Christmas Photos

We had a wonderful Christmas. My parents were able to come the day before Christmas eve to stay with us and spend some extra time with River. My sister and her family came for Christmas day. We had our neighbors come to join us for dinner on Christmas eve.

River was overwhelmed with the whole idea of Christmas. He did enjoy himself, but I don't think he knew what to make of it all. He didn't know what do when he saw the tree in the morning. We gave him his stocking and after getting a candy cane, first thing in the morning, he started to figure out it was a special day. He opened all his presents himself (mostly). We had to open all his toys as he unwrapped them. He REALLY loved getting his new trike. It was sent from Grandpa and Grandma Fields. They had told us it was a nice trike, but we did not know what to expect. We were so surprised to see it. River wanted to get on and never get off. We had to push him on it all around the house. Eventually we had to hide it for a while so we could move on. River's Nama and Papa sent him some books and a cool Thomas Trian. River loves trains. He also has a neat spring horse from my parents. It is plush and it sings and talks.

It was so nice to have family together and to see River experience the holiday, but I am happy to be moving on to the New Year. Something about the end of the year makes me want to clean and get reorganized. Needless to say, Brian and I will be busy beaver's around the house this weekend. After the new year I want to find some time to take River to the snow and find some fun things we can do outside, even if it is raining. Also the days should start to get a little longer by the end of January. That is definitely something to look forward to!

Good News

Our truck was returned to us this morning. We had to go pick it up from downtown at 3:30. Nothing was missing and there was NO damage to the truck at all. Weird. We are relieved to have our truck back and our life back to normal. Stay posted for Christmas photos.

Brian's Work Day

Today Brian went on the Army ships to check some stuff out. It was a clear, cold day. A nice change from the grey, stormy weather.

A Great Morning

Today I took River to the mall. I had one quick Christmas present to buy and I wanted Starbucks. River was a perfect angel!! He walked on his own (no hand holding) through JC Penny's with me. He did not touch, grab or break anything. We then went to Starbucks and he walked the whole way ON HIS OWN. He waited right by me while I ordered, paid and waited for my drink. He then walked all the way back to the play area to content himself with paying IN the play area and did not try to escape. This is NOT what usually happens when we go to the mall. Usually there is hand holding, carrying and tantrums. We also went to look at Santa and get snacks from Subway. River let me carry him and even snuggled me. I just can't believe that was my son behaving so well at the mall. I had a great time with him and felt like I was out with my little buddy. Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel, can it be that all the battles we have had over behaving are begining to pay off? Most likely River just decided to take it easy on his Mom today. I won't hold my breath, but maybe I will hope a bit. Either way it was a great morning and for now I am gonna take all the credit for it.

TAKEN

After shopping with friends last night , we decided to head into Downtown Olympia for a bite to eat and some fun. I parked my truck in front on the street and when we returned to leave it was GONE!!! Another car was parked in it's place. It was not towed, it was stolen. It was very shocking to all of us, this kind of stuff does not happen in Olympia. Oh well, what can we do but deal with it. I will be getting a rental car on Monday. My sister is lending me an extra car seat until we figure out what else to do. I am happy that me and my family and friends are all safe. I will miss my big truck.

SNOW!!!!!!!

Although not officailly our first snow this year, it is the first snow that both stuck and River got to play in. (even with a cold)

Playgroup

Friday we went with our group to the Nisqually Wildlife Delta. The weather was cold!!! We walked probably 2 miles or so and then the kids got to play. River couldn't have been happier. He loves to be around other kids and is always happiest outside. It is so great to see him really interacting and becoming independent. The Nisqually Delta is a protected habitat for birds and ducks. It is a very pretty place and all flat walking. I love to take River there. Since then, he has developed a cold. That really is a bummer since he just got over a big sickness from last weekend. I really don't mind him getting sick but I hate when it happens so close together. So far he seems to be weathering this new cold well. He has energy and an appetite. We do have more frequent tantrums but River has really gotten me used to that!!

What a Weekend

We have been busy over the weekend. Friday evening was all about River and his fever. We were in full on Mom and Dad mode and camped out in the living room all night. Poor River was so sick and was running a high fever. It took doses of both Tylenol and Ibuprofen to get it down. I had taken him to the Doctor earlier in the day and he was diagnosed with an ear infection and possible stomach bug. He still has not been eating much at all, but the fever is gone. I panic just a little when he runs fever because I am so scared he will have another seizure. Brian was great and brought home pizza and brought me all the things I needed to take care of River. Most of my time was spent just holding River.



