Apples, Kittens, Coloring, and Doctors

A friend in my ward said I could come and pick apples from her tree and I was ecstatic! I have been wanting to make more applesauce! Of course, Creighton loved our new "adventure".

 Her property is really big, he loved exploring and helping to put apples into our laundry basket. OK-more like THROWING the apples. But a few bruises don't hurt, they are getting mashed anyway.

 Creighton LOVES kitties and one just happened to wander over while we were picking apples. He is an animal lover, but especially cats. Probably because they are soft and they let him pet them. Callie is more into rough-housing than soft petting. Unfortunately for Creighton, mommy is VERY allergic to cats so we are NEVER getting one.

 Saturday afternoon while canning I text my mom and said, "Why do I do this to myself?!" She replied, "Because you are crazy!" Fair enough. I deserve that. You probably do have to be a bit crazy to can. It is A LOT of work. Especially for applesauce. Cason bought me this food mill for my birthday (I DID ask for it :) because I heard it would help me make a smooth appleasuce. Well, it works fabulously, but it takes FOREVER and my arm was SO tired! And since Cason wasn't home to help turn the crank, I gave up, and used the food processor for a bit of a chunkier applesauce. Or maybe I decided to work smarter, instead of harder? Either way-applesauce is made. 7 quarts of applesauce and 3 quarts of apple juice with only half my apples. More applesauce next? Or some pie filling? We will see... The apples are the BEST! They are so sweet and flavorful I didn't add any sugar! Delicious!

 To keep himself busy this weekend Creighton has been coloring. Creighton got a Halloween coloring book from his Grandma Chambers in the mail. Fun! But unfortunately he also colored on a few things that were NOT the coloring book. Besides his red eyebrow and blue lips, he got my screen door. Darn it.

I wanted to take a minute to brag. This morning I had a doctors appointment that I unexpectedly had to take Creighton to as Cason was called into work just a few minutes before I had to leave. The problem was that it was a 2.5 hour appointment. LOTS of blood work, sitting and waiting, and PLENTY of being bored. When I arrived the front desk secretary informed me how unhappy she was I had brought Creighton to the very long appointment. Well, he was not pleased that she assumed he was a naughty little boy so he busted out his best behavior yet. He was a wonderful little boy. He watched cartoons, read books, played with cars, ate cheerios and drank milk, and snuggled with mommy all VERY quietly. FOR 2.5 HOURS! I left there with a big smile on my face that my little guy had acted so great and he made me look like a FANTASTIC parent.

 Ahhh... if only that was a more regular occurance. But I'll take it when I can.

UnProfessional Photographer

I feel like blogging. But what to blog about? I always have something on my mind and plenty to say- but is that interesting to you? I don't even have any pictures with great stories. In fact, I realized the other day I have been lazy when it comes to picture taking. Mostly because Creighton has decided he doesn't really like his picture taken. He rarely looks at the camera and when he does he is running towards it to take it from my hands. He loves to take pictures. Here is some of his work:

This is a picture he took of one of his favorite toys. The singing helicopter. All day long, "Come fly with me and we will see what goes up in the sky..." Who comes up with this stuff? I am not clever or silly enough to invent children's toys.

And a picture of mommy's socks and Creighton's foot. Ewww. Look at those socks. Someone HAS GOT to mop her kitchen floor. Sick!

Creighton was supposed to have professional pictures taken last week, but the weather was horrible so we rescheduled for tomorrow. I hope the weather cooperates because I would love some fall pictures. I love the changing of leaves! So this last week I've been feeling a little antsy for some cute Creighton pictures so I tried to do a few mini-photo shoots, very un-professional, at home. This is what I got:

Holy heck! Look at his hair! It looks like he was electrocuted! Which unfortunately wouldn't have surprised me. He is obesssed with outlets and despite how hard I try to cover them, he figures out how to uncover them. He has started plugging things in. One day it was my hair straightner in the hallway, another time it was the space heater in his bedroom, and at Grandpa Dennis' house he plugged in the hand mixer-and IT STARTED UP. He was scared out of his pants. Serves him right! But he hasn't learned...

Anyway... his hair most of the time looks like this when he wakes up and it is a battle trying to get it to lay flat, so I figure a little hair cream will make it look like a stylish "faux-hawk". In person it really didn't look this tall. But pictures don't lie. It may be time for a trim up top.

Yesterday I remembered we had a package of un-opened "jean-diapers". Fabulous. Baby photo shoots in diapers are so cute. Well, sort of...

Creighton was feeling a bit exposed. He probably figured I would post the pictures on our blog or something.

 So he covered himself up with a blanket and then worked the camera. This is one of his favorite poses. It says to me, "I didn't do it mom." Here is another toy that I have memorized. "That planet is in uncharted space!" His favorite button on the Buzz Lightyear car no longer works because he pushed it so much. At least that's what I figure.

