10!

Jacob is 10 months old today!  And I would say he is offically walking.  I watched him meander from one side of the kitchen to the other without falling.  Quite a feat!  I would also say his first word is "Dada."  Kind of fun, since Ally's was "Mumma."  I love my kiddos. 

Ally is keeping me on my toes.  She is constantly coming up with stories or repeating something back to me that she heard.  I forget that she is only two.  I've made a sort of chore chart for her.  Still trying to work out exactly how I want it to go, but this is our first try.  I like it and am planning things I want to change on Take 2.

As part of her chores, I also have her help me clear the table, unload the dishwasher, and clean the tub.  It's fun, but takes a little longer.  Here's a picture of Ally after we were done in the bathroom on Saturday.

We are also trying to figure out the best way to teach Ally, while maintaining our own sanity.  I saw the idea below on pinterest and decided to try it.  A "time out" jar of sorts.  When she needs to settle down, or I need to settle down, we have her sit in the kitchen and shake up the jar then watch the glitter.  It distracts her for a minute and gives me time for a few good deep breaths.   

Happy Baboween!

Costumes, costumes.  I really enjoyed dressing up when I was little, and we made our costume every year.  I can't remember a time when we bought a costume, except maybe a wig or witch's hat or the like.  And after looking at costumes at the store, I can see why.  For the most part, cheaply made or very expensive.  Two years ago I purchased a dragon costume for Ally from Old Navy, I think after Halloween because I remember it being heavily discounted.  She didn't wear it last year and this year she barely fit into it, but loved it.  So, a dragon it is and with no additional money being spent.  Now, Mr. Jacob...  I was looking at Target because I was running out of time and didn't really have any ideas for him.  And I see this super cute turtle costume that is discounted.  I picked it up and realized it was a costume for a dog.  I picked it up and put it down a few times and finally decided to get it anyway.  It's never been worn, right?  And it was cheap, and I still think it was pretty cute.  What do you think?

I had to work on Saturday, which was our ward's Trunk or Treat.  And Ernest didn't get any photos from it.  But, his work did a Halloween party for employee's kids on Monday.  I took the afternoon off work, got the kids dressed up, and took them over.  They both had a great time.  Ally got to play a ton of games, got a lot of candy, and "Rawr!-ed" a lot of people.  She did very will with saying "Trick or Treat," "Thank you," and "Happy Baboween!"  Cracked me up.  Jacob did lots of smiles, wiggling, and raspberries.  They kids got way to much candy, but that meant that we didn't need to worry about Ally wanting to go out Monday night.  Yes!  I don't know if we'll get away with that next year or not. 

Just for Fun

Random things about me and my family

1. Ernest and I talked online for 1 month before we met in person, and then we were engaged 6 weeks later.
2. I am afraid of the dark.
3. I am also afraid of water, though I have been on two cruises, went SCUBA diving on one of those cruises, and enjoy canoeing. 
4. Ernest has self diagnosed ADD and OCD. (Shannon concurs)
5. I was 6 years old when I became an aunt for the first time.
6. I just became a Great Aunt for the first time when I was 31 (Nov 2!)
7. I cried the first time my mom made me drive the car.  I didn't want to learn. 
8. Now I love driving on road trips.
9. Ernest's favorite 1957 Ford is a Ranch Wagon. 
10. We own a '57 Ford Ranch Wagon (to be restored).
11. One of his all-time favorite cars is an R34 Skyline - recently produced in Spain.  Apparently the Nissan GTR replaced it (he's coaching me through this - I'm not a car person).
12. I flew for the first time when I was 17.  A 3 week trip to England with my brother and his family.
13. Ernest draws really well.
14. He wants to learn to wood carve too.
15. I've taken 6 months worth of piano lessons.
16. I played the flute in 5th and 6th Grade.
17. I played the violin in 6th Grade, and caught up to the second year students in 1 semester.
18. I haven't played the flute or the violin in years, and want to do it again.
19. Ernest used to breed and raise geckos.  He had 28 at one point.
20. We have one remaining gecko, Gigger, who is 17 years old.
21. 6th grade was my last year in school.  I was home schooled after that.
22. I took the GED when I was 16 and passed in the 92nd percentile.
23. It seems I pass everything in the 92nd percentile.  Good enough to do well, but not good enough to do REALLY well.
24. Ernest has lived in 9 different states and Germany.
25. I supported myself through school (unfortunately with student loans still repaying) but was the first member of my family to earn a Bachelor's Degree.  My oldest niece received hers the next year.
26. I graduated Magna Cum Laude (3.85).  Couldn't quite keep my GPA up enough to get Summa Cum Laudie.  It dropped during the two semesters that we got married and moved - my classes were only 6 weeks long so an off week or two really messed you up. 
27. Even now, I still want to attend BYU.  Must. Let. Go.
28. Ernest went through drivers ed class when he was 16, but did not get his license until he was 25.
29. There were three people I thought I would love to marry.  Third time's the charm :)
30. Coincidentally, I've also only kissed three people.  Though the last one is the only one that was on my "marriage" list.
31. Ernest has broken a bone at least 7 times and separated a rib once.
32. I have cracked two fingers, a toe, and had a stress fracture in my hand. Hopefully the kids take more after me than their father.
33. Ally's first word was "Mumma."
34. Jacob's first word was "Dada."
35. My mom taught me to sew a pencil skirt when I was around 12, and I started sewing then.  I've taught myself everything else since then. 
36. I designed and sewed my own wedding dress.
37. Ernest had his last growth spurt at 23.
38. I have very much become a homebody since getting married. 
39. I want to learn to decorate cakes.  My current learning comes from watching Food Network Challenge.
40. I have a very hard time getting to know people.  Not really shy, just not sure what to do in those situations.
41. Jonathan Brandis was my first celebrity crush. 
42. I could listen to Christmas Carols all year round.
43. I don't like very many contemporary Christmas songs - I prefer the classics. 
44. I love to Organize.  Not that you'd know that by looking at my house though.
45. Ernest went to 3 different grade schools, 3 different junior high schools and 4 different high schools, but only 1 college.
46. Ernest once got his head slammed in a door by his sister.  I love that story, I think because I have four brothers myself.
47. Ally would try to stay "Love you" but it came out "Noo noo."  Now it is common-speak in our home as well as my brother's. 
48. We have a pizza night almost every Friday.
49. I actually like watching Backyardigans and Word World with the kids. 
50. I love limericks and remember way to many of them.

Flashback Friday (shamelessly stolen)

I am stealing this idea from Susan's blog.  And I liked her idea of a Flashback Friday With a Twist.  Normally this would be me posting something from the past about me and my family/friends.  However, for this inaugural post, we'll play it this way.

As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

The interesting part about this is that I'm pretty sure I have maybe 1 person who reads my blog since I went private.  Oh well.  We'll see :)

A Visit from Grandma & Grandpa

In September (yes, I'm a little late) Ernest's Dad and his new wife (welcome, Mom!) toured cross-country to do some visiting and attend both of their high school reunions.  They passed through Kansas City for a day on their travels, so stopped by our place.  We were so glad they did.  Jacob hadn't met either of this set of grandparents yet, Ally hadn't met Grandma, and Grandpa hadn't seen Allyson since she was about 9 months old.  The kids had a great time, especially Allyson since she had a captive audience to show off her room, toys, and silly new skills she is developing.  We can't wait to see Grandma and Grandpa Kelso again!