Thanksgiving Weekend!

This past weekend has been a blast! We have had so much fun hanging out with the Coons family. I didn't take nearly enough pictures because we were too busy playing hard!

Thanksgiving morning we had everyone over for German Pancakes and a little turkey bowl. Andy woke up at 6AM to secure a field. Best line of the day was by Charles, "This isn't the Super Bowl, this is the Turkey Bowl. Let's get on with it!"

We had a wonderful dinner prepared by all family members and of course no Thanksgiving is complete without Jane's Orange Rolls. YUM!

Here is Lucas in his Thanksgiving Sweater. Please ignore the black sock to cover the cast.

Family Picture

This was Lucas' last "1st" Holiday so we had to go all out with a bib!

On Friday we of course did our Black Friday Shopping.... and put up Christmas decorations!

Here are Andy and Lucas finishing off the Christmas Tree with Santa:

Family Photo in front of the tree:

Here is the story behind this picture. We set the tri-pod up to take a family photo... well Lucas refused to look at the camera or smile for that matter... or when we would get him to smile it would stop by the time the timer went off. So I started jumping right before the picture took. Well that resulted in me "landing" and looking really small, and Andy looking really tall. So, here we are, the munchkin wife and the super tall hubby.

Today John and Jane gave their homecoming talks at church. Afterwards we took a family photo:

It was freezing outside. And of course, Lucas is looking elsewhere.

Me and Kelly... wish they lived closer... sigh

It was a great weekend filled with yummy food, good conversation, and lots of family. Thanks Burdetts and Trythalls for coming in to town so we could play. 

Bookcase/Den

We have been going back and forth about what we wanted to do in our front room... Formal dining? Formal living room? Play room? What to do, what to do. We finally decided we wanted a "Den/Crafting Area" because after all is said and done that is what would be put to best use.

So then we were trying to decide what we should put in the Den. We found the most beautiful craft rooms at California Closets, but the $$$$ was not in the budget. Andy came home one night and showed me his drawing of what he was going to build. I'll be honest, I was skeptical. He told me that if I hated it I could take it out and we could go back to the drawing board.

Well, Andy finished and it looks great! It totally finishes the front room and I now have a place to keep on my crafting items!

Best part? Grand total of project = $200. Savings of about $2000 for not using California Closets!

**Those chairs don't normally go there... the Christmas tree is taking up the space that the chairs usually go**

So welcome to our Den! :-)

Spikey

While Ashley was here she mentioned that I needed to blog more because Lucas look so different than when she last saw him in September. This morning I took pictures of Lucas new "spiked" hair do. His hair is finally get long enough to do something!

Lucas loves it.... and so do I. I am hoping it will be longer for Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time....of the year.

Which also means it is time for Santa pictures! Tonight Ashley and crew drove through Las Vegas on their way to Utah for Thanksgiving. We did the annual "Meet at In'NOut, let the kids run around, and hang out". Afterwards Ava and Shea still needed to get some energy out (and maybe Christian too:-)) so we headed over to Bass Pro Shops. Luckily, Santa was there this week (last week we went, and Santa was out sick) so we decided to get a picture of the grandkids for Grandma Tracy.

Take 1:

The kids all seemed OK, so we decided to try again with Shea actually on Santa's lap. Easy enough, right?

Take 2:

The best part of this picture is Santa's face. We honestly were laughing for days. Santa doesn't know what is going on or why we decided as parents this was a good idea. As the kids were sceaming he said to the elf taking the picture, "Hurry, you gotta do it quick with these ones". Hilarious.

Better luck next year?

Day 1

So we decided Harry wasn't the appropriate name... he just didn't look like a Harry or Harold. But we did find the perfect name.... drumroll please...Thompson.

So today Lucas and I decided to take Thompson on our usual morning walk. Andy suggested taking Isabelle, but we all know she HATES walkie-walks. No one told me that dogs don't come naturally trained to walk on a leash, or have a collar on for that matter.

