The Bat Bib

Last year the boy's Aunt Lesa gave us a couple of darling bibs she found at the Park City Farmers Market for a baby gift. They are so cute and durable and seem quite easy to re-make. I may try some designs of my own. Anyways, we've worn this one a lot this fall and Ben seems to enjoy it.
Early one morning I was folding laundry and Ben demanded that I put this bib on. He's so demanding sometimes! He paraded all around the house with it. I grabbed the phone (I'm so sick, I've lost or misplaced our camera!) to snap a picture and managed to get one before Caleb wanted to be in it, but by that time Ben was angry and wanted it off. It was just so cute how peticular he was about it and how long he wore it around the house so proudly before I grabbed my phone, Man! Taking pictures can ruin the moment sometimes!
So thanks again for this adorable bib Lesa. Who knew it was so fun? Benjamin does!

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Fresh From the Dryer

This evening our silly Benjamin climbed right into the dryer while I left the room to throw the load (that finished this afternoon while we were away, so, luckily for Ben, the dryer wasn't still hot) on the couch to fold. When I came right back (because I saw him heading that way) to close the dryer and laundry room door this is what I found: Ben halfway inside! He had to scream/jabber at the dryer light for quite sometime. Then popped his head out a few times. It took me a couple of minutes to convince him to finally come out (that's how I had the time to snap pictures).

I sure love that kid, he's always cracking us up!

Looks like Mommy won't be making the mistake of leaving the laundry room open while changing loads, now that Ben has a new affection for the dryer!

If only he came out smelling as good as the freshly cleaned laundry, instead I'm off to go change his stinker. :/

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Hunsader's Farm Hayride

Caleb, Benjamin and Mommy set out on an adventure early one morning. We visited the Hunsader farm during their annual Pumpkin Festival with our Mommy & Me playgroup, Mandy & Embry, Amy & Jack and Sandy & Anna from church. We took a hayride tour of the property, learning new things along our dreary way, it has been so dry for the past few months but of course it poured the morning we went! And stopped by the time the hayride was through. Yuck! The boys were troopers for being so damp and chilled. After the tour part each child was able to pick a pumpkin (I was surprized which ones my boys each chose) & feed the animals in the petting zoo. Then we headed to their play gound for some fun, a double tire swing, sand pit, wheelbarrow and wagon made it a blast for the boys. They got so dirty. But we tried to snap a picture in their costumes until my phone died. So these videos are all we captured. It was tons of fun and reasonably priced ($5/child). We'd love to go again next year if we can. Did you see that cute goat? His hair cracked me up!
Then after grabbing a few honey sticks (a must in our book when we visit Hunsader's) we got yummy baby icecream cones and our weeks organic produce at Hydrotaste (www.hydrotaste.com) with Jack and Amy. Afterall, it's more fun to shop with friends!
(We were glad we went to the festival grounds while they were set up but not open, it gave us a taste of the prices...man! They're crazy! $5ea. To do most activities, it was outrageous since you have to pay ($7ea.) to get in and park ($5) too.)
Maybe another year when we're wanting to blow a load of cash for one afternoon of fun we do the Pumpkin Festival again.

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The Fall Fun Begins

We REALLY enjoyed the Fall Extravaganza for LWR's 15th Anniversary. They had the Sheriff's helicopter parked on the polo field & Caleb was in awe!
He loved meeting the pilot & seeing it take off a little later. Then we enjoyed "car-b-q" (there was an amazing geen bean salad that I'll post abt later), while we listened to the band. We also trick or treated at the various sponsor tents, jumped in the bounce house, tested our pitching speed skills, tried cotton candy (for the first time for C&B), test drove cool race cars, played on the play ground, met up with friends (from the LWR ward, Mark's boss, and Cameron, Mike & Arden), and enjoyed the crisp air while watching "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on the big screen all snuggled up as a family under blankets. A tender memory and moment as a family of four I hope to always remember. I love fall! I love moments like these. These are the times to remember.

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Plain Tuckered Out

10/29/2010 (around noon) Some days we work & play so hard around here that one can't help but want to take a nap any place!

And our baby, Ben is definitely following in his brother's footsteps much to my shegrin sometimes. He thinks terrorizing a sleeping person is fun! It must just be pay back for all his interrupted naps. I guess boys will be boys. Don't worry, Caleb didn't sleep long.

