Saturday, December 26, 2009

Happy 90th Birthday, Great-grandpa Ellsworth

We went to Woodruff the day after Christmas for great-Grandpa Ellsworth's ninetieth birthday party. We captured pictures of Cael with both Great-grandpa and Great-grandma. In the picture with Grandpa, notice the similar facial expressions. It must be in the shared name, Paul. How lucky you are to know your great-grandparents, Cael, and to feel of their love for you. They think you are the greatest thing, and they light up when they see you, even if they can't remember your name all the time. Only they are allowed to still call you PJ, as you were affectionately known for quite some time in the womb.

Oh Oh Oh, Merry Christmas!

Cael had a great Christmas, which means we all did. He certainly received many fun gifts, with which he already loves playing. He saw his wagon from Mama and Dad first, since it wasn't wrapped. He ran to it and got in. He wouldn't get out, so he opened the rest of his gifts while in the wagon. It was cute. We also got him a little camping chair. Santa brought him a doctor's play kit, the movie UP, a book, and some Smarties, his favorite candy. Gramma gave us a game and snacks to play and eat as a family. Grandma Jill gave Cael a cute outfit and a basketball hoop that adjusts up to six feet. Grandpa and Grandma doled out a car track with cars, a stuffed-animal puppy that makes noises, a Mickey Mouse phone, and a little four-wheeler. Aunt Kirsti and Jalen gave him an outfit and a Steelers' football that makes sounds when he throws it on the ground. They also went in on the basketball hoop, along with Aunt Sarah. From Aunt Julie, Cael got Handy Manny with all the tools. Aunt Amber and Uncle Chad gave him an adorable little Bass Pro hat. James, Dad's friend from work, gifted Cael with a Leap Frog learning bear. From Hope, he got keys with a remote that makes sounds. Also, Cael's great-grandparents came through with a cute bear and some money for his college/mission fund, great-grandma Baca and great-grandma and grandpa Ellsworth, respectively. What a spoiled kid and what a haul! It warms our hearts to know, however, that he was and is truly excited about everything he received. There was no ho-hum attitude about his gift-opening and playing.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Winter Wonderland

We were in Heber on Tuesday, December 22 visiting Nicole and her family and making tamales. The snow fell softly and steadily for hours, creating a scenic Christmas portrait. Cael, Kiki, Parker, and I went out to play in the white stuff. Cael wasn't quite so sure at first, but he warmed up and started running around with the rest of us. We had a snowball fight, made snow angels, and built a mini-snowman. Oh, what fun it was!

Whose bright idea was it to let him eat yogurt by himself?

Thursday, December 17, 2009

In the Zone

Cael knows what he wants, and he wants to watch T.V. He knows where the remote is, he will get it out, and he will bring it to us to turn on the set for him. If it isn't on what he wants, he will bring the remote to us again to change the channel. The lower picture is of Cael watching the Grinch, totally entralled by it.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

S.O.S.

Dear Mom and Dad,
I've heard from other kids that I'm not supposed to talk to strangers, let alone get close enough to them for them to hold me. Yet, you placed me on this man's lap at Bass Pro to get a free picture of me with this guy called Santa Claus, whom I don't really know. I witnessed several other children around my age crying once they got their turn at being tortured, and I am confused as to why you continued to stand in line for my time. I thought you loved me. I thought you cared. I thought you took the parental oath to try to protect me from harm and heartache. I did not fall for your nervous smiles as you tried to get me to calm down. Did you not see me take the pacifier out of my mouth and throw it down with all the sixteen-month-old strength I could muster? Still, you left me there with him. I refused to smile for this photo, despite the promise of a mini candy cane. I did not get a chance, amidst my screaming, to tell ole' Saint Nick what I would like for Christmas, so please get word to him of what I want: no more strangers holding me while my parents stand there like idiots, not recognizing my obvious signs of distress. If the man in red would deliver that to me, I will have the merriest Christmas ever.
Your son,
Cael
P.S. The beard was fake.

Over the river and through the woods . . .

. . . to Aunt Nicole's and Uncle Shane's we went. We spent this turkey day in Heber with all of Mom's siblings, plus Gramma, and their families (except Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Lon and their kids). We had a great time with the three f's of the day: food, football, and family. Happy Thanksgiving! We love our little turkey, all smiles in this picture.