After making it through the night we attempted to have a normal weekend. Today was the day to put up lights. It had started snowing and River seemed well enough to go out for a short time. I was excited about getting lights up and having it snow seemd even better to me, however, Brian did not find it as great. He was stuck putting up the lights in bare hands! River was not at all impressed by the snow and the effort of getting ready to go out seemed to be enuf to tire him out. He was quickly back inside for a nap. Whew!!!! After lunch, Brian decided to try to finish the floors downstairs. Everything was going along just fine when a lamp tipped over and we lost power to an entire circuit. We checked the breaker box, checked ground fault interrupters, made a late evening trip to the hardware store to replace a breaker and still nothing. As a matter of fact, it got worse. We now had breakers popping and new breakers tripping. My Dad came up and took a look at things and after checking for shorts and more of the same we are still right where we started.....having to call an electrician. I guess this stuff is part of the "character" of having an older home. Fortunately, we have power to all of our major appliances and hot water. An extension cord makes the computer usable again so we are not to bad off. It could be much worse. I hate having to call some one out, wait, wait, wait and then hope they really know what they are doing. Oh well.



I have a good handle on Christmas shopping, so I am looking forward to wrapping presents and finishing decorating and shopping. I plan to get a gift for the giving tree. Even through all of the events I think the Christmas spirit is sneaking up on me. Hope everyone had good weekends and has a great week to come.

Pictures to come.......

Thanksgiving

We had a great time at my sisters house. It was her first turkey and it turned out yummy. It was good to have all of us together. We were all glad to have the sun out and be able to spend some time outside. Lori has a very cool bird hanging around her house. They have figured out that it is a golden pheasant, native to Eastern Washington. We loved the bird. It is so amazing looking close up. It lets you get very close to it and I was able to touch it, briefly.

As far as the house projects go , we are still slowly poking along. The floors are almost done downstairs. Brian also spent some time getting the yard cleaned up. I love him a little bit more when he does yard work. It makes such a difference. He does a great job.

River has been his usual independent, happy self. He keeps talking more and more. He says hungry, dinner when he wants something to eat, no matter the time of day. We are starting to hear a few sentences come from him like, I want some some. He has been growing so much. He can wear size 3t now!!! His 2t shirts fit him , but there is no room to grow. The newest battle in our house is sitting at the table for dinner. He is just determined that he eats on the run and I am just as determined that we eat at the table. I have to love the fact that he is his own person and knows what he wants.

Update

Brian and I have been so busy with family life and trying to finish up projects on our basement, I have not been able to get any pictures taken. As usual, Brian and I get excited to start projects and never take any before pictures. We have finished painting and we tore up all of our carpet downstairs. We are living on a concrete floor for now. Even so, we feel relieved to have the carpet gone. The dogs spend the majority of their time downstairs and it is to hard to keep the carpet clean. We need to put up trim, get new curtains and figure out what kind of floor we want. I want to wait until after the holidays to even think about the floor. It just gets to be to much. Lots to do, but we feel like we are getting close to having the house the way we want. It will be nice to get the last details done and just wait until we are ready to HIRE some one to do our garage remodel.

River had an overnight visit with his grandparents this weekend and Brian and I were able to have a nite out. It is amazing what a nite out can do. Refreshing. Thanks Papa and Granma. River's new favorite word is "funny". I think he thinks that he is very funny.

Pictures coming soon!!

River's Antics

River did the funniest thing this weekend. He told on Daddy to me. He was playing with our hand held vacuum and Brian took it away and put it up. River thru his little tantrum, which he is prone to do. When Brian told him to stop and that he couldn't have the vacuum, he put on his cutest pout and came to me in the kitchen and said vacuum, vacuum. It was really funny. I am trying not to let on, but I think he just might be to smart for both of us. Some new words ... fly, firefly, sunshine and jewel (He and Daddy have named the fish), monster, Santa, weeble, temperature and more.

He has also learned a new "trick" outside. He took his little trike and launched himself down the hill on the side of our house. I saw it coming but could not beat him to it. He thought it was a great adventure. I was imagining broken bones. Luckily the trike took a turn towards the flower bed and not straight down. He was really picking up speed and it could have been bad. I hope this is not a sign of things to come.

I have been waiting and waiting for River to ask for and give kisses. I got my wish. He says kiss and opens his mouth wide and kinda sticks out and curls under his tongue. It is very wet and a little yucky but I will take what I can get!

