Birthday Twin

James is Etta's birthday twin. By some strange twist of fate we found this fact out when we ran into Brian Redmond this fall up in Moscow. We both went to school with Brian at U of I. He actually took my place in the brass quintet when I student taught. And he and his wife had a kid the same day Bob and I did. Weird.

So we were able to go up to Moscow last Wednesday to introduce them and hang out. We had fun catching up, but the kids weren't too sure of each other. And trying to get both of them in a good picture, well, you can see how that worked out...

Over here...



No, over here.



Okay, we'll stand sort of close together. In the same area anyway...



This is as good as it gets folks.



It was nice to see that they are about the same size and about at the same place developmentally. Even two weeks can make such a difference at this age. We are hoping to get to hang out more before Brian is done with school.

[And if you put them together? You get . . . Etta James!!]

Good form

Of course we like to expose Etta to all sorts of music. She likes to play the piano, bang on drums, play the xylophone - and play my trombone.

Apparently the trombone "says" the same thing as a horse. She buzzes her lips when she sees both. I let her play my trombone every once in awhile, but always make her stop while she stills wants to play. Maybe that reverse psychology will work?

We won't be giving her lessons on anything - that surprises some people. But we will be getting her lessons, eventually. But for now, we just like to play around.

The trombone in twice as long as me!



Nice embouchure

Winter Spirit at Locomotive Park

Last Saturday we went to Locomotive Park for the big lighting ceremony. It wasn't too cold so it was actually kind of fun. We went back on Sunday so that we could get some pictures (way less people). And then Etta and I have gone back every single night so far. She absolutely loves it.

And I much prefer going down there around 5:00 for a little while rather than staying here and listening to her whine about various things.

I mean, it is great to get out into the fresh air and enjoy the very neat display that we have about two minutes away from our house.

A very colorful tree.



Chillin' with the penguins.



Many trees of lights.



Ringing the bell.

A Boy, His Daughter and His Dog

Reading books.



Hugs



Kisses

A Day in the Park

Yesterday was Bea. u. ti. ful. I cannot even begin to describe what a wonderful fall day it truly was. And Etta has been begging at the door to "go, go, go" pretty much every day. So. We went. And boy did we have fun!

Hurry up daddy, let's go!!



I'm climbing up!



I'm cheesy...



Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!



Life is a highway, I'mmmmmmm gonna drive it on and on...

Fast Food Friday

This is going to be a new post that I am going to try to do each Saturday.

On Friday nights Bob and I have date night. This normally includes going to Adcope to play racquetball and/or swim and then home for a "fast food dinner".

This came about last winter when we were trying to find ways to have fun and yet spend little to no extra money. We already have the membership to Adcope and they have free daycare in the evenings. Yay! We already had racquetball gear and swimming stuff. Perfect.

But to go at 5:00 on a Friday for about an hour means that there isn't much time for dinner prep when we get home. That's also about when I discovered that it is often SO MUCH EASIER to prep/make dinner while Etta is taking her afternoon nap. So on Fridays I decided to get dinner "oven ready" during the day and not have to worry about it when we got home from our date.

And even though we try to eat mostly healthy, most of the time, it is always fun to not worry about it every once in awhile. Hence the "fast food" part of the title. We don't actually BUY fast food. I absolutely DETEST waiting for very unhealthy, over-priced food, usually not tasty food. (Don't get me wrong, we do eat out - very rarely - but it really isn't "relaxing" to me...)

So yesterday I made "Hot and Sour Soup" (recipe by Nancy Nelson), Chicken Lo Mein and "Susie" egg rolls. This is the first time that I have made Chinese for Fast Food Friday, but it worked pretty nicely since all of the prepping and cutting could be done early and the cooking doesn't take very long.

I apologize for the quality of my picture. I don't have a fancy camera and I'm not very good with it. But if you zoom in you can see the tasty morsels in the Lo Mein.

My First Book fair

Last week we went up to McGhee for Etta's first book fair. She got two new books.

This is the book that Bob had "pre-approved" for our purchase. Zoom in and check out the title.



Etta really liked this book for some reason. We did not get it this go around though.

It's pajama time!

@ the local library.

