Caleb turns 2!

I can hardly believe it's been two years with this boy. Wow! Caleb has been such a blessing in our lives. He has turned our world upside down, and we'll never be the same, we'll always be better for having him. We're grateful to have his big spirit in our home and to have the privilege to watch him grow. There have been so many times I've questioned the Lord's reasoning in sending him to me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. He's a perfect fit for our imperfect family.

In honor of turning two I attempted a fondant St. Patrick's Day cake.

It was much more work than what I originally thought it might be.

But it was all worth it when Caleb saw it for the first time and lit up.

3-17-10

To celebrate we went to the park and had pizza and cake and a good time visiting with family.

Klayton sitting guard over the cake.

Cousin Time! Klayton, Reagan & Caleb.

My gum paste rainbow fell apart on the way to the park. It was bound to happen. Caleb getting excited as everyone sang to him.

He definitely knew it was his special day.

He's my first two-year-old to even attempt to blow out the candles.

It was so cute.

Cutting the cake.

Caleb & Grandpa Chambers

Amy managed to catch Caleb drinking a Hi-C. Hey, maybe he's on his way to a future without a g-tube! Fingers crossed.

And here it is, properly named by Amy as Frankenfoot.

I am healing, I'm still horrified by my cut and bruising and pain. But it gets better little by little. I never imagined surgery would be this difficult and I live in fear of having the right foot done next month. But it will all be worth it in the end. At least that's what I keep telling myself as I sit around the house in my lazy-boy and turn into a marshmallow.

!!NEWS!!

I was operated on Monday morning for Paul (my bunion). It was surreal, and I don't like being put under. But it's done! Now six weeks of healing and I can get back to my yoga love.

Super fabulous Amy watched my babies early in the morning. Surgery was at 7:30, so she got there in time for Cyndee to go to work, and got the kids on the bus for me. Don't these boys look like they're ready for a little sister? (or we'll just steal Azure and save me the trouble)

Drugged. Home. Sleepy.

And the exciting news???!!!!

We're going to Tucson for residency! We're very happy!

This was Tom most of yesterday, planning our move, looking at homes, and deciding the big decisions, like do you buy or do you rent? And realizing how little money we're going to have to live off of. It should be wonderfully challenging! Yeah, I'm still a little stoned.

We Are The Coolest Parents EVER

One week ago on Thursday morning I checked my email when I woke up to discover that my Disneyland vouchers had been sent to me. I was super excited. So I turned to Tom and suggested that we pull the kids out of school and head to Disneyland.

So we did.

Got there Thursday night. Had a restless four hours of sleep in a crusty hotel. Got up Friday morning and headed to the park.

We ran to New Orleans first and encountered Tarzan's Tree House. Oh how full of energy we were that morning, trust me, it did not last.

Tom doing his best Tarzan interpretation.

Collin and Talin attempting one as well.

Friendly stranger taking the family picture.

Emerging from New Orleans and the ease with which we walked onto Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain and The Haunted Mansion, we were shocked to find the streets filling with people, and strollers and more strollers and strollers lining the sidewalk everywhere!

So we went and watched the amazing Captain EO. Collin loved it, we all know his devotion to anything Michael, and Tom cringed the entire time. It was great.

Afterwards we chased down the Red Queen and Rabbit while Talin had an emotional breakdown. That's why he would be absent in this picture.

TEA CUP TIME

Our attempt to cheer Talin up (no one should be unhappy at Disneyland) we rode the amazing tea cups.
Tom getting sicker and sicker. Until he discovered he could turn the wheel the opposite direction and bring sanity back.

Talin was still not 100%, so we jumped off the cups and headed immediately to the Mad Hatter.

And that's where we decked ourselves out in some awesome hats for the day.

Toon Town was next.

Crazy crowds, who needs to wait an hour to see Mickey anyways?

So we headed back to Tomorrow Land to attempt space mountain (my to die for favorite ride).

Once again the crowds were overwhelming and so we learned how to use a fast pass and decided to wait a few hours more. Then headed to Autotopia.

The kids realized they could drive. It was the most spastic and bumpiest ride EVER.
But we were all having a fabulous time and got to enjoy Space Mountain. The boys LOVED the ride.

Then we headed to Main Street for some ice cream and ran into Pluto & Goofy.
Aren't they cute?


