Merry Christmas Everyone!

Snow Day...

It snowed here last night and a little bit this morning resulting in maybe 2 inches causing most schools to be cancelled. I have a hard time with "snow days" in Midland, TX. I know that Texas just isn't prepared for any sort of snow or ice but the words "snow day" have a whole different meaning for me. I grew up in Alaska. Lived there until I was 20, except for when I was away at college of course. Snow day to me means that you can't get out your front door because there is a 6 foot snow drift in the way, or that you can't even see the highway because the snow plows haven't plowed it yet, or there is no electricity because of a blizzard. In all my school years in the AK I honestly don't recall very many "snow days". I remember more delays than anything. If the roads have been plowed, then school is on!
However, I don't want all that I've said to take away from my excitement when I woke up this morning! If you know me at all you know that I don't like being cold but I love having snow in the winter, especially around Christmas! Surely you can understand why I don't feel like Christmas is the same if you don't have to go out and shovel snow off your roof before you open presents. Anyway, Joe wasn't that excited about the snow. I kept asking him if he wanted to go out and play in it but he just said, "No. It's too cold." Can't say that I blame him. I did get him out long enough to get a picture but he didn't want to put on a coat, gloves, hat or anything. No wonder he was cold! :)

Random...

Nothing special going on here. Just updating for all of Joe's adoring fans! ;)

Pics that Luke's very talented sis, Mary Kathryn, took. Love you, MK!



Decorating the Christmas tree!

Joe doesn't like books much. Oh wait...


So, went to get Joe up from rest time(not nap time anymore) and this is what I found. All Joe could say was, "What'd I do, Mom?" And what did I do? I took pictures, of course...Good times. It's diaper rash cream, in case you can't tell.



Joe helped Luke make me a birthday cake! So sweet! Best birthday ever!






The always helpful Joe trying to clean up the mess Kenai (our dog) made digging in the dirt. Think Joe is old enough to pick up dog poo?

Singing Joe...

Joe has started singing a lot lately and I love it! He sings anything that comes to his mind and he sings anywhere: in the grocery store, in the car, in his room when he's supposed to be napping, you get the idea! In the video below he is singing a few of his favorites. This one's for you, Mom and Dad! Love you!

Joe Turkey at the Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch with some friends the other day. Oh how I love this time of year!


Joe with his pals.

Joe with his mama.

Being a scarecrow.

Joe with his cousins.

Joe with his future bride, Leila.

The whole group.

And, finally, Joe Turkey.

What Joe's in to lately...

I know it's been a while but I have a really good reason this time! Our camera broke so we finally got a new one and I'm loving it! Anyway, Joe is really funny these days and becoming more and more independent, well he's trying to.

He likes to dress himself.(saying cheese and about to blink)

He walked around with two legs in one leg-hole for at least an hour, except he had his shorts around his waist like a skirt.


He likes eating breakfast with his friend, George, and also feeding him which you can see in the video below.

He likes his cousin, Addie.

And he likes reading books.



And he also likes singing. The video below is him singing the "snack song", which is how they have been taught to pray for their snack at Sunday School. So cute!

Full Contact Reading.

For Manna...

Well, I haven't updated my blog in a while because I just didn't feel like there has been much going on. However, our friend Amanda, whom Joe lovingly refers to as Manna, told me I need to update my blog. I guess I just tend to think that for something to go on my blog it has to be really funny or exciting. I know my mom would beg to differ... So this is for you, Manna! A few random pics and a video (above) of the goings on of Joe as of late.

Can't just play with his train table like a "normal" kid...And that's what I love about him!


Picking black-eyed peas with his cousins on Memorial Day.



Joe showing Addie his caterpillar.

Alaska Post #2...Long time comin'...

So it's been a month since we've been back from the AK. So what! Been pretty busy and blogging just hasn't been on the top of my list. I coach JV volleyball at Midland Classical Academy and we started the season with 2-a-day practices a few days after we got back from Alaska. We have also been swimming almost everyday and Joe is becoming quite the swimmer! The one skill he hasn't mastered that I would like him to is coming up for air while swimming. He can hold his breath for a long time, though! We also had to somewhat start over with potty training after our Alaska trip. And now that I'm coaching we don't have as much time to spend on it so it's slow going but it's going. Still waiting for the poopy in the potty!
Anyway, here are some fishing and scenery pictures from Alaska that I intended to post a month ago!

The beach.




Standing on the beach, looking out on the water. Nothing but gray. There are mountains there. I promise! Even an active volcano. But we didn't see them the whole week we were there! Nothing but gray.

Our boats all lined up.

Kids taking a ride on the tractor. Probably not so safe...

My dad and family friend stacking a net.

Two ways to pull the net on the beach: tie onto it and start pulling...

Hook onto the anchor and start pulling. Each way is equally effective.

Boat picking.