Kaylee meets . . .

One of the best parts of our visit to Idaho was that Kaylee finally got to meet most of Matt's side of the family. I missed getting pictures of her with everybody, but here's the ones I did get. Kaylee met . . .

Cousin Olivia

Cousin SarahCousin Corbin
G-Pops
Grandma Angie

Cousin Calie
Aunt MindyCousin Kaya
And some scary fair guy . . . . oh wait.
That's just dad with some facial hair and a teriyaki-stained apron.

Kaylee rode in the Bjorn a LOT during fair week and even adjusted well to napping at the fair.

Very well.

Bull Riding

For some reason, the mechanical bull really called to me this year at the fair. Did I take a ride though? Nope. Instead I let my 2 year old son face the beast. Twice.

Apparently he had enough fun that he did want to do it again. After watching Danny ride, some of his cousins decided the bull was a little too scary though. Uncle Lance rode instead. Maybe if rec management doesn't work out, Lance can become a professional cowboy.

Pretty in Pink

Kaylee had a fun trip to Richland too. Really, as long as she's got milk and sleep, she's pretty happy. She had so much excitement on the trip that she started sleeping really well at night. Hooray! Kaylee got to hang out with Uncle Aaron and Joy . . . not sure who was furrier. :) Grandpa Couch loved giving Kaylee snuggles, and didn't even mind that she was often on edge and screamy when he had her. "Don't worry," he whispered to Kaylee. "You'll like me a lot when you get older."
"Don't worry," he told me. "I don't take it personally." Grandma Couch didn't have quite as much Kaylee time because she was too busy bear hunting. Kaylee was not a huge fan of the PJs I made her and Danny wear. I'm not sure if it was because they were orange and yellow or because they matched her big brother. Personally, I thought they looked pretty cute.Kaylee did seem to enjoy Sunday, though, when she got to be pretty in pink.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Danny has a recent obsession with bows and arrows, sparked by the story of Nephi's broken bow. In an effort to help Danny liken the scriptures :) Grandma Couch bought Danny his own bow and arrow when she was visiting after Kaylee's birth. Sadly, the cheap plastic toy was a bad shot (go figure - the $3 toy doesn't work very well). When we were in Washington, Grandma got out her finely crafted childhood bow and arrow and gave Danny some real shooting lessons. He was entranced. She then took him on an animal hunt around the yard to find bears and other beasts. After downing a yellow bear and a snow leopard, they came across this giant. My brother Aaron purchased this bear when he was 10 years old. It's had a lot of "love" in its time and is pretty shabby. Despite Dad's many efforts to part with 20 year old stuffed bear, my Mom insisted on keeping it. "For this precise moment," she smiled as Danny shot the beast with pride. On our last morning in Richland, I asked Danny what he'd like to do before we left. "Bear hunt!" Uncle Aaron kindly obliged.

Home Sweet Home

Danny, Kaylee, and I had a wonderful trip to my home in Richland the first week in September. We then met up with Matt at his home in Idaho. Now, after almost 3 weeks of travel we are back home in Texas. It's wonderful to have 3 places that feel like home! I'll be posting different trip adventures in several blogs, but here's a start.

I was really nervous about flying solo with Danny & Kaylee. The flights themselves didn't worry me nearly as much as juggling all of the paraphernalia through security and then between flights in Denver. What a blessing that Danny was cheerful and cooperative, Kaylee slept the entire first flight, and there were no delays or kinks(Matt on the other hand got stuck in Denver overnight! Glad that wasn't me and the kids). Here are Danny and a strollered up Kaylee at the Houston airport (in case the TX flag wasn't a give away).

Richland was LOADS of fun! I forgot how much I love soft, fire ant free grass and air that lacks humidity. Grandma and Grandpa's backyard was so much fun for Danny. He played outside hours every day.

Super Man Swing with Grandpa


Bocce Ball with Uncle Aaron

"Gardening" with Grandma
And of course there was also some dog agility.

One afternoon we went to the splash park. I'm not sure who had more fun - Danny running and eating a snow cone or Grandpa playing hookie from work to spend the day with us. :)
There was also fun to be had inside playing legos, drawing, chasing Joy, reading books, watching the aquarium (and adding a new fish named Dory), coloring, playing instruments, and playing games. Generally there is nonstop fun and attention for Danny. What a lucky guy!
One evening Grandpa treated us to a Tri-Cities Dust Devils game. Not quite the same as an Astros game, but lots of fun. Danny enjoyed the Cracker Jacks and trying to hit the whiffle ball. Kaylee enjoyed being held by Grandpa.

