Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Santa Pictures

Pete has seen Santa twice this year. The first time at the church Christmas party and he second at REMC Christmas.  He was fine for the first time, but he also knew the guy playing Santa, though I don't think he realized he did but he was much more open to the concept of sitting on
a random person's lap than the second time when he just froze.  He did get some good pictures though so we have something for the scrapbook at least. 

Dex even got to partake in the festivities this year!  What a good dog for his very first Christmas! But he got bribed with treats to sit on Santa's lap.  When we had his nails trimmed they had Santa there as well, so we took advantage of that as well.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Morning of the Smoke Detectors

Sounds scary doesn't it?!  Well no worries neither the house or anyone was harmed that horrible morning, just my sleep schedule!  At 4 am the smoke detector started chirping we couldn't figure out which one and it wasn't doing it constantly so we tried our best to sleep through it, well that wasn't really possible. So I started to track it down, well I couldn't figure out where it was coming from, because more started chirping along with it!  I only had two batteries in the house and 7 chirping smoke detectors!  We actually have 9 in our house which is pretty dang small really, but I guess we're just being extra safe.  I ended up in tears around 6am due to lack of sleep and frustration, so I called my mom to see if she had any batteries she could bring over and save me.  I swear it was like in Catching Fire where is trapped in the arena with the JabberJays.  It was horrible!  Pete actually managed to sleep through the whole thing.  Mom saved me and helped me track them down and replace some more then we removed the batteries of the others because we ran through all of her batteries too. So I had to go through my morning with 3 hours less sleep than usual until I snuck in a nap while Pete got to watch a show. 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Dex Pictures

The Animal Welfare League had a fundraiser last weekend to get your pet's picture taken with a professional pet photographer.  Dex was pretty good for it, though I think he wasn't very happy with me about the day in general.  He had a bath (he hates getting wet), had his nails trimmed and ground down, plus he didn't get to sit with me for the picture!  Poor puppy fell asleep in the car on the way home and that never happens!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Crazy Times, and a Playing Pete

It has been awhile since I've updated.  Things have been crazy around here,with getting ready for winter around the house and yard and just all the other things that come up.  We had one big day of raking leaves, Pete loved the leaf sucking truck when it came to get our leaves.  My mom had surgery so we've spent some time helping her out around the house as well. I was in charge of Thanksgiving this year and helped mom get ready for Christmas as well as putting up our own stuff.   We also helped out with the church Nativity play as well this year. I made a bunch of hats for it as well as being in a trumpet group and Phil played guitar and harmonica.  Pete has had lots of time to play in the last couple of weeks and we've taken advantage of that time with some pictures of his favorite things over that time.
We borrowed mom and dad's lawn mower to help with our leaves and had to use a trailer to get it over to our place. 
Pete thought it was perfect to park his car on as well. 


Blocks! The tower wasn't standing much longer after this picture.

Pete was practicing his photography skills

Playing with a big train track Phil built for Pete.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Darth Vader Reads The Book of Mormon

Sounds interesting doesn't it?  Well that is just our daily life around here!  I found Phil this great Vader hoodie the day after Halloween on clearance and had to buy it, we're talking under $10.  It zips up all the way and transforms the hood into his helmet.  Part of Pete's bedtime routine is to read a really brief bit of the scriptures, Phil was wearing it with the hood down, until Pete came and zipped him up.  So Vader was reading the Book of Mormon to the family that night.  Really funny and pretty fun too, especially since it was a war and destruction section we were reading.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Photographer Pete

I bought a new ipod awhile ago now.  I'm in love, won't lie.  I told myself I wasn't going to let Pete use mine, but he could use my old one, hahaha! Lies!  Well he has learned that there is a camera on it, how to use and has gotten pretty good at taking the pictures.  I'm pretty impressed by some of them, within 3 minutes the other day he took over 60 pictures with it.  Most of them were of his tractors and semi truck.  But plenty were of the rocking chair and me coming to take back my ipod. 

Here is one of his masterpieces.
Hi, Grandma White!  Pete has decided my mom is grandma white, can you figure out why?

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Popo and Captain Kirk

This year we were Star Trek for Halloween. I still haven't gotten the family pictures of the costumes off the camera and probably won't for awhile.  So you get these random ones instead.  Sorry the joy of a super busy month and a new ipod with a camera. 

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Joy

Awhile ago, like a loooooong time ago, we received an anonymous donation to our fun funds via Ruby Tuesday and Zoyo (frozen yogurt) from a smiley face labeled Joy...Yes I'm pretty darn sure I know who you are and if I attempt to repay you again and it isn't accepted, again, then it will be donated to PETA or the Democratic National Committee instead.  So here is my thanks though for the great dinner and dessert with a fun picture of Pete enjoying the frozen yogurt.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Random Picture Post

Daddy and Pete at the lake with a balloon

Pete and the original duck face

Pete being a cowboy in mommy's boots

Happy Halloween from Dex!