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A Caleb Cutie

Recently Caleb was burned while helping Mom "cook". He loves to help so I try to find appropriate and safe things he can do. This time wasn't one of those.
He was standing on a dining chair next to me and tossing the chopped veggies in the wok when it happened. Caleb was being so careful until the last handful of veggies when the chair slid away on our tile floor and both of his wrists hit the edge of the now preheated wok.
Poor kiddo! Both wrists hurt. One burn immediately blistered and he popped it right away. Since then we have done our best to keep them clean and apply medicine allowing it to heal, but it has taken quite a few days to heal. Keeping a three year old away from his own wrist, band-aids, scabs and from playing in the water has been a challenge. Dispite the many set backs in the healing process, it's finally looking much better. Here's a cute conversation Mark & Caleb had on top of our bed this morning after Dad examined his healing wounds...
Dad: "It's headed in the right direction"
Caleb: "They're not driving, Dad!"
Mom & Dad: " Ha ha ha!"
We sure love this cute boy and can't believe how fast he's growing up! It's so fun to see the connections he makes and new things he figures out every day. Our sweet smart funny Caleb really makes us smile!

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Plain Tuckered Out

Some days we work & play so hard around here that one can't help but want to take a nap any place!

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Ben Halloween Sneak Peak

A little green man is joining our family this year for tricks & treats. It was a trial & error thing making everything look right for his costume, I guess following a pattern seemed too hard. The good news is I know Ben loves the gloves I made because he has dragged them out and had me put them on him already :) . It makes a girl happy to know all her hard work is well loved! Happy haunting everyone!

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Board Game Buddy

Caleb is growing up fast and now is really getting into board games. For FHE last week we played a Halloween Cranium game (The pumpkin seek and find variety - like where's waldo, that I got from Target after Halloween last year) that he did well with, so well in fact, he beat us both (with a little help!). I was really impressed. We also often play a Pizza making game about listening by Noodleboro /playschool (I found it on clearance last year too). He would play that one everyday if we let him! He also likes the Gone fishing game and Hungry Hungry Hippos but those aren't as big of a hit as his "Pizza, Pizza Pie" game. We also just bought Barrel of Monkeys that I plan to save for him for Christmas.
I LOVE playing board games(pretty sure I always have) and I'm so excited to finally have a buddy to play them with. Our Caleb definitely shares my passion for games. :)

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Nursery & Nephi's Boat

The other night we had one of the fastest & funnest FHE we've had in a long time - Thanks to Sister Inmann Caleb's Nursery leader. She is very creative and each week he comes home with THE CUTEST handouts I've ever seen and that he then shares with us during Monday night FHE. Last week, Caleb & I did the lesson & activity together using the puppets & Nephi's boat that he brought home from Nursery. It was so much fun watching our seamen set it sail for the promised land. Plus, they got in the tub and were bathed in time for bed without complaint! Which allowed FHE to quickly wrap up so I could also enjoy a late Girl's Night.

My friend Jana Plowman was in town from Utah & so we got together for food, to gab & most of all laugh. It was a blast! I haven't laughed so hard in a LONG time. I'll never forget Mandy's most embarassing Temple moment or this hilarious youtube video called actual lyrics to the song Turn Around. It does have one bad word, but otherwise, it's amazing. I also was introduced to a new clean comic with some great jokes about produce. I love good comedy.
Jana, we miss you & Mike dearly! It was so fun doing Carabas with y'all too. I forget how nice it is to just kick back and relax with adult friends only - something I plan to partake of more regularly! Jana also sang for our ward on Sunday. It was beautiful. I wish we had special music numbers more regularly, music so easily brings the spirit to me.
I'm so glad the Plowmans took the time to visit with us while they were in town. They will always be dear friends.

