Apple Hill

So I got a new calling in church as the Secretary in Young Womens. I happen to think it is the best calling possible in the ward, which comes with all the fun and not so much of the responsibility (pardon to any other callings in my past). As part of the calling we meet together about once a week, outside of church for activities. As one of my first activities, we got to go to Apple Hill, which is basically a collection of farms that come together to form sort of an farmers market and craft-fair baby. Since there is food involved, you know I'm there. Little man got to come along with me to join in the food tasting, and pumpkin picking.

E got a bonus sweater out of the deal. Check it out. I paid 20 bucks for the little hand knit, hand appliqued sweater. Dream come true, no? E loved it. I loved it. John thought I got ripped off and made E look like a homeless child. Come on peeps, what's the verdict? I wish I had a little better shot of it. I already know whose right. Besides, it was freezing bejeezing and E needed an extra layer to keep him warm. Surprisingly I still haven't gotten the hang of the boy scout logo (be prepared).

Of course, we got to participate in the magical art of taking the cheesy pic with the cut out object where you place your head. What on earth are these things called? As you will soon see, I'm a huge fan of these things, if there's one somewhere I can't help but take a picture with E's little noggin shoved through. I know. I'm such a square. See? My little pumpkin, encased in the sweet bliss of a wooden pumpkin. I'm so glad he was willing to acquiesce.

Another star of the show. Carmel Apple Pie. The streusel and caramel. It was amazing. Of course, I like my pie crust better, but I've just GOT to find a recipe for the filling. Plus, whatever recipes that involve apples, I'm all for. I got an apple peeler/corer/slicer from John's aunt and cousin last Christmas, and I can't get a hold of enough apples to keep peeling/coring/slicing. It's amazing. Call me if you want a demo. We can make applesauce, or cobbler, or PIE!

Here is the Dynamic duo in the orchard about to leave. We had a blast. E got to be outdoors (his favorite activity), and I got to eat (my favorite activity). I'm also sporting this super sweet backpack that my sister let me borrow. Sadly, we will soon be parted as she has another baby now and our time together is coming to an end, sniff. She got this from goodwill for $3. How am I supposed to find a deal like that? If any of you have one, or know someone who doesn't want theirs anymore, I would gladly pay twice that. OBO.

E is walking and talking now

For your information, the file marked "October 2008" contains 277 photos. I tell you we've been b-u-s-y . So be prepared for one million photos, or maybe just 270. I've been working on picking only my favorites, but I'm not very good at it, and I'm not sure I even reallly want to be. Just consider it some extra eye candy. I'll try to be light on the commentary.

This is E's official 13 month old shot. He's now walking around, all over the place and enjoys talking on the phone even. Ethan doesn't seem to love the phone quite as much as the tv remote of course, but I don't think he's going to give that up for several years, John hangs on tight to that remote too, so we see where he gets it. No need to mention anything about where he gets the phone use though, I've already heard it.

E turns 1!

For E's first Birthday we went big. Well, big for us Crawfords. We did a BBQ at a local park with minimum clean-up and maximum entertainment. E had a super cute shirt that I borrowed from a friend of mine for such an occasion. Shades courtesy from Grandma Crawford.

Check out the back too...not detail overlooked.

For E I made a giant, red velvet cupcake, with Mike and Ikes on the top for giant sprinkles.

Everyone else got cupckaes with regular sprinkles, I know, bor-ing. So I did include a miniature pinwheel too. I don't even think anyone got stabbed with the wooden part either.

E loves wheels. Even when GG is taking a seat, he prefers to push her around. He does this to strangers ALL THE TIME, it can be a bit embarrassing, like at church and someone is trying to listen to the lesson and E is grunting away trying to shove them out of the aisle. So reverent. Sorry, back to the festivities.

It took a little convincing, but eventually, he got the hang of it.

Coming up for air.

Thank you to everyone who could come and celebrate with us. E had such a good time and seriously loaded up on gifts!! Thanks.

The month of August

It's been so long I can hardly remember what E was doing two months ago. I do know that he got his first two teeth (July 28th & August 1st).

He started hanging on the gate located in the background, and banging on it like a monkey lcoked in a cage.

We got to take a trip to the beach house.

He got to build sandcastles with daddy. And get his first mouthful of sand. Here's the pic right before the dive head first into the sand.

John and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary at Patrick David's.

Seeing as Justin & Yuan shared our reception, we thought it would be fun to have them come celebrate with us. Then of course we couldn't leave out Jared & Shannon too, so we made a party of it. I think it was the first time John and I had a date night as Grandma watched E. It might have been our first date since he was born...And E also started driving around with a little walker everywhere he could go. And would pretty regularly get mad when things got in his way.

What have you been doing?!

THIS....

So this summer my dad, REX, came to visit and help us with (READ: practically do everything involved with) remodeling our bathroom. He spent two weeks here and we were able to demolish the entire bathroom, add insulation throughout the attic (making the upstairs once more a much more pleasing environment), put in a new whirlpool tub (ahhhhh), fancy tile work, new plugs and switchplates, move our lighting fixture and add a new one, paint (twice, I didn't like the first color, it made it look like you entered inside a cardboard box), tiled the floor, new cabinets, and put in the granite (actually someone else put this in, we're not that crazy).

Behold Before:

During:

And AFTER:

So see that fancy business on the base of the tub. That part was AAAAAALL me. You may close your mouth now. We still need to put up a mirror and the towel bars, but if I waited until that was done, you may never get to see our hard work. Until then, little man has to wait until we're in department stores to check himself out in the mirror.

Double your pleasure

Word on the street is this one is now over 17 lbs. p.s. he's only 2 months old

Owen

My nephew. Born on July 6th. He's going to be such a charmer.

Family Fotos

My dear friend Liz gave me the great honor of taking our Family portraits before hightailing it to AZ. We will forever be grateful. Family schamily. I still can't believe she left me. Who needs a 9000 square foot house anyway?

Onto the main delight. Of course E was the star of the show. Now you may see what a little gem we have (as if you didn't know already). We took these at the Shadelands rose gardens right at dusk.

And yes, I know that John's head is cut off in this one, but really, is his hair all that interesting? Use your imagination and plug it in. Liz is also highly entertaining, so we really were all laughing in this one.

I think this one could very well be found hanging on our living room wall someday. That is of course, when we have time to do pleasant things like decorate the house. We prefer to do the demolishing...more on that next time.

E loves giving his mommas kisses. And from the looks of it, he is definitely all boy. I don't think girls could be this rough at 10 months. It's a good thing he doesn't have any teeth yet.

The Kai Man

So my brother sent a few more pics of his new baby boy Kai, and they were so cute, I just had to share.

Fun in the Sun

I know I know! Three posts this month already. I'm on fire.

E and I decided to take advantage of Pammie's neighborhood pool this weekend. The summer seems to be flying by and we only have so long before she moves to Provo. (on a sidenote: She got into BYU and got a scholarship -- way to go Pammie!). So Jared, Shannon, Henry, Pammie, E and I all spent the afternoon enjoying the sun's rays.

E is taking after daddy in so many ways...

E took to the life jacket like I've never seen a baby. He just kicked back and paddled himself all the way around the toddler pool. He even threw a little fit when I tried to get him to sit up with me again. This boy loves the outdoors, especially the water.