Path of Destruction

Ked is an active little fellow. He likes to explore anything new and typically leaves a path of destruction. He likes to pull things out and move things to new places. We find his blocks everywhere (including in the laundry, found after the wash).

He also likes to drop things into his crib. I've watched him put a couple of things in the trash and wonder if that's where the missing blocks have gone (and who knows what else?). The trash is now hidden, especially since he was taking things like pieces of tomato and orange peels out and eating them. Our desk drawers are completely in disarray. Haven't figured out what to do about those yet. The lower shelves of our bookcase are currently covered with cardboard. I am constantly putting away his and my clothes that he pulls out. I admit, I let him do a lot of these things because he enjoys it so much and it keeps him happy. There are some things he does without my permission, however. The other day I couldn't find my cell phone anywhere! After listening for it with numerous calls, I finally found it in the back room in a closed cardboard box where the extra packages of wipes are. . . Stay tuned for more adventures of parenthood!

Surfing Lessons

Sam caught me teaching Ked to surf. This was the paddling out part. He's a little slow getting upright, but he's totally a natural otherwise.

Ginger

This last week marked two years since Ginger passed away. I think I miss her even more now than before. It happened just three weeks after Sam's and my wedding, and there's a lot of fun and joy and challenges and uncertainties in family life that you want to talk to your sisters about! Recipes; remedies; financial challenges; pregnancy and labor; dates with the husband and fun activities with the kids; making the habits of family prayer, scripture study and family home evening meaningful; and a million other things. . . I wish I could hear her stories, learn from her experiences, get her suggestions and expert advice.

This had been in Erin's emergency comfort kit at school. (The teachers ask the parents to make one.) I love Ginger's message, and I wanted it recorded somewhere.

Roseola Boy

Somewhere amongst our travels through several states and six different beds (four homes, two hotels) Ked picked up Roseola--a few days of fever and then a few days of rash. My typically very active boy just wanted to be held all day, poor little guy. It made me so happy several days later when suddenly he was his happy, active, exploratory, mischief-maker self.

With the rash. 10 1/2 months

Portion of a roll of toilet paper: Pennies

20+ minutes of contentedness from an otherwise upset little boy: Priceless!

My aching back couldn't take holding him any longer, so I let him do what he's always wanted to do. He loved it! Unfortunately he also liked eating it. And I let him play with it a little too long, and it was all over the house in tiny pieces. But the quick cleanup was totally worth it.

S.S.

Nightly family scripture study. (My mom used to call it "S.S.", but we always did it in the morning.) It was fun to see how the kids were really into it and participated in reading and answering questions.

If you click on the picture to make it bigger, you can see the following:

-Caleb reading his imaginary scriptures (looks like it, anyway)

-Ginger demonstrating how warm it is with her personal fan

-Ethan using his Book of Mormon as a telescope

-Rod showing Jenna how to find the scriptures on the Internet

-All the kids wearing "silly bandz"

Deep in the Heat of Texas

After Iowa, we drove to Texas to see my sister Heidi and her family. Turns out we came the same time as my brother Rod's family, my sister Wendy, and Ginger and Jason's kids.

Ryan, Jenna, Gabe, Sam, Ked, Holly. They never saw me jumping on the trampoline. It was way too hot. Never had such an easy time getting into a pool, though!

Brady and Holly watch Ked climbed the stairs. Ked LOVES stairs. I'm glad we don't have any!

The kids loved Ked, even though he was Mr. Grouch a good portion of the time, due to a fever.

Ked was sick with a fever most of the time we were in Texas, so we weren't as active as we would have liked to be, but it was still great being able to hang out with my siblings and their families. As usual, I regret not getting better pictures of my siblings!

The Iowa Way

We had a lot of fun with the family the week of the wedding. We were in Sam's home town four or five days, then stayed two nights with Sam's brother Morgan and his family a few hours away.

Morgan, still in his work clothes, shows us his new bike. And tricks!

We missed Guy, but the kids loved the wagon he bought before he left.

Eli, Henry, Ked, Josh

Sam struts his stuff. Gordon's other truck is a semi. Emily, Ked, and Henry

Once Ked figured out he could stand in the wagon, it made things a little more difficult. I think he was just practicing surfing.

I still can't get over the idea that 18 year old Gordon is driving a semi (this one). Eli thinks it's cool too.

Dan (Gordon) and Sam, launching Eli in a friend's pool.

Ked's still uncertain about swimming pools.

Sam and Ked. Dan and Eli and Morgan and Josh in the background.

I love to see how much fun Sam has with his family. And I love when he laughs like this! (Outside at the end of the reception.)

Sam an' Shan

"Hey guys!" Dan impersonating his big bro.

After the bouquet toss. The plan was this: Amy and Ginny block out, Shannon swoop in and grab the flowers. Didn't quite work (flowers were thrown a little to the side--to the girl that was already engaged), but it was fun to watch.

Nauvoo

One of the side benefits of marrying Sam is getting to go to Nauvoo somewhat regularly. I still haven't seen many of the sites, but I love the temple and the special history it has. . . and imagining how much Ginger would have loved to have seen it rebuilt, after having spent a semester in Nauvoo when there were only the cornerstones to mark where the original building had been well over a century earlier.

Can you tell that it was hot and humid? Actually a nicer day compared to how bad it can be!

Ked practicing his new walking skills. He loved climbing the steps too.

Beth and Wade, July 10, 2010

We were so happy to be at the sealing ceremony of Beth (Sam's sister) and Wade. They make a great couple, and since we are the only ones that hadn't met Wade until that week, we're looking forward to getting to know him more!

It was great to have Sam's whole family all together, except for Guy who is currently serving as a missionary in Brazil.

Walking!

Ked took his first two steps a few weeks ago, but took his first several steps July 3rd, chasing his cousin Paige when she took a toy stroller away from him. Then during his visit with his other cousin Dane in Kentucky a few days later, he spent the late evening walking back and forth on the porch. The next few days were spent with his Iowa toddler cousins,where he really started walking more and more. I definitely think being around the other toddlers got him going sooner. He loves being with his cousins. And their toys.

Just a short clip.

July 10, 2010

10 months, 1 week

Teeth!

Top two first.

July 1, 2010

10 months