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Meltdown for Music

Caleb had his first meltdown over a toy recently . It was over a $2.99 Faberge egg with a music box inside that plays Edelweiss. When we were at the Salvation Army I let him hold it while we shopped for buttons for our Halloween costumes. I've never seen him act like that or want something so badly before or since! My boy sure loves anything to do with music. I thought the egg was cute and would have bought it but while my back was turned he hid it inside a Christmas box on display while I was checking out so I forgot about it. Then remembering it again, I probably unknowingly encouraged the meltdown because as I was leaving with my bag after checking out, I noticed it was gone and said "Caleb, what happened to that egg?" He didn't reply, so I dropped it and began to collect my boys and things and exit the store. This always is difficult when Caleb & Ben are with me. Caleb threw a fit about having to leave and that he now couldn't find the egg. I told him "Oh, well, maybe next time we'll get an egg." This really made things worse. He put up a fight but finally we were buckled and on our weary way home. Normally after a few minutes of whining he's forgotten the "beloved" item and moves on. But this was not the case. I drove all the way to downtown and he was still yearning and crying, telling me over and over again that we forgot the egg. "Turn around, Mommy! Go back! We have to get our egg! Other way Mom! Other way!" It was pathetic! I've never seen him so distraught.
So, I totally gave in, drove back and got it! I must really love that little boy to buy it even though it wasn't on sale (but practically every thing else in the entire store was, which made me almost not buy it after driving all the way back from downtown, I hate wasting gas too), and I really needed to use the bathroom (which I HATE doing in public places because...
1. They are gross.
2. I have 2 kids who love to touch everything gross and unlock doors and try to run away while I'm exposed (not that I'm speaking from experience or anything, uggh!- it makes me shudder just thinking about it).
3. Did I mention they're gross and my boys like to touch everything? so I find it's best to go at home to avoid embarrasing or gross experiances and often will rush home to do so when I'm out with them alone).
On the way home a long in depth conversation immediately followed about how to ask and act when we want something and how just because we do those things correctly doesn't mean we get it! So hopefully this won't happen again. Oh, the Mommy guilt!
I admit that the egg hasn't gotten enough play time as would warrant that kind of meltdown. He and egg are not like Linus with his blanket. But our egg has been a good toy for both Caleb and Ben. They carry it around everyday and snap it's lid shut to make music too. Who knew an egg could make this little boy so happy? Apparently he did.

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More Play Time

Ben adores going to this place too. Here, he had to climb into the block container. Such a busy boy, always climbing and getting into something! He thinks he is one of the big kids and always tries things they do. I sure have my hands full. But they're so cute I don't mind much.

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Play Time

Caleb loves going to this open play time at a local church. Every week they have new crafts and toys out to play with. It's a great way to spend a Tuesday morning. A/C, snacks and a bounce house, who could ask for more? :)

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Grammy's fish

September 1, 2010

When Caleb was a brand new baby Mark's Grandparents Grammy and Granddaddy came to our house to visit and meet him before they moved to Utah. On that day they brought Caleb a gift this fish. It was from Grammy's doctor because she was a good girl and she gave it to Caleb to help him remember her and be good too.
Since then it's seen a lot of play. This time the poor fish lost it's squeaker and I almost threw it out. So I snapped this photo to remember Grammy's fish. But then I got sentimental and so did Caleb so we kept our little orange fish for a while longer. Hopefully he still gets played with. (This post kind of reminds me of Wheezy from Toy Story)

Stairs Mom! Stairs!

August 25th 2010

We live in Florida in a single-story home - hence no stairs. But Caleb built them anyways. He loves to climb even if it's to the detriment of my organization baskets.

Beach Bums

August 21, 2010


We met up with our friends the Ellis' at Bradenton beach to splash and play. It was a gorgeous afternoon in the sand. The kids played well together and we had a wonderful time catching up. I think this was one of our first family trips to the beach since Ben was born. Definately a great day at the beach.




BTW - Mr. Bones Restaurant is sooo good! We stopped there for a bite to eat while we waited for Casey, Lisa, Jonah and Kylie to get to the beach. Their sauces are amazing and their theme is "DON'T EVEN ASK" for salt, pepper or anything else. They pride themselves on this and now I understand why. At first I was intimidated thinking of how I rarely get through a meal without a salt shaker, but was so surprized by how succulant their sauces are! Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Good! We'll definatly be back. If you're ever on the island check them out http://www.mrbonesbbq.com/ !

