My Little Monsters!

I am here to report that we did indeed have a HAPPY Halloween! Caleb was not sure why he had to get back into his costume...because Halloween was yesterday, mom (he had his costume party at school) and was apparently very confused. This afternoon started off great with Chip taking Caleb to "stick time" which is basically a free skate for the hockey kids. There only ended up being 2 other kids. So Chip and the 3 boys got free run of the whole rink (very unheard of and a super TREAT).

Chip dropped Caleb off and headed for his football game (tonight was the start of playoffs) and I got the boys dressed into their costumes. Nonni Donna and Papa KevO came to pick us up for the Americans hockey game where they also had indoor trick-or-treating. Caleb was not really that interested in the candy and wanted to watch the players warm-up (only my child...every other child his age was attempting to stuff as much candy as possible into their bags). He happened to eye a puck stuck in the net and coerced my dad into getting it for him. Then Retta showed up and trumped the candy and the puck by bringing Caleb a signed hockey stick that Kruise (Reddick)--one of the Ams players that she and Dan house) had picked up from the ice after it had been broken by one of the Americans. Too cool! Sadly the Americans lost, but in better news the Southridge boys won their football game tonight!! Go Suns!!

The monsters

My sweetie pants

Caleb showing off his loot

Ok, as I am writing this someone just rang my door bell...now it is 10:35 at NIGHT. Yup, you guessed it--old kid trick-or-treaters...uhhh (they are my pet peeve...get a life). I told them I was out of candy and that there were way too many little kids trying to sleep for them to be out ringing bells. They craziest thing is that they were being driven around by what I assume were their parents....WHO are these people and WHERE do they come from?...seriously!!

That is all, goodnight!!

A Drayson Update

The little man is almost 4 1/2 months old. Which makes me terribly sad and happy all at the same time. You MOMS know what I mean! He had his well -baby check this morning. Here are the stats: 24 3/4 in., 14lbs 12oz. That lands him in the 50% for both height and weight. Doc says he looks great! Howled like a banshee after his shots, then passed out and slept for 2 + hours while I aimlessly roamed Target! Though I used a few coupons which always makes me feel better about the shopping/roaming extravaganza that is Target.

We have started adding a couple tablespoons of rice cereal to his bottle before bed at night (which I know, I know they are saying 6 months now, but he started waking up in the middle of the night and smacking his lips). And I am so not going back to middle of the night feedings...he hasn't had one of those in like 8 weeks...he is like the poster child for sleep (i'm probably jinxing myself right at this moment). So we have been actually getting a normal amount of sleep. Silly me, I thought that was supposed to make you more sane instead of insane...let me explain: I stopped by the OB (that would be Dr of Obstetrics...ie guy who checks & removes baby--for you baby-less types) office to pay a bill yesterday and found myself SAD that I was not pregnant and started to feel this strange sensation...yes, I am afraid to admit that it felt like that baby itch. Now I know I didn't feel that itch until Caleb was passed his 2nd birthday at least. I think the fact that Drayson has been such a good baby/sleeper and the lack of the episiotomy this time around has made me lose my mind in this department. I came home and did the math and realize that this would put my children just 13 or 14 months apart...and I do not want that people...no, no, no! I think I should probably borrow Parker from my sister ASAP--that would surely snap me back to reality, wouldn't it? We always said that after 2 babies we would "play it by ear"...so I guess the answer is YES, the Elfering family will eventually be going for baby #3...but not anytime soon!!

Does anyone know--do they have a cream for this particular itch?!

FALL into FuN!

Do you ever have a super amazing day that just makes your heart FULL?

We had one of those days today! We went to the Pumpkin Patch with Caleb's class this afternoon, followed by a play date back at our house with Caleb's new friend Andy. The kids did all the wonderful "patch activities"...tractor trailer ride to the pumpkin field, hay maze, hay pyramid, petting zoo--followed by juice and a cookie...what could beat that?!

Caleb with "the perfect pumpkin"

The Class on the hay pyramid

Drayson happily sat in the front pack for 1 1/2 hrs. What a trooper!

Look at this handsome fella...so grown up

Caleb & Andy

This was our first "official" play date. The boys got along famously! We made mini personal pizzas and drank hot cocoa. Using the toy littered front yard as a gauge...I would say they had a great time. Drayson napped and I actually got all the things on my list done...and had time to download some new songs onto my ipod! Hey now, thats a BIG deal! Shocking how much I can get done when I am not acting as caleb's play toy!

Right now Drayson is finishing his nap, Caleb is watching a movie with the neighbor kids and I am attempting to make banana bread. I'd say it's been a pretty darn good day.

While the Gals are Away the BOYS Will Play!

