halloween knight

Thought I'd better post something before October ended... A lot has been happening in our lives lately but before we address all that (if we ever address it), I thought a nice relaxing post of pictures would be just right, and let's face it that's what YOU want too!

Due to some very understandable procrastination on my part I had to throw together a costume for J in a day... luckily it wasn't difficult and probably didn't take more than 2 hours total (including all the trips to Goodwill, Savers, and Joann's).

J wore said costume at a Stake Trunk-or-Treat and tonight when we joined some very awesome friends for dinner and trick-or-treating. Luckily we didn't go with our original costume idea of Hermes because the night air was more than nippy. All our love to you dear friends and family and our hope that you have/had a happy Halloween.

color game

So we often play a color game with J. when we go for walks around the neighborhood. The game is pointing out a car and asking J. what color it is (yeah, really original right? ;) ). He's gotten really good at it, he often mixes up silver and white, but that's an easy mistake.
There is a car that is always parked in our neighborhood and it's a bit tricky so I was hesitant to point it out but one day I did and I got a surprisingly insightful answer. This is the car:

And the answer was without any hesitation: cheese! You might not be able to tell from the photo but that orange color on the top looks A LOT like the color of a nice sharp cheddar. Nice job little guy.  Now whenever we pass it J points out the cheese car.

Another update, J. loves Wallace & Gromit. First time he's ever sat still for an entire 30 minutes (excluding time eating of course), eyes glued to the screen. He has good taste.

Salem---Seoul

Yesterday Adam took a half day and we drove all the way down to Salem, Oregon and back, for a two hour open house. Four hours there, four hours back was a little much. But, it was really wonderful to hear Adam reminisce about his childhood, teenager, and young adult life. It was also really great to see some of the people I had met only briefly at our own open house, meet a few new people, and see the lovely bride and groom.

While there I witnessed J. being bullied by three older kids. I'm going to be honest, I got pretty sassy with those three little boys. A truth, of which I'm not very proud. I let my emotions as a mother get the better of me (don't imagine the worst, I only told them that NO it is not ok to do a judo throw-down on a two year old boy, nor is it ok to be rude to him.) I probably could have scolded them in a more productive way, and I totally forgot to get them to apologize but enough said on that subject.

To end, my Adam is on a plane this very minute half-way across the Pacific on his way to Seoul. I already miss him and it's only been about seven hours. He'll be gone until next Sunday.

Happy Birthday!

I can't believe it's already been two years. Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday that you made your full entrance into our family. How did you grow so much so quickly? We love you little Tweed. We love your fake laughs, your tantrums, your dancing, your hugs. We love it when you "read" the scriptures, sing, and play trains and cars. We love everything you were then and now! I know we both pray that your life will be full, beautiful, and long. Thank you for being ours. Happy birthday little guy.

Off

I don't know quite how to put into words what I've been feeling lately. Melancholy? A little blue, lack luster, off kilter maybe? I can't say.

The sun is out today. The leaves outside the window next to me are moving with every little breeze. They cast shadows that flicker and change here on the couch, then, there on the wall. Every twenty minutes the number 5 bus rumbles past. The cars are more constant. Sometimes their sound is soothing like the lapping of water. They move past quietly, then loud, then quietly again. Repeat.

J is asleep. I am awake. Waiting.

A Poor Example

J Quotes

J- "mama, mama, guess what?"

K- "what?"

... (silence)

I guess he hasn't figured out that you're supposed to continue speaking after you've gotten someone's attention.

J- "go in clouds to see Hannah."

He asks to see Hannah (or Maggie as he sometimes calls her) just about every day.

J- "you drive me crazy."

K- "don't repeat that to anyone!"

Perhaps I have used that phrase in front of him one to many times... gulp.

K- "be patient J.! be quiet J.! shhh!"

J- "no patient! no quiet! no shhh!"

We have been really amazed lately at J's growth in the vocabulary/sentence making department. He's a hoot. He's also quite the little singer. Stay tuned for a video in the near future.

Pictures: Sunday morning stroll on the beach: Golden Gardens, Seattle WA 6/26/2011