Handy Ryan

May 31, 2014

We have some pretty bad pipes in this old house and every once in a while one will corrode through and leak. Well, one of these leaks wasn't very apparent, so we weren't able to find it 'til we found some mold inside our bathroom closet. 

We were able to have a plumber come "fix" the leak with some somewhat poor quality re-piping, from what we can tell. But, at least there was no more leak. What was left was the mess the leak had made to take care of.

Ryan pulled out all the damaged, moldy stuff and then went to the hardware store to get new insulation, drywall, etc. He took measurements and cut the drywall and insulation really nicely and then put it in. Definitely easier said then done, but he did a really good job.

Then he put the shelves back in. That's where I got to help with something, even though it was very small. Ryan let me pick where the shelves went back in. :-)

I never cease to be grateful to have such a handy husband around. He's so clever at fixing so many things around our house and he's learning more all the time. 

Brother Buddies!!!

May 2014

During this time Karl is 5 months old now and Jared is certainly used to having a brother around, and loving it. He loves to share with his brother, make him happy when he's crying, and to always play near him.

Jared learned most of how he plays with Karl from Ryan and I, but somethings it's all his own. In this picture, Jared was playing "where's baby?" with Karl like I do, with the sheet. Karl loves it. 

Sometimes Jared likes to try and help Karl play like he does, wearing his glasses, passing a ball; but other times he just decides he wants to copy Karl and pretend he's a baby too. It's kind of funny, Jared can make his voice sound just like Karl's sometimes. I've noticed that Karl imitates Jared's voice a lot too, so they'll echo each other sometimes and Karl thinks that's pretty entertaining. Momma just thinks it's noisy. :-)

Jared and Karl's moods seem very linked sometimes. If Jared's crying, Karl will cry. If Jared's laughing, Karl will laugh or smile. It often goes the other way too. Jared likes to start pretend crying when Karl is crying, then he'll tell me, "both babies crying!"

They really like being together. Jared often is bringing his toys to play near Baby. Sometimes, after Karl and I have been sitting in his room to read his nap-time-story and we're getting up to leave, he'll say "Baby stays!" and I'll have to tell him Baby has to go. In this picture he brought his special blanket in for Karl and laid down next to him.

Jared loves to run and tell me when Karl's awake, and then I'll go with him, or if I'm not ready, I'll tell Jared he can "go ahead." Jared will open Karl's door and peak over the crib at him and entertain him 'til I can get there. It can be pretty helpful sometimes.

These sweets boys really love each other, and we love each of them SO much!!

New Furniture

May 26, 2014

So, Ryan and I aren't big on buying new furniture unless there's a need and we felt like we had a few needs. There were a few items of furniture that we'd been hoping to get for a while and Memorial Day seemed like a good day to make it happen.

We looked around to see what sales were going on, the week before, and they were mostly for mattresses and living/dining room sets. Not really what we wanted. But, we got what we were looking for anyway. We'd been wanted a patio set so we could actually sit out on our patio all together and enjoy it a little more. That was really nice for Karl and I, because during the spring Jared likes to get play outside a lot.

We had two boxes still full of things we'd brought home from Europe, things from Ryan's travels when he was younger, and some of Ryan's pottery. So, we also got a display cabinet to put them in. That was nice to get all that stuff out again and reminisce a little. Jared loved looking at this cabinet after it was set up.

The third thing we felt like we needed was another bookshelf. After Ryan put that together and I put all our books and crafting supplies on it that helped us empty five more boxes!! Yay!! I think we are officially completely unpacked! We have three more boxes, but I think they just need to go into storage anyway. :-)

Minecraft™ Crafting

May 20, 2014

So, we have two nephews, brothers, with birthdays in the month of May, who love to play Minecraft. Ryan really likes to play it too; it's a really good family game for Ryan, Jared, and I sometimes.

So, for our nephews, Ryan decided to try making stuffed animals of a couple of the creatures in Minecraft. Two of the creatures that might attack you at night are a spider and a creeper, so Ryan decided to make those.

First, he drew out how they would look, then a pattern of how to make them. He, then, cut out his patterns and sewed them together. I'm sure it's a lot harder than it sounds; I don't know that I could do that. But he made it look really easy.

The spider legs were the hardest part for him to sew and then to attach them right, to the body.  Even though they both took several hours to make, he finished them in like a week. I think he had a lot of fun making them, so he and Jared played with them little bit before we shipped them away to our nephews.

Jared really loved them; he had to say good-bye to each of them while we were packaging them. I think they turned out really great. If you've ever played the game you know these look just like in the game. The creepers legs even move around like in the game. A week or two later we were able to kinect with our nephews and watch them open them. They seemed like they were pretty crazy about them, so I think that made it all worth it for Ryan. :-)

Happy Mother's Day!!

May 11, 2014

Ryan made Mother's Day this year really special for me. He took Jared out to do some shopping the day before. When they got home they decided they wanted to give me my gifts right then. :) So, they gave me the new Taylor Swift CD: Red, a movie, and a Nerf squirt gun. Jared picked out the squirt gun. I guess they wanted me to not be unarmed any more when they shot me with their squirt guns they got for Easter.

