Backfire

Last night at dinner Ryan was telling me a story about work.  It was a rather extensive story about a co-worker who had a prank backfire on him.  At the end, Caleb politely chimes in "Mommy, Daddy, what happened to the fireman who had fire on him?"
We were a bit confused and replied with "No one had fire on him."  "There was a firefighter who's house was on fire. Is that what you were thinking?"
Caleb sill looking pensive says "But what about the one with fire on his back?"  Ah, "backfire".  We attempted to explain in three-year-old terms how the work backfire has nothing to do with a fire or a back. I just love seeing him learn language.  And gain awareness of how confusing the English language actually can be.

 

Right Now

Surfing Pinterest and some blogs I discovered this fun website full of free printables. Which led to this blog post sharing an idea of a mini journal album.  I thought it would be fun to use the prompts and once per month post the answers on the blog.


Feeling: Tired at the moment, though I finally got a full night's sleep two nights ago.
On the To Do List: Finish sewing projects.
My Guilty Pleasure: Oh ... Dr Pepper.  How I still love to drink you but wish I didn't.
Favorites: Peanut, raisin and chocolate chip trail mix. ~ Reading ~ Pandora on the iPad
Dreaming About: The trips I'll take when kids are older
Grateful For: My husband and wonderful kids.  Not even cliche. I'm truly loving spending time with them these days.

 

A Dictionary

In the event you are ever in need of such a reference, here is a short list of what Caleb says and what he means.

• peenah daya  ~ peanut butter
• torta! ~ tortilla  (and he always shouts this one)
• oatee ~ oatmeal
• mooszie  ~ smoothie
• meena  ~  banana
• nappy  ~  napkin
• nap  ~  nap
• muttee kookie  ~  I'm hungry (not necessarily for a muffin or cookie)
• weeamp  ~  ramp (for cars, trucks and such)
• fween ~ swing
• Candy ~ Camden (our dog.  Kid has only had maybe 3 pieces of candy in his life)
• piwee  ~ pillow
• ahda ____  [hat]  ~ I'm all done with _______ [wearing my hat.]
• daddy wurking firetruck ~ self explainitory (said often on days Dad isn't home)
• sippries!  ~ slippery (he always shouts this one too)
• kish huh ~ please give me at least 5 kisses and hugs before you leave the room and I have to go to sleep.

 

Outside

Merry Christmas

I [tried to] take this cute photo of this cute little toddler today and learned to get a really cute photo we need two people, one to keep him in place and maybe even get him to smile with one to take the picture.  Cute nonetheless!

So Excited!

Now for the patience to wash them 3 times before using.

New Every Day

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed

for His compassions never fail

They are new every morning; 

great is they faithfulness."

Starting off with a Word from the Good Lord! And his mercies are not the only thing new every day; Caleb is also learning something new every day. It is so fun to watch him and be surprised by the things he does!

• Ryan taught him to stick his hand out to feel the heat of the fire.  Now when we tell him his food is hot, he sticks his hand out to feel it before grabbing to put in his mouth. [no squeezing hot french fries for this kid.]
• He likes to put the milk jug and his cup back into the fridge. And so proud when he does.
• If he wants to look at someone that has turned away, he cocks his head to the side and leans his entire body until the person notices. 
• He loves to help with anything I let him, like re-bagging potatoes or stirring dinner or rolling back up the toilet paper he unrolled even though he knows he's not supposed to touch it.  He just unrolls it so he can roll it back up, I know.
• Looking to see what is in things is another favorite.  I can't make it through a cup of coffee or bowl of soup without showing Caleb what it is.
• But during all of these his facial expressions are the cutest!

Loving every new age and stage even more.

Happy

Here are my new favorite photos of Caleb. He is such a happy smiley guy. Though he still quite confused by the large black thing we call a camera and not into performing for such a contraption. I captured a couple fun ones then he got back to his own business of playing with his new found entertainment.

Things Have Changed

This new face is now a part of our daily lives.  Love it!
It's also put new priorities in our lives, so we'll just wait and see what happens to this blog.

One of Those Random Things

My family started a fun, unique tradition years ago of taking photos in front of state capitol buildings.

Little Sarah at the capiol of her home state, Iowa

There are 12 photos and 14 capitols visited so far.