Drayson and I finally returned home from Spokane late Tuesday night. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with my sister and Mom right after Parker's birth! But as much as I enjoyed being there, I figured I had left my men to struggle long enough on their own. Caleb enjoyed every minute of his alone time with Daddy...going to football practice and even getting to be the ball boy at one of Chip's games. They even went to the grocery store together...where Chip turned to Caleb's expertise on what kind "mommy usually buys." They did pretty good. Mom stayed with Jamie and Trav to help them through this first week, so I have been juggling kidlets so that I can help Dad out at the shop, since we left him flying solo. Apparently, he is doing more than fine and is really getting into this "grandpa" thing...as you can see from the video clip and picture below.

LOOK what Papa bought Caleb...

Does he look ready or what? Every time we go to Joe's Sporting Goods, Caleb is always eyeing the little dirt bike out front...I have to practically drag him out to the car. Papa Kev-o's reasoning is that all 3 grandboys will eventually get their turn at it. How much fun is the cabin going to be this summer?!

In other Caleb news: last Wednesday Caleb made his first trip to the PENALTY BOX following a scuffle at hockey practice! HA. Of course he did! The only saving grace in this whole story is that at least he didn't start it...but lets just say he sure did finish it (nothing a good cross-check doesn't take care of)! So off the 2 of them went to the box...2 minutes for roughing. I wish I could have gotten a picture. You should have seen these 2 little guys sitting on their bums in the make-shift box. HILARIOUS! Funny thing is he sat there without a fuss and served the time for the crime! I'm gonna have to start calling the time-out mat the "box" at home and maybe he wouldn't pitch such a fit at me. We always knew that we would have to deal with some of this with such a strong willed boy...but I just didn't think it would start so soon. Your prayers for patience would be appreciated!!!! :)

Of course I can't leave out the little man...though I'm not sure we can call him little anymore. Aunt Jamie has dubbed him "butterball." And Caleb referred to him as "our big monster" the other day. The pics speak for themselves.

Isn't he just adorable?! He has found his tongue in the past couple days and keeps hanging it out of his mouth, trying to see how many different noises he can make. Though they can be a handful, I always find myself thinking how boring my life would be without them to entertain me!

Yay! Parker finally made it!

Parker James Guion

Jamie and Trav had their baby!!! Saturday, October 18th at 9:14pm via C-section. 7lbs 12oz, 21in. He is adorable and the fam is doing great! See more of his first pics on Jamie's Blog! More details and pics to come in the next couple days hopefully!

The Resemblence is Amazing

So I have been meaning to do this post for awhile now. Ever since Drayson was born we have been saying how much he and Caleb look alike. They looked so much alike even right when they came out that Chip and I just looked at each other in amazement when Drayson was born. How can some siblings look so different and others look so alike?! As I was looking at some old pics of Caleb the other day, Caleb asked me when I had taken those pictures of Drayson. And when I was showing Chip these pics last night, even a couple of them fooled him!

Drayson 1st pic

Caleb's 1st picCaleb & Daddy
Drayson & DaddyDraysonCalebThese last 2 are the craziest...Can you guess?

Caleb is on the top, Drayson on the bottom.

They have their differences of course...but that initial shock...WOW!

The biggest difference in all these pics may be that Chip seems to be losing hair on his head and growing it on his Face! (sorry hun, I couldn't resist!)
It will be neat to see if this "alikeness" continues as the boys get older.

The Return of the Exersaucer!

The Exersaucer has returned! My mom had Kev-O bust this out of the storage room the other day, where it had slept for 3 long years. We are hoping that this will help firm up those neck muscles of Drayson's and also take care of the lopsided flat spot he has going on the back of his head! Chip has now been instructed to bring the Jumperoo out of it's resting place in our attic.

He seems to love it!

Look at this cutie patootie...he growing up right in front of my eyes

I'm not sure who is enjoying it more...Drayson or Caleb

I could never really figure out why they would put numbers and a sing-a-long ABC button on a toy for an infant. It's not like the kid is gonna stay in this thing until preschool. But after we brought it out I did realize it had it's benefits...Caleb has been practicing his ABC's, singing to Drayson and working on his colors, numbers, etc. Caleb is having a blast and Drayson LOVES it when big brother sings and talks to him.

Eat, Breathe, Play HOCKEY!

The long awaited day arrived Wednesday...Caleb started hockey!! I'm not sure who was more excited, Caleb or Chip!! This is pretty much all we talked about all week at our house. You should see how pumped up he is. And it really is hilarious and amazing all at the same time to watch these miniature people out on the ice. Caleb is one of the smallest ones out there, but we are pretty sure he has no idea, since he continues to take on the "big guys." He seems to be holding his own though!

Check out this clip...Caleb is in the white jersey with the white helmet with his back to us.



He worked so hard out there. Caleb was all sweaty under his helmet. After dinner and a bath, this is what happened:

Drayson was such a trooper, considering the TRAC rink is the coldest place on earth! Here he is staying warm.

Next week a few Tri-City American hockey players are coming out to help with practice. And Caleb's team will get to play during intermission at one of the upcoming American's games!

Random picture fun

This is a fun idea from Sarah's blog...thanks!

