Jumping begins...yeah!

Kenyon was giving El the 411 on jumping last night.
Jumping for E has been really hard. Nate is leaps and bounds (no pun intended) ahead of E in this field of growth. He is all OVER the place. E just sits back and watches and gets excited. I have been wondering when E would jump off of a stair. Last night was the night! I know it sounds odd- most parents want their kids to be safe- but Craig and I are always encouraging a good jump off of something- "Go on Elliott, jump off the bed, curb, stair...". I was so proud of him!

Apparently so was Kenyon- she was giving out medals last night for the jumping skills of the two boys. They are so funny. The last one of E cracks me up- he looks so wiped out and proud of himself. And he should be!

Sweet baby Collin

This week my mom was in town to help Shelly. El and I had the greatest time with all of them every day. Craig was out of town all week so we basically lived at Shell's house. It has been awhile since I have been around a newborn for long periods of time. He is such a good natured, sweet, happy baby. I am so glad. Shelly deserves such a little lover. He really is perfect.

Creative snorkelers

Elliott and Nate came into us while we were sitting on the sofa tonight and told us they were snorkeling. Whoever thought this one up with their pirate swords- I gotta give it to them- totally creative. It was so funny. They were walking around waving their arms as if they were swimming.

Dress up, again and again

This little outfit was my brother-in-laws when he was little. His mom made it for him. It is soooo rad! The unitard (love that word) is the old-school wool ones- remember those? Elliott absolutely loved it- he was having sooo much fun jumping from the ottoman to the sofa as if he were Superman himself!



Kenyon had a little soiree today with a few of her little friends from school and Nate and Elliott. They made these little masks- this is Nate's- is this not hilarious???


And of course- how could we not forget the witches! Kenyon is going to be a witch. I just didn't get her picture. Next time.

California Burning

Hello from stinking, smelly, ash raining California!

I was driving home from my sister's tonight and felt a wee bit like I was back in Idaho at the peek of a tiny snow storm... then I remembered- I totally was NOT- it was ash. So depressing.

We are OKAY and safe. Breathing isn't as easy right now- for anyone, but we are all doing good. We are so lucky and blessed that we are able to be in our own home sleeping and safe. We are worried about some of our friends and pray that they will be able to return home soon and that the fires will abate rapidly.

Please pray for all of the families that are not where they wish they could be right now. Many have lost their homes and many are worried they might still loose their homes.

I am ready for clean air and our normal solid California. What the heck.

I have been humbled these last few days- devastation happens everywhere. It doesn't matter where you live, what you do or how prepared you are- it still happens and will happen everywhere. We just have to do our best to be as prepared as possible to make it easier for us and those around us to get through it all together.

If you're crazy and you know it.......

He, he, he. (Sorry Scott- I had to.) El and I went over the Shelly's house tonight. My mom is in town to help her out with Collin, such a good grandma. Anyway- I have been hearing some talk of Kenyon dressing Nate up in her princess stuff- so I called it to action- no worries- I just wanted to see it happen- this is what we got. It CRACKS me up- good times.


Kenyon is such a good cousin. Elliott adores her, as do I. We were reminiscing tonight about how much time I got to spend with just Kenyon. I feel like Nate is getting a little jipped on the Aunt Carly gig.



As he rounded the corner he twisted his little ankle and gave up the heels for good.



Kenyon gave him a choice- King or Princess. King it was- way to go El.


I love Nate- what you don't know is what he is actually showing off- an earring. Scott gave him 1 earring and told him "Pirates wear one earring, you could be a pirate." So funny!

A name for baby rose

Shelly and Scott picked a fabulous little name for their new little guy-

Collin McIntyre Rose

I haven't heard anyone with that name in a long time- I love it!

Welcome to the world baby 3.

My sister Shelly had her baby this morning at 6:38. He is so tiny and perfect- seriously- (I know that I am a little biased) he is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. He was 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. What a guy- what a mom. She is going to do fabulously- she is already one of the best moms I know- what is one more kid added to the mix?

As of tonight- he has no name- a few being thrown around but nothing has stuck quite yet.
I am totally bummed that Shelly is blurry in this one- it is a good little picture of the 3 of them- right after he was born.





Elliott was so excited to see the baby. We took him over tonight. He kept asking me when we were going to see "watermelon"- Craig liked to call Shell's belly "watermelon" for E- pretending she had stuffed a watermelon up her shirt.



Perfection.

Yes, but he is my Fidel.

Craig and I have these cool hats that we love- every time either of us wear them- someone makes a refrence to Fidel Castro- it cracks me up because I think Craig looks hot in his Fidel hat- so I guess I am saying that Fidel did something right- in a bit of a fashion sense.

Pumpkin Patch Saturday

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday- obviously had the BEST time. We went with our sisters- Shelly and Mandy and their families.

Mandy, Jason and Luke. Luke was almost in awe of everything- walking around just looking and taking it all in- it was so cute!