A highlight of the Richland visit for me was a kid-free date with each parent. A movie with Dad (Julie & Julia - very cute) and shopping with Mom (lovely new black pants, shirt, and jacket). What a treat. I was also able to get together with some high school friends that I hadn't seen in years. We had a great time catching up and reminiscing. We ate hot fudge sundaes and laughed a lot! It was so fun to see you Lucas, Shanelle, Chris, and Shawnee!!

Thanks for a wonderful trip to Richland Mom and Dad!

Fair Food

Greetings from the Eastern Idaho State Fair. Danny, Kaylee, and I had a wonderful trip to Washington to visit my parents. I forgot the USB cord to download pictures, so those will have to come later. They drove us over to Idaho to meet up with Matt and the Hong crew. Now we are up to our elbows in teriyaki chicken.

Kaylee did quite well on her first plane ride, terrible on her first long car trip, and AWESOME sleeping at hotels and grandparents. Perhaps because she's worn out from so much fun, but she is consistently sleeping 7-8 hour stretches at night now. HOORAY! I forgot how many "K" names there are on this side of the family though. Kaylee now joins the ranks of Kerry, Carrie, Calie, Katie, and Kaya.

Danny has been doing pretty well and LOVES getting spoiled with attention by all his grandparents. This year he has really gotten into the fair. Especially the food - the first hour on the first day he drank a smoothie, had an ice cream cone, and shared a giant cinnamon roll with his uncle. Today he saw Grandpa Hong and shouted, "Hi G-Pops! Let's go buy stuff!" Maybe we'll keep him away from the fair at least one day.

Every year at the fair there is the standard food fair and then the new, unique, questionable fair food. I love to eat corn on the cob, scones, tiger ears, caramel pull aparts, a prime steer burger, curly fries, ice cream, cheese curds, paninis, and a corn dog during the week. That is my standard favorites. Today Matt tried the new wacky food of the fair, and I trust his taste buds enough not to try it. Chocolate covered bacon. YUCK! What is the weirdest fair food you've ever tried?

Either I'm old or totally uncool

So the other day I got a random catalog in the mail. I found myself leafing through every page as I nursed Kaylee. It was hilarious to see the vast assortment of . . . I don't even know what to call it. Junk? Clutter? In this same catalog I could find hair volumizing inserts, a giant cupcake pan, NASCAR collectible crystal cars, lighted garland for your computer monitor, magnetic art for your dishwasher (that covers the whole dishwasher), and plus size fleece coats. Not to mention the Santa's Pants Treat Bags, the attitude onesies that have such revolting phrases as "I'm too sexy for my diaper" and "Does this diaper make my butt look BIG?", and my personal favorite item - the TV Show ALF on DVD. Now here's the worst part of the whole catalog . . . I actually have about a dozen pages ear tagged in it with things I thought I might like. EEEK! Don't worry, I think the things I liked were OK. I think.

On a similar note, this year I turned 28. Matt and family helped create a wonderful birthday with a delicious dinner, cake, treasure hunt, and perfect gifts. I'd had my eye on them for a while and was thrilled to finally get them . . . a new trash can and an entire new set of matching, stackable tupperware. Wow . . . I really am a nerd.

Smile Practice Part Two

Look how quickly she's progressing! That's our girl! I think she's been practicing really hard for all the aunts, uncles, and grandparents she'll see on our upcoming trip to Washington and Idaho. We can't wait to see everyone!

Smile Practice Part One

Trying to catch a baby's first smiles on camera is like trying to keep our beagles away from food . . . nearly impossible.

Kaylee LaRue

So, here are a few things I don't want to forget about our 6 week baby girl!

• She loves the bjorn. And thank goodness . . . she loves to ride on walks, at the mall, or around the house while I vacuum.
  
• Her love of the mobile on her changing table. She fusses if the music stops!
• She is such a tummy girl . . . I felt like such a bad mom letting her sleep on her tummy at first. But my mom reassured me that used to be the norm. And I decided if it adds 45 minutes to every nap that it's worth it!
• Her strong, strong arms and legs - since birth! She was always working them out by kicking and punching me before she came out, so now they're extremely strong!
• She's so patient with big bows and big brother.
  
• 
• Unlike big brother, Kaylee is not a pacifier kinda girl. She will take one, but definitely prefers her fingers or fist. Unfortunately her lack of coordination can make this a little awkward a times. One time she sucked her little fist until it was all red. What causes the most frustration is when she is trying to suck on her fingers, but then those other fingers scratch up her face! Why can't that little body cooperate yet? She gets so mad.

