Is the house quiet again?

Well, on the last night of their visit here, we helped with the washing clothes, cleaning, and packing stuff.  In the morning, daddy will be heading to the airport bright and early.

Maria and Christopher.

Maria's flight was at 0800 hrs so Keith and Maria left to the airport aroudn 0600 and the garage door sound woke Christopher up.  But, he was a happy kid: played with mommy, ate, got changed and back to bed in an hour. 

While he slept, Chimge helped with the packing and by the time, Keith got back, they all had gotten ready and had breakfast and Christopher had just gotten up.   

Keith did some cleaning and we all went to downtown Salt Lake for some last minute sightseeing - this time with Chimge and Christopher

Inside the State Capitol Building with the replica of the Liberty Bell 

Capitol Building stairs 

Outside - are you folks cold yet - it was about 20F. 

Sunny but still cold for Alabama / Georgia folks 

Then, we went to this cemetery by the VA hospital - last year Keith and Chimge saw herd of deer there; so we figured we might see some more.  Yep, we found some - when the Alabama boys wanted some deer for dinner, Christopher cried in protest. 

To save the deer, we took them to Olive Garden for lunch.  

Christopher was readnig the menu and fell sleep - there were a lot of stuff to figure out which one to pick.

After dropping the Norris family at the airport, we visited with Grandma Cook - she was happy to see Christopher and how much he has grown.  

And, finally home - and the house was quiet and Christopher had all the space on the couch - he has the full attention again - and all the noise in the house will be his and his alone. . .

It was nice having family over - some little people for Christopher to play with, and some mouths for daddy to feed, and some hands to help mommy with holding and dancing with Christopher.

Thnksgiving Feast

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - hope you are all eating turkey and enjoying your time with family and friends.

Keith has been busy cooking all day: first burritos for breakfast, and then . . .

Thanksgiving dessert - his special: pineapple upside down cake 

Then, close to 20 lbs turkey . . . all had to be prepped, cooked and ready for the feast... 

Dalton is learning how to make a cake - he sat on the counter and listened and I am sure wrote everything down in his mind... 

Christopher having some fun with cousins while daddy cooks . . . 

. . . and some more fun . . .  well, for Dalton it was . . . Christopher looks ready to have his peace and quiet.

He had his lunch before everyone's - so he wouldn't get hungry smelling all the food.

This pic is for: Cooper and Carter - see what I can do at THREE months. Watch and learn boys!!! You can't let mommy and daddy plop you on a boppy with a bottle and forget about you - make sure they hold you - that is the only way I hold my bottle!

Turkey is out; stuffing, yam, mashed potatoes, and gravy are ready with secret drink - Keith's recipe. Rolls were baked last night - and they were Mmm Delicious. 

Food is ready to be served, (hmm, the time on the camera is off - it was supposed to be 14:11) and everyone is taking their seats. 

Happy Thanksgiving again everyone - glad you came - and to those who weren't here - sorry you have missed the feast - hope to see you next year - or year after!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are thankful!

Everyone seem to remember to thank people around them only during Thanksgiving time and other significant holidays.  But, shouldn't we be thankful daily for what we have and what we don't have!!! I am not the best in this effort either - something to work on!

We are thankful for our extended family - for their love and support: the cards we get for birthdays, holidays (thankful that they remember us and our birthdays), the phone calls and the visits (now that we are in the mainland, hope we will get more visits).

We are thankful for our friends: far and near. 

We are thankful for those who served and who are serving in the military - and their families - for their sacrifice and their love for their country and the people. We are especially thankful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom - and their families - who are celebrating the holidays without their loved ones - thank you!

We are thankful for many blessings in our lives - even some doesn't feel like blessings we asked for. 

And, of course, we are thankful for our little family: for each other and our little boy who is happy and healthy. We are thankful to have our good health.

We are thankful we have a Thanksgiving dinner today and a warm home to eat it together with family and comfotable clothes to dress in that keep us warm from the cold weather.

We are thankful!!!

Thank you for being our friend and visiting our blog and thank you for sharing in our adventures through your visits and comments. 

More Snow day and Breadmaking!

24 Nov 2010: More day of playing in the snow!

Another work day for Chimge - but, thanks to her wing commander, all military got early release at 1200 hrs.  Hooray. 

