Aunt Key Originals

Here are a couple pictures Katie took of Samuel and his Christmas Sweater. I am continually amazed at her artistry. The sweater and photos are gorgeous. Thanks SOOOO much Katie, you are precious to us and so are your gifts :O)

Sweet and Sour Valentines Weekend

Gorgeous flowers Dad sent us from Shanghai, China

Irises and chocolates from my favorite Valentine

Samuel's new toy from Mimi and Papa

Baby brother's crib bedding

Hi friends and family! I feel like I am writing with a new lease on life today. Our family has survived the first full fledged stomach flu experience. Yuck!! May none of you EVER experience this particular plague. A friend of mine has a grateful journal for curing the blues, I think I shall follow in her footsteps and remark on the things (and they are many) I have to be grateful for in retrospect of this particular experience:
1. I am grateful that Jolly, Samuel, and I contracted the bug in stages, it would have been terrible to all have it at the exact same time
2. I am grateful that my mom already had plans to be here this weekend, and though its not how we would have chosen to spend our time together, she was a much needed pillar of strength and sweetness!
3. I am grateful that Mom did not get sick! Praise God! *Correction* Mom did get it, just not till after she was home for two days. Ugh. She's already feeling better.
4. I am grateful that we felt good enough to get out and buy baby brother's nursery bedding, and a new Valentine toy for Samuel - thanks Mimi and Papa!
5. I am grateful that Dad sent flowers to Mom (and me) for Valentine's day since he couldn't be with us, business trip in China, we miss you Daddy!
6. I am grateful that Jolly bought me Irises and Dove Chocolates AND I was feeling well enough to enjoy a few!
7. I am grateful that Katie came by to cheer us up and take a few PRECIOUS pictures of Samuel in the sweater she made him for Christmas. Seriously, handmade one of a kind clothing AND professional photos in our living room.
8. I am grateful that baby on the way was a champ through a long torturous night.
9. I am grateful that no one was severely dehydrated needing IV fluids, especially Samuel or I.
10. AND I am grateful that we are headed to Puerto Vallarta this Thursday for some warm sunshine and good times with Mike and Mojo!!
Hope everyone has a blessed day :O)

Alluvial Fan Hike

I've been aching to get up in to the mountains all winter! I choose not to ski pregnant because its not worth the risk to me - and all the hiking trails have been covered in snow since October. This week it warmed up enough for a hike so Jolly and I headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park with Samuel. Perfect remedy for cabin fever!! Usually we put Samuel in the hiking pack, but this time he wanted his feet on the ground. I guess that makes this his first official hike. He walked the whole mile with an occasional hand hold if it was steep or icy. We had a blast!

16 1/2 Months

Letting his stuffed animals experience the thrill of free falling

So proud of himself - sporting the cheesy smile mentioned below

Climbing into a great cubby for some reading

Samuel at 16 1/2 months:

• He has learned how to do the cheesy smile people do when they are being silly in pictures and does this often to flirt, especially with mom at the dinner table :O)
• His play has changed, its more imaginative as well as acrobatic now. He carries around the little buckets that hold his blocks and other toys and collects things from around the house and pretends to cook whats in the bucket. He even tastes it and blows on it when its hot. Adorable.
  
• He still enjoys the slide his grandparents gave him for his first birthday, and he still enjoys climbing up and sliding down in every way imaginable, but now he likes for all of his stuffed animals to enjoy the slide, too. He sometimes lets them slide down, but mostly likes to stand on the platform and toss them through the lookout hole. Such a boy :O)
• He is interested in things opening and closing and taking things in and out of other things. He brings me the lotions and ointments from a basket in his room to flip open so he can open and shut them repeatedly, this is great fun (all non-toxic and only under supervision)
• He likes to be inside of things such as drawers he can climb into, laundry baskets, toy boxes, etc. On top is just fine with him too. He figured out how to climb on to the kitchen table and the desk using chairs to boost him up, we definitely have to watch him with eagle eyes and stealth now! The coffee table has long been his favorite platform to sing, dance or have a serious conversation on. I'll be sad when he outgrows that, its sure cute.
• His mimi - my mom- taught him the lemon drop and gum drop song over Christmas and now he walks around swaying side to side and singing ah - ah -ah - ah -ah throughout the day
• He is getting excited about using words and signs, thanks especially to his dad! He signs the word "more" if he wants more to eat, some of what you're eating, or what you're holding. He also signs "all-done" when he's ready to get out of his booster chair.
  
• He knows yeah and no and uses them regularly to let us know what he wants or doesn't want or agrees or doesn't agree with
• Some of his new words are berry, bath and night-night. He loves to go night-night when he's tired and says it with a big smile on his face
• He is such a joy! We are blessed.
  

Baby Brother!!

We are delighted to report that we are expecting a healthy baby boy in May!! Samuel has been such a joy and constant source of energy and entertainment that we are excited to welcome another son into the family. They will have so much fun growing up together so close in age. Its amazing what individuals they are even from the beginning. This one's profile is completely different than Samuel's was! Jolly's Aunt Chris made such a sweet comment to his mom after hearing the news, she said she thinks Jolly is such a strong man of God that she isn't a bit suprised that He would give Jolly lots of sons to raise into strong Christian men. That is our prayer!!

Merry Performance

Samuel found these amazingly festive furry socks in the Christmas box when we were decorating last week! After we finished arranging the garland and lights on the mantel, he decided it was a worthy stage. He climbed right up and began entertaining us with spins and claps all the while showing off his wonderful Christmas gloves dad helped him put on. He played with them for a good half hour, I can't believe he didn't get frustrated that he couldn't get them off!

The Fun has Begun!

"This spoon is an exciting new challenge!"

"Forget the spoon, hands work great."

"There's plenty of yogurt outside the cup, I can get full just licking it off."

So, Samuel has demanded all feeding rights. Mr. Independent - I have know idea where he gets it. Here is the progression from breakfast this morning.

Time for a plastic dropcloth I'd say.

The fun never ends!!