Pete and Dex watching TV together

Pete helping grandpa fix the phone line

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Trunk or Treat: Batesville

We actually did two trunk or treats this year one at our ward and one down with Phil's family ward in Batesville over fall break.  I forgot to pack our costumes for this one, but luckily Phil's mom came through and pulled out some old ones from when all the kids were little.  Lucky for us as well is that there were enough of them that one was bound to fit Pete and Phil is about the same size as his dad for his costume. Alas I'm not really a Call sized person and there were no Horn family sized ones to be had so I just wore a Marching band hat and called it good enough, while handing out apples and raisins from the trunk.
Here is the Call Family original

And our reenactment for Trunk or Treat. Sorry no cool plane for us, just the church curtain.

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo: Zoo Boo!

We decided to try out the Zoo Boo up in Fort Wayne this year and took Annalyse with us as well. They have trick or treating stations and some of the animals still out if they can handle the cooler weather.  We ended up going on princess day (yucky!) but Annalyse enjoyed it and Pete didn't notice a thing about it.  The kids had fun, but you could tell the difference a couple of weeks makes between our last season trip and this one.  Burr!
The kids holding hands in the car.


Annalyse with her favorite Princess, Snow White

Saturday, November 2, 2013

At the Park: With Avery and Dex

Our friends needed someone to watch their daughter for them for a couple of hours one day.  We played around the house for awhile and then headed off to the park for a little bit to kill some time and get Pete to run off some energy.  I have learned something from this experience.  Pete at the park is much more fun if we take a friend, because I don't have to do anything!  He is content with playing with his friends that making me play with him.  I love it!  I got to sit and swing and have a break from chasing him for about an hour.  I might have to borrow my friends kids more often for this next spring and summer!  Dex had a great time as well get to lay there and gnaw on some mulch while surveying his surroundings. 
Pete finishing up on the slide


Avery on the Monkey Bars
Dex enjoying the view.

Monday, October 14, 2013

At the Park with Mommy

Phil had a meeting at an elementary school today so we tagged along with Dex in tow while we waited for him to finish up.  Dex wasn't so sure about this playing stuff going on and especially didn't like the being tied up while we went down the slides.  Pete had a blast for it though! 
Kim and Dex

Pete up in the barn playhouse


sliding Pete

Dex got lucky and found a bone in my purse.  Amazes me what can be found in its depths!

Helping grandma lich with leaves

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Zoo Trip with a Friend

Tuesday we went to the zoo with Annalyse and her grandma while her parents were with her new baby brother and sister in the NICU.  Alas it was the last regular trip to the zoo for the year because the season is over on Sunday.  The Halloween Zoo days are coming up and we plan to go to that as well so at least one last hurrah of the zoo season until next year!  Actually this day was also kind of a celebration of Pete's one year anniversary seizure free! Yeah now hopefully onto a whole life without anymore!
Pete and Annalyse at the Pumpkin Patch at the zoo

Mommy and Pete on the Train

The kids driving the safari jeep in Africa

The kids playing with the eggs

Enjoying the carousel in Indonesia

Friday, October 11, 2013

Cinnamon Roll Party!

Last Friday I had some friends over to make cinnamon rolls.  We made lots!  We had some to eat then, some to take home and some to friends with new babies and those we thought might just enjoy them!  Pete got to hang out with a friend and they both ended up "helping" at the end.  Pete is stirring the glaze and Leah is licking the glaze off the counter top and her mom's cinnamon roll!  A great time and wonderful chance to bake and help out some friends.
The "child labor"

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

A 5k and a Party!

Saturday was a busy and exciting day.  We started out the day early with a 5k at 8 in the morning at the YMCA for the corporate challenge to support the school system against Zimmer and the other big contenders.  We didn't do too bad considering we haven't trained at all for it we finished in 53 minutes while pushing Pete in the stroller and chatting the whole time with friends.  Afterwards we headed over to my parents' house to start the birthday festivities for Phil and my mom.  We had the whole clan there to celebrate with a cookout, homemade ice cream, banana cream cake and a bonfire.  The weather was just perfect for it!  The kids all loved playing together, Pete got along really well with everyone. Dex wasn't a huge fan of that many kids in one location but quickly got used to it and even seemed to have a fun time with Josey.  Phil got some nice presents, including an expansion for the game Seven Wonders.  It was a really fun time with everyone!
Dex hiding out in the basement in his hoodie

The boys taking in some Mighty Machines on the Roku

Mom and Grandma Lich

Phil showing off his birthday present!

Monday, September 23, 2013

A Friend Reads

The boys reading The Little Red Caboose
Our friend John comes over and plays board games with us frequently though lately this horrible four letter word keeps getting in the way (work).  Well the other night when he was over Pete had to go to bed.  Pete was totally freaking out because he wanted John to read him a book so John did and read The Little Red Caboose for him before it was bedtime for Pete.  It is so nice to have great friends that don't mind Pete!

Is this not the most crazy picture ever?!  I randomly took it the same night.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Cleaning Day

Our house has been screaming to be deep cleaned for the last week.  No worries it has been sanitary, just not the greatest.  Part of it would get cleaned while another got skipped a week. Today though the whole kit and caboodle was cleaned up!  We had a contractor coming to give us an estimate on the roof this morning so before he came I accomplished the following:
Woke up.
Got Pete breakfast.
Swept the kitchen/dining room/entrance/hallway/bathroom
Moved the furniture the kitchen.
Mopped the kitchen/dining room/entrance/hallway/bathroom
Scrubbed the toilet and tub
Washed the mirror
Wiped down counter and toilet tank
Got around myself
Got Pete dressed

All that before 10 in the morning!  I think it deserves a prize or something! At least a pat on the back for it!