Tried to attempt Space Mountain again, but the crowds put a real damper on the attempt, so we rode this fun ride, whatever it's called.
Then it was time for the fireworks, which were canceled due to wind. So we sat on a bench, for lack of standing room, and watched the crowds file out for over an hour. Here is proof of how crowded it was, below is a picture of Main Street. Unreal.
Overall we had a super time and I'm so glad we got to take the boys and leave the baby at home with Mandi and Cyndee, but I strongly suggest NEVER going on a weekend!
Driving back to the hotel at 11:30. It was a long fifteen hours at Disneyland. Until next time!

Do you think they know what they're doing?

I should have been monitoring, I mean why hasn't Collin's queen slaughtered Talin's undefended bishop? They've both been taught better. Apparently the rules change when no one is there to tell them differently.
When I play with them I try to teach them two things:
1. I will never let them win, unless they've earned it.
2. NEVER leave a man undefended.

Valentine's Weekend

On Saturday we had the fun opportunity to host a foreign exchange student (for Disney give a day receive a day). Our student was named Theo (pronounced Tao) and was from France. To show him the valley we decided to take him hiking and found our way to the Hieroglyphics Trail in the Superstition Mountains.
Tom had hurt his back the day before (darn those yoga handstands!), so I was relegated to chasing Caleb once we arrived at the end of the trail. It was exhausting, and slippery, and exhausting.

The great thing was that it rained a lot in the valley so there was water running.

Super Tal!

He struggled with the hike and kept wishing for a robot to carry him. What???

Me and the monster.

That should be the title to my autobiography, if I ever had plans to write one.

Collin in a little cave we found.

This kid is a trooper, despite the complaining he kept up front and was the first one there.

Collin, Caleb, Tom, Talin & Theo

Theo was a sweet boy, but painfully shy. We threw so many questions his way I think he was overwhelmed. The only time he talked where he wasn't answering a question was when we went to the $2 movies, and he asked me if the movie were really that cheap. Kind of funny. And I did make him turn all shades of red when I asked him if he needed to use the restroom. I'm so not used to 16 year old boys. I'll stick with my babies.

Valentine's Day

Cyndee made us a yummy three layer chocolate cake. It was sick, in a good way.

And we had a fabulous dinner, with lots of chocolate to celebrate the day. Woo hoo.

Wesley & Talin

Talin's lucky, not very many people are born into this world with a best friend already waiting. From the time these two met in infancy, they've been the best of friends. Despite never living next to each other they've both always had a connection and a love for one another. These two cousins have a bond that I can't even explain. Saying goodbye last Christmas almost had me in tears as Talin and Wesley held each other in a vice like hug and sobbed. So it's been with much anticipation that we drove up to Utah to watch Wesley get baptized. And I'm so glad we did. We're grateful for the example Wesley has set for Talin in choosing to get baptized. I just can't believe how fast they're all growing up!

Tyler & Wesley

The Hendrix Clan: Ryder, Tyler, Wyatt, Wesley, Gina & Noah

Caleb & Collin

The day before the baptism JoDee came up with a great idea for keeping the kids and parents sane by going to the bounce house.

Talin & Wesley

Madee, Gina (going down), Noah, Ryder & Tom

Collin

Wesley & Reagan

Tyler & Gina

This was so much fun for the kids and the adults.

Crew & Caleb

Crew loved riding around with us, but I have a feeling he used us for access to the TV in the car. Oh well, we take what we get, even if it's through bribery!

Week 4 Accomplishment: Headstand

Caleb Cuddled

I managed 5x last week, which was awesome, glad I did.

Saw my dad for lunch on Saturday, it was nice.

Celebrated Davyn's fifth birthday afterwards at Amy & Jim's, then they kept Talin and Collin overnight for a sleepover and took them to church at noon with them.

I missed my boys. Jim was shocked I could have such deep rooted paternal instincts.

On the way home Saturday night Caleb fell asleep in the car.
I insisted Tom carry in the purse, the milk machine, the bag of miscellaneous stuff and three new books to read (which I'm sure he considered hiding), and I took the limp baby in my arms to the house.

I couldn't bare to put him in his crib, cuddling his little body is so rare, so instead I took him to my bed.

Tom shook his head and proclaimed it to be a bad idea.

Cyndee stared on in jealousy.

I soaked up every minute. And the best part....
He woke up and still cuddled.

And on Sunday I got my boys back, 3:20 sharp.

We put Caleb to bed early and played Sorry.

I lost.

I'm so sick of losing that game, I really thought it was my night.

Somedays I wouldn't change being a mother for anything.
Somedays...