Random Update

There's so much to tell. Charlotte is amazing us all. She can name all of her letters, but is especially fond of the letter A. I think we have Aunt Debbie and Uncle Steve to thank for that. They purchased a Sesame Street Letter video for her and she loves it. All of a sudden she has started to entertain herself. For 10 or 15 minutes she'll sit in her room and read her baby doll stories. The baby doll has now been named Melissa, by the way. She is really into both Melissa and her other cabbage patch doll named Emily Elizabeth because of those darn Clifford books. She is very imaginative; Emily Elizabeth went into time out because she hit Daddy or Melissa can't go shopping with us because she hasn't taken her nap yet. It may sound boring to you all but to us, it's so exciting to see this new side of her. Ben is really enjoying walking. He's figured out how to turn corners and can catch himself before he falls most times. He really wants to talk but right now all we're getting is dada. We're all dada. He and Charlotte are the best of friends, which I LOVE. When we read stories at bedtime, he mauls her and tries to bite her. We hope it's all affectionately. They really are so fun. Charlotte is actually understanding Christmas this year. She loves Christmas lights. She yells every time she sees them!

Also, we finally (Doug) got the video of Ben walking to work here. So scroll down and try again!! Thanks

He did it!!

3 days ago Ben took his first steps. Judging by his proficiency, I'm betting he probably could have done this earlier. He took 8 steps in a row the second time he tried. This is his second day of walking, notice the running he does? I think we're gonna have our hands full!

Why?

My Grandma has at least a dozen wigs in her dress up clothes. My grandma still has hair, and doesn't wear wigs now, so I asked her why she had so many. Apparently, 35 some odd years ago, people used to wear these things for fun. That's something I'll never understand. Most of these wigs are not that attractive, as Charlotte demonstrates for you. Plus, she just has such a funny look on her face, I can't help but post this.

Count your many blessings

What more could anybody ask for? I told Doug today that I've never been this excited for Thanksgiving. I wonder if that might be because my life has never felt so complete. I have two wonderful healthy children and an amazing husband who would do anything for me. I have so much to give thanks for. I have a wonderful house to live in (albeit not mine....) I have so much family around I almost don't know where to start. My husband actually has a normal 9-5 job, no retail involved. I have been blessed.

Mooch

So today Doug took Charlotte to the blue park. They have picnic benches and a family was sitting there eating Wendys. As Charlotte was walking past, she slowed and asked the little boy, "Are those fries good?" The little boy said yes and handed her two fries. She was estatic. On the way back from the bathroom, the mom gave Charlotte a small fry, saying they got too many. Instead of being grateful, Charlotte asked Daddy where her hamburger and drink were. She's a mooch and always has been. Every morning she goes upstairs and has my grandpa or grandma make her eggies even after she's had breakfast downstairs. Here's a picture of Charlotte and her cousins at our monthly family dinner just for Grandma Donna.

Happy Halloween

I'm not exactly sure what you'd call Charlotte's costume, Doug thought she looked like a gypsy. We raided my grandma's dress-up clothes and that's what she decided she wanted to wear. I, of course, am a 50's housewife in case you couldn't tell! And Ben's costume was purchased for just 25 cents. Charlotte didn't quite catch the concept of Halloween at the beginning. She wanted to go home after the first house. I made her continue on until about the 6th house, when she finally began to understand that this meant candy. She'd point to a house and ask if it was a trick or treat. Ben, of course, was great as long as he was being held. Doug was at work but when he got home, Charlotte offered to take him trick or treating in the morning and he was allowed to share in her bountious feast. Me, not so much. Oh well.

About time

Since all of my "cool" friends have blogs for their families, I figured it's about time we join the ranks. As most of you know, we're down living in Utah Valley in my grandparents basement. Their basement just happens to be 3x bigger than our last apartment. And I finally have a garage! Charlotte is loving having so many people around to answer her beck and call as is the cat. We miss our home in Spokane, but things have turned out to be far better than we imagined down here. This is a picture of Doug and Charlotte in the canyon looking for rocks. We love having the canyon so close.

By the way, this is Doug and Charlotte's angry faces. Good, aren't they?