Before Pete's naptime I added in:
Vaccuming the bedrooms (2) and front room
3 loads of laundry
eating lunch with Pete
Finishing the blocks for a baby quilt
Meal planning for the week
Gluing Pete's toys back together

I've been busy today.  The only part that didn't get cleaned up was the basement, but there is no point in vacuuming when I am sewing too many bits and pieces! Really though it hasn't been too bad the weather has been so nice that I didn't mind.  I'm loving the cool weather we have had lately, so glad summer is over.  I really hate the heat, so nice to pull out my blue jeans and sweatshirts again!
The quilt I've been working on, alas I ran out of the border material so I have to go back and buy more.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Pete Works in the Yard



Pete helping Grandma Lich out in the yard.  I love how he figures out how to work the rain barrel!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Dex Rolls!

...And Pete flies!


My dad decided that it was time for Dex to learn a new trick so he pulled out some treats and started working on it last night.  He did it a couple times for him at their house.  I came home and thought we should try it out again for Phil and the camera and he did it! 

We have such a great dog!

Pete had also been playing with Phil by getting tossed on the bed so now enjoy some of that action too.  Can you tell these boys keep me busy?!

Friday, September 13, 2013

A Pete Day

Last week I took Great Grandma Horn to the zoo with us, this week it was Grandma Lich's turn.  I forgot my camera last week and barely grabbed my video camera this time.  Today was the perfect day at the zoo.  Cool weather that needed a sweatshirt the whole time, especially considering the 90s earlier in the week. Also no school groups were there!  A miracle!  We spent a couple hours walking the zoo and then went to eat lunch at McDonalds, poor Pete was asleep before we hit the highway home!  Grandma Lich just wore him out!
 
 
Tonight was the father-son campout.  Pete was still sleeping when Phil had to leave so I got to hang out with him.  I'd promised him a movie and popcorn for dinner and I delivered!  We watched the Curious George movie and made Jiffy-Pop popcorn. We have all been so busy the last couple of weeks, Pete was kind of getting the short end of the stick with the playing and fun.  So today was a wonderful remedy for this.  It was a generally great day for Pete and not too bad for me either!

Trampoline

I went to a garage sale last week and found a small exercise trampoline for cheap.  Pete thought it was really cool and had a blast trying it out.  I went ahead and bought the thing, thinking it would be a great way for him to burn of some energy this winter when we are stuck inside without much to do.  Today I had him test it out.  He loved it!  He jumped and jumped and jumped some more! He had quite a bit of fun with it. I keep it put away so he can't get it out and play on his own.  I have to be the one to pull it out and set it up for him.  I think it will be a lifesaver this winter!




Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Labor Day Weekend

Phil's dad, SkyPopo as Pete has dubbed him came up to visit for the long weekend.  Sarah came up too, but really didn't stick around too much and went to play with friends most of the weekend.  Saturday we stuck around the house and played here.  We cooked up some dinner on the grill and then went to Zoyo's for frozen yogurt.  Pete fell asleep right as we pulled in so he missed out, but we ate some in his honor.  Once we got home we watch Stranger than Fiction, for the evening entertainment. 

Sunday we had church in the morning and naps in the afternoon followed by a big dinner by me, homemade bread (using this recipe), pasta, and a watermelon from our garden! I think I know what we are going to be growing next year! We had a big bonfire with my parents and Ray and ate smore's and roasted marshmallows.  Monday we spent the morning with the family, had lunch and said farewell  to the Call's.

We spent the afternoon at my parents.  Phil took Pete to the pool, I did some grocery shopping for the cookout that evening, while mom painted her bedroom.  We had some yummy hamburgers, veggies, chips, watermelon; followed by homemade ice cream and peach cobbler from the fire.  We ate really well this weekend! 

Dex had a friend stay over for the weekend too.  Penny the Pug! Her owners went out of town for the weekend so Penny came to hangout with us for the weekend.  Dex wasn't so sure about having another dog around and Penny wasn't so thrilled with the 3 year old and other dog that kept her awake and moving most of the day!  I think she is used to napping more often!  I ended up taking her home on Monday afternoon because I thought she needed a break.  I came back twice to check on her that evening and found that she hadn't moved an inch since I'd left her!  Poor tired girl!

We had some exciting car problems too  over the weekend. My car's brakes decided to stop working and had to hobble to my parents house, since we were stranded in their neighborhood.  No one was open on the holiday so it sat over night and we had it towed to  the shop today. The whole thing ended up being totally free!  AAA towed it, and the shop didn't charge us since they had just replaced the brake 2 months ago.  So really that turned out relatively well considering.  The two truck driver even let Pete help out with the levers to get the car up on the flat bed.  He thought it was amazing! Plus it might explain his lack of a nap that day...