Smart Boy, The 'Ugly Doll' and New Tricks

Look Uncle Scot, I'm getting it ... love my new toy.

Just need a little assistance from Uncle Pete's 'Ugly Doll' ...

Hmm ... turns out it's easier to use my hands for now.

Uncle Pete gave Mommy and Daddy a new teapot / drum for me to play.

And I still love my old toys ... always trying to figure out how things work.

More Christmas Gifts

Aunt Annie's ball popping machine, love it!

My daddy works in Quality Assurance ... which means I'd better test out the wheels before assembling Grandma and Grandpa's big truck gift. All systems go.

Here's Great Grammie's butterfly ... I'm gonna get you ...

... or maybe not ...

Ha! ... you're toast! Man down. I win!

Christmas Gifts

Unwrapping an early gift from Uncle Scot

Wahoo, Boise State hat! Better give it a test run. :)

Yep, passes the taste test!

Hungry?

No question, he belongs to both of us ... loves to eat as much as we do. Bill decided I must be 'starving him out' since he keeps waking up three to fives times per night, uuuugh! So now we're up to three big meals a day of mush and fruits and veggies. Sleep child, sleep!

Maybe he's been trying to tell us this for some time now? For months, he has sprinted to the fridge in his walker like a starving man the minute we open the door. Wants to see what kind of new eats we've got in there. Duh, Mommy. I'm trying tell you something. :)

The Real Thing

OK Grandma and Grandpa ... here is the real thing. I do it all the time now. One step closer to freedom. You just wait, Mommy!



And here I am in my new car seat. This is going to complicate Mommy's life one hundredfold since running errands now means getting me in and out of the car at each store (versus transferring my carrier from car to stroller while I'm sleeping). We'll give it a spin this weekend and see if Mommy loses her mind. :)

Such a big boy I am!

Crawling

I'm too fast for Mommy to catch a good video of me crawling, but sure enough, I am an official crawler now ...

... though I often still revert to my old ways just to keep 'em guessing. :)

Oh, and in case I forgot to tell you, I took my first steps on Saturday, December 12 at the ranch with Mommy and Daddy.

Christmas is Coming

This is me helping to wrap the presents. My new favorite pastime is to bang on EVERYTHING with my hand like this ... helps Mom and Dad know that I need something ... and that I need it NOW! :) Also a good idea to test the structural integrity of various toys ... especially if your parents hang you from them.



I've also been practicing standing up on my new toy that the Johnson's loaned to me. I can play all sorts of tunes ... and flash the best of performer smiles. Have I won your heart yet?



I've won hers a thousand times over.

And Daddy, yes, his too!

This is my first Christmas tree. Almost every one of those presents is for me ... nope, no question who the NUMERO UNO is in this family! :)

His Laugh is Pure Joy

This was taken a couple weeks ago ... but great reminder that this little soul is pure joy. Oh how we love him.

Children's Christmas Party at Triumph

Mommy's best Christmas present ever ...

No way, I have free reign of the entire factory? Yippeeee! Can't catch me!

One hour later ... still going strong ... leading the way up and down hallways and aisleways, negotiating tight spots between hundreds of kids and their games and toys. Where does this guy get his battery?

First Thanksgiving and Caleb's Dedication

Here's Daddy carving the turkey ...

Mommy and Daddy commit to raise me in the ways of our Lord.

My moment in the spotlight.

... and back home you go. :) Kinda like being a grandparent, eh?

Mirrors, Bubbles, Swimming and a Visit from Uncle Pete

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the sweetest boy of all? Did you see me stand for a second? I'm getting closer!



Not sure what I think of Grandma's bubble machine yet.



Still trying so hard to go nowhere fast!



Look, Uncle Pete came to visit me!

He's going to teach me how to destroy lots of things! ... and how to find every one of mommy's raw nerves.

But not yet. :)

Bath Time with Grandma

Naked? Who? Me?

Can't wait to get in there now that Grandma has made bathtime FUN!

Doesn't matter what it is, I'll still try to eat it.

Grandpa's grooming service ... using the brush his mom used on him when he was a baby like me.

Nope, there's no denying ... I received the royal treatment this week from Grandma and Grandpa. How we will miss them!