On Mother's Day, Ryan made an amazing dinner, so I wouldn't have to cook, but I could still have a yummy homemade dinner. He marinated some sirloin steak over night and then cooked them on the skillet. He also came up with his recipe for slicing, seasoning, and baking some potatoes. Then, for another side, he rolled some crescent rolls and baked them.

For dessert, he made some strawberry-orange jello and topped it with banana pudding. He'd also bought some blueberry and orange-cream yogurt pretzels and strawberry lemonade, which he knows I love.

Jared testing out my new squirt gun.

Ryan serving dinner.

I'm not sure what Ryan put in that marinade, but the steak was SO good! It was amazing! Everything else was really good too. It was such a nice treat to have such a good dinner in my own home and I didn't have to make it. Ryan and my two sweet boys definitely made this a special day for me. :-)

My yummy Mother's Day dinner.

Karl's First Baby Food

May 2, 2014

When Karl was about 5 months old, with some encouragement from Mark, we decided to start feeding him baby food.

His first food was rice cereal. It was definitely very new to him, and the first few times eating it were pretty slow. But, he soon got to the point where he learned to open his mouth when he saw the spoon coming and he ate pretty fast.

His next food was peaches. He made some pretty good faces when he first tried them. When all you've ever eaten in your life is milk and cereal with milk, then trying peaches as got to be pretty strange. The first couple bites he made some faces but then he just wanted more after that, and kept trying to grab my hand and the spoon to his mouth. He's been a very good eater and done pretty well with the different foods he's tried so far.

Playing and Resting

April 2014

These are some pictures recapping some of our April-fun. 

In this picture, Jared's hiding in his Elmo couch. He would try getting it to stay in a box by himself, and the times when he wasn't successful he'd get frustrated and ask me for help. So I'd tell him to get in and then scoot him in front of the big couch so he'd get trapped in. He really enjoyed it. He's a such a funny boy.

Jared got this remote control car from Gramma Mary and Papa Rick. He wasn't too sure about it at first. Whenever Ryan would drive it around, Jared would pick it up, like it was a naughty pet or something, and take it to his room and drop it in one of his toy buckets. It was so funny. He finally learned how to turn it off, so after that he'd just turn it over and flip the switch.

Jared was having a big comic book phase. He loved this Bartman comic book that Ryan had from when he was a kid. Jared liked to have it in bed with him every night and he liked to ask me to read it for his bed time reading. I'm not big on Simpson, so I was a little reluctant, but it was actually kind of entertaining. Jared would sometimes come and read it in the kitchen while I did dishes or made dinner.

I got out to do a lot of yard work during this time of year because it was a really good time temperature wise. So, Jared enjoyed getting out every morning and playing while I worked, and sometimes he was pretty helpful too. He's been a very good companion for me while I'm getting things done.

Karl was still taking two long naps each day and Jared would still just take one. But it seemed Jared was going through a growth-spurt, because sometimes he wouldn't make it to his nap time and fall asleep somewhere around the house. Something he loved to do was take the cushions off the couch. It was almost daily that he would take the cushions off first thing in the morning and then jump on them and the couch. Karl loved to watch.

Ryan would get home tired sometimes and the boys both loved to see him again. It was especially cute to see how excited Karl was to see him. He'd smile and flap his arms and then get shy and turn his head away, then look and smile again. One of them, if not both of them would end up cuddling with him while he rested on the couch.

Craw-fish, Yum!!

April 2014

Being in the south, closer to the gulf, craw-fish season is a big thing. The stores are selling it everywhere and restaurants are advertising their craw-fish dinners. But, also, many of the residents will have craw-fish boils with their family and neighbors. I'd never tried craw-fish before and Ryan had tried it, but want to have it again, so when a sister I visit-teach invited us for her family's craw-fish boil, we made sure to be there.

It was really strange at first. The craw-fish looked like they were still alive, it was hard for me to even touch them. But, after getting used to how the look and learning how to eat them, they were really good and kind of fun to eat. Ryan was really good at peeling them. Jared didn't really want to eat any, he tried some, but he had more fun looking at the live craw-fish being rinsed in the pool. He actually held a few; he's much braver than his momma. Their relatives were really nice and we had a good time, and now we're really looking forward to when we can have craw-fish again!! 

Father & Son's Camp-out

April 25, 2014

In the spring, Ryan took Jared on his very first Father-Son's camp-out, with our White Oak Ward. It sounds like they had a lot of fun. Jared helped Ryan unpack the car and put things in the tent. He's a very good helper. Afterward they had a hot dog dinner that the YM prepared.

Ryan gave Jared his very own headlamp to wear while he walked around and played. At one point, Jared decided to wonder off a little bit. Ryan was able to keep an eye on him to see what he'd do. Jared finally got to the point where he realized he didn't know where he was or where Ryan was, and started to freak out a little, then Ryan was able to come over and get him before he got too upset.

While they were there, Jared wasn't afraid of making new friends with the other boys. The deacons really liked him. When they'd play their wrestling games Jared would jump on at the end and try to wrestle them down. The next morning, when Ryan was up and out of the tent and Jared was still asleep, some of the deacons started to ask where the "little guy" was.

