Christmas Comes Early

Since the four of us and my sis' little fam will not be here on Christmas Day, we celebrated a bit early with Nonni & Papa KevO last night. Caleb was SO excited to be allowed to open some of his presents early.

Thanks for the Razor scooter Uncle Trav, Aunt Jayce & Parker

Hot wheels racer track

Drayson also got some neat toys!
Our extended family on both sides stopped in at my mom's to say hello. The babies were a big hit with the gals! Cousins Marika & Maria with Drayson.

I was also treated to an early gift that came in the mail the other day. I am so excited about this one! My ultra talented friend Lyssa crafted this special charm necklace for me that has baby pics of both the boys. Isn't it just the sweetest?!


The weather outside is attempting to rain (or should I say SNOW) on our holiday travel parade! Flying to Cali for Christmas seemed like such a great uncomplicated idea back in September! I continue to pray that we will not spend Christmas night in an airport somewhere, and I pray even harder that if we have to--Drayson will at least sleep a little and not be too upset!

Family Skate & Caleb Funnies

Last night was Caleb's end of session hockey party. So the whole family got to skate (minus Drayson of course...THANKS Papa Larry for coming and amusing the little man so that Chip & I could both skate with Caleb)! Seriously, Caleb is such a good little skater now, he is WAY faster & way more skilled than I am.

Anyone who knows Caleb knows that he speaks in "CALEBese" and has since he first started talking. One of the most memorable is "E-oh" which meant OTHER, as in "I want the "E-oh" blankie!" He has since outgrown that term, but his newest one is "I GO SPEED" which means FAST, as in "Dad, the other day when I was riding my bike I was going SPEED" or "I was going so SPEED that the other kid couldn't even catch me" Too funny.

Also the other day at the dinner table he says out of know where:
Caleb: "Landon doesn't share his toys."
Chip: "Well, you just make sure you share your toys, ok"
Caleb: "I do. Bryce came up and tried to take my toy the other day and I said "Bryce, you need to ask first because that's the nice thing to do" so Bryce said "can I please have that toy" and I said "SURE."
Chip: (chuckling) "well, that's real good to hear"

I am just so glad that the things we are teaching actually do get through to Caleb (on some days).

Yup, That's Some Snow!

Um, so yeah...apparently Caleb channeled the Snow Gods this weekend.

It's -5 degrees with the wind chill.

With more snow forcasted for later this week.

P.S. Caleb got another game puck at Skate with the Americans.

He "cuddled" it last night before bed & "washed" it today with a dipe wipe.

Thanks for the puck Kruise & Thanks for the skate Brock!

Caleb's been Dreaming of a White Christmas!

Caleb has been talking/wishing/asking for snow for the past couple of days. He keeps talking about how he is going to go snowboarding. This morning he heard me talking to Auntie Jamie and apparently they woke up to snow this morning in Cheney. Let me tell you, he was ready to pack up the car and head on up there...man was he one envious little boy.

Below is the "unit" he wore around the house all day in hopes that it would snow.

Well, wouldn't you know it did start to flurry a bit this afternoon. We met up with my parents down by the river to watch the fireworks show before heading to the hockey game tonight. Brrrr, it was cold.

Drayson & Chipper enjoying the fireworks

When we came out from the hockey game tonight, the snow was starting to stick! While everyone else was freezing, Caleb was trying to make snowballs out of the .25 inches of snow on the ground!

Look Mom, real snow!

We will have to wait and see what happens overnight! But I wanted to get these pics, just in case we woke up and it was all melted...that would not go over well with Sir Caleb Pants. I'm sure he will be dreaming sweet sledding dreams tonight!