Hanging out in the 'Brook

Cael loves to spend time in Holbrook with his family there. Here he is at church with Nemo, watching T.V. while Grandma talks on the phone, showing his angelic face at Aunt Kirsti's, hugging Mickey Mouse while shopping, sleeping at church on Grandma's lap, smiling while looking at a photo book, feeding Grandpa's cow, riding a toy at Grandpa's and Grandma Lois', and being tickled by Grandpa.

Smiling vs. Somber vs. Bored Cael

Which one is the winner for the cutest face?

Friday, November 6, 2009

Always Adorable

Okay, maybe not ALWAYS adorable, especially at diaper-changing time,
but he does keep us smiling and laughing most of the day.
He climbed into his toy crate,
after emptying enough toys for him to fit.
Cael is out in the car seat after being a TURKEY in Wal-Mart, throwing soup out of the cart and generally acting like the type of kid that you are glad isn't yours. That was us the other day. He is mine, though, and I will take him even with a dented Progresso can.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

The Cowgirl with her Cute Cow

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Bo?

Cael's Aunt Sarah has a dog named Bo. Now Cael calls any and every animal Bo, including dead elk heads on walls. He will often put his hands up in this questioning pose as if to ask "Where's Bo?" He will then point to whatever animal he sees and say his version of "see."
In fact, right as I type this, he is looking at a book of his, and all I hear is "Bo?" "Bo?" "Bo?"

Dad's Old Chair

Paul's mom saved his little rocking chair from 1971, when he was Cael's age. Now, Cael has it to sit in and rock and enjoy. He loves having his own chair that he can climb into easily. Thank you, Grandma, he says, for saving this for me.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Oh, so comfy

Cael loves to come into our bed in the mornings,
snuggle under the warm covers, and watch his Disney cartoons.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Busy Busy Days

I can't believe it has been a month and a half since I last posted.
There is much that has changed with the little guy,
but I will condense it into our top ten favorite things that Cael now does.

1. Walks everywhere, with his little hands held up.

2. Taps his hands on his thighs when he wants something. For example, if I am getting him a cookie, he will start tapping on his legs for me to hurry, like it will increase my speed.

3. Laughs, the best little giggle and laugh I have ever heard.

4. Stands in front of the mirror and entertains himself, doing just about everything to see himself.

5. Sticks his bum up in the air like a stinkbug. He may be trying to do a somersault, but he isn't quite there yet.

6.Claps when we go to get him out of bed.

7. Helps me with things, like making his bed. He will hand me all the blankets he has thrown off his crib, so I can put them back on.

8. Talks and talks and talks. He seems to say a new word every few days.

9. Does actions to songs, like "If You're Happy and You Know It."

10. Throws his hands up in the air and claps when we sing da da da da da da - charge!

11. Drinks milk like a champ, holding his own cup - yeah!

12.Cheers for our teams; when we woohoo or clap, he will join right in.

13. Reads, reads, reads. He can't get enough of his books. When he is playing in his room, he will sit and look at all of his books instead of playing with his toys.

14. Eats big-people food. He loves hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, bananas, and mandarin oranges, along with M&M's.

15. Smiles through his pacifier.

Okay, so fifteen things. I just couldn't stop myself.

I love you, buddy, for a thousand more reasons.

Go Roadrunners!

Cael's cousin, Jalen, is the quarterback for Holbrook's football team this year. Cael has been to see him play twice this season, both times being loved and held and spoiled by his aunts, Sarah and Kirsti, and his grandma. Cael is wearing his special outfit to cheer on Jalen and the team.
Cael loves the bird.
Eating out before the game - I love this picture.

Happy at Home

Watching College Football
All worn out at NaptimeTaking over the house, one piece of furniture at a time
Enjoying one of Mama's sugar cookies
Climbing into the Exersaucer by himself (notice the left leg)
Ready to play Madden on the Xbox

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Handprints

Cael left a handprint on the closet-door mirrors in our bedroom, and I attempted to capture it on the camera. Although these don't show how truly adorable and tiny his print is on the large mirror, at least I got something to show up in the reflection.
Print of a hand that reaches up to me,
saying
I want you
I need you
I love you.
Print of a hand that explores his world,
exhibiting
independence
curiosity
mischievousness.
Print of a hand that holds on to valuables,
grasping
pacifier
books
Nemo.
Print of a hand that will do great things,
serving
family
friends
Christ.