Before going to bed, Ryan did a little star gazing with Jared and showed him "the baby lights." Now that's what Jared calls the glow-in-the-dark stars at home in his bedroom, "baby lights" or "baby stars." It's cute!

This was also a fun night for Karl and I at home. We had some exciting news for when Daddy and Jared got home, because this was the night that Karl rolled over for the very first time. :-)

Karl's Blessing and Easter

April 20, 2014 Easter Sunday

Karl in his blessing outfit.

Karl was so blessed to have so much love and support, near and far, for his blessing day. Gramma Kris and Papa Mark, and Gramma Mary were all able to be there. He was two months older than Jared was, when he was blessed, so we weren't sure if he'd fit in his blessing outfit, that Ryan had sewn. So, we had a back-up plan, but luckily Karl did just barely fit. He was so cute and handsome!!

Gramma Mary's completed drawing on the SL Temple.

In the circle, that morning, to hold Karl, were Ryan, Papa Mark, Karl Harwood, Ryan's good friend Marcus, our Bishop Cash, and one or two others from the ward. It was a beautiful blessing. I guess Karl did cry, but I didn't know 'til Ryan told me after.

Easter carrot cake.

After church, back at home, we had a delicious Easter lunch, that Kris helped me prepare, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, fruit, veggies, and chips. I also made a layered carrot cake and few dozen of my homemade chocolate truffles. We relaxed and played a few games, including this new one Ryan and I had gotten for his birthday weekend, the Wheel of Fortune xbox 360 game. It turns out everyone was really good at seeing words that aren't there, except me, but that's okay, I had fun too.

Gramma Mary playing shooting games with Jared.

After the kids (and grandparents) had naps, we were ready for our Easter egg hunt. It was awesome for Ryan and I this year to be able to have Mark, Kris, and my Mom there to hide the eggs, baskets, and toys, so Ryan and I could have fun helping the boys find the eggs. Ryan and Jared found most the eggs, while Karl and I picked up a few. It was funny, once Karl got one in his grip it was hard to get it away. Ryan and Jared each got squirt guns for Easter; I got a jug of bubbles. So, when Ryan and Jared decided to go into combat against me I was pretty helpless, but at least I'm good at running and hiding.

Berry Pie.

The rest of these pictures are some from their visit with us. We had a great time with them here. Mark and Kris took us out to dinner one night. We all went to play tennis another night. Kris let me come along and get me hair cut with her. That was kind of nice to have both my moms there for my first haircut with a complete stranger. I think I need the support more than I thought I would. ;)

Baby Karl with his favorite cuddler, Gramma Kris.

Karl loved how much Gramma Kris loved to hold him and cuddle him as much as she could. They were pretty good buddies.  The picture of the temple drawing is one my mom had started during her last visit with us (April 2013). I thought it was neat she brought it with her and was able to finish it during this visit with us. I thought it was beautiful! Any artistic talent I might have I got from her. :-)

Bayou-Style Pot Pie and Crust-Topped Beef Pie.

I always make pies when Mark and Kris or my mom come, so I ended up making three pies for this trip. We actually just had a whole pie night. I made two dinner pies and a Berry Pie for dessert. They were really good, and fun to make.

Jared climbing on Papa Mark.

Jared had the best time ever that whole week, getting to get up each morning and play with his grandparents and knowing that they love him so much and want to be with him. It was a very special time for him.

Gramma Kris and Papa Mark holding Jared and Karl. :-)

We're so blessed to have such amazing parents/grandparents; we can't wait to have them again!!

Karl: 4 Months Old

April 5, 2014

Length: 25 1/4"

Weight: 17lb 8oz

At four months old, Karl was getting pretty good at sitting just fine with support, so we decided to give his playing-saucer a try. This was his first time. He wasn't too fond of it. Playing-saucers are supposed to be a little wobbly and he wasn't quite ready for that.

Karl loved walks. Before, he'd just fall asleep soon after we got moving, but at this point he was starting to actually stay awake and look around at the scenery and the kids playing. This is him chilling on the couch after going for a walk.

Karl's been blessed with a very caring brother who always wants the check on him and play with him and make sure he's involved with him in his mischief. While I was working outside one day, Jared, who loves to draw on himself with chalk when he gets the chance and Momma's not looking, decided Karl shouldn't miss out. So, this is what I found when I looked over at them playing on the deck. Karl, as usual when Jared is playing with him, was just smiling and enjoying the attention from his older brother.

I've noticed that Karl has some of his own quarks that are different than when Jared was a baby. One of them is Karl's fondness of his little blankets. He's fine laying down anywhere, or in bed at night, as long as you lay a little blanket over the top of him. Then he lets out a squeal and hugs it to his neck. It's so cute. I think just a plain old blanket is one of his favorite toys. :-)

My favorite thing about babies is that they just love to held, cuddled, and loved, and this one has been especially cuddly, huggy, kissy, and lovey. He lights up whenever he sees his Daddy come home and he loves to grab me tight behind the neck and plant slobbery kisses on my checks. His older brother is his favorite to jabber with and trade toys with. He's such a sweet boy and we love him so much!