Randomness from the Past Week

I have almost finished my Christmas shopping--hallelujah! And no I have not wrapped one present yet...all you people who have had your presents bought, wrapped and under the tree since the day after Thanksgiving! This year I actually did quite a bit of online shopping...and I love it! No lines, no dragging around kids/husband, etc. You get the picture I'm sure. I am down to the nitty gritty, the last couple people on my list who I did not have specific present ideas for...which means RANDOM SEARCHING. Now sometimes I do not mind random searching, but this year I don't really have the patience or self-control for it.
For me RANDOM SEARCHING = EXTRA PURCHASES FOR MY BOYS. I just happen to see things that are too cute to resist and then they are on sale, so of course I BUY! This year we are not doing the big present thing for our immediate family, because we are going to California with Chip's family from the 25th through the 30th (so we are saving our $ to spend down there on all the goodies that the tourist attractions of Southern CA offer). Anyways, that last 2 paragraphs of rambling leads me to these two pics of Caleb in his newly purchased "guess it doesn't have to be for Christmas" vest that I got at Kohl's for 50% off! Yay!

I cannot resist the puffy vest. I think it makes him look so grown up & stylish!

The bear he is posing with is "Buddy Bear" He gets to come home from school with each of the kid's and then they write about the adventures they had together! This is Caleb's 2nd time and we get him for the WHOLE weekend this time...big stuff!

The pic above is Caleb showing me how Buddy Bear is going to ride on his shoulders into the hockey game tomorrow night! (this is how Chip carries Caleb into the games most of the time)!

Caleb & Drayson both "playing" with their hockey sticks. Caleb just can't wait until Drays is big enough to play with him!

Last night Caleb did not want to finish his dinner in a timely manner, so we left him at the table to finish the job before he could come join us. After a good 20 minutes and no complaing Chip went to check on him and this is what he found....

And for you curious people, the answer is NO, he will not wake up in the middle of the night hungry, he will more than likely just eat an extra bowl of cereal for breakfast the next morning!

Couldn't have a post without a picture of Mr. Drayson Pants. He goes in for his 6 month well-baby check in 2 weeks, but I took him in so the Dr. could check out a rash Drays had been rocking for several days. Apparently nothing to worry about on the rash, but the nurse weighed him and Butterball weighed in at a nice even 17lbs! We celebrated the occasion by purchasing Size 3 diapers! He has gotten this eating off the spoon thing down and is loving his rice cereal feedings that we have added right before bed.

Excited for the weekend. Caleb has his last hockey practice for this session Friday night, followed by an American's hockey game. Saturday will be some random chores, shopping, Christmas prep and family time. Then there is another Ams game Sunday night, followed by a Skate with the Americans. Caleb is very excited!

O Christmas Tree...

Yesterday we put up our tree, outside lights and all the other Christmas decorations. And I feel I must admit something...I am not one of those people who LOVE to put up the tree or "wait all year" for Thanksgiving so they can finally start putting up all the stuff--nope that's just not how I roll (and Chip is pretty much the same). I just don't enjoy dragging all the stuff out and I detest having to put it all away...especially taking down all the ornaments off the tree...ugh! Now don't get me wrong, we love celebrating Christmas and we don't forget for a minute the "Reason for the Season"...Christmas does begin with Christ! But, since we do have small children and it is "the thing to do" we continue to do the whole decorating deal (mind you, this DOES NOT and never will include any lawn ornaments)! But on the first night after we get the stuff up, I really do enjoy all the pretty lights on the tree and driving up to the house and seeing the outside lights on. Must be something about that soft white glow from the lights that really starts to change my spirit!


This year Caleb really got into the whole trimming of the tree thing. He was so proud to put up his candy cane ornament that he made at school.

One of the trees outside (and my not so good attempt at an artistic picture)
This is the one decoration I do not mind putting up at all...probably because it is the easiest and makes the door look so cute!

And we couldn't have a post without a new pic of the boys. Caleb loves to get into the crib to help wake Drays up in the morning or help put him down for a nap. He cuddles him and we sing. Notice that their heads appear to be the same size...hmmm. In other big news my little baby is cutting his first tooth!! I am having a real issue with this one people, considering Caleb did not get any teeth until 10 months and Drays is not even 6 months yet...have that many months really gone by since we were holding our precious new guy at the hospital?

When I was pregnant with Drays I got the greatest children's book by Karen Kingsbury called "Let Me Hold You Longer." It is all about a mother and her son and her remembering all of his "lasts"....last time she rocked him good night, etc. all the way up through his adult life. It is too sweet, I cry every time I read it. Caleb loves the story, but can't figure out why "mommy gets sad." It really reminds me that time does fly and these precious moments will be gone in a flash and I'm gonna grab every last one and hold on for dear life!