Shelly and Scott

What is a pumpkin patch without a tractor? Hello? Elliott is enamored by tractors- ever since Papa Mark took him on a tractor ride.

Nate, Kenyon and El- they were being so silly- they were grunting and oinking like little piggies while I was taking these pictures of them.

They had a little haunted house there- Elliott was totally into it- even though it scared him- he kept wanting to go through it and see everything. This is the first time through- I love his little scared/in awe of something face!

My sweet pumpkin lover- he is absolutely a lover of Halloween- everything that has to do with it- the scary, the gross, the pumpkins- EVERYTHING!!! I love it!

Happy 35th Birthday Shelly!

Happy 35th Shelly! Seriously- you would never know you were 35- you are the best sister ever. I can't imagine my life without you in it- thanks!

Now- could you get rolling on this baby?

The things he says-

Last night reading/rocking before bed (quick insert- Craig says as I come down 1/2 hour after the evening ritual began..."maybe you should start shortening your bedtime routine"- he does the whole reading/rocking in like 10 flat- so I am lagging- quite deliberate though. This may be my one and only chance I am TOTALLY taking advantage of every snuggle moment with my E.)- back to last night-

We have a book that has a picture of the crown of thorns that were put on Jesus' head on the day he was crucified and it really perplexes Elliott that "bad guys" would do that to him. (He is a really gentle little man- especially when someone/something is sad or unhappy- he understands in his mind that that would be a sad/hurtful thing). Anyway-

Mom- what is that thorn thing?
the crown of thorns
Yeah, they put it on Jesus' head
yes, it was not a nice thing to do, but Jesus is fine now and he is your brother. Did you know he is your brother?
yes, he comes in the door and rocks me and gives me loves.
does he talk to you?
yes
(getting a little too- close- it is almost as though someone in heaven was like- "oh, woops- a kid down there is telling stuff- stop him please.") what does he say?
ping pong

I realize we all think our kids are the BEST and to us they sure are- this one was so funny to me. Elliott is such a crack up- lately "ping pong" or "ping ping" is his answer to anything he doesn't have an answer to- or he doesn't want to answer. Perfect answer El- or maybe someone up there thought it was either that or strike the mom with lightning for being so nosy.

Back Bay Days

E and I spend a good deal of time at the Back Bay- you name it- walking, bug finding, lizard chasing, playing at the Nature Center- so on and so forth- and now- pilfering will be added to our repertoire. E has decided that he really likes to pluck up the cute "little flags" (workers have left to mark certain spots for plants, etc) and move them around -or just play with them. I am sure that we will become one of the workers most loved visitors.

His facial expressions crack me up- it is as if he totally knows what he is doing and he is totally stoked about his new hobby.

Happy Birthday Shelly!

The two Shelly's in my life have birthday's in October! Happy Birthday to my fabulous- seriously fabulous sister-in-law-but-just-like-a-real-sister Shelly! I hope it is really a great day and that you are pampered just as you deserve to be! I adore you!

Ponies and Dancing

We went to a little "farm like" thing last night with our family. El was able to ride ponies, pet baby pigs ( held the little bugger- so squeely- but cute), and dance.

When Craig and I went to the concert the other night Elliott really wanted to go with us- so much that he shouted out "You can't leave me..." (pretty funny I must admit). So this little opportunity was his chance to hear some live music- he termed it "a concert". The best part was him digging through Craig's jacket pocket-finding a little ticket- asked Craig what it was and Craig said he didn't know- E's response- classic- "It's our concert ticket". He wanted to dance the night away. I am stoked to have a kid who likes music and now has a love of concerts.

Silly El

Elliott thinks it is so funny to wear my glasses- They are strong enough to give anyone a quick headache just trying them on. He'll put them on and look around- I have decided that he thinks it is funny to see how distorted everything looks with them on. Crazy boy with a crazy imagination- wonder where he gets that?

The things he says-

Elliott has been saying the greatest things lately.
Last night we were talking about his little "ocean bag" he brought home from nursery at church. He even brought the subject up again today- so sweet.

Aunt Jennifer, this one is for you!

Elliott- did you know that on the fifth day, God made the birds in the sky and the fish in the oceans?

He did?

Yes, Heavenly Father and Jesus created the earth together, it took 7 whole days. He made everything (I go on to mention a few things- plants, ocean, food, etc.). My favorite thing he made was fruits and vegetables what is your favorite thing?

My favorite thing is Costco. Dad what is your favorite thing?

Dad: Humm, my favorite thing he made was the ocean.

Oh, my favorite thing is Jennifer.......and Troy.

Dad: Oh really? Of all the things he made? Costco, Jennifer and Troy?

Yes, Jennifer.