Here are pictures of our Halloween adventures. River looked so cute running around just like a little duck! He never quite got the whole concept of the nite down, but he was excited. He understood what candy was quickly. He kept saying cany, cany. Carson, Josie and Papa helped show River the ropes. He got a sucker to finish off the nite. We had so much fun watching him and laughing at his cuteness!

Trick or Treat!!!!

River's Friends

We met some friends from our play group at the library on Halloween morning. What a cute bunch of little ones! They have all known each other since before they were 1. It took some serious coordination to get them all lined up and in one place long enough for some pictures!

We carved our pumpkins tonite. Brian did a fantastic job of head pumpkin carver. River was excited about the pumpkins at first, but he got over it pretty quickly. Soon it will be time for trick or treat. I think River will love it.

Over the weekend we started some new house projects. Brian has finished the outside, so it is time to start our bedroom. We removed a pocket door and are getting ready for paint. We have finished the wallpaering upstairs. We only have one more wall to fix upstairs and we will pretty much be done up there! Dad helped us finish the top board of the ceiling. River got to play with Grandma and Papa for awhile too. He ran a fever Fri nite and Sat morning but he has been fine since.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Pumpkin Carving

Brian's Day Off

Brian took the day off on Tuesday to take advantage of the wonderful weather. We decided to drive to Mt Rainier. River was even excited to take the drive. He watched all the new scenery go by and was happy to tell us what he saw. We stopped for lunch in Elbe, at the base of the Mountain, and were pleasantly surprised by how warm it was. We had on jeans and long sleeves and felt overdressed! At The Grove of the Patriarchs we did some hiking, including a side trip. We were the only ones there. We hardly saw anyone at the Park. We drove home thru Morton and Mossyrock. It was nice to see the countryside. Brian and I had not been to Mt. Rainier since I was pregnant with River. The day made us look forward to all of the fun we will have with River next Summer. He already loves the outdoors so much.

At The Cider Mill

Happy Birthday Aunt Lori

Jeremy and Lori

Mom and Dad

Jeremy, Carson and Lori

Josie and River

Saturday Oct. 20th was my sister Lori's 31st birthday. We celebrated at Dirty Dave's Pizza with the Family. It was a great place for the kids to let loose and have a good time and for the adults to enjoy each other's company. Lori had a great birthday!!

Mid Week Update

River and I are down with a bug. We are not doing to bad though. River has a "new" word. It is elephant. When he says it, it sounds like ah-peat. He is very proud that he knows this word and insists that it is acknowledged. He has also picked up the word broccoli. We have started time out and it is working wonderfully. I just can't believe how well he understands and responds to them. I had tried everything I could think of to show River I am serious when I tell him not to do something. Time outs just do the trick. Hallelujah!!!! We are expecting a big windstorm on Thursday. I am planning on having our power go out. I hope that we don't have any trees come down on our house. We will be spending a lot of time in the safety of our downstairs and River will sleep with us. My sisters birthday and yard projects on the agenda for the weekend. Brian is not feeling that great either so not much going on here now. I will keep everyone posted on the storm. We will see if it is as bad as the "weatherman" says it is going to be.

Pumkin Patch

We made it to the Pumpkin Patch this Sunday. The place we went was called Hunters. It was a great time. River had so much fun. The whole place was decorated up and there was so much to do. They had pony rides, kids train rides, a super slide, and multiple corn mazes. River was to small for all of that. They also had animals to look at. Goats, Donkeys, Pigs and Turkey. River was excited about the animals and made his grunting animal sound at the Turkey. For River, the best part was the tractor wagon ride to the patch. After being around the tractor he was not interested in much else. The pumpkins were no longer exciting. When we made the return trip on the tractor wagon we lost River to a complete meltdown because he did not want to leave the tractor. It was really kind of cute. Brian and I had so much fun watching River take it all in. We have 3 pumpkins, a Daddy, Mommy and Baby pumpkin. They are being used for decoration in front of the house now and will be carved closer to Halloween. By the way, for those of you who are interested, River will be a duck. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends!!!

TGIF

Glad to have the weekend here. The weather forcast is great. Today was a perfect fall day and we have a whole weekend of rain free weather to look forward to. We will be attending a birthday party for River's friend, Chaso. It is so amazing how fast River is growing and learning. When I watch him play with his friends, I really notice how big he is getting. He loves to play with other kids. We will all spend the rest of our weekend outside as much as possible. We have to get as much sun as we can before the long dreary winter comes. It might be a good time for a visit to the pumkin patch. Check back for pictures of the weekend's events. Enjoy your weekend everyone!!!

Outside Fun