Fun at the Ranch with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma's favorite toy! We LOVE Grandma!

She plays fun games with me ...

Grandpa too ... though not even Grandpa can make me do something I don't want to do.

"Walking" with Grandma and Grandpa.

Ah ... fresh air.

Sunset ...

Such a unique beauty ... especially when shared with family.

We're Waiting for you, Grandma and Grandpa

Look how excited I am for your visit next week! Can't wait to see you, Grandma and Grandpa!

Hurry, hurry, hurry! Mommy says she needs a break!

Just Another Day "Running" the Ranch

No question who's in charge out here at the ranch! Look out!, our screaming general is on the move!



Practice, practice, practice. He usually stands/pulls/pushes on this toy without too much assistance from us, but we just haven't caught it on film yet.



And here he is analyzing Glenn Beck's commentary about the Ft. Hood shooter. He agrees that the shooter is more of an 'extremist' than Beck ...




... and that we should indeed STOP spending money we do not have! Look at me ... I'm telling you that I do not want to pay for your debt, people!



Really, can't you think of a better legacy to leave to my generation?

Here's one more 'historic landmark' moving on down the road. :) Grandpa's outhouse was on borrowed time.

Finishing the Job

Finishing the 'haircut' ... with only minor damage to the house.

Sweet spectator ... aren't you going to help clean up, Caleb?

Nope, just like to watch. Wait a minute ... have you been hanging out with Uncle Pete or something? :)

New Tricks

Several attempts at a crib escape ... these people are cramping my style. I don't like confinement ... and how many times do I have to tell you that I do not want to take a nap!

'Running' around the kitchen in my walker.

Wrestling down wild Dino ... finally here's a guy who can keep up with me!

Always learning, exploring ... touching, tasting, feeling.

Mischievous? Me? Seriously.

Sweet Halloweenie

Have you ever seen such a cute giraffe? Thanks for my costume, Aunt Annie!

Look, this is my ferociously intimidating animal pose.

Wait, maybe giraffes aren't so ferocious afterall ... but I bet they can fly! ...

... or maybe swim? ...



Don't worry, we'll get it all straightened out soon enough. For now, we're working on explaining daylight savings time to Caleb and how we get to sleep in an extra hour in the fall. So far, he's not buying it. :) Mommy still thinks he's the cutest giraffe she's ever seen.

See Grandma and Grandpa, it's true that I AM irresistible! We can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!

Truck Envy and Tree Trimming

Marlon and his boom truck give a hand to change the yard light

Might as well make use of the truck to give the trees a haircut.

Hey, who's the new assistant? ... looks like he roped Bill into going up there with him!

Hot air up there? :)

Before ...

After.

Just half a haircut ... time and wind prevented us from finishing the job ... uugh. But at least we live to trim another day!

Burning Down (Yet Another) Barn

Bulldozed into a pile October 24

You sure it's legal to burn all this stuff?

Too late to turn back now ... Bill 'lighting the match' October 30 ... see him in the corner?

And so it begins ...

Going ...

Going ...

GONE!!!

More remains of the past ...

... dead and buried ... and one more clean up project checked off the list, thanks to a good man's good work.

I'm just too cute!

Yes, yes you are my sweet little (hyperactive, demanding, strong-willed) angel.

Cheering section (and boy can he SCREAM!) for Kory's final volleyball game. Must have worked since they won that night!

Crawling?

Up on all fours but can't quite figure out what to do next ... probably cuz crawling is for babies ... I want to RUN!!!



Still eating fingers ... and dinosaur "manes" ... and tell me this sweet boy doesn't look just a little bit mischievous.

Seriously, how could you say no to something as darling as this? :) Soon enough, young grasshopper.

Play ball!

Play ball! ...

... or drop it ...

... or eat it ...

... or a little of both? We'll get it figured out eventually. :)

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Pop quiz ... guess who fed me this morning, Mommy or Daddy? Good guess!

I LOVE my Caleb cup! Thanks Patti and Randy.



Still love being outside! ...

... and check this out ... I'm one step closer to walking ...

You think it's cool that I can stand? Wait 'til you see me drive!

All this fun sure can wear a guy out! Sweet sleeping angel.