The vacation that wasn't

Daniel took vacation this week and we were supposed to celebrate Dane's 3rd birthday on Monday and head to San Antonio on Wednesday to have some fun.  Instead we've all been sick.  Worst vacation ever!

So here are some pics from the last month.
It finally warmed up and Dane got to run around in the sprinkler.

Dane picked out this helmet at a garage sale

 

Here are some pictures Dane took of Daniel and I

Pictures

Yeah, I've all but given up the blog; so, two posts in one day?! gasp!  Well, here's what we've been up to:

Daniel got through the thick of busy season, but has still been working long weeks here and there.  He's in charge of the PwC-sponsored break point for the BP MS 150 coming up in a few weeks.  We planted a garden.  Emily is training for the Blue Bell 10K in a couple of weeks.  She is also working on opening a new Bountiful Basket site in our area.  Dane has been potty-training over the last month, with much improvement, except for #2 (any tips on motivation in that department would be greatly appreciated!)

 Here are some pictures of Dane over the last few months.  I can't believe he will be three in just over a month! 

Playing in the dryer

Cooking with Grandma Lynne

Decorating St. Patrick's Day cookies with daddy

Playing at the Park

Easter basket

Fun with Sourdough

I love sourdough.  I've contemplated making my own starter before, but I was never serious until a trip to Sweet Tomatoes last month gave me the umph of motivation I needed to actually do it (they have amazing sourdough bread).

I basically followed this method here at King Arthur.  It worked out pretty well, though I did have my doubts then and again.  After several days it would bubble pretty vigorously between feedings, but it never increased in volume, not even a little bit (and it's supposed to double).  So I followed a tip I found and substituted a little rye flour in with several of the feedings and that seemed to do the trick.  Within 11 or 12 days of starting I had an active starter!  It now lives happily in the fridge and I take it out every week (or longer) to feed it.

I've made pizza dough, bread, and most recently, pita bread.   I definitely have a lot to learn, but it's been fun to play with so far.  If anyone (that lives near me) wants to give it a try, I'm sure I can coax a baby out of mine :)

Happy New Year!

Christmas Vacation 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas Vacation in Utah with Daniel's family.  We got to visit with friends and family, play games, go to the movies, go bowling, go skiing, play games, eat out lots and lots, go shopping, build a snowman,  play games.  And then at the very end we sneaked in some sickness that was fortunately relatively short lived.

Now we're back home and ready to get in to the swing of busy season, yeah!

Click the link above (under the photo) for some pictures of our vacation.  We didn't have the camera for bowling, so those pics are on Daniel's phone.  I'll have to figure out how to get them later.

2 1/2

Dane turned 2 1/2 on Tuesday and had his check-up on Thursday, so I figured it was time for an update.  We love Dane.  He is so funny and such a ham, but most people don't get to see that side of him (he likes to hide it).  He despises going to the doctor (I think he might have damaged the nurse's hearing).  His current favorite song is "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission"; his current book of choice at bedtime is "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie";  he loves watching Diego and Dora; he is very clever;  two short stories:

*The other day in the bathtub he was playing with two plastic sea horses.  He started clicking the tails together and said "Daddy, look, I'm 'needling'."  He meant knitting/crocheting.

*Recently I took him with me to Hobby Lobby and as we were pulling into the parking lot he said, "What's this place?" And before I could respond he said "It's mommy's favorite store!"

I'll leave you will a short audio clip of Dane singing his favorite song with Daddy - he likes to help with a big finish :)  (there is nothing really to see, just listen)


p.s.  he wasn't being very cooperative at the doctor's office, but they recorded his stats as follows:  weight:  23 lb 12 oz; height:  32 in.  Which basically means he's still super small - sorry kid.

Lately

Here are some pictures and videos of Dane lately.

ABC Bathtime

Another video of Dane singing - this time the ABC's.

This past month

Dane likes to help mommy do chores around the house.  Here he is helping to put away some clothes : S

Dane still has a thing for shoes.  The other day I walked into the living room and found this.  He had gotten all of his shoes from the bedroom and lined them up like this in the living room.  I was pretty impressed that there is an actual pattern - though I'm not sure if it was an accident or intentional.

Dane likes to sing, but he won't sing on command and usually stops if he notices that you are paying to much attention to the singing.  So I had to keep the camera hidden to get this clip, so there's really not much to see, just listen.  Can you identify the song?

Wow, it's the last day of the month again already!  Where does the time go?  I wish I could say we've been passing it with extreme fun, productivity, and jolliness.

Well, we have been having fun with some good food I guess.  I don't remember what this was, but Dane sure enjoyed it.

I haven't been all that productive, but I did manage to make matching ties for the boys.  And I have a growing pile of crocheted baby hats (for Relief Society).

We took a quick weekend trip to Nauvoo to witness my brother and his wife being sealed.  The only thing jolly about that trip was being in the temple with family.  Otherwise it was pretty miserable for me (see below).

Mostly we've been trying to get over sickness.  Dane had a bad cold for about a week and then I got a sinus infection that I endured for about two weeks before finally going to the doctor for fear of death.  For the record, I didn't die and I'm feeling much better now.

Well, that's all until the end of next month creeps up on me.

p.s. Here is a 3 min video of Dane for the grandmas.

Obligatory

So, obviously I haven't been keeping up with blog as much as I used to.  But I figured I could do at least one post per month, right?  Well, it's the last day of May and I don't have a post yet.  So here ya go.

We celebrated Dane's 2nd birthday earlier in the month.  He had a fun sports-themed birthday.  I can't believe he's TWO!  At his 2 year well-child check-up he weighed 22.8 lbs and is 31 inches tall.  He loves cereal and cheese and olives and anything with sugar in it.  His favorite primary song is Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam.  He LOVES any and all sports.

Here's a picture of Dane painting with Daddy.

Dane and Mommy.

Just Dane.

Dane in the Kitchen

Dane likes to help us cook.  Here he is helping daddy make pizza.



Here is a video of Dane on Easter.  He got some bubbles and actually blew a few on his own.  We had a little Easter egg hunt and he loved it!

Funny Guy

Here are some recent pics - you also get to see the before and after of his haircut.

 D'oh, mom!

 How do I look?

 Don't I look so grown-up in this picture?

And now I look like a little boy again.

Jumping in the "bouncy room."

 Look at our loot!

 What?  There's something on my face?

I'm soooo hungry!

 I.Just.Can't.Wait!

From My Valentine

Here is this year's card

I love it! I look forward to Daniel's Valentine's Day card every year and he did not disappoint. (even though he's been working 18-hour days - That's real love!)  I love you Daniel!

The Dane Show

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Ours was nice and quiet.  Here are some videos of Dane, mostly for the Grandmas.

This is Dane discovering his presents. It wasn't quite the reaction we were expecting.


Dane playing with his new fort from Grandpa


Dane loves to talk on the phone.  Here he is chatting with Grandma one day.


Dane also loves suckers.  Here are some pics of him enjoying one.

Merry Christmas!

Love, Daniel, Emily & Dane

Christmas Crafting

I felted an old wool sweater and made Dane a new tie.

We have to make our own snow around these parts.

Gingerbread houses (or sleighs) are a must during Christmas time.  Maybe next year I'll try to make actual gingerbread...or maybe not.

Some fabric wrapped Christmas cones I made.  They were so fun and easy to make.  Well, the one on the left was more labor intensive because I cut the fabric in strips and ruffled it before gluing it around the cone.

I made Daniel an Advent Calendar.  Not only is it fun, but functional as it decorates our very long and blank entry way wall.