Musings on Muse

Craig and I went to a Muse concert over the weekend and had the GREATEST time! It has been awhile since we have been to a big venue for a concert (side note- totally forgot how much I hate smokers and girls with long hair standing next to me at concerts.) and it was really great. I have been listening to them a lot on my satellite radio- then when I so selfishly got consumed by the Stephanie Meyer Vampire books and found out she used their music to write her novels to- I was hooked. I must admit- it made the show that much more interesting when you listen to the songs and put the characters right into the music.
I even think Jacob and his crew were sitting right in front of me- poor Craig had to listen to me ranting about all the little things from the books. (Smile) I know he is intrigued by these books- wondering what in the world has gotten into me.... I imagine in the next few months he'll be hooked too- thank heavens he cares about the things I like and actually makes an honest effort to enjoy them- I keep telling him he won't be disappointed by these crazy books. Poor guy.

Anyway- if you get the chance they are fabulous and they put on a good show- who knew gigantic white balloons with confetti in them were their style?

Favorite Tracks at the moment?- Supermassive Black Hole and Knights of Cydonia (the horses at the front crack me up!)

Things I learned this summer...

My cousin did this on her blog and it felt apropos that I should do the same. (Feel free to join me!)

Sunscreen and children (often mixed with sand) BITE the big one!

Pirate savviness is a positive thing and continues to do us all good.

Farmer's Markets are a little piece of heaven on earth.

Planting tomatoes and having them to eat fresh every day is totally and utterly rewarding.

Beach parking passes are the way to go- amen to Crystal Cove Beach.

Trying to change a part of yourself when no one else around you is doing the same thing is nearly impossible.

Little ones surprise you every day by their constant ability to learn and grow.

You can go through a whole toy room and play with almost everything in under 20 minutes.

Baking soda and vinegar volcanoes are still just as cool as they were when we were kids.

Sirius satellite radio can save your life every so often.

Remembering what reading a really good book was like again. Who knew- Vampire Trilogies would rock the summer.

Planning fun activities for the little one's for every Friday of the summer (ahead of time) is pure genius. (Thank you Amy and company)

Vacations with my boys go by way too fast and are too far in between.

If you threaten putting your child in the ocean when they are throwing a fit- they might just stop- as long as you follow through with the threat.

Putting your child into the ocean as a threat to their fit makes them spend time in the ocean water. Thus learning that it is good and fun- then making the rest of the summer not just beach time but beach and ocean time!

The more you tell your child that something (sand) isn't that bad and is totally fun- the more it becomes that to you too.

Taking a little time out for yourself makes you a better mom and wife.

Spending almost every Saturday at the beach with your family can become a new family tradition to look forward to.

No matter where or what you do for vacation it doesn't matter as long as you are having fun and are together.

Summer nights with my boys are something to look forward to the rest of the year.



This summer has really been one of the best I have ever had- some really good moments and really special memories. Actually- it makes me look forward to next summer. I have never really been a lover of summer until now.

However...I am totally excited to welcome Autumn and Winter- they are my favorite seasons. The cool crisp air, the holidays, family, sweaters---I could go on and on....

Elliott's Imagination

Elliott has a crazy rad imagination. We will be sitting somewhere and out pops a pretty great scenario that he has created. Yestertime (as Elliott would say instead of yesterday) we were sitting at home looking at a magazine of Halloween costumes- talking about the costumes that we like and don't like- next thing I know (as we are on our way up the stairs for a rest- convenient.... I know) he has wrapped himself in the drapes and here is our conversation:

Help Mom, they have got me and I am tied up.

Who has got you?

The Ghosties and the Monsters, I need you to save me mom, I'm all tied up.

Oh really?

Oh, I got away.

And off we go up to the nap!

Okay- where did he learn that you can get tied up anyway?
Never a dull moment with him or a dull thought in his head.
Proud and happy to know that he is such a creative little kid.

These Days

Up until this last week we have had family in town since the end of July. Needless to say, we haven't had a lack of things to do. This week has been interesting for my guy and I. He got a little cold so he didn't have preschool and we have gotten a little bored. Going from tons to do to nothing planned has made for some exciting impromptu moments. Seriously- I think some of my ideas are pretty good- not always to Elliott. Hence- the tent. Tents are GREAT- add a pirate ship a little one that isn't feeling too well and I am MOM of the YEAR! Who knew...

Nate- Sweet Nate and Beautiful Kenoyn!

This is my rad nephew Nate- he is so stinking coordinated at 3! It amazes me- okay so not that this picture shows how coordinated he is- but he is totally cruising around on a razor scooter- not just playing on it- but cruising! I told him to let me get a shot of him on his razor and this is what I got- he told me "It's my scary face Carly". I love him- he makes me happy.




This is my beautiful Niece Kenyon- she loves to be crazy and be my little actress. The next photo cracks me up- If you only knew her.....

And now he is 3...

Elliott had his 3rd birthday on Sunday. What a good 3 years we have had with him.
Of course- as you all know Elliott has dedicated his life to piracy so we decided to really go overboard with a family birthday party done pirate style.
Craig and I had a great time putting this together- you know, a little Friday night/date night/bake-a-thon. Now, we are already wondering and working on next year's cake!
Happy 3rd Birthday to my Elliott!