All in town

We have had a fun-filled weekend with the Goodman clan. Everyone came into town to be here for Jacob's baby blessing. It's been quite some time since all the boys have been together though we were still missing Joy. It was fun seeing Jacob for the first time - at first I saw more Hales in him but the older he gets the more I'm seeing a mix of Seth and Katie. I got to hold him for a bit but wish it was longer. It's fun having a Goodman cousin now.

We came down to Orange County on Friday and the fun started right away at a dinner show called Battle of the Dance. It's a show in Anaheim where they have Irish and Spanish dancers compete in a dancing duel. In between the acts they had different routines including a ventriloquist, an amazing display of shadow puppets, and a pair of gymnast brothers who perform some amazing acrobatic stunts (similar to Cirque du Soleil). For dinner we had the choice of prime rib or mahi chicken along with soup or salad and dessert. It was a fun experience, and I really enjoy these type of events.

Saturday morning the brothers played tennis together and the girls met up with them a little later to play for a bit. I really enjoy playing tennis - on the rare occasions that we play - and even Ethan came and loved hitting the ball around with all of us. Afterwards, Carly and I went to H&M to do a little shopping since she has never been and has heard great things about it. In the afternoon we did a family photo shoot at Target which turned out pretty good. Afterwards we went to Souplantation (always a hit) and ended the night with games and Rock Band.

Sunday Seth gave Jacob a sweet blessing followed by a luncheon at the Hales house. It was such a fun weekend but it definitely wore me out! It was really nice with all the boys being together and we can't wait to do it again with everyone this summer at Lake Powell.

11 months

This last month and especially in the last two weeks we have seen Tanner really change his looks and personality. He is coming out of the baby phase more and more. He is walking ("cruising") along things a lot more and will stand without holding onto anything. He is becoming more confident in his abilities and has taken a step forward while standing before going down on his knees. Maybe by his first birthday we will have a walker! He likes to clap when he hears music and bounces up and down. When eating he will shake his head back and forth when he is done as if to say no more. He will wave his hand as if to say hi and bye now which is so cute! This morning when I said hi to him he waved back which was really cute because I wasn't waving at him, just saying hi. We lay on our couches a lot so Tanner has started doing it too. Last night Ethan was laying down on one side of the couch and Tanner took the other pillow and laid his head on it. He won't stay for all that long but will do it over and over. We love having Tanner in our family. He is such a cute happy boy!!

The boys

While sitting on the grass holding Ethan in my lap today I smelled him and said, "Yum, you smell handsome. Boys smell handsome and girls smell pretty." He then sniffs me and says, "Yum, you smell like trash!" We both got a good laugh out of this especially since he was so serious and was not trying to be funny.

"Oh, nuts!" is one of Ethan's new phrases. Don't know where he comes up with all these things!

After working on workbooks Ethan puts his pen behind his ear. I thought it was clever of him and then the next day he does it again. I finally realized Handy Manny (a children's show) puts a pencil behind his ear when he fixes things. I asked Ethan if he was Handy Manny and he said, "Yes!"

Ethan is starting to play better by himself. He also loves to play with Tanner and for the most part they play well together. Sometimes it's more torture for Tanner because Ethan wants him to sit and play with a certain toy or tries to get him to lay down with him when Tanner doesn't want to. Ethan is good at trading toys with Tanner and insists on giving Tanner a hug and kiss before every nap or bedtime. They already have a strong bond.

Birthday get-a-way

I had a great birthday this year! Jared worked his magic and surprised me with a fun day filled with a trip to the temple, dinner at Olive Garden, a movie to see I Am Number Four and then the big surprise was to stay the night at The Embassy Suites!! Jared had everything worked out with the boys staying the night with Grammy and Grandpa all behind my back. That is quite a hard task to pull off without me finding out but he managed to do it. It was such a nice day!

Jared chose the Embassy Suites because every time we pass it on the 55 freeway (which we did quite often going from Irvine to Tustin the last several years) I would tell him how I stayed there once and it was the best hotel with an amazing breakfast. Well, let me tell you, it didn't disappoint. They have several stations set up to make personalized omelets or any kind of eggs you want with bacon, ham, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, onions, cheese and so on. They have a pastries section with donuts, bagels, toast, muffins, cereal and another area with fruits and yogurts. It's an overall nice hotel with a flowing stream running through it with carp. In the evening we went in the spa which was relaxing. They had a nice workout room with tv's for every treadmill. I was in heaven!

