A fun Memory

My sister posted a blurb on Facebook about setting her smoke alarm off. It reminded me of a fun story about Anna and Miguel (our foster kids). We had just gone through fire safety with them, since they did a unit at school about it, we decided to follow up at home about specifics at our house. So, Ron showed them where the rope ladders were in case they had to go out the bedroom windows. Not that they would actually be able to hook them up, but they could show the adult, if necessary. Then, we talked about escape routes and a meeting place by the mailbox on the corner of the cul-de-sac and did a few practice runs. It was great! Then, about a week later, I was cooking in the kitchen and the smoke alarm went off. (No comments! It hasn't happened before or since, so it must have been providence :). Anyway, I said, "OK, this is not a *real* alarm, but let's practice anyway." So next thing I know both of them are trucking from the kitchen to their bedrooms, giggling all the way, which is in the opposite direction of the front door. :) I realized they were heading for the rope ladders -- Haha! So I corrected them, "No, you can head for the front door since it's not blocked by fire. Don't forget to throw your sandals on!" Meanwhile, I'm trying to turn off the alarm before I join them. So, when I get to the front door, the kids are trucking around the cul-de-sac on the sidewalk, still giggling, and I realized that Miguel took my thongs since he didn't have any by the front door! So, my choice was to go all the way back upstairs to put some real shoes on, go outside barefoot (it had just rained), or call off the practice. Hmmm.... I called out to them, "Good job!! You can come back in now!" It was so cute!! I can still see them trucking down the sidewalk on their way to the mailbox. :)

I don't know where they are now, but I still pray that they are safe and happy.

(Taken Jan 15, 2008)

Ron has been busy!

Ron went up to Washington the last two weekends and he was super busy!! He's been putting the rock trim on the front and framing the basement/crawlspace. Soon enough we'll have an actual toilet and will be able to stay there overnight... :) (Well, he already does stay there overnight, but he's crazy!)

Here are some pictures:

Sleeping

Here's another picture of dad & son. They love snuggling together, what can I say? :) So cute!!!

Eating with Connor ...

We had a break-through moment the other day. I was feeding Connor his solids, and he kept trying to grab the spoon. I bought these bigger, bendy spoons that he could use because the skinny metal ones tend to choke him. So I got out his "practice" spoon. He proceeded to pick it up and look at it and twist it around, trying to figure it out. I took it out of his hands, put some peas on it, and placed it (correctly) back in his hands. He just looked at me and started laughing, like he was saying "OH, I get it now!! Cool!" It was so awesome!!! So, of course I had to get some shots of it. Here are a few (Taken Jan 29):

Showdown between the spoon and the boy -- who will win?


Connor wins, of course! Seriously, I don't have to try very hard to get these coy shots of him. He looks at me like this alot! (So cute -- can you tell I'm biased? :).


All done! What a happy meal! hehe.


And, for you video junkies out there, here's a 30-second clip of him eating:


He's been sitting up alot lately, too. I would have taken pictures of that, but Ron had the camera in washington... More pictures will be coming soon!

The Cats ....

The cats will soon get a new friend, but they are blissfully unaware... Ron and I are going to bring Kitty to stay with us for a while -- we're saving him from my brother (long story... :). He's a 12-year old cat who's having some trouble in his old age. We'll see if it's a good fit with our own cats and if we can help him out. If not, Ron's dad has agreed to take him to Idaho where he can roam free out in the middle of nowhere.

Anyway, hopefully they're still this happy in a couple of weeks!

Anna:

Adrianne:

Too Big ....

I've noticed lately that Connor is getting too big for things.... I already posted about the boppy. But now, it's his bouncy seat (taken Jan 19, 2010). You can see how it droops to the ground. I don't think the vibrations on it actually make him move anymore -- he's too heavy! (Weighs almost 20 lbs now)


And, his swing. His swing used to swallow him up. Now, I have to remove the front tray to put him in and out. (Taken Jan 28, 2010). He still likes it, though, so we'll push it a little longer. Although, it doesn't swing him as high as it used to. :) I guess we'll have to go up to the highest setting for this little chunker!

Way back....

My sister Mamie and I were chatting and reminiscing about Thanksgiving 2004, so I thought I'd share some pictures.... We had all gotten together in Phoenix so Wayne and Lily could bless their new baby, Kira. And, we had all decided we were done being mom's "computer support", so we all pitched in and got her a computer for Christmas. So, here we are all gathered together to watch mom open her gift...


Look how tiny Abigail is! (I think she's 18 months here? )





We went to pick up Isabel from school. Here you can see Fishy Snug still in tact.... those were long ago days before the batting started falling out.... That is one loved blanket!




Ron wasn't taking any chances....


Isabel was doing homework, and Sophia didn't want to be left out. (Look how small they are!!!)

Thanksgiving dinner (I think). G&G Schultz and Grandma Burnham all came over, so we got some good shots. :)




I think this was our Christmas picture that year....