Big Tasty Mess

Look what Ben has been entertaining himself with while Mommy was busy emailing playgroup/music makers stuff out today! Good old economy size corn syrup. Yea for food storage/stock piles. Hmm. If only you could see how big and thick that puddle was! It's super sticky too. But boy was he proud! It's clean up time! Now I never want to own a bottle of corn syrup, a house with out a giant pantry & a dead bolt on it, or that someone who leaves the pantry open again!
Lesson learned (again) today: If it's too quiet then it means they're into something that will take you much longer to clean up than that blissful moment of peace or progress so just stay focused on the kids. I keep forgeting that I'm a mom & not a normal person. Haha! The good news: after cleaning up my floors ( and bathing Benjamin) now they shine! I haven't mopped them in who knows how long. While I was mopping I had to put Ben in his crib & he cried & cried so much that he wore himself out (suger crash I'm sure) so he is sleeping in my arms as I type this from my phone (love this new app!). So maybe this is all was a blessing in disguise and a way to find that peace... oh wait, I hear something crashing in Caleb's room gotta dash! :-0 :-)

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The Firm Beach Party

August 14, 2010



We really enjoyed going to the N,T Law Firm's 1st annual beach party over on Anna Maria Island for the evening. Mark is so blessed to work with so many wonderful and nice people. We all joined the Najmys for great BBQ and poolside fun at an eight BR beach house they had rented for the week. We love going to the island. It feels like a vacation as soon as you drive over there. The house was great, it had a beautiful pool with a hot tub,



a bridge, waterfall and under water tiki table, the house had a large deck, billard/gameroom and full kitchen/bar - perfect for a party and even a birds nest. Here is Caleb and Mark enjoying the ocean view from above (4th story) in the birds nest.


Thanks Najmys for hosting us! It was a great time and we look forward to many more.

Music Makers

We love music at our house. Caleb loves to sing and play instruments. Ben can jam (or dance/bop) to almost any music he hears. A while back (just before summer hit) we went to visit our friends the Brodricks to meet their newest addition Elle and see what Music Makers was all about (go to http://musicmakersforkids.blogspot.com/ to find out more information on how to start this amazing and fun free program for Parents and children in your area). It was so fun to catch up with Zac and Vanessa and see Noah and Caleb play together. Thank you for letting us stay with you and break in Elle's crib - Ben was quite comfortable. While we were over there we snuck in a visit to the Pierces (Mark's cousin Jill's family) and then I drove the redeye home. We accomplished a lotin such a short visit(Ben's first time in the pool) and had a blast eating pizza and chatting. Thanks for being so flexible Jill. I love how marriage brings great people in your life. In-laws are wonderful. Why do they always get such a bad wrap? I must be blessed, I guess.
Since music plays such a big part in our lives, I decided to try running my own Music Makers class here (thank you Vanessa for encouraging me and showing me everything!) during the month of June. Well, to say the least their was a lot of opposition. Lack of attendance and parent participation, music/cd, Caleb & Ben, vacations, sick kids, lost our space to hold it, etc. So I quit.
Summer came and we just had fun and forgot it. Then school started up again and schedules or routines began again for many Mommies. I wondered if it was a good time to start it all up again. So I gave it a try. The first week nobody came. Then I got sick for two weeks and now I'm just procrastinating. I doubt myself and my friends consistancy and commitment to the program.
We just started a causal playgroup in my ward and a few Moms from Mommy and Me have asked me about it so maybe we will start something for the Holidays. It may be fun.
Meanwhile, during the Music Makers Break we tried out a few local parent child music classes.

On 8/18/10 We tried a morning class (10am) that my Mommy & Me group posted about.



This was the FUN TO BE FIT class at Little Bookworms in LWR. It was so much like music makers I was pinching myself, but I didn't want to pay $6 per family price each week. It was super cute, just far from my house and so not appealing for our family needs. She did make me think "wow, I can do that".

Then Deb Drake mentioned the YMCA in Parrish was starting a free music and motion class and so since we're members already I really liked that idea. On Benjamin's first Bday we finally got a chance to check it out.



The boys both LOVED it. So now that I have an outlet for music time I'm not sure I want to begin Music Makers again. My friend April suggested I do 6 week sessions of Music Makers that way it's not so intimidating for parents. So we'll see.

Block Man

8/13/2010

Caleb is loving his wooden blocks right now. He's always building something. This is his latest creation... Blockman!



Mark and I were so impressed he made this guy all on his own. He's very creative with blocks and easily builds things he can't even draw yet!

