Monday, November 22, 2010

Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Lori's Surprise Visit

On Friday morning, November 12, Lori and I were talking on the phone.  Later that afternoon she called and to my surprise asked if she and Jeff could come out for a visit and bring their Christmas they had for the kids.  Of course I said yes!!! We kept it a surprise from the kids, as best as we could.  We ended up telling them someone was coming but did not tell them who. They left Saturday morning and arrived Sunday evening.  The kids were so excited.
Xzander's first meeting with Grandpa Jeff
Grandma Lori and Geric
Geric sure did love Grandpa Jeff.  I loved how he kept wanting Grandpa Jeff.
Grandma Lori doing something?
This is a regular occurrence of me, Geric and Xzander
I guess you are never to big to sit on Grandpa's lap
Buddies,
Now, I know it is a little early to be decorating for Christmas seeing how we haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, but I thought it would be more fun and enjoyable for all participants and at least it was for me and the kids.  Thank you Grandma Lori and Grandpa Jeff for helping us decorate.  We love you!!!


I had to add this next picture just for kicks and giggles
Gotta love Geric.  Have to have at least one grumpy one in the bunch.  Xzander looking at him, like, "What's wrong with you?"
Next presents, Sorry Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Lori, hope I don't ruin any surprises.  Love you!

Hanging out watching a Chrsitmas movie.


The next day, outside playing, waiting for Daddy to get home f
 Off to dinner we go.  The kids and Devan really enjoy Golden Coral, so that is where we went.  Thank you Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Lori!!






Ruby showing off her long tongue?


Hanging out one last time before they get a good night's rest before their long trip home.
We were sad to see them go, but it was a very pleasant, enjoyable visit!!! And definitely looking forward to more.  :o)

Miscellaneous

October19, 2010
The reason for this little video was I was trying to capture Xzander putting his face to the mirror.  He didn't understand the concept of mirrors yet and was trying to reach through and get to something.  It was really cute, but alas I didn't get to capture that on camera.  He sure does like this toy, though.
November 7, 2010 XZANDER JUST TWO DAYS PAST EIGHT MONTHS
Started pulling himself up to furniture at eight months old.  He is growing way to fast for my liking.  I sure do love this little guy.  He is extremely sweet natured and just brightens the room with his presence.


Xzander on the Move: Watch Out!!!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Geric's Birthday: Turning Two: October 16, 2010

Our Geric turned two October 16, 2010.  He is energetic, busy, funny, happy kid.  He has been through a lot in his short little life from getting bitten on the face by a dog, to getting hit by a car and his foot ran over.  We are extremely blessed to still have this little man in our lives and that he made it to his second birthday.  He brings so much to life and is full of life and very adventurous. He is also extremely animated.  He has all of us wrapped around his little finger and has probably been the most spoiled of the bunch.  Geric, we love you so much and are thrilled to have you in our lives.  Heavenly Father sure has blessed us with you and you have a lot of Guardian Angels around you!  I hope your adventures take you far in life.




I tried to do better with Geric's birthday and I had a little more success.  I think I am getting the hang of it (as long as my hubby does not alter plans after they are already made; love you honey).  Friday night we went to one of his co-workers home.  He bakes cakes.  We bought the stuff to make Geric a Buzz Lightyear Cake.  Devan, my talented husband, with minimal assistance decorated the cake.  Our friend could not find the Buzz Lightyear colors, and for a beginner it is such tedious work that where white should be, Devan just used gray.  So, I know the colors aren't exact but I think he did a pretty darn good job considering it was also late.  I didn't think to bring my camera, so I didn't get any pics of him working on it. By the way, he was looking at a picture he had to reverse like looking in the mirror if that makes sense so it was also a mental challenge. But here is the end result.
After a day of cleaning, we ventured off to the store in attempts to let Geric pick out his birthday present (what insane person would let a two year old pick out his/her birthday present?  Me, I guess).  Anyway, here are some video clips of this attempt: I wish I would have gotten his first initial reaction when he saw this robot type Buzz Lightyear, but here is a small part of his first reaction. It was like $140.00, definitely out of our price range.  I should have taken a picture of it.

This next video clip is of him playing with one of the toys:
He also rode a tricycle that he did not want to give up.  He could actually reach the pedals and easy to peddle that I don't think it would have taken him long to figure it out, but alas we already have a good trike and a bike that he can learn to peddle on which may be a little harder but we didn't need another one to add to the ones we already have.  I wish we would have gotten him a three wheel scooter.  We tries to take scooters off of people's porches (of course we know the people and he has already ridden them.

Dinner time:  So, this is where I slacked a bit, okay, a lot.  I had wanted to make a nice dinner, but by the time we were done at the store, it was getting to be a little late.  So we opted for Burger King (sadly, no JCW's here), add some grapes with those burgers, oh yeah and can't forget the root beer and that is what we had for dinner.  The kids didn't complain.
I have no idea what Geric is doing, but every time I went to take his picture this is what he kept doing, who knows.
Ah, much better! Now you can see the birthday boy's face.


Next, presents.  Little Devan was really cute.  He found a box, found Christmas wrapping paper, put is presents in the box and wrapped it up.  They were cars he had that he gave to Geric.  He did this all on his own.

We ended up getting him a police truck that makes sounds and lights, light up.
My parents got him shoes and socks, which he really needed, great Grandpa and Grandma Bennett sent a card a five dollars, and if I remember right Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Lori got him a Handy Manny Toy that talks when Grandma Lori came for her visit during the summer.

At last, cake and ice cream.  Seeing how the cake was done the night before, the kids were really patient and wanting the cake really bad.
The first time we lit the candles up, Ruby couldn't resist and had to blow them out for Geric.  This is the second try and we had success.

I want some!

I don't know how many shots I took of Devan trying to get a good shot of him.  Between him and David, it was a challenge.  Overall, things turned out pretty good. Just need to learn to do some things a little more in advance.  All the kids enjoyed the cake and ice cream.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Computer Crashed; Now Up and Running again

I haven't posted as I have wanted to because our computer crashed.  We took it to the Apple store today to see what the damage was (how much it would cost) to get it fixed so we could save money up to get it done.  Once again the Lord has blessed us.  Come to find out, the batch number of our computer was one that many hard drives failed and had flaws so the manufacturer of the hard drive told Apple to fix at the manufacturer's expense.  What a relief and it doesn't look like we really lost all that much.  Fortunately I had the feeling not to delete pictures off my camera yet, so the ones that were lost, I still have.  So I will be posting some next week.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Hangin' Out

October 2, 2010: Xzander was just so cute that I had to take a pic of him.
Xzander was crying so Geric went and layed down by him to comfort him.  So far they have proven to be best buds.



Geric saying cheese.  Devan loves Geric (of course except when Geric gets into his things)


"I'm wide awake, ready to play!"
Crash,"Not so much anymore, and yes, I'm asleep."

 October 3, 2010 Geric almost always has his blanket and pillow with him.  It used to be just his blanket until Grandma Lori made him a ducky pillowcase.

Sweet and innocent
Geric taking someone's root beer.  He always says "Mmmm" when he eats or drinks something he likes, so I had to get it on video.