Happy Birthday, December!

Only a couple this month...

December 5th

My wonderful cousin Ashley turns 21! She has grown into quite the young lady.

We will get to celebrate with her this weekend...can't wait to see you!

December 22nd

Cara "Lukie" Piippo (hey that's the first time I've used your married name!)

Cara and I have been friends since the 1st grade. She taught me to play soccer on the playground. Man I found a lot of pics of us (especially some from the high school days), but narrowed it down to these two. We really don't see enough of each other, I miss it...she is probably my funniest friend, what a riot!

RHS Graduation 2000

Me, Lukie, Chelle, Peeps, Bynda-senior year!


December 25th
My cousin Casey (you lucked out buddy)....couldn't find a recent pic of him at my house this afternoon and the baby is napping so no time to run to my Mom's to find an embarrassing pic from his younger years.

Also December 22 is Jane & Larry's anniversary if I am not mistaken. Thanks for getting married and having your wonderful son so he could grow up and marry me. My adorable boys would not exist if it weren't for you two falling in love and tying the knot!

Move Over Wayne Gretzky

Truly, is he not the cutest thing in the whole world? I could just eat him up. We got buttons to wear on our shirts too...we are dorks...seriously my heart is bursting into a million tiny pieces of proud mommy love for this miniture man.

Thanksgiving Pics

Last night I looked at Chip and said: "man, that was a good weekend!" And it was. We celebrated 2 Thanksgiving dinners, watched Caleb play hockey, watched the Americans win 3 of 3 games, watched caleb & chip play roller hockey outside (do you detect a theme?), spent time with family, tickled babies, went shopping, put up a shed, hung out with friends, attempted to take Christmas pics...whoo! I just wish Chip and I could stay home and play all day long with the boys until Christmas break! Enjoy these pics from the weekend!

Our holiday CHEESE BALL

Don't let this angelic face fool you

"the boys"--Caleb, Drayson & Parker (our newest nephew)

Chip, Drays, me, my sis Jamie, my Dad (KevO)

the new little family--Trav, Parker & Jamie

At the Elferings...This pic just cracks me up! Look at Mr. Crazy Pants Drayson

He has learned to make this growling noise from the back of his throat along with a fake cough! And he works on it ALL DAY LONG.

Gma Jane & Papa Larry snuggles for Drayson

Drays & Aunt Kass

OK, literally as I was halfway through this post, 2 major things happened!

1. Drayson had the mother of all blow-outs in the Jumperoo....mmm yumm

2. He rolled over for the first time!

Allow me to explain:

Drayson was fussing around in his jumperoo, so chip pulls him out to find the above mentioned blow-out. A serious one people...clear up the entire back! So Chip lays him on his stomach in the dry bathtub so we can strip him down...this is when the big moment of the roll occured. Yup...right onto the poopy back. So of course the three of us (chip, caleb & I) cry in unison

"do it again!" We flip him back onto his tummy and he looks right at us and smiles and flips right back over onto poopy back. Only one of our child's 1st shining moments would have to coincide with a major poopy moment!

So Drays is in bed after a nice warm bath and bottle, Caleb dressed himself for bed (he is getting SO big, SO fast) and I am going to attempt to get back to my Christmas card creation.

All and all a successful day I would say.

I Am Thankful

This morning I was reading a friend's blog and she had the neatest post about all the things she was thankful for. It really got my thinking. People, I've got a pretty darn good thing going here! I am very thankful and excited that tommorrow I (along with the help and support of my wonderful and handsome husband) will be packing up TWO healthy and wonderful children to go to not one, but two Thanksgiving dinners with family; where we will eat an enormous amount of tasty food under a warm roof after thanking God for the many blessings He has placed in our lives.

It is so very human to get into a Bigger, Better, BEST sort of attitude. But these things are fleeting and we must remember to turn our thoughts to more lasting treasures if we are going to be truly happy. I know the grass may sometimes look greener in someone else's yard, but remember there is also someone out there thinking that YOU have the best yard on the block!! So today step back and don't look at your lawn with such a critical eye. Ignore your weeds and dry spots and instead focus on your ROOTS!

HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

p.s. when I asked Caleb what he was thankful for, he said....all his hockey pucks! Then I said, "that's nice, but I was thinking of something you have that not everyone else has, like your brother or your friends"....to which he replied, "yeah mom, but not everyone has as MANY pucks as I do!" (of course--I just had to chuckle...why would this even surprise me at this point?!).

The Week in Review

Just thought I would give you the overview of the past week's "happenings" around the ol' Elfering Homestead! It has been a fun one as always.

Drayson found his toes...so fascinating!

Exercising in the Jumperoo--he loves it as much as Caleb did!

Snuggling with Daddy

And it really wouldn't be a week at our house without some sort of hockey! On Saturday Caleb played at both intermissions of the Tri-City Titan's game with some of the other kids from his hockey team. He really wanted to score a goal, so one of the older boys (he's like 6) told him to go stand in front of the net and he would get the puck to him so he could score...so cool! He then decided he liked scoring so much that he even scored on his own goal...and he celebrated just as hard! The kids don't really care who scores and neither do the coaches...they are just out there having the time of their lives!! The Titan's guy's were really nice and gave the boys "knuckles" after the end of the periods on the way to the locker room and hung out after to sign autographs.

In awe of the Big Boys

Ready to Go

Here is a little video clip of the game. My apologies as it is a terrible film job. I only had my digital still camera and the rest was definitely operator error and mommy inattention!

Thanks to all of Caleb's "fans" who showed up to cheer him on at his first "game." (Papa Larry, Auntie Kassie, Papa KevO & Nonni, Scott & Becky, Papa Bob & BJ)

We also had an awesome time hanging out with the Dodson Crew on Friday night. It is so fun to catch up with friends!

Star of the Week

So this week at preschool Caleb is STAR OF THE WEEK! We got to fill out a worksheet all about him and then he was supposed to draw a picture of his family. Just lately has he started to draw "people" and I just think it is awesome to watch his little mind at work. Check out his masterpiece of Our Family below. Who would be the blue-haired monster like person you ask...yes, that would be Mommy! I have no idea why I stand out in his mind like this, but there you have it. If you can read it--the last statement says: "when I grow up, I want to be... a COACH." The teacher says in all her years of teaching she has never heard this one before...only in our family I guess!

I have also been snapping away, trying to get some decent picture candidates for our Christmas card. So before I decide on a couple you all get the pleasure of seeing my cutie pies. This was Caleb's idea to get the matching jams!



Before heading off to church on Sunday. Aren't they both getting big?

Since this summer Caleb has been obsessed with his Converse high tops. Well my mom found these mini converse high tops a couple months back and Caleb has been itching for the day that they finally fit Drayson. I just love this pic.

In other news, Southridge football lost on Saturday after making it to the round of 16. So their great year finally came to an end, which is sad, but also means that we have Chip back! YAY! Hopefully the "Honey Do" list that has been sitting stagnant since August will get dusted off and kicked into high gear before the holiday season gets into full swing.

Good Times with Nonni Donna & Papa KevO

On the mornings I go in to work, my mom is awesome enough to take the boys for me, and my parents love to take them on other occasions as well. They always do super fun things. Mom had all of these awesome pics and videos stored up on her camera and I finally got them!

Drayson "cheesing" at Nonni

Nonni's Big Helper
More smiles for Nonni

Making Brownies...yumm!

They love to go on walks to the skate park that is right down the street from their house. She takes Caleb during the day when all the big kids are in school so he has free reign of the park and doesn't get run over. He loves that the concrete is SO smooth...so he can skate super fast!


Video of Caleb at the Skate Park



The other day Caleb went to brunch with my parents at my grandpa's retirement place. My dad is always more than willing to take Caleb outside when he is getting a little cooped up. Look what they found to do....

Daily I think about how blessed we are. Thanks Mom and Dad for loving our kids with an everlasting love. They will never forget these good times that you have helped make with them.