A Halloween Sneak Peek

October 3, 2010

Can you guess what movie our family is going to be dressing up as for Halloween?
Let's just say Toys, horses, cows and spaceships all coordinate.
Here I am as a red head (made the wig myself)



I'd say that this is the handsomest spaceman ever!





We were so blessed to already have most of the costumes pieces on hand for three of us, but Caleb wanted to be BUZZ LIGHTYEAR and we didn't have anything for that, so I was just planning to hit goodwill & JoAnn's to create it. Then the McPhersons told us about and let us borrow this brand new costume that their little boy Phillip didn't want to wear last year and has now grown out of. In exchange we gave them some size 4-5 costumes (that we bought on clearance to use for dress ups) that Phillip actually wants to wear this year (a blessing for both our families)! At Toys R Us we bought these cool toy wings that completed the costume. Let's just say Caleb is in heaven (or should I say out of this world?). I also did the makeup (eyebrows & chin swirl) as a quick trial run for the big night. He loved it so much he cried when I took it off (so not to soil his white costume) because he wanted to look like Buzz. So cute. You know, he just might be as into this as I am! I love that kid.

I still have some sewing and creating to do until we're all finished. But luckily they don't seem too hard (Buzz would have been tough!)and I love this kind of stuff.

Happy Preview of the Dahles Halloween everyone! What are you going to be for Halloween? Do you like to keep it a secret or throw something together last minute? Do you dress up as a family or each to his or her own? Do you have favorite Halloween memories or costumes? It's getting closer! I love this time of year!

BTW - Mark and Benjamin's costume debut will have to be later. No pictures yet.

Come on Ride the Conference Train!!

October 3, 2010

General Conference Time is one of my most favorite times of the year. I love having time together as a family, the great counsel given and memories made during these weekends.

Last week I really enjoyed the RS broadcast. Amazing talks and spirit, just what I needed to hear. I love our Prophet! I love Relief Society and am grateful to be a part of it! So if you haven't heard it do! It was soo good!

On Saturday I had a Mommy & Me meetup to do a Toddler Activity Bag swap (such a great idea! - I love all the cute ideas and can't wait for the next installment!) in the morning so we got home late from doing errands after leaving the YMCA's park to watch the first session of conference only to get a call/showing for our house. So we quickly grabbed lunch and cleaned instead of sit back and enjoy conference. This is NOT our usual start to conference weekend at all, so it kind of threw us off. But by Sunday Morning things were back in swing. The talks as always were inspired and just the messages we needed to hear. I love conference.

While we were busy listening to the Lord's mouth piece we also got some chores done, I made my Halloween costume wig and Mark folded clothes. Here is what the two "sick" (they both have runny noses and have been cranky and awakened during the night lately but it doesn't stop them from having fun) boys had fun trying together...



Come on ride that train Ben!



Conductor Caleb is working on his potty training too.



They had so much fun playing train stop together. Choo choo! It's always a really great adventure around here. Next time you may want to stop by when it's laundry day and take a ride too.

A Fabulawesome Night!

October 1, 2010


On last Friday night we drove up to Lakeland for a double date with the Salisburys. We were celebrating Karin's birthday (her 78th if you ask Adam - silly inside joke) and Trevor's new job! On the drive there Mark came up with this new word fabulawesome to describe something so fabulously awesome that we encountered (which we both can't even remember now) and it cracked me up! So now we have a new word to use. Anyone else do this kind of stuff? I know my Mom and niece Morgan have even started their own dictionary with silly words they've made up.
Anyways, it was a wonderful night! Great food (nice pick Karin!) good ambiance, fun, uplifting conversations and loads of laughs! We're just sorry we didn't start this tradition sooner! Family time is the best and we sure wish them the best in their endeavors in the year to come!

Here are a few pictures of the night...

Karin's GINORMOUS (another made up word) Enchiladas and Taco platter - it could have easily held a Thanksgiving turkey on it instead!


Trevor's got fajitas (Sshhh, don't tell, he eats steak!) to celebrate!



The waitress really liked us, she brought out two free flans (one for the birthday girl and one so we wouldn't go hungry). Although I'm pretty sure we all ate our weight in chips and salsa, so that was a slim chance.