So here is how our walk went:

Lucas loved having the extra warmth, and Thompson loved chillin in the stroller. They are best buds already. Lucas would pet Thompson's head and smile, and then Thompson would lick him back. Like I said, best buds.

Also, Thompson is a great help in the kitchen!

He licked every plate clean! 

I can only imagine the adventures we are going to continue to have! Stay tuned.

What a week!

We have had quite the week. It started with Ants invading our house. One might say, Ants? No big deal. Well my friend, you haven't seen ants until you have been in our kitchen. They were EVERYWHERE. I would finally get them cleaned up and they would come again. It was never ending. Finally we called the bug man and he got them under control.

Next came Lucas. He is a little roly-poly and loves to roll over while getting his diaper changed. He honestly cannot sit still for more than 5 seconds. I bent down to grab a one-sie, and he rolled right off the changing table and landing on all fours. It was like slow motion, I just couldn't get to him fast enough. He seemed fine and so we went about our day. After his second nap I realized he wouldn't walk or stand on his right leg. I made an appointment with our pediatrician, who then sent us to an orthopedic doctor, who then put on a full leg cast. He has a buckle fracture in his tibia. The doctor said it would heal on its own in 4-6 weeks, but Lucas couldn't crawl. Yeah right. Lucas not crawl? I don't think so. We opted for a cast for 3 weeks. And just for the record, white was the only color they had in the baby size. Now everyone will know how dirty our floors really are!

Moving on, we had a robbery next door. I am already scared of the dark and the crazies of the world, but right next door? Yikes. We have an alarm, but it just isn't enough for our peace of mind. So we now have an additional member of our family:

His name is yet to be decided. My vote is Harry. Lucas LOVE LOVE LOVES him. And in a few weeks he will have the scariest bark around! 

I know we are a little crazy for adding another dog to the mix. But I will feel safer having a dog to protect us... If anyone has heard my mom's dog Walter, you know how scary the bark is. Walter is a Golden Doodle, but this little guy is a Labradoodle.

Wish us luck as begin Puppy Training! 

Our neighbor's house was robbed today...

And now I am a nervous wreck. We are researching guard dogs, upgrading our ADT and I am just panicking about Lucas' safety. Why do people think it is OK to just steal from others? Why aren't parents teaching morals and ethics to their children? Why is our governemt so concerned with such trivial issues when people just run free? I read on the OC blog today that a little girl Rapist was let free from prison today. SERIOUSLY? Let free? Shouldn't he serve a life sentence with no opportunity for parole? Shouldn't he be cast off to an island far far away and never allowed to be around civilization ever again?

What needs to change to make the world a better place? I have been thinking about this for a few hours and my conclusion is: The Home. No one is allowed to have children unless there will be a loving father AND mother in the home to rear the children in righteousness. No more premarital sex. NONE. If you decide you want children YOU are held responsible for your children't actions. If they do something illegal, you are held accountible. Maybe then parents would encourage law abiding citizens....and this responsibility does not end at age 18. It is a lifetime thing. So if your child robs my neighbor at age 30, 40, or 50, guess what, YOU are going to jail too! Ha! If your child is a sex offender, YOU are punished as well.

Maybe I am being a little irrational. Maybe I am already in a bad mood because this week has been bleh. Or maybe, just maybe, I am on to something. Let's all start focusing on the HOME and not Healthcare Reform. I think that if we started implenting my plan we wouldn't need healthcare reform because we would all want healthcare, would pay for healthcare, and there wouldn't even be an issue of healthcare.

That's all for now. Thanks for letting me vent and ramble on about my frustration.

Guess who is walking!

Tonight Lucas took his first steps without his walker. To say we were excited would be a huge understatement! :-) It only took a little Yogurt Melt bribe. Now if only we can get him to walk without the bribe!

11 Months

That's right...just one more month until the big ONE years old. I guess that means I need to start planning Lucas' party. I have a theme in mind, it's just a matter of execution.

