Bow Hunt 2011

The reason we headed to Utah so late this year was for one reason - the bow hunt.  Wade really wanted to go last year, but Eli ended up being born on opening morning, spoiling all the fun. Now poor lucky Eli will get to celebrate his birthday out on the hunt every year!

So this year there were no excuses.  The boys were so excited!

When we lived in Utah, I wouldn't always go on the hunt. But this year the plan was that all of us would go, even Miss Avery got a new camo outfit (that had pink on it) and somehow we managed to pack all our vacation things, and camping/hunting gear into the van and could actually see out the rear view window! (Miracle for sure!)

 But when we got to Utah, Wade's brother had hurt his back and he was in the hospital, which meant that his wife, Chandra, and their kids weren't going.  That made up my mind.  I didn't really want to camp with a 1 and 2 year old anyway:)

Friday the boys packed up their stuff and headed out with their Dad and Grandpa.

Loaded up with treat bags from Grandma, of course.

(Avery and Eli happily said "see you later" there was no way those two were getting back in a vehicle for another long car ride after our 15 hour trip!)

 Wade waved good-bye and told me not to craft/shop too much while they were gone!

Apparently not much is more exciting than sleeping in the trailer bunk beds.

Wade says the boys had a good time out on opening morning.  They were gone a long time and he said they hardly complained.

Gage came home and told me his favorite part of camping was that Wade let him drive the Rhino for a few miles.  He did it all on his own.  He was pretty proud of himself.  He also said he didn't want to go camping again though, because Noah got to sleep on the top bunk the whole time.  Then he showed me a bunch of rocks he collected.

Noah loves life.  These pictures of him crack me up.  If you ask Noah what his favorite part of camping was, he will tell you "Throwing my hot dog in the fire and then peeing on it."  (And when I heard this, I was very glad I stayed home!)

Noah was riding on the 4 wheeler with Grandpa and apparently he just fell over asleep mid-ride.  Wade moved him to the back of the Rhino and he was still asleep - with his helmet on!  Wade couldn't help but take a few pictures before taking the helmet off.

 Josh and Grandpa

Sunday morning the kids had fun on an old snow pack.  Wade tried to make a path for them to slide down, but it didn't really get too fast. I uploaded one of Gage.

And last, but certainly not least.  My favorite mountain man, with his scruffy weekend beard.  I am glad he was able to take our boys out and have fun.  I know this will be such a great tradition for years to come!

Sunday Photo

One last hug with Grandpa and Grandma Christiansen.

Right before bedtime Sunday night.  

Nothing makes me more happy than family.  

Wade and I are very blessed.

We discuss this on a regular basis.

It goes far beyond our little family of 6.  Far beyond.

Parents.  Grandparents.  Siblings.  Cousins.  Nieces.  Nephews.

Friends.

Sometimes I just like to sit back and am awestruck.

I find my heart is so full of gratitude I can't even express it.

I am

Blessed.

Happy 1st Little Eli!

Monday we celebrated Eli's first birthday with a little party.  We haven't been able to celebrate a baby's first birthday in Utah since Gage's first birthday.  Wow, time flies.

Wade and I made some balloon banners, that Eli quickly crawled around with, got tangled up in, and couldn't stop laughing while playing with them!

We just did cupcakes, ice cream and candy in the backyard.  It was nice to celebrate with family. We were super glad that Wade's brother felt good enough to make it over and enjoy the party.  Hanging out at the hospital on your vacation from the hospital isn't Wade's idea of fun.  We are all so happy he is doing better!!

After presents and some play time it was time for business.  Eli's cake.

The boy totally knew what to do.  No hesitation at all!

He kept eating and hovering his leg over the cake.  It wasn't long until a foot (or two) was in the cake as well.

Then he noticed the circle of cousins sitting around him and had to perform his new trick. So he stood up.  And got grass on his frosting covered hands.  He looked like a brown and green grass monster.  It was the funniest scene!

The damage in the end wasn't really all too bad.

And then it was off for a quick bath.  He left a nice chocolate/grass/dirt ring in the tub.

And then more playtime with his new toys.  

Happy birthday little Eli!

Sunday Photo

Sunday marked Eli's first birthday.  I can't think of any better Sunday photo than this one.  Giggling (and drooling) with delight!  Eli is such a great kid.  We love him bunches and bunches.  

Then Wade lined the big three up and told them that they had to take the birthday spankings for their brother. They totally complied!  What a bunch of nuts!

~~~

At 12 months Eli loves to eat.  Almost anything he can get his hands on!  He still isn't walking, but can cruise on furniture and loves to go from sitting to standing. He got really good at it on his actual birthday.  He can stand alone for a few minutes!  It is only a matter of time before he will move those little feet and take off.

Eli is a great sleeper, and so easy to put down for bed.  Just give him his blankets and turn on a fan and the kid lays down and goes out like a rock.  He can sleep with a party going on....or his sister throwing a tantrum in the crib right next to him.  He loves his two blankets.  He loves to suck on his two fingers.

Eli is a great dancer. Watching him swing his arms and bounce up and down is such a site.  He cracks us up and loves to perform.  Eli loves to wrestle with his sister and pull her hair.  He laughs and squeals with delight when he can play or wrestle with his siblings.  He loves them all so much.  When he gets one on one time with me or Wade he is besides himself and so bored.  He really loves those little guys running around him.

Some of Eli's favorite things right now are balls, cars and animals.  He tries to make animal noises.  He loves to drive cars and makes the car sound all day long.  He is so happy when anyone sits down and plays catch with him.

Eli has started to get his feelings hurt when I tell him no, or take things away from him.  It is so funny to watch his lip pout out and see his sad little face.  Since Noah has the best pouty face in the world, Eli has a great example.  You can't help but pick him up and give him a little squeeze for being so cute when he does this!

At 12 months Eli has 5 (maybe 6 if you look hard) teeth.  He is working on them all the time by chewing on anything he can get his hands on.  He wakes up occasionally at night right before a new one pops through, but he usually calms himself back down and goes back to sleep.

I say this all the time, but he really is one of the best kids.  He is so laid back and so happy.  He is patient and compliant.  He is such a joy to have in our family!

Onions

When Avery was this age, she found her way into the sugar in the pantry.  Eli?  Tonight he found the bag of onions in the laundry room.

And he loved it!

He would bite it, make a face, and then go in for more!

What a nut.

Good thing he didn't have a hot date tonight.  He totally had onions on his breath for a while!

Silly boy.  

I can't believe he is turning ONE on Sunday!

Jet Packs

 My friend Courtney came over last week and brought the stuff to make jet packs with the kids.  They were super easy.  The site she found them on used crate paper as the flames, but we used plastic table clothes. I think they were way more durable.  Everyone had a "blast" running around the backyard.  

I had them line up so I could take their picture.  Noah was so mad he had to stand in the middle.  The sequence of pictures really cracks me up. Noah has the best pouty face lip in the world.

And eventually Noah quit pouting and decided to run around with the rest of them.

Thanks Courtney for the fun craft!  They are still flying around on them a week later!