Videos for the Grandparents

Helping in the kitchen from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

When I am in the kitchen, they want to be in the kitchen too. They have one cupboard I let them play in and they are always so helpful when I make dinner.

E wrestling L from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Elliot recently discovered that wrestling isn't too bad if he is the one doing the tackling.

E old man walk from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Brooks is trying to teach Elliot to "walk like an old man" in celebration of Mark's upcoming 30th birthday. Too cute!

L limbo from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Landon has learned how to do the limbo. He also kneels down and folds his arms when we tell him it is time for prayer. He even kneeled down in the kitchen yesterday when we said the prayer on the food.

Jumping on the couch from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Steven came over to play while Heidi taught preschool. I love it when the three boys play together. Here they are getting into trouble figuring out how fun it is to jump on the couch.

In the Leaves

Fall has arrived here in Spokane and it is chilly outside. The leaves have changed and many trees are now bare. I took the boys to the park a few days ago and tried to get a few pictures with the fall leaves. The above picture shows how the photo shoot went. Maybe if Brooks was with me, they would have sat still for a bit longer.

Roman Murder Mystery

A couple weeks ago, we got together with friends for a murder mystery dinner party. Brooks was a senator, who had some risky business deals in his past, and I was a Vestal Virgin,g who had broken her vows. Everyone at the table had done something that made them suspicious of being the murderer, and we had to figure out who had done it based on the clues we were given. It was a fun evening with good food and good company.

Harangus Adnauseum and Rotunda Immaculata

Mark and Heidi hosted the party

Bogus Fortunatus and Cleptopatra

Sam's Baby Shower

I threw a baby shower for Samantha, who is expecting a baby girl in November. It turned out well and was a great excuse to get together with girls and eat yummy food.

Our First Camping Adventure

Brooks and I have talked about taking the boys camping, but have never really followed through with that. A few weeks ago, we decided it was time to actually try it. Some friends invited us to go and we decided to brave the great outdoors with the boys. Other than Elliot burning his fingers on a lantern and a rough nights sleep for us all, we had fun. Landon and Elliot got insanely dirty, which is just what little boys should do while camping, right? We camped with Heidi and Mark and some other friends at Farragut State Park in Idaho. We were close to the lake and had fun splashing in the water the first day. Tyler and Janae cooked us some great food in their dutch ovens and we enjoyed a late night by the fire talking. It might be a while before we try camping with them again, but I am glad we went.

I love these little camping chairs I found at garage sales. They didn't sit in them much, but they were still fun.

Videos

The weather took a sudden turn and it got cold quickly. We were trying to soak up all the sun we could before it gets cold. Here are a few videos of the boys playing in the yard. I think it will be their last day wearing shorts for a long time.

L&E playing in yard from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

L&E throwing from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

E throwing the ball backwards from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Truck from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

This truck has been a favorite toy for them, but it also causes lots of fighting. They both want to sit in the cab.

E Golfing from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

L please from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Landon learned how to say please and he is very animated when he says it.

L tackling E from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Landon loves wrestling and Elliot hates it. This video says it all.

Both boys are learning and saying more everyday. They love reading books now, especially books about animals and cars and trucks. They have both said, "Love you," and I of course think that is the greatest!

Some of the words Landon says are please, Elliot, car, cracker, love you. dada and mama.

Some of the words Elliot says are please, Landon, dog, car, tractor, bunny, Elliot, moon, mama, dada, bye bye, cracker, love you, all done, outside, and book.

We love these little boys!