Last night Etta and I joined Christine, Caleb, Noah and Jonah at the city library for pajama story time. It begins at 6:00 and lasted just under an hour with the activity.

(It seemed like the middle of the night though, because it gets dark here at about 2:00 p.m.)

As much as Etta likes to have books read to her, she much preferred to see what else was going on in the library. I figure the more that we go, the more that she will get used to it.

All in all it was a very good time. We are planning on going again - next time Santa will be there!

I am such a big girl! I can sit on the big bench with my own name tag.



Look at the 'yights'



Yeah, I've got my Auntie Christine. Boo to you!



Big boy Noah sitting up high



Group craft activity. Notice how Etta is sitting ON the table. They made bird feeders using a pine cone, Crisco and bird seed. Of course we left without me grabbing Etta's...



Using the knife to poke the Crisco.



I put her in jammies with letters and animals. Felt that was appropriate for pajama story time!



Our two favorite boys. When we got to Christine's yesterday they weren't home from pre-school yet. Etta would play for a couple of minutes and then look up and look around. "Boys?" she kept asking. She loves those boys.

Harvest Dinner

Sunday night was Harvest Dinner night at our church. There was very excellent food. Etta on the other hand, was not very excited about the food. Thankfully Jonah was there to save the day!

Here Jonah, have MORE turkey! [Christine made the comment that this picture will be included in their wedding slide show.]



And it just wouldn't be "church" if we didn't get to play together a little bit.



Domino's - under Bob's supervision



[Today when I dropped Etta off at Christine's she exclaimed, "Onah!" after she saw him when we went in. !!! Very exciting times. She has been saying "boys" for quite awhile, but I must say this is progress. And considering that Noah even called Jonah "Noah" for a long time...=)]

Smart Girl

As I said before, last week we did "naked-from-the-waist-down" potty training. It hasn't been super warm in Lewiston and I tend to keep our house cooler. I think that Etta may have been a bit chilly. (In my defense, I did turn the thermostat up a bit...) She knows that when we read books in her room in the rocking chair we usually cover up with a blanket. Guess what she wanted to do all week?

Ree, mama. Mo boos.



[She is naked under that blanket]

I'm a big girl!

One morning Etta was adamant about getting her bowl of Cheerios. And a spoon. And up in the big chair at the big table. And just when I thought that she should be settled... she wanted a napkin. And with that, she was set. She didn't even really want to eat the Cheerios. Just pretend.

This is how the big girls eat.



Cheese!



Got my napkin right here, can wipe my hands...



And look mom - No pants! That's right. We started (naked from the waist down) potty training this week. I know that it sounds crazy. But it has actually gone pretty well. One week down and I haven't gone crazy yet!

Fall!

It is fall again! We have been waiting for *most* of our front leaves to fall before we start raking. This morning was beautiful so we took the opportunity to head outside.

Yay! Leaves!



Cheese!



Crunch



I see you daddy!



I'm outta here

Riding in Cars with Boys

Well, not quite IN cars...I guess a better title would be, "Playing with Cars with Boys". (Jonah had been playing with them, until he decided he didn't want to share...rough times when you are 3.)

Driving cars while making car noises is one of the things that Etta has picked up from the boys. She will drive cars everywhere. On windows, couches, tables, the floor. But it's not just limited to cars. She also drives her Cheerios on her high chair tray. Pretty fun.

It's amazing to watch the transformation from tiny, immobile baby to walking, talking, driving toddler. I am truly enjoying the ride.

Noah, let's drive the car this way.



Yeah Etta, then we can drive it over here.

MT Grandma and Gramps

Always an enjoyable time when visiting Montana Grandma and Gramps!

American Gothic: Part III



American Gothic: Part II

UI Homecoming 2009

This Saturday was Halloween as well as UI Homecoming. My parents came for a visit and of course a whirlwind weekend ensued. I definitely did NOT get as many pictures as I would have liked...boo...but we did have a terrific time!

For a picture of Etta in her costume click here:

Halloween 2009

Tailgating with the Davis', Rice's and Wicks'. Bein' cheesy for the camera



Close up cheesyness



Enjoying the view from the top. Even if it was a little windy



Taking in the pregame magic with Ba-ba Ed



Lots of bands, lots of kids, lots of fun