Family Pictures

Last Sunday we attempted to get family pictures for our Christmas card. It took some doing with two tired boys, but we finally got something useful. Here are a few of the funnest rejects.

Week in Review

Just a few notable tidbits from the last week.

*Ryan was called to be the Deacon's quorum advisor and assistant scoutmaster. He is so excited to work with the boys.

*Eric turned into a bit of a daddy's boy. He would cry when Ryan would make overtures to leave for work, but the cutest was Wednesday night. Eric had been in bed for hours when Ryan got home. He must have heard his daddy, because he woke up and started babbling, "dada.... dadadada.... daddy... dad... dada" repeatedly until Ryan went in and gave him a kiss goodnight.

*Caden is trying to figure out what dreams are. Ryan explained that dreams are thinking while you sleep. So now Caden wakes up and tells us he had a dream last night. When we ask what he dreamed about he says, "I was thinking, and thinking, and thinking, then I woke up!"

Impromptu FHE

This morning as we were all sitting in the family room Caden pulled up his rocking chair and announced it was time to sing and say the prayer. He proceeded to sing "I love to see the Temple" and give a heartfelt prayer that included his thankfulness for his toys. Then he sat and stared at us, so we asked him if he had a lesson. He lit up and said he needed to get the family night book (the Friend). Once he got the magazine he picked a picture and told us a long story about what was happening in it. The meeting concluded much the same way it began, with Caden again serenading us with "I Love to See the Temple" and offering another short prayer. Its so fun to see our little boy growing up and internalizing some of the gospel oriented things we attempt to do in our home.

Cadenism

"Mommy, Mommy! I'm helping Daddy. I need my screwdriver so I can screw things up!"

Cuddled

What do you do when the TV and all the toys are in the basement, but there is no heater down there? If its daddy gets you out of bed and sets you up with morning cartoons you get cuddled into the big fleece blankets. Such warm, happy, boys!

Eric's Dogs

I guess its true what they say. Great minds really do think alike. For Eric's birthday (I know, it was three months ago and I still haven't blogged about it) both Grandmas gave him a doggy pull toy. He has so much fun pulling them around the house. The wooden one from Grandma Scherbel gives a nice clicking sound on the tile in the kitchen, and the plush one from Grandma Dodds is great for running fast down the hall since mommy doesn't get mad when it bangs the walls. The best part about having two of the same toy? There is one for Caden to play with as well!

Lap Boy

You've heard of lap dogs. Meet our lap boy. From the time he could sit Eric has sought out a lap to sit on. I'm not sure if he likes the security a lap brings from overbearing big brother, or if he really just likes a seat (he enjoys trying out many different seats), but he has a radar for laps. If you make any type of movement to sit down he'll come running. If you try to take him off, he'll climb back on, undeterred. And if you take him off so you can stand up he'll cry in protest. Just look how pleased he was to find a daddy lap yesterday.

Three Boys on a Bike

Caden spends a fair amount of time with the neighbor boy. So much so the neighbor has become somewhat of a third sibling around here. I took this picture a few weeks ago when the boys were playing in the back yard. Eric wandered over to the (not functioning) 4-wheeler and climbed on. He was giggling and having a blast until the other two saw him. Caden climbed on back, the neighbor climbed on front, and poor Eric looked so forlorn squished between them. Caden laughed and said, "Look mommy! Three boys on a bike! Take our picture!"

Snow Day!

Last Wednesday we got our first snow of the season. Caden was so excited when he woke up and looked out the window. He wanted to build a snowman! So we hurried and got bundled up and ran outside to play in the snow before it melted. Caden played for over an hour and I had to drag him in kicking and screaming. Eric, on the other hand, was not too fond of the cold white stuff. He didn't like being in his snowsuit (perhaps because I stuffed him into the 9 month size?), and when he finally got brave enough to walk down the sidewalk he somehow tripped and face planted it. See Caden's snowman? He insisted it have a carrot nose. We used olives for the eyes.

Just Chicken

No more apples for Caden. He self eliminated them, then finally told me they were making him sick. So for now we're back to just chicken.