Zoo

Grandma Rowe went with us (sorry you didn't make it into a picture) and took us all on the train. Eli loved it and stayed interested through the 40 min train ride through Washington Park.

We borrowed the leash from the Churches, and it worked out great! Eli walked around the whole zoo, I don't think we used the stroller at all.

Surprise, surprise, Eli climbing on everything.

It's Summer Baby

Between the yard, park and zoo, we've been outside like 8 hours a day this week.
Grandma and Grandpa came to visit a couple of times.
Eli dropped his first bomb in the tub, then cried because it scared him.
Daddy killed the big spiders in the garage (thank you).
Ben's still fighting the cold we've passed all around the family.
That's our week!

Superman

Ben loves Superman, but I could never get into it.
Part of my problem is the outfit.
I just don't understand why he has to wear his underwear on the outside of his pants.
It reminds me of a story my Mom told me about her trip to Africa, when she gave bras to some of the Native Women.
They were so excited to be like "Western Women", so they put their bras on over their dresses so they could show them off.
So, I'm thinking maybe they didn't have underwear on Krypton, and when superman made his outfit he put the underwear on the outside to show them off.

Trouble

This is Eli's latest trick! He climbs up on the toilet, turns the water on, and brushes his teeth. The only problem is he can only turn it to hot.

Here's our new rubber band child safety device. It's one more obstacle to over come when visitors try to use the bathroom. We already have a toilet lock and a duck covering the faucet in the tub (making it impossible to turn on the shower).

This reminds me of the first time I put the toilet locks on, Ben had already gone to bed. He woke up in the morning and of course had to use the bathroom. He ran in and found a complex baby lock which requires two hands to use, pull a button out and push down a lever at the same time. He did manage to get it open in time, but admitted he almost had to use the sink!

Blankets and more

Eli is feeling better now. While he was sick he got really attached to his blankets. He especially loves the one with the satin trim. He wants is when he gets hurt, is tired, or just wants to snuggle. As you can see here blankets "make it all better".

He had just come in from playing in the sprinkler today and was pulling his giraffe around. I just thought he looked so cute with his rolled up pants and shoes.

No Excuses

I know I haven't been blogging as much as usual, in fact I've hardly been using the computer.
So, here's a little update with what's been going on around here.

We gave talks at church last week. Ben spoke on Recognizing the Promptings of the Holy Ghost and I spoke on Developing Spirituality. Both talks went well, and I wasn't as nervous as I usually am. Turns out with a baby to keep me busy, I didn't have time to think about it.

My Mom came to visit for a month. Ben and I were spoiled, we could go out anytime we wanted to. I could go shopping during nap. I don't think I did the dishes more than once. She even folded our laundry and picked up toys. Not to mention the fun Eli had playing with her. We were all sad to see her go.
We just had to make sure she didn't try to pack Eli in her suitcase, like someone did to this kid. Luckily with the new luggage restrictions airlines have enforced, she wasn't able to fit him. But believe me, that doesn't mean she didn't want to.

The Cub Scouts are getting ready for summer camp. We're learning skits, making flags and practicing yells. We've also gone on a hike, played dodge ball and made Native American drums. I had no idea there were so many meeting associated with Cub Scouts. After the initial training sessions we just have Den Meetings, Pack Meetings, Committee Meetings and Round table.

My Mom and I went to see a concert. It was a live recording for a radio program called:
"From the Top"
They showcase young talent from around the U.S. and we got to hear a great selection of music. The artists were incredible and made it look so easy. It was also fun to be at a live recording, I thought it was funny (but good) they handed out cough drops at the door.

Most of all I've been playing with Eli. This was his idea by the way, I was eating popcorn and when he saw it he ran to the kitchen, grunted and pointed at the spatula so Daddy would give it to him, then he handed it to me and opened his mouth. I have no idea where he came up with this. It was like he saw the popcorn and thought "Oh, I'll need my spatula".

Eli has a bad cold now, so I've been holding him non-stop for a couple of days, we've watched a whole lot of Sesame Street (thank you Tivo).

Go ahead, make yourself comfortable

Why do all kids feel the need to put their feet on the table? This can't be comfortable.