Since Creighton's mommy is no photographer, I hope the weather is nice for tomorrow's scheduled session. Last Thursday when the weather was cold, wet, and windy, this is what Creighton wanted to do:

I turned on cartoons for him and he preceded to make himself cozy. Where does he come up with this stuff? I have never seen anyone sit "in" a chair like that. Cason thought maybe he was protecting himself from Callie. Creighton actually doesn't like to watch TV too much and probably only watched cartoons for 3 minutes. Sometimes it seems so wonderful to set him in front of the TV and have him preoccupied for an hour. But that is not my luxury. Teasing. I'm glad he doesn't have a television addiction. Not yet at least. In fact when mommy watches, Dancing With The Stars, Creighton will turn off the TV and say, "All Done!" His favorite phrase.

I am getting concerned about what Cason is teaching Creighton the two days I am at work. Take a look:

 Between Creighton and Callie I may not have couch pillows in a few months. They are turning into a favorite toy. Just in case you were wondering, they are a tower. The point is to knock over the tower. But since it's made of pillows it is extra fun because then you can fall into them.

And what is this get-up? Looks like a Lamanite to me. Daddy and Creighton must be playing Nephites and Lamanites. Those two have TOO much fun!

Speaking of work... I am having one of those weeks where I am not loving it. You know-one of those love/hate relationships. It's kind of an emotional thing for me right now. Hate to say too much. I never know who my blog-stalkers are...   

Something else Creighton thinks is fun is FAMILY!! Grandma and Papa came to town Conference weekend and Creighton had so much fun with them. When we have visitors he is a BIG show-off.

Here he is feeding Papa some ice. Yum!

And he loves to show off his "reading" skills. I am so grateful that Creighton is loving books. They have been a lifesaver in sacrament meeting. He is getting to be more well-behaved and for that I am thankful. It also helps that I have been bringing fruit snacks. I was determined to not take food to church. But I caved. He loves fruit snacks and they make for an enjoyable sacrament meeting for me, Creighton, and those sitting around us.

 Last Sunday towards the end of the meeting Creighton started getting tired and a little fussy. Since we were about to sing the closing hymn, Cason motioned for Creighton to come up and sit with him on the stand. I think Creighton thought he was in trouble and started making more of a fuss. Overall though-MUCH progress. Nursery update: He doesn't like it and usually ends up with daddy half-way through.

Speaking of Daddy... He is doing really well this semester in school, work is going well, so far so good with his new church calling. He told me a few days ago he has been able to find "balance". I am so glad.

In the words of Creighton, "All done!"

(Until I take some more pictures of course.)

Little Devil

This weekend the Chambers' women went shopping as our men attended Priesthood session of General Conference together. At ShopKo I made Creighton try on a bunch of headbands so I could giggle. Look at this little guy:

Don't let that cute face deceive you. Those devil "horns" aren't too far from the truth. He can be VERY mischevious! Mommy decorated for Halloween a week ago and he destroyed all of the decorations. He ripped the pages in the Halloween books, broke Halloween figurines, and was eating the "cobwebs." Of course, I'm really the one at fault-I knew better. So now all of the Halloween decorations are packed away.

But most of the time, I have to admit, he really is a little angel. Often I will find him sitting in his chair in his room reading himself books. So sweet. And he gives mommy great big hugs and lots of kisses.

This weekend was General Conference and I was so looking forward to it because afterwards I feel changed for the better. My attitude seems to be more positive, I feel more loving towards my family and others, and I want to improve and be better-and it feels so easy. I was not disappointed with the messages that were delivered.

Often I will listen to Conference in hopes that a particular question will be answered, or that a worry/burden will be made lighter. This year that was not so-I was not searching for anything imparticular. But I watched and was delighted to be taught many wonderful things and have many moments of personal revelation. 

I have started enjoying Conference differently since becoming a mother. The talks about parenting/motherhood/children are always special to me and even sometimes make me teary-eyed. I love being a mommy! I don't ever forget that, but when Creighton is acting "devilish" it's not the first thing on my mind!

I have been loving weekends now that Cason can be home with us. Sunday nights I sometimes dread starting a new week. Mondays can be difficult-thank goodness for a new season of Dancing With The Stars. But Conference was a nice change in our weekend routine. I am planning on having a great Monday! You too?

We Need To Get Out More

Creighton and I totally need to get out more. Being cooped up in the house makes us go crazy. Look at this little guy:

 He is so bored he is forced to invent new uses for his Lego container.

Ok, so he actually really likes doing THAT. Most anything around our house can be turned into a "hat" for Creighton... But we are looking for "new" things to do. My hairdresser was telling me a few weeks ago how she loves to take her little guy to the library for reading time. I think that sounds like a fabulous idea. In fact, the library is close enough we just might walk there.

Being in my house alot makes me bored with my decor. I want to change it all the time. I think it's also partly genetic, my mom was ALWAYS re-arranging furniture and changing the decor.

