviews with Ezra

Ezra is in the sponge and repeat stage. He learns like 10 new words a day... and forgets by morning :) its so fun to hear him repeat sounds and finally he is starting to do sign. Like "More" and "apple" and well... he has been doing "milk" and saying "bot"(as in bottle) for like 3 months now. but if you aren't in tune with his non annuncuiation I guess its good to know the sign anyway. He has been folding his arms for prayers for the past month. and he is great at following instructions like "get in your chair" he will go over to his high chair. and if you ask him, he will throw things in the trash, like his diapers (Yes we use disposable and cloth).
My 2 recent favorites are. "Hi!" his eyes get all big and he gets so proud of himself. 2 weeks ago he linked his first two words together. Cody had just walked in the door and he toddled to him all excited saying,"Hi Dada!" awww it was awesome. and I love when I come to get him in the morning he always tells me "Hi".
My other favorite is similar to his first word.... remember dog?! how he would hear one and point and his eyes would get all big and alert everyone that he heard a dog? Well now he does that with the train. He says "choo choo" with cute big ole' lips and the wide eyes and he tugs his arm in the air. We get to see that one plenty since the train tracks aren't far.


and i seem to be getting my movies cut in half anyone know why? you might be able to click on it and see it better on youtube or something?

The Walking Montage

Here are some pics of Ezra cruising around for you Californians. Enjoy Rowdy's background commentary. But also this footage is significant because it has been about a month that if Ezra has anything in his hand he will tip over. Check out the balance!


check out the soccer skills... and the vocab skills :) dog, ball and dad are always a sure fire way to distract Ezra's attention or get him talking. and really this boy will dribble a soccer ball around the house and even pull it back with his feet if he hits a dead end! and thats self taught. We love soccer but we are not dilligent about our skills. Rowdy is in more of a pick it up & throw it phase.


This is Ezra in front of our house. I love the toddle... With the arms up. Ezra loves to go outside especially in the front yard. and he thinks its hilarious to take off towards the neighbors and have us chase him. Usually he is really good if we are at a park or something and use the verbage, "Ezra Come Back" he will turn smile, take two more steps and then come back (thank goodness). I will try and get some chasing footage (from indoors) He screams and giggles if he knows you are chasing him. I wouldn't really call it running yet but he will pick up his pace. AND these past few days of October he has started standing up himself! as in not pulling himself up. All you skinny baby people are probably like oh yeah whats the big deal j/k.
Ezra also has these big ole' trunks of legs that come right into his feet and the way he stomps around I keep trying to resist the desire to make him Frankenstein for Halloween. He's too cute.

a good offense

Ezra catches on quick. You've got to be able to defend yourself in this family. He started tickling people around July so he was... 11 months old. He would do it on command or if you were teasing/tickling him, or sometimes just out of the blue. But its so great because not only does he have the tickle fingers going, he scrunches up his face and has a distinct tickle laugh to accompany.

Ezra's first steps

In the middle of August right after we got home from California Ezra started taking steps and walking. He was loving walking with help for several of the previous months. (and steering the helper). We thought he might just take off on his own but we had to get down on our knees, and beg him, (oh and bribe him) before he got brave enough. I think in all of my letters and notes to people I was saying. I want him to walk! so he can be nice and stable by the time baby sister gets here.

Whole new beast

This was in California probably in July, but its funny. Watch for the sneak attack pounce

gotta start sometime

I've been on computer vacation lately.. well a lot longer than lately. I keep thinking I am going to forget all these sweet little boy milestones and fun family memories and ...sure enough I have. I keep scribbling down lists of memories I need to permanently record and then misplacing them. I decided I better just post a post and hopefully it will be a motivator for me to get all caught up. Ezra is getting bigger and walking all over now but this picture does make him look a little older so don't freik out all you far away relatives and friends. Its just the only one I had on my computer of the two boys together. They are both in love with balloons right now. That one looks more like Ezra. Both of the boys love the find-y books. Ezra can also spot all of the circles within a miles radius. They are all "ball""ball" not to mention all of the dogs... "dog dog" and anyone who looks like Cody "a Dad a Dad"

OK.. here's to hoping this sticks ;)

Changes

So In case you haven't heard on our way to Washington we found out the whole summer bonus deal for the railroad was postponed. We had already made it to Utah and didn't know when it would be postponed until so now we are in California and Cody is working here for at least a month or so. Its so nice and wierd to be here. It feels like we never left. AND It was really cool to make it down here in time for a couple of weddings too. Little Gary (Cody's buddy) and cousin Randi.