On Sunday we checked out and went to visit John for a bit. He has been transferred to a long term rehab hospital in Westminster where he has been for a few weeks and will be for a few more. He is improving everyday, being able to move his arms and legs now. They are going to see if he will be able to eat this week. We had a good visit and afterward we went back to the Goodman's to see our boys. It was good to see them and visit a bit before we went back to my parents' house for dinner and cake. What a nice weekend, thanks everyone!!

Happy, Happy, Birthday Heather Dear!

Happy Birthday Heather Child!!

Heather is the big 24 today! I hope you have a great day Heather! Here is a little something about Heather:

Heather is a peacemaker. She has a sensitivity to the spirit and always strives to do what's right. Heather is smart and has really been able to show her talents in the last few years while in college and working for the Church with the Ensign. If I have a grammar question Heather is my go-to girl. Thanks child! Heather is pretty and stylish with a petite frame that any girl would dream for, and at the same time physically strong with lots of endurance. She is creative and always looking to improve herself. She is a natural giver, which makes for a wonderful sister, daughter and wife. I am grateful for the example Heather shows to me. I love you child!

Many fun adventures = very tired

This week we have been busy doing fun activities with some of our favorite people. Monday started with a play date for Ethan with a little boy from our ward. This is a normal Monday morning activity for us, switching back and forth between each other's homes. In the afternoon we went to the park which is a daily thing - sometimes going to the park twice a day. We have to drive but it's not too far. We have come to know the regulars as we are now one of them. The boys love the swings, playing kitchen with make-believe sand food, and going down the slide. Last week we had a scary incident with Ethan falling off the slide and landing on his neck face down. We were blessed that Ethan walked away totally fine - could have been bad but what a blessing!

On Tuesday Tanner and I picked Ethan up from preschool and went to the free day at the Natural History Museum. Papa was able to leave work for a few hours and meet up with us. We loved seeing him as it had been a few weeks. We enjoyed the museum but it is still a little too advanced for Ethan compared to some of the museums we have been to. The big hit was the insect room with some pretty nasty looking tarantulas, beetles, spiders, ants, and all kinds of weird insects from all over the world.

Wednesday was a more relaxing day at home going to the park twice and playing around the house. Then on Thursday we went with Grammy to The Huntington - a library in San Marino with art collections and botanical gardens. The gardens are amazing with over 120 acres to explore including themed gardens such as Japanese, Chinese, Jungle, Rose, Palm, and Shakespeare to name a few. We only explored the children's garden and the Japanese and Chinese gardens which were amazing! Grammy came home with us to play and took us to McDonald's for dinner. A day doesn't get much better than that for a little boy!

Friday was another day at home riding bikes and going to the park. While at the park we ran into one of our friends from church. Ethan had a great time playing with their little girl. I have learned Ethan plays best with older girls. They both seem to get along great with no problems. Sometimes while playing with boys I find it's not quite as peaceful, as boys seem to be more head strong and possessive. Jared said it best, "Ethan needs an older submissive girl to follow his orders." On Saturday we met the Lockharts at Travel Town in Griffith Park for a few hours where we had a nice picnic, rode the train, and explored the park. It was nice catching up with the Lockhart family. Brad, Lisa, Jennie, Curt and Melanie all came up to see their Grandma's grave down the street. Ethan loved playing with Melanie and she was so nice to play with him. We have had a great week and are excited to have the Yarters come up this Friday to go to the Zoo. Any more takers?

Cute Ethan

After playing outside in the dirt Ethan comes back in with two sandwich bags on his hands and exclaims, "These are to keep the dirt and worms off my hands." Who's kid is this? :) He's a clean little boy!

Ethan was walking around the house and kept hitting the wall next to him, so I asked him what he was doing. "I'm trying to make a shadow that I can catch but it is looking the other way. I can't get it!"

At preschool on Thursday a little girl's parents brought pizza, fruit, veggies and cupcakes for all the kids during lunch time for her birthday. I asked Ethan if he had some fruit: "Yes, but I didn't have any carrots because those are for bunnies." Made me laugh.

Tannerisms

 Poor little horsey got his head bit off.

Caught red handed!