• Kaylee is anything BUT ladylike with her bodily functions. She is a noisy, grunty eater and digester through the whole process. She does love a clean diaper though . . . may that last through potty training!
• She is a SUPER eater. She surpassed her birth weight by 6 oz after only 6 days. That's my girl! We're hoping she doesn't pass Danny . . . he's only gained about 6 oz. in the last year!
• When she sleeps (which she is steadily improving on) she is a sweet, sweet sleeper.
• Stay tuned for the next post . . . smile practice!
  

Big Boy

I just love Danny's age right now. 2 3/4 is so much fun! For every frustration and mishap it seems there is also a new accomplishment or feat. Danny is independent as can be, and yet he still wants a snuggle every night at bedtime. He'll get so mad or sad when he is sent to time out, but then he forgives and forgets so quickly. He is just full of questions and energy and life. Here are a few things, for better or worse, that I don't want to forget about my growing boy. They are in no particular order, and it gets a little long, so you can just skip the reading and enjoy the photos if you want.

• How rubbing blue dogs ears seems to make everything feel better.
  
• His obsession with straws, pencils, knives, and chopsticks - he carries one around at all times and says it is his weapon.
  
• How he recently started to transform his weapons into instruments as well. "My violin mom." He then sings me his rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star while tucking a straw under his chin and using his knife as a bow.
• Prayers - "Bless us have a good day, bless daddy at work, bless mommy daddy at the temple . . . " And sometimes his prayers become like a stuck record repeating two phrases over and over and over. "Bless us have a good day. In the name of Jesus Christ. Bless us have a good day. In the name of Jesus Christ." We've probably had 5 or 6 FHEs about how to say prayers, but sometimes the little guy still gets stuck.
  
• His dance moves.
• His potty successes and failures. Well, maybe I do want to forget the failures. :)
• No matter how many times he gets out of bed and we sternly put him back to bed during the night, he always wakes up so cheerfully. "Is it happy time?"
• He's started learning to "read" stories to Matt and I. One of his favorites is The Hungry Caterpillar.
  
• "Hold me Mommy." "Stay with me Daddy."
• He's become even more independent with the arrival of a baby sister. When I don't respond quickly enough to his pleas for a drink of juice, he opens the fridge himself and then chugs right from the carton.
  
• Dad's "chocolate medicine" (British Smarties) is a cure-all.
  
• Every single day when Danny hears the garage door open he runs and hides in the same spot to surprise Dad. Matt still pretends he can't find him. And every time Danny is equally delighted.
• His recent obsession with fighting off giant dragons in our front yard. So glad to know our home is safe!
  
• He really likes the book Pollyanna, but after recently watching the movie from the library he told me his favorite part was when she falls. Not too sure about this . . .
  
• Danny LOVES his nursery leader, Sis. Bonnie, and the story time librarian, Miss Nancy. If either is absent we certainly hear about it.
  
• After a trip to NASA with Grandma Hong, Danny decided he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. He now tells us how astronauts must be strong and smart.
• We don't let Danny watch any violent cartoons and haven't owned many weapons, but it is clearly futile because we read from the Book of Mormon picture scriptures every night. Danny chooses the story and always wants to find the "fighting" ones. He seems to think the gospel is all about fighting the bad guys . . . which maybe it is. We've recently switched to the New Testament pictures scriptures.
• Every night Danny insists we look to his ceiling when he turns out the lamp so when can see the "night sky" - his glow in the dark stars.
• If Color, the imaginary monkey, sleeps with Danny, he usually sleeps better.
• How much he loves to help spray the dishes . . . and sink and himself.
• 
• His obsession with Star Wars even though he's never seen any of the movies. He recently expressed interest in having a Star Wars fighting theme for his 3rd birthday.
  
• After a recent family birthday celebration Danny started requesting to sing the Happy Birthday song at bedtime. Each time the song ended with a blow . . . to blow out the candles.
• A few weeks before Kaylee was born we were out for a family walk. He got tired and wanted to be carried the rest of the way home. "Mom, please carry me." "Sorry, but I can't right now. Dad will have to." "No, mom." "I'm carrying baby sister in my tummy, so I can't carry you." "Take her out."
• The first time he made it up the Chic-Fil-A play area climbing thing by himself - I almost cried I was so proud.
  
• No matter how exhausted I feel after a busy day, Danny still has tons of energy.

So, now I'm just rambling, but I just love this little guy so much. Overall, he's adjusting really well to not being the only one around and he's very patient with Kaylee. On this particular day he when we were taping her, he wanted to make sure he got some camera time too. He was pretty proud of his spins and hops!