Farm days

We had a busy week a few weeks ago. My computer was without power but we are back up and running and can tell you about it now! A few weeks ago we went blackberry picking at Cy & Dee's Blackberry Farm in Louisburg, Kansas. Clayton had fun (the best part was eating them!). Sam did not go with us, but we did take him back a couple of weeks later and he didn't seem too thrilled with the idea.
Later that week we went to Shatto Dairy Farm where he got to taste all their flavors of milk and milk a cow. We went with our friends Anika, Annie & Molly! You can see our photos below, as I've anxiously been trying to get this post up!

Hard at work!


The best part!


The crop!


Sam thinks he is pretty funny!


The latest craze around here is the "night night" game where they get to snuggle before bed!


Clayton loves to draw and color. This is one of his latest - "Clayton with a cookie"


Shatto Dairy Farm


Sam liked the taste testing - especially the chocolate milk!


Best buddies!




Milking a cow


Group photo!


Going for a run after our picnic


We recently bought a "Butterfly garden", sent off for the larvae and then waited for them to hatch! Clayton was mesmerized. We later let them go in our yard and there seem to be more butterflies in the vicinity since then.


Up close! (There were 5 total)


Clayton loves to build towers, he wants me to take pictures of all his towers and make a book so that when he gets older and becomes a builder he can reference them :)


Not one of the butterflies we let go, but here is one that we saw in our yard. We also have a beautiful hummingbird that likes to hang around.

New & Funny Happenings:

CLAYTON:
- He and Sam were racing their cars down the driveway and squealing with delight. At the end of the driveway Clayton looked at Sam and said "Sam - we are going to be together forever!"
- Clayton's new favorite food is Sun Butter & Jelly sandwiches!
- Still loves Spiderman!
- I taught his Vacation Bible School class last week. One funny thing he did one day was withdrew himself from the "packing peanut relay" - he told us he couldn't play because he was allergic to peanuts!
- LOVES to color. That is all he thinks about is getting back to coloring! He even wants to color in the car! We love all his pictures. Most of them are very colorful (I need to take more photos of them).
- Went off the high dive for the first time (Sunday, July 31st - 4.5 years old). Loved it!

SAM:
- Sam's new words: Cooool!, Okay, Nooooooo, Miiiiiiine!
- He shakes his finger at you and tells you "Noooooo!" (he puckers his lips up when he says no - it is pretty cute)
- Laughs when you put food in front of him
- Likes to drink mommy's iced tea
- Gives kisses and hugs all the time
- His favorite toy is anything he can stack - lately it is my silicone muffin holders

- They both love to play the "night night game" (as they call it). Daddy puts them both to bed in Clayton's bed, lights out and leaves the room. He comes right back in (they are already out of bed) and jokingly tells them to "get back in bed right this minute!". They think it is hysterical!
- LOVES to be outside - he doesn't care if it is 104 outside, he loves it!
- LOVES his big brother (when he isn't irritating him!)
- He likes to get stools to reach things
- Really likes bath time
- Likes smoothies (the only way we can get him to eat fruit)
- Also likes chips & salsa
- He really wants to go off the diving board - he sees Clayton do it and wants to go too!

Spring is almost here!

We are calling it Spring already anyway, even though they are calling for snow next week! We are starting to plan what we might plant in our gardens this year and playing outside quite a bit.

Sweet boys
He gets mad if I won't give him the vacuum


It got warm enough for the park - for awhile!





He was pretty proud of himself :)


Ladies man!


Just getting organized


Sweet face


Always so serious


Yummy!

f
Clayton with his friend Hudson

New & Funny Happenings:

Sam
* When he takes a drink from his sippy cup, he puts it down and says "Ahhhhhh!" really loud
* He has suddenly become a VERY picky eater. We are working on it though! He still loves guacamole.
* He shakes his head yes, and most of the time shakes it NO! :)
* He still loves to climb, we most recently found him on top of the dining room table. I have to watch him closely because next he will be hanging from my chandelier!
* He points, claps, and waves bye-bye
* He really likes when we sing to him
* He likes to flip through books and look at the pictures
* He can climb the ladder on the playhouse and go down the slide by himself - as long as someone is there to catch him!
* He can do the turtle (baby) slide at the swimming pool by himself. He loves the swimming pool - and still mostly loves the hot tub
* Sam's favorite toy is the "Mr Porkchop" from Toy Story who spits out a coin when you push his tail :)
* He would rather eat his lunch & dinner "on the go". Meaning, he would rather eat it in his car seat or while out playing. He is "too busy" to sit down!

