Halloween Costume Idea Lapse

So I thought of the coolest Halloween costume- just a little too late. So for next year I am going to be... Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games! I plan to recreate her mockingjay dress from the second book "Cathing Fire". This dress was originally a wedding dress and the one she wears to the interview. When she lifts her arms in the air and spins it turns black and is covered in feathers. It has sleaves that go all the way to the floor with a low neckline and a tight waist. The whole thing is dramatically black of course, except for a small patch on each of her shoulders that is white, like the wings of the mockingjay!! Ok so I am a total nerd but this thing is going to be awesome to wear and probably even more fun to make! Good luck to me!

Zoo....ology

PW's first trip to the zoo. He can make a really good elephant sound and proudly calls the rhinos "ninos." Jake and I had fun seeing how many good shots we could take. We were loving that PW was completely enthralled for more than two hours straight.

Photo Shoot

I guess I must be growing...

Jumping on my Elmo bed playing with new zoo wall decals from Grandma (lasts about 2 minutes)
Watching Elmo on sesamestreet.org or the Elmopalooza movie (he'll stare at Elmo til the video stops)
Playing the bakeware (all objects are part of this makeshift drumset including counter, Bosch, bowl, tupperware, ceramic flour container, and anything that was left in his reach. Comes with 2 metal measuring spoons for drumsticks! Lasts for as long as it takes me to finish the recipe!)
Also the expanding vocaubulary is ever-growing. "Ball, teeth, Elmo, owie, belly button, eyes, nose," and on and on it goes! And he's getting so smart!

Momma says I'm growing...

Reading (consumes up to 15 minutes of his undivided attention- then he wants me to read to him)
Watching the cars go by as I fold the laundry (will last up to 30 minutes!)
Loving Blankie (this could go on forever)

Blah Blah Blah- What!?

So I have yet to get a video of this but here's the latest news. By his first birthday little Peewee could only say Dada and Mama. The doctor was a little concerned. Well he quickly added Papa to his vocabulary and we were thrilled- he could look at a picture of his Grandpas or watch them walk by and he would know that was Papa. On our nephew's birthday, the 15th, we all sang Happy Birthday and PW learned the word HAPPY. It was adorable. He ran around all night saying, "Happy, Happy, Happy!" Well just yesterday our little guy added three more words- "Go!" was a great one- because all boys need to know Ready, set, go! And of course "No no no no" finally came out perfectly. And then the best, most boyish word of all... "Cacapoopoo". Whenever we don't want him to touch the garbage or something nasty on the ground we'll say, "No no- it's cacapoopoo". Well that's what he decided to say. That doesn't mean he won't touch it though!!! Oh and even though he knows "Mama" he will never say it to me. He will just scream, tug, pull, cry or yell to get my attention. Honestly son, it would work better if you just said my name. Oh well!

Yee Haw!

The biggest thing on my mind here is to find $5 worth of change and see if I can buy a cowboy hat at the D.I. :) Thanks Uncle Jantz and Aunt Kelly for letting Peewee steal that horse!

July- My Favorite Month

Why- you might ask is July my favorite month? In all this sweltering heat with electric bills climbing and popsicles coming out your ears just to stay cool! The fourth of July is my favorite holiday due to mass patriotism and wild fireworks! Here in Ogden the fireworks last all month with every city having their own weekend to put on a fireworks show. If you know me- you know that this thrills me to the core. Also massive amounts of hot dogs and hamburgers with teriyaki chicken and beef throughout puts a particularly permanent grin on my face. Popsicles coming out your ears- well that's the epitome of perfection. Who doesn't want to eat 20 Otter Pops (not exaggerating) while sitting on a swing on the back porch? And camping! And picnics in the park! And swimming and boating and beautiful clear skies to watch the stars burn at night! What could be more perfect?

Well I can tell you- Rodeos happening every weekend, one of the largest in Utah happening just a couple blocks from here. Parades full of flags, soldiers and veterans, high school bands, hundreds of horses, old cars, thousands of bubbles, old school tractors, tiny bikes, pioneers with handcarts, missionaries, floats full of children and dedications and memories, and candy being thrown for the lucky seeker! And what's better than this?? Well this two times! Yes that's right. The Pioneer Day parade went right past my window. We went outside to sit in the shade and watch it go by though- cuz what American watches a parade from the window?? Hello Miracle on 34th street- get out of your house! It's way more fun out there.

Well now we have an added celebration to the lovely month of July and that is PW's birthday. So on top of all that we got to watch our little guy turn 1! It was awesome. Oh and by the way- he loves fireworks and parades too!
But after such a month of awesomeness and partying sometimes we just need a little break.

Casualties of the Common Pool

Well- I don't really have much to say about this- though he did cry pretty hard for about two minutes. Poor guy.

Happy Birthday P.W.!!!

It's official- we have a 1-year old! Monday's celebration was complete with way too much delicious teriyaki chicken and beef, rice, pasta and potato salad, and cake! Thanks to everyone who came and helped- we honestly couldn't have thrown this party on our own and we're so glad to have such great family who loves us enough to help us out.

The splash pad was a blast- just a little cold!
Once upon a time there was a silly looking cake complete with Oreo cookie dirt and toy trucks.
Baby Polo got a hold of it and began eat the dirt.
He drove the trucks all over the cake construction site...
slipping it into his mouth every once in a while for a lick.
Then he Godzilla-ed that thing until...
He was satisfied with the remains. :)
Happy Birthday Wild Thing. We love you!

Ogden's Horses

Every year during the month of July Ogden places these life size horses- pieces of art- around the downtown area. That covers about 4 square blocks, and guess what- we live in one of those! Every single one of these horses is within walking distance from our house. I've taken some pictures of these ones but am planning to head out and take some more. There are some I really like and haven't gotten to yet!
Thought my nieces would like this one!
Jake and I love this one- astronomy nerds.
Kinda cool lookin'.
And for all those of you who are like me and love a good old fashioned rodeo!

Check back again for these that I've yet to capture on film... Our founding fathers, Indian cave drawings, Carousel, John Wayne, American Flag, and Mustang Sally!

Deconstructionism

My son has a disease- it's called deconstructionism. Everything that is orderly he must destroy. That would be ok with me if he was into putting things back. He's not. After the drawer has been emptied, it's on to the next one! A tower of blocks, a stack of movies, a cupboard of bowls, a dishwasher full of clean dishes, a drawer of towels, a fridge filled with magnets, anything! All are targets of mass destruction. Isn't he adorable? (oh yeah- and that's the tv remote he brought to the bathroom!)

What's up Mom? I'm gonna go make some trouble- you cool with that?Oh look- a basket full of tampons- this will work.
Hmmm- on to the next thing! Have fun cleaning that up!

I'm outta here!