Sauvie Island

We hiked Virgina Lake on Sauvie Island on Saturday. I have to say Virginia Lake wasn't much more than a small marsh, but the hike was nice. It was 2.2 mile loop and all flat, great for kids. There is a picnic shelter at the beginning/end and a couple of glimpses of the river. There was a lot of lush vegetation and it made for a very pretty hike. The Williams, Tonks and most of the Church family joined us.

Eli's back in the pack

Most of the gang

Uncle Ben is scary

I want to do it myself

One of the big kids (almost)

Zoo Day

My Mom and I had been trying to go to the zoo for about a week. First it rained, then I had the stomach flu, but today we finally made it. I thought we would make it in time to beat the summer crowds, but I forgot about field trip week. I guess all of the schools go on trips the week before school gets out, because we arrived with an entourage of 25 school buses. Luckily with our vast zoo experience, we were able to duck down into Africa (the back of the zoo) and make our way forward as the kids made their way back. It ended up being a pretty good zoo trip and all of the animals were awake.

Picture Day

Twins

The first egg I cracked with two yolks was kind of funny, but when the second egg also had two yolks it was extraordinary. I called Adrianna and my Mom and they both said they hadn't seen two from the same carton. The next day I made bread and the egg had two yolks again. A couple of days later I made some eggs and both eggs had two yolks. So, out of a dozen eggs five had double yolks. I'm not sure how this happened, it seems unlikely eggs from the same chicken ended up in the same carton together. I started to get a little scared, wondered what they're feeding the chickens and if I should eat the eggs.

Color Me Purple

The Backyard Bucket

Progress

1.
Eli is weaned!
He's been weaned for a couple of weeks now, so I guess it's official. I was only nursing him once a day for the last month or so, but was hesitant to wean completely. One day I offered and he said "no, no". I thought maybe he wasn't in the mood and the next day the same thing happened.
I guess he was ready, even if I wasn't.

2.
Yesterday we made it all the way through Sacrament Meeting without going into the hall! Our usual goal is to stay seated until after the sacrament is passed. Eli was well behaved and quiet thanks in part to the Pyrah's. Eli loves Stephanie and was cuddling up next to her for half the meeting. I hope they won't mind, but we'll be sitting by them next week too!

Dreams do come true

Eli loves "Machines at Work" by Byron Barton, we read it everyday.

Yesterday we were awakened at 7:30am by machines at work. I guess the roots of a tree across the street were damaging a water pipe. The chain sawed the tree down, and then pulled up the stump with a back hoe. They had to replace some pipe under the street as well, and they're still at it today. I wasn't so happy about all the noise going on right outside our house, but Eli is in seventh heaven. He keeps yelling and running back and forth from the window to me just to make sure I know they're still out there. He brought me his book to show me the trucks just like the ones outside, maybe I don't want them to finish. At one point they knocked on the door to ask us to flush our toilet (which is one of Eli's favorite things to do anyways) and I thought Eli was going to have a heart attack: Real construction works were at our door!
I just wish they didn't start so early.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the most fascinating thing about the construction workers. Every time they're doing anything, one guy works and the other 3 watch. At first I felt bad for the guy, but they take turns. This doesn't seem very efficient, maybe they should read Cheaper by the Dozen.

If it ever stops raining maybe we'll leave the house!

Training him young. If we're stuck in the house I figure Eli might as well make use of himself!

Yes, we have cabin fever and can't wait for summer to start.

Eli's watching the squirrels, there's one just above his head jumping from the fence to the tree.

Tongue Twisting and Potato Heads

Eli has been walking around twisting his tongue all day, I'm proud to say he got that from me! He's also learned how to put the body parts on Mr. Potato Head, some of them are quite unique.

The Flu

I woke up yesterday morning and didn't feel quite right. Since then I've become progressively worse, and now I think I have the full blown flu. I'm just praying I don't give it to Eli, but he doesn't have much hope.
Ben has been great this weekend. He's taken care of Eli, made me food and picked up around the house. We're pretty much out of groceries and he offered to go to the store tomorrow before work, as he puts it "Winco has 24 hour savings"!
The only good thing about being sick is that it's an excuse to watch a lot of TV, and hang out in the La-Z-Boy. I'm sure that will get old, but for today it was a nice break (it would be better if I wasn't there because the room spins when I stand up).

I just hope I'm better by Wednesday, as we're having company.