A Day at the Ballpark

Actually it was a day on the ballpark. On Saturday we went to the Mariner Fanfest at Safeco Field and had a blast. We got to run the bases, play catch in the outfield, sit in the dugout and tour the locker room. Go Mariners!

A Beloved Prophet

What a wonderful man, he was! I was so stunned and saddened to learn of his passing last night. I was in Jr. High when President Hinckley became the prophet of the church and I have loved him dearly. I feel blessed to be able to say that I have been in his presence and felt the power of it. I loved his optimism and ambition and sense of humor. He will be missed. But I'm happy to think of him reunited with his sweet wife. I feel like I was prepared a little bit last week for his passing when I was reading the Ensign. I was reading President Monson's First Presidency address and I had an overwhelming love for him come over me and the thought that he will be an amazing Prophet. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on this earth today and it will continue to be led by a true prophet.

My Shopping Spree

Joseph had a playdate on Friday morning so I decided to take Justin on a little shopping trip. I am in desperate need of jeans and I decided to take a couple pair of jeans that are just a little too tight to try to sell at Plato's Closet. If you haven't heard of this place you've got to check it out. They buy and sell gently used brand name clothing. I kind of feel like an idiot going in there because it's for teenagers. As soon as I walk in the door I feel out of place. I just imagine the kids behind the counter laughing at the old mom in the dressing room who comes in here trying in vain to still look cool. I'm hauling Justin around in his infant seat and trying not to listen to the lyrics of the horrible rap music they're playing way too loud. But once I get over this part, I totally scored! They gave me $10 for my jeans, and I got a pair of Gap jeans for $15 and Silver Jeans for $20. So, yes, I walk out the door with 2 pairs of jeans for $25! You can't beat that.

So the other picture is again, this old mom trying to still be cool. I needed some new sunglasses and I was tring to branch out and get some with big lenses. This is the only style they had at Target so I'm assuming it is still in fashion. Anyway, I'm feeling all good about my fashion-forward purchase until I got home. I put them on for Darren and he laughed at me! So I need some girly validation or brutal honesty. Please place your vote in the poll to the right. Thanks!

Josephisms

Here are a few things Joseph knows to be true. He will argue passionately with me if I try to correct him. The kid can say spaghetti, but he can't get these words right:

ambliance=ambulance
water mountain=water fountain
movie scream=movie screen

I remembered one more!
snuffed animal/snuffy nose=stuffed animal/stuffy nose

He is also absolutely certain that the moon moves along with us when we drive in the car. What's funny about this is that I can remember having the same argument with my Mom when I was little. I love having a 3 year old.

Big brother feeds little brother

Joseph wanted to feed Justin his baby food the other night. This is the result. Not bad, huh? I think I'll make it his full-time job. But Justin doesn't look too sure about it. I love how he looks over at me as if he's saying, "You're really going to let him do this, Mom?"

Family Pictures

My friend, Melissa, took these pictures for us in early December. But we're just now sharing them because we were trying to be sneaky and keep them a secret for Christmas. Enjoy!

He's my big boy now!

Joseph (3 1/2) has made huge big boy strides just since the New Year that I'm so excited about. I am ecstatic to announce that he is now potty-trained! Halelujah! Without giving you the gruesome details, this is something Joseph has been resisting for a long time. This picture was taken September 16, 2007. You may remember my post in August complaining about about the race car that was incentive for Joseph to pee in the potty that had sat there for months. In September, Joseph peed in the potty once or twice and earned it, and that was the end of that. So frustrating! When we got home from our holiday Oregon trip a week ago, I told him when he woke up that he wasn't going to wear diapers anymore. We had a couple of accidents, and that was it! Now a week later, he tells me, "I feel like I need to do a pee pee, Mommy!" Hooray! This was Darren's idea months ago, but I was scared to do it, and didn't want to do it with the holiday craziness and traveling. So, yes honey, you were right. (Those are his three favorite little words.) I'm just so excited, and Joseph is very proud of himself too.
On top of that, Joseph is also now a Sunbeam and graduated from Nursery at church. I can't believe it. It was so sad to see his teacher take his name and picture off the wall to give to me. I'm gonna be a wreck when he goes to school! He ended up loving his first day of Primary, even though he made Darren stay with him for the first half hour. My little boy is growing up! I know, I'm pathetic. Thanks for letting me have my moment.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

What a wonderful time of the year. We had such a great Christmas in Oregon with Darren's family. The tree was bursting with presents. Joseph was so fun. He left milk and cookies for Santa Claus and went right to sleep. Here are some of the highlights, favorite gifts and great family:
Joseph is getting so good at making cookies with me. He is actually a help in the kitchen now instead of getting in the way and he loves to help. It's really fun.
Our little Justin got sick with Bronchialitis right over Christmas. Doesn't he look so sad? So this was what Darren and I were doing most of the day and night during our visit. He had such a nasty cough.
Joseph's fire truck.
Joseph helped his brother open up his presents.
Joseph practicing sleeping in his Lightning McQueen sleeping bag.
Out to lunch with all the fam.
All 5 of the little boy cousins. Can you believe there isn't a girl to be found? It was pretty fun to have all these boys running around the house together.
Joseph's smart cycle.
Justin's new exersaucer.
Fun stuff, huh? We are so grateful for family members that we love to spend time with. We loved seeing Marc and Connie, Emily, Jenni and Grandma and Grandpa. We missed all of our family in Utah but were grateful for the opportunity to talk to Elder Taylor Anderson in the Dominican Republic! He sounded so great and is working so hard. We are most grateful for the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the reason for all this celebration.