At the park

The weather here has been amazingly nice... a nice sunny 60 degrees outside today! LittleBigMan and I spent some time at the park. We had a wonderful time.

Texas Style Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with Troy's family in Texas. On the way there & back we stopped in Oklahoma to visit my family & to break up the LONG drive.

Spending time with family in Oklahoma-

Having fun with Grandpa & "Hanky" (Aunt Hannah)


We exchanged Christmas gifts while we were there.

Time in Texas-

Mealtime


Saying "cheese"


With Grandma "G.G."


Being silly with his cousins. I swear he ate 100 grapes while we were in Texas!

I really didn't take as many photos as I normally would. My camera is on the fritz & I'm hoping to see some sweet after Christmas deals on cameras. Or before Christmas. Anytime, really.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As of now I don't have any pictures to post, but I wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Two & a half years old

This post is a bit late... but here it is!

LittleBigMan turned 2 1/2 recently. He is changing, learning & growing so much!


Sayings
Likes to tell you "I'm awake" when he wakes up in the morning
Sings the ABC song quite well
Also loves to sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm, Muffin Man, Wheels on the Bus and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Says "I can't" a lot, when he really means he doesn't want to do something
Is always telling us he's a big boy
If you call him by a nickname he'll tell you "I'm not (nickname), I'm (name)"
Is always telling me/Troy "Mama/Dada I love you" and gives a big hug
Just started telling Troy & me "You my friends", and tells the dog "Chloe you my friend"
Talks and talks and talks all day long about anything and everything
Says "What do you want Mama?" and pretends to make me breakfast
Has started talking about things being big/small
Just said for the first time "Uh oh, spaghetti-o's" - not even sure where he heard that

Doings
Is climbing on lots of things (especially pieces of furniture he shouldn't climb on)
Likes to jump (straight up, both feet off the ground)
Loves to sit on a little stool we have
New favorite toys- play food, bowling set, backpack
Likes to play basketball
Is a good helper - helps put clothes away, clean up toys, etc.
Is fully potty trained during the day (even likes to go potty by himself with the door closed for privacy)
Always wants some sort of snack (especially cheese)
Sleeps in a toddler bed (we converted his crib)
Likes to try to buckle his car seat buckles (luckily isn't trying to unbuckle them yet)
Plays pretend
He is still short for his age - just now starting to fit into size 24 month pants.
Sometimes is really shy, sometimes is really outgoing.
Loves watching "Tomatoes" (VeggieTales), Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends and Dora the Explorer.
I'm sure I'm missing A LOT of stuff, but these are the highlights

20 weeks pregnant

As of today, I am 20 weeks along in my pregnancy. Where has the time gone? Perhaps it slips away as I spend my days chasing around a toddler.

Just for fun I thought I'd share a pic of myself 20 weeks along when pregnant with LittleBigMan


And 20 weeks along this time


Like with my first pregnancy, I've been feeling really good lately. Let's hope it lasts for the next 20 weeks!

Trick or Treat

Sunday afternoon we had fun at our neighborhood Halloween get-together. That evening we headed to my mom's house for a little trick-or-treating. Here are a few pics from the day.

Getting ready with Grandma's help


With Mommy


Going to the next house to get some treats


The haunted cemetery



I was worried some of the decorations would be frightening, but LittleBigMan kept saying "I not scared, Mommy". He had a great time (even though Daddy wasn't here - he was hunting elk with my uncle) and got lots of treats. His favorite candy was not chocolate, but the 2 Tootsie Pops he received.

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend, my mom and I took LittleBigMan to one of our local pumkin patches.  We had lots of fun.  There was a small petting zoo, slides, hay mazes, tractor rides and a few other fun things.

LittleBigMan's favorite part was the slide!


He also really enjoyed the tractor ride.


It was really fun looking for the perfect pumkin.


Our pumpkin, soon to be carved!


I am so happy that Fall is finally here. It's my favorite season & I hope it will stick around for a little while!

Family time

LittleBigMan's Uncle Jeff & Tia Olga were here visiting for a few days.  Yesterday we enjoyed lunch in Old Colorado City and then spent the afternoon/evening in Manitou.  Here are some highlights:

Jeff & Olga (just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary!)



Having fun at the Penny Arcade



Enjoying the beautiful weather & our lovely town


At dinner, LittleBigMan fell asleep.


It was nice spending time with family.  They headed home today, but luckily we will be seeing them again at Thanksgiving!

Grandma is home!

My mom spent most of the summer in New York visiting her sister and brother-in-law.  We were very happy to have her home last week.  Especially LittleBigMan...

Big news

In March, LittleBigMan will become a big brother!

Hiking Barr Trail

Troy, LittleBigMan and I all did some hiking on Barr Trail last Saturday.  The trail begins in Manitou Springs and goes to the top of Pikes Peak.  We had intended to go to Barr Camp, which is the half way point.  With LittleBigMan on his back (and a heavy backpack on my back), it was a bit slow going.  We stopped multiple times to take breaks.  LittleBigMan even did some hiking!  We ended up only hiking about half way to Barr Camp, so in total about 7 miles.

At the trailhead


Ready to begin hiking


LittleBigMan hiking



Beautiful views from the trail




Lunch break



 The beginning of the hike is full of switchbacks with a pretty steady rise in elevation.  Apparently where we stopped is where the trail flattens out and is more enjoyable.  The way down is a killer on the knees!  Next time we would like to go when LittleBigMan can hike on his own.  We'd love to make it to the camp in day 1, spend the night and then hike down the next day.

Favorite Photo Friday

Large & in charge - Sept 2008

Trip to Oklahoma

My cousin and I (and all of our kids) took a road trip to Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago.  Here are some of the highlights from the week...

Spent some time at the great grandparents' house


Played on the trampoline


Played in the water


LittleBigMan went to the movies for the first time.  Grandpa & Grandma took us (along with many of the kiddos).  We saw Toy Story 3. He did really well and enjoyed the movie!



Went to a museum




We visited with more family, including Aunt Kristen & cousin Harlen


Then it was time to head back home.

Favorite Photo Friday

I-Spy - July '10

Our new kitchen

After finishing the tile, we awaited the arrival of our new oven & microwave.  This finishes our kitchen remodeling!

27 months old

LittleBigMan and his pal, Gorilla, eating breakfast


LittleBIgMan is learning and saying new things every day.  Here are some of the new cute/funny/strange things he's been saying and doing....

Likes to sniff things and then says "mmm... 'mells good"
Yells "MOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, MOMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY" for me when he wakes up in the morning
Just told me "Wait one second"
LOVES to take pictures with my camera
Is very slowly learning his colors
LOVES playing with his water table
Saying more and more short sentences
On Saturday stood up and said "I go potty" and went to the potty all by himself (his underwear were even dry)
Uses some of his toys like they are nun chucks - hits himself with it - says "ow" - and then continues doing it
Begs for "brefass" (breakfast) all day long as if he doesn't get MORE than enough to eat.
Just learned to jump with both feet off the ground
Has started whining what feels like ALL THE TIME
Likes to kill ants, but says "oh no, spider" anytime he sees any other type of bug
Thinks there are monsters outside his window
Just today has started making gorilla (his favorite stuffed animal) go on the potty and eat breakfast

Favorite Photo Friday

Goggle wearing goober
7-15-10

Cousins

We had some visitors yesterday!  The boys had SO much fun playing with LittleBigMan's new water table:


And who can resist this sweet little face?