Well Daddy is back on the job. I've been taking naps at normal times and eating at scheduled times... Man I miss hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa!

But their kitchen sure is looking good! Here are some befores/mids and the nearly dones.

Just Like Daddy...

Alexander may look like my side of the family but his personality mirrors, very clearly, that of his father. His ability to observe and learn by watching is uncanny. He uses few words but clearly communicates his thoughts. He thinks everything is funny. And he is very, very sweet.

Shares his father's love of sweets

Loves watching the visitors in our yard


Enjoys a remodel project


Always helping Daddy in the yard

And is our very own "Monkey in the House"(listen carefully!)

Blue Angels

Part of the advantage of being home together for the summer is, on any given day, the three of us will pack ourselves into the truck and experience an adventure. On this particular day, we paid a visit to the local airfield to watch the Blue Angels fly a practice run. It would be exciting for a little boy who loves airplanes.




We weren't the only ones who had the idea; the crowds were large for it seemed everyone was determined to watch the planes take off.

Once the planes rolled out, Alexander was fascinated. He was torn between wanting to point at the planes and the need to cover his sensitive ears.

Watching the Blue Angels turned out to be really fun. And really, really loud.

Speed Racer!

It was bound to happen.
A riding toy.
A steep driveway.
A toddler who has no fear.

Think it will leave a cool scar?

Pictures, as promised!

The boys find the leak!

(Actually, Cameron stepped on the pipe and it burst so he is in the ditch, shutting off the valve.)

Front yard with the new pipe.

The first of the cabinets are gone!

The plumbing is fixed and the drywalling has begun.

We'll post pictures when the kitchen is all done!

It all started with a water leak.

Oy, have our days been busy! Earlier this week, Daddy and Ho-Ho Papa were talking about the water leak that Ho-Ho Papa discovered when a bill arrived that was way too high. Daddy started looking inside and outside the house. He thought it might be below the kitchen sink so he convinced Papa it was time for the kitchen remodel. Daddy redid all the plumbing in the kitchen but the leak was still there. Oh no, Ho-Ho Papa. So, Mommy asked hired students from her school to dig a giant ditch in Papa and Grrma's yard to find the pipe so Daddy could fix the leak. It took them two days but the leak was found and fixed! I really liked watching the boys dig, dig, dig!

In the meantime, Mommy has been hosting a garage sale with Umma and Big Papa. It was a big success and I never cried when my old toys were sold. I have been bouncing between houses and loving all the extra time with my grandparents.

Today, Mommy and I are going back to Ho-Ho Papa's to clean out the bedrooms with Grrma, while Daddy and Ho-Ho Papa assembly kitchen cabinets that we bought at IKEA last night. Mommy really likes to clean and organize. I think she might like it too much...I can't find all the toys I used to have!

Mommy is sorry there aren't pictures of the construction site to post. She is going to take care of that today...

Thank you, Auntie Liz!

Thanks for taking time from your unpacking to make the video for us! We love it and you did a great job putting it together. I'm sure Umma would be happy to come down and help you unpack, if you throw a Disneyland trip into the deal!

Summer '09

(click on the link and make sure you turn on sound!)

Summer Visit

A few weeks ago, Mary (7) and David (4) were visiting. A few weeks ago, they moved from Arkansas to the West Coast because their daddy has a new job. We are so happy they are closer to all of us. In fact, we are looking forward to our trip to Disneyland in February with everyone!

Mary and I read books, while David hid from the camera.
Mama finally took a picture of the three of us together.

Later in the week, Umma and Big Papa took us to the park. Umma showed us a secret island that my daddy used to play on when he was my age. It was really fun. Unfortunately, the pictures from Auntie Liz are not uploading to the blog. She made a fantastic video of the park/lake, though. As soon as Mommy knows from where to link our blog, she will do so (sorry the pics can't be shown, Umma). We had dinner that night for more family bonding. I really liked playing with Mary and David and can't wait to see them again!
Mary and I play on my swingset

Guybrush loved the extra attention

Uncle Jeff

David refuses to dance, even though the rest of us get our "chicken dance" on


A final Squishy face goodbye