Anyway I have so much to catch up on but here are some little things I didn't want to forget about. I was pulling off the freeway to go to Nan's house and Rowdy says, totally frustrated,"I can't do it!" so I asked him what was wrong and he said again frustrated,"I just can't love you Mom." :( aww. so I glance back at him and he is trying to fold his fingers over to do the I Love you in Sign Language. hee hee. So I taught him how to say it the long way. Rowdy is loving Kaidee (his 7 year old cousin) They are almost inseperable. He likes alright Cole too, and talks often about Grey, Miles and Armanie.

Ezra's front to teeth popped thorugh! In case you haven't seen him in a while he has been vampire boy with the two side fangs. He is good at waving, flirting, cuddling and crawling. He just started lifting his belly up and going for it, as well as pulling himself up on stuff. I guess he is trying to keep up with his cousin, Paisley (3 weeks older and already walking..yikes!) and I forgot to mention dancing. we will Have to get up a video of that. Maybe its more like reving we say "Go Ezra go. Go Ezra go!" and he will bounce his whole body and wave its cuuute. I love this stage.

junk food

I am so far behind with things to blog about I don't know where to start so while I figure that out here are some funny/gross videos of my sweet boys. These are from around Easter. Hope everyone had a lovely Mother's day. I did.

Let the Good Times Roll

I have to get all this fun stuff down before I forget.
Last Last Wednesday (March 31) we discovered Ezra has two teeth in his mouth! Cody randomly stuck his hand in and found his two bottom chompers had popped through! He has been so mellow we didn't even know. What a champ. Then the same day like 45 cans of formula came from our insurance for pretty cheap. So now Ezra is pretty much exclusively taking a bottle! We also got some cutie bootie cloth diapers from cousin Jill slash China (bless her heart), which we are trying out and liking so far. So it was a life changing week for Ezra.

Friday, April 2nd, Cody surprised our little family with a road trip up to Oklahoma. It was so exciting. I love surprises, Road trips, First times (it was my first time to Oklahoma), and waterfalls! we went to Turner Falls It was so neat up there! I loved being in nature. AND there were even little Mountains! The water was spectacular. The colors were amazing and the waterfall was beautiful. The boys discovered a neato cave where we ate lunch. It even had a window, two entrances and a air vent up top. It was a great discovery. We played around all day.