At any rate here is our 11 month picture,






These are getting harder and harder as the months go by. Lucas is such a funny little guy. Here are a few favorites:

- He loves waffles and little crunches
- Pretty much over the bottle. Would rather have food for every meal.
- When you life Lucas into the bath he goes into pike position to "help". It is so funny... I think its because he is so excited he just wants to help get in as fast as possible.
- Loves to talk...daddy, gooooo, uh-oh are his favorites
- When you put him in his carseat he stands up. He thinks it is so funny to be obstinate and not let you buckle him in.
- He loves pushing things...tupperware, bottles- pretty much anything that makes a Fun noise.

Can't believe I have an almost one year old!

Minna / "Nanna"

Today our Minna and Banca stopped by on their way out of town. When I opened the door Lucas went straight to Minna. They are going to be great friends :-)




Showing off his new skills.... Standing by himself.


And climbing the stairs...


We love our Minna... Lucas can't wait for stake conference because we get to sit with them :-)

Doctor Day

For some reason every time we have a doctors appointment we have the craziest mornings!!

Today our appointment was just for the flu shot. Simple right?

Wake up. Feed Lucas. Bathe Lucas. Lucas poops in bath. Take Lucas out. Clean bathtub. Re-bathe Lucas. Dress Lucas. Lucas bonks his mouth on table = blood everywhere. Soothe Lucas. Change Lucas. Start load of wash to get blood out of shirt. Rush to Dr's office. Get flu shot. Run over to Bancas house to make sure Lucas mouth is ok. (so nice to have our dentist back home!).

Now I'm enjoying a diet coke, chocolate and Gossip Girl while Lucas naps.

Hopefully our day turns around. I'm sure the receptionist at Dr. LePore's office thinks I'm a looney tune who never gets dressed because I am ALWAYS running late because of our crazy Dr dat mornings!

THEY'RE HOME!

Our Minna and Banca are HOME! The plan was to head over to their house first thing after church because they would be home. During the second hour of church I was in a YW meeting when my dear friend Camille comes in with tears in her eyes and a look of urgency. I said, "What's wrong?" and she replied, "They're here!". I literally went running. Sweet Jane was saw me walking and she starting walking toward me and we both started crying and hugging. I think I was so emotional because Jane is the closest thing I have to a mom since mine is so far away.  Lucas was asleep in my arms and Jane took him and couldn't believe how tall he was.

After church we still went over to their house and Lucas was awake. He went straight to Banca and gave him a big hug. It was so sweet. Then he didn't want anyone BUT Banca. He just kept smiling, hugging and patting his shoulder. We all came over for dinner and had the best time. Jamie and Cari and crew stopped by as well. We are so lucky to have some grandparents home! 

I think all the excitement wore Lucas out. He took a 3 hour 45 minute nap. He just woke up and it eating his "ba-ba" and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse--his new favorite. :-)

I think our Minna was equally are tired from all the excitement...

Snuggling with Baby Chad

We can't wait to spend more time with our Minna and Banca....hopefully they don't get sick of us! :-)

Funny morning

A funny thing happened thus morning that I wantnto remember. Lucas loves to play in the bathroom while I get ready. Today I was blow drying my hair and he was emptying the trash. I said,

"lucas, get out here. GO,"
And he responded, "Go!!?" and continued to say "Go, go, go, go" throughout the house.

Now if you say go to him he'll repeat it back. What a silly boy.

Escape Artist

Lucas is a tricky little fellow. Especially when it comes to getting a diaper changed and PJ's on. He LOVES to escape and have you go and "catch" him. Mommy has caught on to this little game and he seldom gets away..... but somehow when Daddy is changing Lucas always gets away and comes and find me. Tonight I had my camera nearby to catch him in the act...

What?

Two words: Naughty Shamers.

(Those of you not in the Bruce Family- When we were little my grandma would always say, "Naughty Shame" when we did something that was naughty, but kind of funny. So of course history repeats and my sister and I say the same thing when our kids do something naughty.)