Sunday

Sunday, February 28, 2010
Dear Max,
So, I've expressed to you before my frustration with the 11:00 am church time. And to further complicate my emotions about this, comes in the form of...Daddy has to work on Sunday's. So not only is the 11:00 am time the worst, 2 times a month, I am left to wrangle you alone! Now I will say this, mommies friend Charmaine, gave a great suggestion to overcome the 11:00 am hurdle. It seems to be working, but still hitting a wall by hour 2. This consists of getting you up early (this is hard for me!) and then putting you to bed, dressed for church around 9:30 am to wake up just moments before we are set to run out the door. Today was a day that Daddy had to work and I was left to go at it alone. I will say little man... I really love going to church, and I really love our ward, but I'm not a fan of going without Daddy. It takes everything inside of me to get the guts to go. I don't know why! I see wonderful women do this week after week with 2, 3 or 4 kids. This morning, we had a slight set back in our plan. Auntie Julie and Auntie Andrea visited and we stayed up way to late talking, so getting you up early, well, that didn't happen. You woke us up! So putting you back to bed just an hour after waking up...it didn't work. You never fell asleep, just jabbered in your crib, while I got dressed. Well, given the odds were stacked against me: No nap before church, No daddy to help, No daddy to keep me company and lunch in the form of Graham Crackers and breakfast bars. I feel proud that we made it through one hour of church (did I mention that we sat in the hall the entire time!) And that you were the unofficial greeter of EVERYONE who came by! It was so cute, you would wave at everyone and then they would come over and talk to you and you seriously would shake their hands! It was hilarious!!

And after church you came home and fell right asleep! OF COURSE!!! Oh how I wish you would still fall asleep in my arms... I miss that luxury so much! I love you Max!

Auntie Julie reading you a bedtime story at 10:00 pm. Only 1 and 1/2 hours past your normal bedtime and look - still smiling!

A Sunday Afternoon Snack...POST NAP

You are such a HAM


Wait, Did I mention that you are a HAM..No cooper I didn't say you could have some Ham. Look at this puppy! It's never ending with you two!

Yup - a total Ham!

Las Vegas NASCAR weekend

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Dear Max,
Really, we hate to force this onto you, but we figure at this point you are
1: outnumbered
2: too little to do anything about it
and 3: easily influenced
So it's true... You are a NASCAR fan. Daddy worked today, but called to remind me that the Home Depot #20 driven by Joey Lagano was going to be at his store and that we should come by. Last year, I was still on "maternity" leave and just happened to show up at the right time to visit Daddy, but this year, we thought we should be a little more strategic. I was so excited to see your reaction this year. You LOVE pushing car's around the house. Every night before you go to bed, we seem to find ourselves on the floor pushing cars. So I was curious how you would react to seeing a "LIFE SIZE"car. You loved it! You couldn't take your eye's off the car. When we got there, they had just started the engine and were getting ready to load it back into the trailer. It was loud, and you assisted with your own car noise, the driver revved his engine, you did jumped, but I was surprised that you didn't cry. You just kept on with your own "vroom vroom" noises. So I'm thinking that our "influence" is working. You are loving NASCAR! YEAH!!! We can't wait till your old enough to go to the races! Maybe next year...I'm not sure about a 2 year old sitting still during a 4 hour race...maybe in a few years! I love you, my little NASCAR fan!

I couldn't get a picture with you looking... You couldn't take your eyes off of the car


Now - your both looking the other way!



This time I just got in front of the two of you... look how annoyed you look!


Loading the #20 back into the hauler!


So sad to see the car go!

Later in the day...

You are a boy down to your core!


Look two cars!


Ditched the car's for the stairs!

To Grammie and Papa's House we go...

Monday, February 22, 2010
Dear Max,
We had a really fun extended weekend hanging out with our family. We haven't seen each other since December, so you can imagine our excitement! Uncle Geary and Aunt Jali had a conference in St. George on Saturday so they needed to come down - it was the perfect excuse for an impromptu reunion. I took Friday and Monday off and Daddy worked early on Friday. We left around 3:00 in the afternoon and arrived to St. George by 6:00 pm, St. George time. It took us a bit longer than normal, we had to stop in Glendale to wet our whistles. Traveling with you has changed a bit. You use to just fall asleep in your car seat and sleep soundly until we arrived. Oh those were the days...we were very unprepared for this. We have already made adjustments so we are better prepared for next time. But we just had to improvise on the spot, which was Daddy and I singing to you EVERY song we know. I mean from Primary to Bon Jovi hits from the 80's to Today. "Stop! Collaborate and listen, ice is back... Running just as fast as we can, holding onto one another hand...Jesus wants me for a sun BEAM...WOAH we're half way there WOAH livin on a prayer" just to give you a small sampling of our works! Daddy and I have decided that we need to make a CD - were good! :)
We arrived at Grammie's and Papa's not a moment too soon - we were starting to sing the same songs over again! Grammie had prepared dinner for all of us. We sat and visited, Grammie college room mate and our dear friend Swendy and some of her family were in town so they joined us as well. We had a weekend full of family, friends, food and fun! All the greats! It's good to be home.

