Whaaat?

Who is this kid? Last time I checked, I had a baby. He looks like he's 10 in this picture. I tell him daily to stay little forever, but clearly he's not listening.

Holy Fit!

Last night we got a preview of the "terrible twos". Maximus LOST HIS MIND. He was eating a snack with Jesse and just lost it. He threw his plate down so I picked him out of his highchair and calmly said, "goodbye sir". Once I set him down, he went under the table and headbutted Jesse's knee. Then he kicked Jackie and threw himself on the floor. We just ignored him. He calmed down a bit and then he climbed up on a chair at the table. He pointed at Jesse's glass of milk, so Jesse gave him a sip. He stood there looking at us and then let the milk dribble out of his mouth onto the table. What? Jesse and I were so shocked that we both bent over laughing.
After his milk drama, he got down and ran to the fridge. We need a fridge lock because he's constantly in it. Jesse told him not open it and held it shut. I'm so glad the camera was sitting on the kitchen counter so I could snap a few shots of this nutty kid.
Again, this morning.

Deer in the Headlights

Look at Maximus' face. Total "deer in the headlights" look. We had to sit with Santa so he wouldn't wig out and I must say, he did really well this year. (Compared to last year...)

After our visit with Santa, we decided to go to dinner. We walked through the parking lot toward the restaurant and Jesse saw the opportunity for Maximus to work on his abs.

We haven't taken Maximus into a restaurant for a couple months because it was mayhem the last time we tried. Holy moly, what a difference. He sat in a booster inside the booth with us. He colored, ate, flirted with the women in the opposite booth and drank his milk. It was really nice to go out to eat all together. Sorry about the poor quality of this picture, I snapped it with my phone, but look how old he looks. He's like a 10 year old.

Snow and Birthdays

We had a blizzard earlier this week. It was NASTY. I lived in Salt Lake City for 8-9 years, so I don't mind snow. What I can't cope with is a blizzard. Picture this: mega snow storm with winds reaching 50 mph and the temperature around 0. The roads closed, the city practically shut down and travel wasn't classified as hazardous, it was "treacherous". There's something eerie about a large city closing businesses, schools, restaurants, day cares and doctors offices when mother nature takes over. It makes me feel like we have no control. Anyway, we were snowed in but that was fine because we had a very sick little boy. Poor Beefy. Fever, vomiting and you know what else made him drop a few pounds. He's better now and back to running and jumping.

This is what Jesse shoveled after the snow started falling.
This was taken an hour and a half later. Poor Jackie had no place to pee.
The next morning.
Jesse looking very freaky.
He got his snowshoes out to shovel the driveway but then I found him in the drifts in the back yard. It was 3 degrees, so not a temperature you want to be outside in.
While Jesse was outside, Maximus finally stopped vomiting and fell asleep. I completely covered him in towels and laid next to him in case he threw up in his sleep. He's never thrown up before, so we were freaked out and scared for him. I NEVER want him to be sick like that again. It's not fair for him to be in such discomfort.
On a lighter note, here are Jesse and I before we went to dinner on my birthday. We went to Wilderness Lodge and it was so enjoyable. We both loved it.
Birthday kiss from Maximus.
Jesse's birthday was yesterday and we stayed in and had his family over. It turned out to be so much fun! Oddly enough, I didn't get any pictures of Jesse. Hmm. Of course I got some of Maximus playing with Guytin and Ashlie. He was playing the weirdest game of whatever with them but having a blast running around and screaming.
Poor Jackie was spent by 7:30pm.

I don't get it

He's playing with Puffins cereal in his little kitchen. Now I get why Jackie is stalks him when he goes in his play room.

California

I'm back! I apologize to the 4 people who read my blog that I haven't posted anything for a while.
Wednesday, November 18 my grandmother passed away. We were all completely shocked as the news hit us like a ton of bricks. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I flew to California for a few days. I'm not going to write much about the whole thing because I'm still so sad, but getting better each day.
Although the reason my family gathered in California was for a death, it was so good to be with them. My brother and I both flew into Los Angeles within an hour of each other, so we met up and ate In-N-Out on Sepulveda (the main street of LAX) within the first 30 minutes of arriving in California. My brother is a very professional, quiet, deep intellectual. We had a lot of driving time together during the weekend and we bonded in a way I thought I'd have with my brother. After the trip, he sent me a birthday card and he actually opened up a bit emotionally. That's a card I won't ever throw away.
Here are several pictures from the trip...
Dad, me, Mel, Dave and mom at the graveside service.


My grandmothers casket was so her. Pink and gold with delicate flowers.
At home before we left for the service.

On a much lighter note- this is Chickie. My parents have 2 chihuahuas and they are mother and daughter. Chickie is missing teeth, so her tongue hangs out ALL THE TIME! I honestly hate chihuahuas, but Chickie and Marley are awesome dogs. They're so loving and smart! I made them sleep with me during the trip and now I miss saying, "Marley! Be nice to your mother!"I had to snap this picture one morning. My dad will be running and exercising daily until he's 105. The man is a machine. And he's notorious for wearing some of the most ridiculous workout gear. This get up isn't bad at all, but it's just how I'll always think of him. He's shorter now too- about my height.

My sisters daughter, Mary on the zip line in my parents back yard. My sister is tiny and so is her husband, so they have have these miniature- almost pocket-sized kids.
Outside the restaurant my grandmother loved after the services.
Me, mom, Aunt Al and Anne. Alice is my grandmothers older sister. When my grandmother died, she decided to move to the east coast with her daughter Anne. Her Pug dog (Babe) will have to fly alone! I just found out that Alice had exploratory surgery a few days ago because she suddenly couldn't swallow, was in a lot of pain and had a flipped bowel. She's in ICU for the next 5 weeks and is doing better. Wow, out of nowhere. I'm so glad I was able to see my family. I can't explain how nice it was to be with my family again. I only wished Maximus and Jesse were with me. Anne (on the end) is one of the funniest people I know. She is a hoot.
Three of the four kids of my sisters: Mary, Eliza and the youngest Jared aka:punk.
My one and only cousin Coli. I wish I lived closer to this girl. She's awesome. And her husband makes fun of her nose just as much as Jesse makes fun of mine. And her husband is a huge Cowboys fan like Jesse. She's expecting her son Ezekiel in about 10 weeks.
My favorite picture of all. I stood up at the restaurant and took a picture without telling anyone, but somehow my dad saw the opportunity and is the only person posing in this shot. I keep laughing!

I took a few pictures of the West Covina house that has changed so much. I love it!

Front porch...my dad swept the leaves 10 minutes prior to me taking this picture.

Livingroom...
Family room...

She has the silent washer and dryer that I want.
My dads marathon picture.The desk off the kitchen. I don't get my mothers chicken thing...