The Punkin Patch

We got to go to Day's Farm and pick out some pumpkins.

Boy, this boy is darn cute!

We found three cute little pumpkins and will decorate them this week.  

And probably return for a hay ride.  

yeah.  I think we will.

Lovely People

I know so many really lovely people.  I really have a lot of people in my life that are wonderful and two of those wonderful, lovely people are having a baby!

Congrats to Mikey (aka Monkey Boy) and Amanda (aka Manders).  It has been one hell of a road to get this little spirit here.

Last night I was privileged to be invited to a birthday dinner for Mike (26 years old!  GASP!  That means I am...  crap...) who is my nephew.  Mike's dad was so patient with little man sitting next to him throwing breadstick remnants at him and throwing a Teething Toddler Tantrum.  Mike's mom, my sister, is the most demure, lovely, patient person I know.  She was patient with Mister throwing silverware and napkins.  And didn't complain.

And then Mike's baby, Gracie, told everyone she is going to be a big sister.
Yeeeee-hawwww

Gardner Village 2010

Aiden and Mom LAST year at Gardner Village

Aiden and Mom THIS year at Gardner Village

In keeping with my tradition, we went to Gardner Village today.  All the sisters were scheduled to go, but all of them ditched except for Aunt Kari and her girls.  So we went without everyone else.  And had a blast (in spite of the missing ladies- not because the ladies were not there)

He is getting SO big.  I can't believe what a difference a year makes!

Kari found this sign.  Awesome.  Simply awesome.

Aiden working on his James Bond look.  I think he was getting ready to sneeze, actually.

Big "almost-walking" kiddo.

One of the fun witches around Gardner Village

Lunch with the girls at China Platter.  Tom Yom soup and Breanna's 127 orders of cream cheese wantons later, it was so great.

Tater finally got his much-needed nap.

Mom had to rush home to speak at the stake baptisms, I left Aiden with Smeds while I ran back home.  On my way back, my alternator went out... AGAIN!  Second time in 4 months.  Arggghhhh..

Manly Stu and Alec came and rescued me on the side of the road.  They are such manly men.  I rewarded them with tacos.  They rewarded me by passing gas.  

Manly men.

Aiden takes his first steps

Aiden took his first steps yesterday.  Two little steps that I was there for.  He collapsed in traumatic unsteadiness after those steps and then started crawling again.  

I was so afraid that I wouldn't be there for his first steps.  It was amazing.

Aiden has a little lion.  We got it for his birthday and he hasn't really liked it until just recently.  It is a walker, scooter combo.  When it is a walker, he walks EVERYWHERE.  When it is a scooter, he uses it to watch TV.  It is his own special recliner chair thing.  

Sometimes he just crouches over it and sits like this... and watches Thomas the Tank Engine.

Watching his favorite show.

Feeding Mom and helping with laundry

LDS General Conference was amazing.  Within the first twenty minutes, I was crying like a child and it touched my heart so much.  Elder Holland's talk about so many people doing so much to help in the world was the beginning of the tears.  Especially the part when he thanked the mothers for doing their best. 

And I realized that I, like so many other moms out there, am trying.   So, so hard.

I love my little helper.  He thinks feeding me pudding was AWESOME!!

Aiden fell asleep while helping me do laundry.  Then slept on the floor for FOUR hours.  FOUR!!!

Don't judge my messy house.  I was in the middle of laundry and he is such a light sleeper, I left everything alone until he woke up.  At least he was warm.

Handy Man

The belt on the vacuum broke.  

And Mister decided to help Mommy fix it.  

He is awesome! 

And left his project and tools for the alluring siren song of Thomas the Tank Engine.  

My pant-less super handy man.

Walk Star

Mister is not walking... yet.  He just does not realize that walking could be faster... and more destructive.  But he will learn soon enough.  The following video is my favorite.  Notice Mom's sunglasses having been swiped from Mom's purse. Notice the most obnoxious Lion that is obnoxious and cute at the same time. Notice the booty shaking.  Sweet.