The idea is to go into your picture file, go to your 4th folder, then go to your 4th picture in that folder. Post the picture and write about it! So much fun because it is a surprise...and you get to conjure up some old memories!

Here's what I found...

This picture is from Caleb's first trip to the cabin! July 2005. He is 10 months old here. "The Cabin" is actually an old homestead in Mazama, WA. (go through Wenatchee and keep on driving north til you almost reach the Canadian border). It has been in my Dad's side of the family for generations. Some of my best and earliest memories are from our summer trips to the cabin. My mom has a picture of me in this yellow tub getting a bath when I was like 4 months old. I am so excited to start making our own family memories there, that our boys will hopefully cherish for a lifetime.

Marriage is Hard Work....but SO worth it!

*I feel the need to preface this entry with this tidbit of information: Part I was written 3 days ago and I was debating on whether to post it or not. Part II is what happened last night. Which pretty much told me...you gotta post all of it.

Part I
Ok, something has been on my heart for awhile now....MARRIAGE IS HARD WORK! Now, I know this is not breaking news, but it has never struck me with such clarity as it has for these past couple of weeks. It takes time, energy, patience and most of all commitment (throw in a couple of kids and it takes twice that)! On a day to day basis it is not the "butterflies in your stomach feeling" like when you first started dating--it is jobs & house payments & laundry. And that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Because when your family has a "good day" it is SO rewarding. I want to encourage everyone this week to do something to make your marriage special. Because even more important than ourselves are our children and they not only deserve, but depend on us to show them what a good God-given marriage looks like! People, I beg you...Fight the Good Fight. It is not in vain!

Part II
On Tuesday Chip said to me...let's go to visit my mom (jane) on Saturday night, because Larry is out of town, etc. "Sure" I say. So yesterday we pack up the kids (Chip even packed the diaper bag and added bottles and formula...which looking back I did find kind of odd...because I am almost exclusively nursing). Chip wants to pick up a Happy Meal for Caleb before we get to Jane and Larry's, and I also thought this was strange, because I was under the impression we were having dinner--and mama was HUNGRY! Well, we get there and Chip drops down all the kids stuff, gives his mom the rundown of Drayson's schedule and turns to me and says "WE'RE GOING ON A DATE"....huh? Jane starts smiling and Chip is grinning like a goofball! It turns out he had this all planned for the last 5 days. We went out to dinner and to the movies (he even picked out a girly movie that I had been saying I might want to see...I guess he DOES listen)! Now this might not seem all that extravagant to you single or married withOUT children types, but to a gal who has a 3 month old and has not been on a date since he was born...it was the BEST!

Now, do you see why last night was so awesomely ironic! Maybe Chip and I are really that in tune with each other, that he knew just what our marriage and I needed...or maybe God is just really that great! What a difference one simple night can bring....a renewed attitude towards my husband and my children....even life in general. And when my kids are "giving me the business" this coming week (which I know they undoubtedly will), I'm gonna look back and grab some of this goodness. I can't say it enough--MY MAN IS THE GREATEST (and I hope that each and everyone of you feels this exact way about your spouse too)! I am praying this week for all of you and your marriages...because last night proved it is not in vain! And this morning I still have that "butterflies in my stomach" feeling!!

7 Weird & Random Facts about ME!

Sarah D. tagged me a couple days ago. And if there is one thing I am, it is definitely "weird & random". So here goes:

1. I am 1/4 Japanese (my mom's mom was full). I don't look it at all, but I LOVE Japanese food. And when I was really tiny I could understand common toddler type words in both Japanese and English (I admit I have forgot most of it).
2. I am lactose intolerant. I found out in high school. It doesn't usually bother me...except for when someone has a Dairy Queen ice cream cake--I die! Even more random...Chip is also lactose intolerant!
3. I only like bananas when they are slightly green and hard. Mushy bananas should only be used for banana bread.
4. I've never been in a fist fight, but always wanted to know what it would feel like to punch someone for real. Chip says I'm not missing out...except maybe on bruised knuckles! (I can't beleive I am admitting this).
5. I was once stuck in a snow storm on Snoqualomie Pass on the way back to college for 12+ hours. Worse...we had to shut off the car because we were afraid we would run out of gas. BRRR!
6. I used to race 4-wheelers when I was like 8 years old...and I was actually pretty good. See Dad, you never needed a BOY!
7. I am crazy obsessive about experation dates and even "best if used by" dates or even if I think something might be getting old. I WILL NOT EAT IT--period! My mom and Chip think I carry it a little too far! I say better safe than sorry.

I only have 3 people to tag (wow...I sound like loser) ha. So, I tag Jamie, Lyssa, and Addie. Humor me!

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Happy 24th Birthday, darling sister of mine! These pictures make me smile. I can't beleive in a few short weeks you will be a mama! How very blessed I am to have such a great sister and friend. Come home to me soon, so that we can be the best "kid wrangling double team" in town! I LOVE YOU!