Grumpy Sarah in Minnesota with some sweet looking 1990's clothes

Over Thanksgiving, I decided to scan all those photos to digital and gather the collection in one place. It's been fun and motivating. I'm re-energized to make a point to visit captiols if I'm anywhere near them.

More sweet clothes in Washington

Actually, I've considered taking a random weekend road trip to a nearby state just to get the photo - something I really would have done in college that just sounds a bit more ridiculous now.

Castle in New York

Last night, I said something to Ryan about going to Oklahoma City. And he logically responded that Jefferson City is probably closer. Glad he's so smart. Anyone want to go to Jeff City with me?

Late one night in North Carolina

And how have I managed to have photos from all over the Kansas Capitol, but not a good one standing in front of it? Maybe my first random weekend road trip should be just a couple miles down the road.

Got to Alaska's by boat

P.S. Did you know when talking about the city it's 'capital' and when talking about the building it's 'capiol'? Crazy.

To the Sioux

I took a little drive this weekend and went to visit my parents. It should be no surprise that I took my camera along for entertainment. Here's a look at the weekend.

This is what it looks like driving through Nebraska.

My road trip buddy. To those of you who may be a bit concerned at this point. I am a safe driver. I don't take my eyes off the road. Really, I don't. I just hold the camera up, push the button, click and hope I got something good.

Arriving in Sioux City

After lunch with my mom and aunt and some form of shopping or errands (whichever you prefer), we enjoyed a beautiful evening in the back yard.

Dad read Camden a story. :-)

The neighborhood deer came by and didn't seem to mind the strange dog at all.

Sunday plans included a morning bike ride, but not before being greeted by some other neighborhood wildlife.

Here we all are on the bikes. Like my self portrait? Apparently I was going about 8 miles per hour at that point - as noted on the speedometer.

Biking over the river.

The trip concluded with church followed by lunch, then the dog got to finish the peanut butter and we went home.
...home through Iowa road construction.

Something new

I'm trying a new look with a photo at the top of my blog. For the fall it's sunflowers. Thanks Mom & Dad for stopping in Nebraska to take this picture of the Kansas state flower

Bikes and Balloons

The Huff N Puff hot air balloon rally was in Topeka this weekend. My parents came down and we went for an early morning bike ride that began with the 7am balloon launch and continued around peaceful Lake Shawnee.

Early morning launch

Reflections

This balloon pilot had skill. The basket skimmed the water for several hundred feet and floated back up just before hitting a dock.

Bikes and balloons. :)

The botanical gardens at Lake Shawnee

Drywall Party!

We thank all of our friends and family who came to help us put up walls today!

Here's what our basement looked like Friday night.

Some snacks for the workers.

Ryan's sheet rock ramp to get it down the stairs (and make it a challenge for people to get up the stairs. :) It worked really well... for both.

Saturday morning. I was so excited to see the ceiling when I came home.

Brian wanted me to get a photo of him 'working'. Mic and Tim were doing more productive work.

They've moved on to the walls.

Saturday night!!! Woo-Hoo.

Laundry room. "Umm... can somebody help me turn the washer around? There's two weeks worth of laundry waiting to be washed."

Poor Camden had to stay outside in the pouring rain all day while all these fun new people were at his house. He is such a good dog!

They got so much done today and I know Ryan was so thankful for the help. We still have a few small pieces and the stairwell to finish ... we also have yet to schedule someone to mud and tape though, too.

4th of July on Cement Plant Road

There she is, a smokestack of the ol' cement plant and the good ol' cemetery across the street.

A few launches in the afternoon.

Bear and Dion trying to beat the heat.

We watched them replace the roof on the porch. Seriously! Several of us set up chairs in the shade, facing the porch and were entertained by about seven Mr. Mellens work on the roof. Just like any good show in Branson.

Parachutes, a Mellen tradition. One by one, each person chases a 'sparkling' parachute that has been launched for them. Catch it before it hits the ground and hope you don't have to run into the lagoon! Grand finale, everyone for themselves in chasing what seems like hundreds of tiny parachutes.

Another Mellen tradition, The Tank War.

This year's began with chickens vs. turtles.
(seriously, they had little cardboard fireworks shaped like chickens and turtles)

Growing up where fireworks were against the law, I still find this stuff fascinating, crazy and a bit silly. I love spending time with family and had a great weekend!