Then Saturday, April 3rd, was the Young Womens broadcast and we tried to have a picnic but we almost got blown away but it turned out really fun and the conference was Awesome! Thanks to Lynda and Paige too for all their help. While we were YW broadcasting Cody had "gone to pick up his friend Brian at the airport" which was actually MY MOM!!! I was soo surprised! and Happy! and grateful! and excited! I really can't express how happy I was to see Her. I had been having kind of a hard time. That stretch from Christmas until now not seeing any grandparents especially with these blossoming boys seemed like fooreever. Such a good surprise.
Then That Sunday after church My Mom and Ezra and I drove to Houston to pick up my friend Mona. Mona is my friend from China, who ended up in Houston for work training. So she asked her boss to change the ticket and fly out of DFW! perfect. Aww, It was sooo nice to see her. And I was excited my mom got to meet her too. and vice versa. One of my favorite China memories was spending the night at Mona's house and spending time with her and her family. Her Mom sent this amazing cross stitched piece of art. It looked like a painting. So we drove Mona back home and had fun with her her. It turns out she really loves the NBA :) and the Mavericks happened to be in town Monday night. So my Mom watched the boys and I went to my first professional basketball game. It was soo cool! Then the next day we got her on a horse. Yes, they do have horses in China, but not so much in Beijing where she lives. I was a little nervous about Mona judging our little town. She is single living in the big city, but she totally dug it! she was taking pictures of our neighborhood and house and admiring everything. She said she loved it and it was nice to get away from crowded Beijing. She was especially excited to get a picture with a cowboy :)
I was just feeling so thankful at this point in time. My heart was overflowing. A week earlier I was just feeling in a funk and all of the sudden Heavenly Father was helping my to remember all of these blessings I have right in front of me and how lucky I am. It was a direct answer to my prayers. It was beyond cool to see my mom and Mona doting over the boys. I think the boys are great (most of the time:) and I love when they love the people I love. It was a good beginning of the week.
Wednesday morning, April 1, I took Mona to the airport. She went to San Fransisco as an extended layover since no direct flight go back to Beijing. Cody and I both tried to "April Fool" Lynda unknowingly using the same joke. haha. didn't work so good. We took Rowdy to the Jump for Fun bounce house that night and came home to find donuts and sprinkles on a barstool (Rowdy's Favorite). Then someone ding dong ditched us! I ran outside with Rowdy and saw some shoes by the bush totally thinking it was Cody but... It was my Dad!! He had finished hiking the Grand Canyon and drove out here! What a champ. I totally screamed and danced unintentionally. It was the best April Fool's day Ever! That also is my Dad's favorite holiday. Oh man, What an awesome week.
With my Dad and Mom here I remember going to Chef Point and to the Botanical garden and seeing the butterflies. A lot of the exotic butterflies are called Mormons! and they are pretty! There was the normal Mormon and the scarlet Mormon and some other mormon. and the mormons are from Indonesia. It was neat. I know we did more but... ?
My Mom and I had done some Easter shopping earlier in the week. So we had an early Easter egg hunt because she left on Saturday morning. She is so cute and thoughtful. Se always brings Rowdy books and he was super excited about the Easter books and asked her to read or tell him a story the whole time she was here.
Saturday we took the boys to see How to Train Your Dragon. Aww, everyone loved it. Rowdy loves the Little critter books and totally used a line from the book to schmooze my Dad into buying him popcorn. It was embarrassing funny. Then we went to Bass Pro shops and got a picture with the Easter bunny and had a funny little Easter egg hunt. Then later we also dyed Easter Eggs on Saturday night with my Dad. Rowdy got a kick out of that, Therefore Papa did too. Then Sunday was Easter. My Dad left early in the morning. What amazing parents I have. I am constantly blown away at their kindness and .. awesomeness. I totally lucked out belonging to their family.
So Sunday was Easter..Rowdy loved finding all of the eggs and his basket. and Ezra also enjoyed a few candies and baby food and teething rings from his basket. Later in the day we went to Cousin Kelly's house and had an awesome Easter dinner and another! egg hunt for all of the cousins. Rowdy cracked me up. Finding the first egg he squatted down and carefully devoured the contents while cousins ran around him excitedly gathering in all of the eggs. The whole way home in fact most of the weekend. Rowdy was saying,"My tummy hurts. I at too much junk" but just imagine that repeated like 100x. Rowdy did do an awesome job explaining why we celebrate Easter. It is really neat to hear him talk about Christ. And it was super cool that it was Conference weekend. It was just so exciting to celebrate Easter together, with people who know a lot more about the Savior than I do. What an amazing week. I felt rejuvenated and buoyed up and strengthened for so many reasons. and I just felt like Heavenly Father answered a hundred little prayers this past week. It was amazing.

ch ch ch changes

aww, sweet brothers

His teeth have grown in a lot more already

Turner Falls

My camera did not do the colors justice

This is how we got into the cave. IT totally opened up inside and there was a different entrance/exit you could walk upright though

and there was also this random castle a university professor had built

Justin Egg hunt

Saturday April 3rd

Mona and Mom

disregard my nasty mug. Isn't this cross stich amazing?!

good times pics

Easter pics

Aww. and my Mom and Dad brought Rowdy and Ezra the cutest 3 piece suits!