Happy Jan 20th!

Here's a couple of pictures from our trip to DC in July 07.
I think they're especially meaningful today.

Here's a current video of Deacon "winding down" before bed time.

Snow Fun

We were at Grandma's for Thanksgiving and unlike home,
Grandma had plenty of snow on the ground!

This was Deacon's first real experience in the snow and he took to it like a pro. Of course, he had some help from someone with more experience with some of the finer points of what being in the snow is all about.

"Here you go Deacon. You make a ball like this... that's right..
now go throw it at that mean man who lives next door...that's my boy!"

Deacon's favorite animal has always been dogs. "Doggie! woof woof!" is exclaimed every time he sees one. He sleeps with a stuffed animal bulldog every night. So I guess we should not be surprised when he loves the things that dogs love.

Yep- he just walked up to it and said "Hug" and gave that hydrant some love. No clue where that came from... he just did it on his own... and I was glad to have the camera to capture it. Notice all the dog tracks around this one...next lesson - not eating yellow snow.

Go Sign

Glad you’re all enjoying the counting video (and that it works!). I was writing to a friend recently about how Deacon’s doing and was reflecting on how “busy” he is. He runs around trying to get his hands, feet, head, whole body into or onto whatever he can…all the time. "Keep your hands to yourself, little boy...." "Sorry lady..."

While this can be a pain, it's great to see him so carefree. We have a HUGE confiscated stop sign in the RD office and as soon as he enters our offices, he says "stop sign!" and wants to run into the other office to see it, touch it, hit it, read the letters. “S!!” I guess at some point he'll learn that you can't just run and do whatever you want but it's fun now, mostly. "Dad, can I please go and see the stop sign?" would be (will be?) good and somewhat bad to hear.* In some ways, I can’t wait to not have to chase him around but developmentally, I think he’s where he needs to be- exploring, getting into stuff - it's how he’s learning. He’ll spend the rest of his life actually stopping at stop signs and learning it’s not OK to do this and that.

Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait for him not to be so “carefree” and to actually "walk" around or sit still for longer than a 30 seconds. I guess what I’m saying is that although it’s a pain, it’s not all that bad and sometimes a joy to witness. It’s a good reminder to find those areas of our lives in which we need to be more carefree.

*guys at Geneva- this sign won't be here that long right? ...right?

Counting with Deacon

Deacon keeps picking up new things. Besides knowing all (or most) of his letters, he gotten good at saying his numbers.




Mommy and Daddy were a bit surprised he went to 12 (a first as far as we know).
(let us know how this blogger video thing works for you)

Fun with coloring books

While you wait for the blog to return enjoy this.

Vacation

We're on vacation this week. We added a slide show on the side with some vacation pictures.

Don't Shop Angry

For the 4th of July, we went over to our friend's parents house (we call them them our adoptive family in Beaver Falls). Plenty kids and stuff to play with over there. Our friend got this shot of Deacon, he looks like he's out for revenge! It's good for him to play with other kids....we think! :) Maybe he was mad that the stores were open on the 4th of July and some people had work?


We came home and watched our neighborhood light up with illegal fireworks. Since our town didn't do fireworks this year :( it was OK with us as long as nothing hit our house! We had just heard a story from another friend about his sister's house that had a hole blown into it thanks to a neighbor's homemade mortar. We're always tempted to wet down the roof of our house after hearing stories like that. (Not that I've ever sent up a few volley's of my own...)

Hair cut and random picture

Here are some post-hair cut shots. We have a bunch but these should give you a flavor of the new look. We did it a little while ago (he needs another already) and it turned out pretty good. Especially for this being my first haircut as well as his!


It's taken us a some time to get used to it but we're all adjusted now. It's easier to wash and he does not get food stuck in anymore! (well not much anyway :)

Here's a random picture that I was playing with instead of sleeping. (I find myself wanting to stay up late if I get a day off- don't want to waste it, I guess). I wanted to make a new icon for something and thought this picture was asking to be played with.

(Playing with free graphics program The Gimp.)

OOPS!

I just fixed yesterday's post. The hubby posted it unfinished accidentally. Thanks for looking!

~Kim

A Long Awaited Update/Deacon's First Birthday

DEACON TURNS ONE!!

Sorry for the extremely long delay in getting these pictures up!

We began our celebration on his actual birthday April 7th. Aunt Joanie made Deacon a yummy cake for the occasion and we celebrated at home.

We bought Deacon this cool hat but he wasn't interested in keeping it on.

MMMMM-that looks good, I've never had any of that before.

What? Really? I can actually eat some of that thing you big people call cake?

Disclaimer-No chins were burned in the eating of this cake

Hmm, interesting texture.

Can I have more of this in the future?


These are some of the pics from Deacon's actual party. It turned out fabulous and we were so blessed to have so many friends and family attend!

The adults had just as much fun as the kids!

Grandma came in town to celebrate.

Anna and Barb watch a slideshow of Deacon

The fabulous Ducky cake complete with a bar of soap!

Deacon playing greeter

Enjoying cake-um, kinda'

Getting ready to cut the cake.

Deacon taking a bottle break.

Deacon playing with Ellie, Toby and Anna

Organized party chaos for preschoolers



If you're interested in seeing all of the birthday pics,
click here for part one and here for part two.