Clayton
* He is asking us LOTS of why? questions! Lots that I don't know the answer to - and that it is not easy to come up with answers - like Why do we have 2 hands? Why are there so many houses? Why are there so many people? You get the idea...
* He is trying LOTS of new foods, and it has been very positive. He actually requests things - like carrots or salad. He recently tried salmon and sauteed spinach and liked both and came back for more! He is still a big fruit eater.
* His favorite movie is "The Aristocrats"
* His favorite toy is his Spiderman Scuba action figure

Cabin Fever

We are ready for Spring - enough with the snow!

He's a climber!


The stressed out look - like when he gets told NO :)


Getting his teeth brushed - he loves it!


Clayton telling Sam "you're a good baby!"


Sitting in the big boy chair


Hanging out


The Elmo trance


Clayton with is favorite friend :)


Look at me!


Practicing to be more handy than dad!


Brotherly love!

New & Funny Happenings....

CLAYTON:
- "Of course mommy!" and "OH yes - you are RIGHT mommy!" Ha!
- Recognizing letters very well. He says "C starts with Cookie!" and "T starts with TV" - a little backwards but that is ok
- He also likes to point at letters and name them (like the letters on the backpack)
- He can tell you where he lives (city and street) but not the number of his address yet - when I ask him to he says "Mommy STOP asking me that!"
- He is becoming less picky at mealtime. He is usually eating what we eat. If he says he doesn't like it we just leave it there and when he gets hungry enough he comes back and clears the plate, he knows he doesn't get his evening snack otherwise :)
- Can do the lazy river at the swimming pool without any flotation - by himself! He bounces his way through the circle. He is very comfortable in the water (though he still hasn't had swimming lessons).
- He can also do the SLIDE which makes him very happy! :) He can swim to the wall by himself and it is a pretty tough current
- Has a new belt (for his pants) and he is VERY proud and likes to show it to everyone
- He is writing his name, and quite well! At night he says he is "doing his homework" and writing his name over and over again.
- He can zip his own coat, and get his own hat and mittens on all by himself
- Favorite tv shows: Curious George, & Martha Speaks

SAM:
- Understands "on your bottom" and "no touch!"
- Runs anytime you pull out a wipe or kleenex (he hates having his diaper changed and his nose wiped)
- Found him standing on the play table and also standing in the play table drawer!
- Loves the hot tub at the swimming pool
- Sam's new favorite foods: kidney beans (from mommy's chili), bananas, guacamole
- His favorite toy is Mr. Potato Head
- Very ready to be a "big boy". He wants to sit in Clayton's high chair. We have been pushing his high chair up to the table because he wants to eat off of a plate with a big utensil (adult size). He is much happier, and eats better this way.
- He loves Shadow and likes to make purring noises when he sees him. He loves to play with Shadow.
- We love to play hide and seek! Sam gets so excited when he finds either of us. Watch a video of it HERE.
- He said "daddy" (1/16/10) and he says things that sound like words - especially for cracker (ga-ga) and "Shadow!" though not clear at all yet. Hurry! (I know I will regret wanting/trying to get him to talk - ha!)
- He loves to get his teeth brushed
- He is usually cranky in the afternoon after waking up from his nap, this seems to be getting better though (finally!)

Ashley

Happy Fall & Happy Halloween!

It has been a busy few weeks! We hit the pumpkin patch the week before Halloween. We never intend to wait that long but time always seems to get away from us. We had a great fun fall/birthday celebration with the Moffett's a couple of weeks ago and we all had a great time. Last night was our annual block party, as well as Halloween of course! A great time was had by all. Sam & Clayton went as Buzz & Woody.

Apple splashing (instead of bobbing)




Beer and cornbread, what else could a boy need?


Quickly making his escape


Look who is waiting right in front for cake :)


He loves his momma!


He even met a little girlfriend, Abby


He wanted to sit with the big kids but doesn't want to take his eye off the food!


Love the happy look, had to snap a photo


Time for the pumpkin patch!


Hmm how about this rotten one?


Hay bail maze, always a hit!


Attempt at a family photo


Clayton with his pick


Sam with his pick


Buzz and Woody




Woody looking serious


Buzz showing off his wings


Woody's boots


Happy Halloween!


See y'all next year!

New & Funny Happenings:
* Sam is definitely walking now! He can even get himself up as of last week (10/27) without needing a piece of furniture to pull himself up on. It won't be long before he is running!
* Sam likes to say "BAH!" - it is short for "I want that" or "get me that" or "I want a cracker" or whatever else he has in mind at the time. He will usually reach for something and say "BAH!" It is the only word he is saying lately :)
* Clayton likes to wake up in the morning and come get us - telling us Look! The sun is up, the squirrels are up, the grass is up, the cars are up, etc. Time to get UP! I live for the day that I get to sleep past 7am :)

Ashley