I wanted to share the latest creation:

 I really like these vintage widow panes so I have picked up two of them. This one I sanded and did black with a bit of distressing, but what I LOVE is the coffee filter wreath! Yeah, it's a wreath made of coffee filters that I dyed with tea bags. Heard about this, thought I would give it a try, and it turned out a million times better than I imagined!

So as I was sitting at my kitchen table, for over an hour creating this wreath, that's when I started thinking, "We need to get out more." So I think tomorrow we're heading to the library to check out the children's story time schedule. Honestly, their aren't too many options here in Pocatello. I've even considered signing him up for the Kids Klub at my gym and letting him play with other little kids while I work out.

The hard time of the day for Creighton and mommy is from about 5-7. Cason is at work, Creighton's been up from a nap for a little while, I have mostly accomplished all that I want to for the day (or what I can while Creighton is not sleeping), and little guy is starting to get bored with his own "stuff".

I am going to put some real effort into changing up our schedule and doing some more fun and different things.

Happy Birthday Katie Jo

Yesterday was my birthday! I love my birthday. Birthdays are SO special-and Cason and Creighton helped me to have a fabulous day yesterday! Only 24? I feel like I should be a few years older... Husband brought me home these GORGEOUS flowers. I am one of those girls who loves flowers-even though they might be dead in a week, they make me SO happy!

 In other news: Those blessings I said I had been praying for (previous post) have happened! Cason was just told yesterday that he will be moving from graveyard shift back to swing shift with SUNDAY AND SATURDAY OFF! Yay! It will be great for his calling and great for our family. I'm glad that we have been able to see the good things in his graveyard shift, and he is actually a little sad to leave it, but overall we are pleased and very excited for the change in his work. It is for the best.

And because of the change he has the next 4 DAYS OFF! Oh, what shall we do with our time off? Perhaps a little of this...

Lots of lounging. We seem to be pretty good at that around here. Of course, only AFTER we finish our chores! Cason and I mulched the front yard a few days ago. 44 bags of mulch it took! But it is GORGEOUS! And it will really help to cut back on the weeds. We laid down some of that landscape covering first to ensure minimal future weeding. 

We are going to enjoy our weekend together and we hope that you have a great one too!

Back-to-School and Such

Back-to-school. Fantastic. This year I am excited for it. Summertime is full of get-togethers, parties, lots of playing, and tons of being lazy. That's all great for a while-but I am ready to get back into a routine. Not that I'm going back-to-school... Thank goodness that ship has sailed and I am now in a different season of life. But I will have a more regular work schedule and (hopefully) so will Cason. He has been working some less than ideal shifts at work and is trying online classes this semester through ISU. Back-to-school is also exciting because Autumn is coming quickly. I have decided it is my favorite time of the year. I love the cool weather, the fall colors, and all the decorating! In fact I usually am all decorated for fall by mid-September. I have discovered a new scentsy-Pumpkin Marshmallow. It has already been burning for weeks. 

I found this fun back-to-school treat at one of my favorite websites. Some people are too clever for their own good. I wish I had thought of this on my own. I did make these to take to some of  my favorite back-to-schoolers. They were fun to make! They are pretzels dipped in colored chocolate with a paper wrapper.

 Having a dog has been "interesting"... She is NOT potty-trained yet. In fact she seems to be getting worse. She is terribly confused about where to go. Her and Creighton are true best friends. One minute they are fighting and the next they are loving on each other. Callie likes to take a bath with Creighton! Not every night-just twice so far.

 Creighton has taken an interest in music! He has discovered different kitchen utensils make different noises and he has started entertaining us with his muscial abilities. He is also loving books more and more and likes to be read to. If he gets bored, he will let you know and turn to a page he likes better.

Creighton's definition of "NO" is: do it much faster, then take the object/thing to mom and dad and smile really big. He is then very willing to "put it away" where he found it. Then retrieve something else he's not supposed to have. Oh the joys of an 18 month old.

Creighton has FINALLY begun to say MOMMA.

Creighton goes to Grandpa Dennis' house twice a week while mommy works and plays HARD. He loves Grandpa Dennis. They eat snacks, put bowls on their heads as hats, play with legos, go to the park, and LAUGH. They have a wonderful time together and most of the time Creighton is sad to leave.

 Today Creighton went to Nursery for the FIRST time! He got a new suit for the occasion and looked VERY handsome. For the most part he really enjoyed it. I was more sad to leave him than I thought that I would be. But it was nice for me to go to Primary, and Cason to Elder's Quorom, and not have to worry about chasing him down and keeping him quiet. 18 months is a hard age for church. And church is during nap time. What a big boy! I am glad he will get some interaction with kids his own age-a lot of the time it is just him and mommy.

Summer was fun. But the heat wave Pocatello has been experiencing has not been. Cason went a week ago and bought himself a "fancy" fan so he would be cooler. Really? A week before September? But it HAS been crazy hot the last 2 weeks.

No matter what the season-we always have a great time being together!