Here are some of the highlights of the weekend:

Saturday morning Uncle Geary and Aunt Jali headed out to their conference. Natalie went down for a nap and Grampie fixed you and Daniel breakfast.
You and Daniel eating breakfast...



While we were eating Natalie woke up and decided to join us for breakfast
Rise and Shine princess



So sweet!

You and Natalie enjoying Grampie's yummy breakfast



Daniel enjoying a good breakfast...


Later that same day....

We had lunch!


Grampie and Daniel eating lunch


They were a little focused before.

After lunch Grampie took Daniel on a ATV ride around the neighborhood. We forgot your helmet, so you just got to pose for the photo op this time. I promise I will remember your helmet next time. You were super sad about not getting to go on the "vroom vroom"

Grampie with his boys


Daniel and Grampie off on their ride


Later that night, Grampie took you and Daniel on a different kind of ride. A whirl around the office chair. The simplest of things entertain the two of you!


So much fun!


Daniel is such a good older cousin to you. It was so sweet, Saturday morning, Daniel was already awake and came in our bedroom. You were still in your crib so Daniel came over to the edge of your crib and was talking to you. He then said "We are best Friends!" Melts my heart! I love you two so much!

Sunday morning you decided to try your hand at feeding yourself... you did pretty good!






Cooper always close by hoping for some "left overs"





Uncle Geary, Aunt Jali, Daniel and Natalie brought you this fun toy! You draw on it and the faster you draw the faster the music goes. It's really cool!

You love it!

So happy to be playing


Later Sunday afternoon we went over to visit with Grandma Trenholm. We had such a nice visit with her. You are so sweet with Grandma Trenholm, and love giving her kisses

Grandma Trenholm, you and Daddy


You and Grandma Trenholm


Grandma loves you so much. She loves smelling your sweet baby scent, feeling your soft skin and looking into those sweet blue eyes. You are so special to her.



Showing Grandma how you clap and sing


Helping Grandma Sing and Clap


You loved pushing Grandma in her wheelchair. Daddy and I were so surprised at how strong you are! You just pushed Grandma along.



You did alternate from pushing to pulling... It was quite funny to watch


Monday Morning...The best thing about staying in St. George an extra day! The Bear Paw, you miss the Saturday morning rush!!


Daddy, Max and Mommy out front. You were a big fan! We knew you would be!!!


Two of my favorite guys in the whole world!

Love you!

Daytona 500

Sunday, February 14, 2010
Dear Max,
Today was the first race of the NASCAR season, the Daytona 500! As we did last year, we watched the race from our living room. Hopefully Uncle Wes and Aunt Diya won't move away from Florida before we have the chance to go back and see the face first hand again. You are definitely a fan of car's and of NASCAR! You actually sat in your car for a large portion of the race making your own car noises. You fit right in!

It's like a drive-in movie



Beep - Beep Out of my way boys...


You are a man on a mission


Oh wait...Let me get my blinker, oh yeah and it's the left one!

Happy Valentines Day!

Sunday, February 14, 2010
Dear Max,

Happy Valentines Day! Perfect timing to have learned "I LOVE YOU!" We love you Max.

I

LOVE

YOU!

A Day to celebrate Love! I know some people don't like Valentines day and say it's just a "commercial" holiday. But I love Valentines day! I love that their is one day a year dedicated to love. We don't do anything extravagant for Valentines. We typically stay home and cook. The last several years we have cooked lobster or crab legs and this year is not different. As a matter of fact, this year, your Nana sent us a gift certificate from one of our favorite places out of Maine that ships live lobsters directly to your house. We opted to not go for the live one, but instead for some lobster tails and crab legs. It was funny, your Auntie Julie came into town for a conference, and the "box" was being delivered on Saturday and we were up in St. George so I called and asked her if she would bring the box in for us. She said sure, after she opened it up! I told her she wouldn't want to do that...Their is a live lobster inside! He he he... She was freaking out. But she's a good Auntie, cause she picked it up and brought it inside, screaming the whole way I'm sure.

Daddy had to work today, so you and I got to spend the afternoon together. I just had to share these pictures with you, I thought it was very funny, especially on Valentines Day. Online dating at the ripe young age of almost 15 months!

Find Something Interesting?

How is it that you know how to operate a computer mouse? Grammie and Papa struggle with this and they have had a computer in their life a lot longer than you have!

Had to throw this one in... Max this is proof that EVERYTHING is a truck to you! You are a true boy!

And a little comparison...This is you on Valentines 2009

And Valentines 2010. You were not quite sure about the Bumbo chair. You typically only sit in the bumbo chair when your getting your hair cut.

My "Hunk a burnin' love!"
What a difference a year makes!


I just couldn't resist your cute face this morning over breakfast! I love you Max. I'm so grateful for you!