But, first of all, mommy and daddy are proud to brag about little Christopher - who can walk with little help from daddy (him holding his hands). Got a video clip of it but can't seem to load it onto here.  So, you will just have to settle with some stills and imagine him taking steps toward you.

He started at the end of the bed and slowly kept moving one leg after another. At one point daddy was holding him just by the hands.  

When we got up - this is what the blizzard had done to the roads - drive safe Chimge.  Well, it took her about 15 minutes to drive the 1.5 miles - everyone was doing 5 mph on the road turned into skating rink.

Bernie took the children to the front yard and then to the park down the road so they can get to play in more snow!!! 

To prepare for the Thanksgiving Feast, Keith is testing his new skills of breadmaking.  Chimge wasn't allowed to knead the dough - just explain what he should do. He made a bread, cinnamon mini breads, and dinner rolls.

Here is the bread fresh out of the oven.  Doesn't it smell heavenly?  Are you hungry yet?  And it was gone before dinner was over.  

Well, this got out of order - but all the doughs sitting there rising. 

Keith and Chimge took a breadmaking class together and the bread is YUMMY and it takes only an HOUR from start to having a fresh bread on your plate.  How quick and cool is that.  Even though we will most likely eat way more bread than we should, if we keep making it, this is MUCH better than any storebought bread.  I guess, we will just have to add more exercise to our day.

Boondocks

23 Nov 2010: Short but fun filled day

Well, since Chimge worked today, everyone stayed close to home in the morning.  Bernie took the kids to the park to play in the snow some more (well, what was left of the snow).  Then, when Chimge came home, everybody got in the car again and headed to Boondocks - indoor fun center (of course, Chimge and Christopher was left behind).

In the Bowling alley - Bernie won the game with a whopping score of 104.  Keith had 96, Maria 82, Gage 68, and Dalton had 62.  

Waiting their turn. . .  

Then, off to Laser Tags: The Red Team with Captain COLONEL Dalton who fell gallantly in battle to the blue team - lone Keith. He won all three challenges.  I guess he felt better after that especially since he lost in bowling by some sad score of under 100.  

Then, they played the Giant. Gage actually won the bear himself.  Now, he will have to figure out fitting it in his suitcase.   

Bernie and Dalton teaming up to be the guitar heroes. Maria is holding a gray dolphin here (won by Bernie in the Giant game and she graciously presented to Maria).

Now that everyone is safely home, the howling winds can gets stronger and bring the snow and blizzard.  The weather advisory has been out warning everyone of dangers of slick road, poor visibility and dropping temperatures.  Driving after 5:00 p.m. is not recommended unless absolutely necessary.

So, now the question is - what is for dinner and did anyone bring anything for Chimge and Christopher???

Park City

22 Nov 2010: Visit to Park City for Keith, Bernie, Maria, Gage and Dalton.

Yep, Chimge and Christopher stayed home again.  Just glad Chimge is taking off work so everyone can enjoy playing in the snow and not worry about little Christopher's needs. While they went and played in Park City, Christopher was home enjoying his 100 day birthday!(see blog just for that)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!! 

Park City, here they come.  

Maria getting ready for some fun in the snow! 

Alabamans are enjoying the Greatest Snow on EARTH - powders of Park City, Utah. 

Bernie going up the hill just to . . .  

roll down...  

Bernie - in the process of making -  

snow angel! 

Keith's making one too.  

Keith and Maria. 

Bernie, Gage and Dalton (behind a tree)

Then, the hungry bunch met up with Chimge and Christopher at Cheesecake Factory.  

Christopher's first visit to Cheesecake Factory - too bad he couldn't read the menu. The server didn't even offer to read it for him. 

Dalton and his funny face with Bernie

Maria and Christopher (Gage is hiding behind them)

It was a nice and sunny day and probably only chance for them to enjoy Park City. Blizzard is coming this way and will make it harder for playing outside.

We will figure out some fun activities to do for indoors as we snuggle up in our blankets and pillows.

All of 100 days!!

Christopher Arnold Newton Young was born

on 14 Aug 2010 - and that makes it

he is ONE HUNDRED days old today!

Wonder what he will tell us about his experience of 100 days being here, being part of our family and having us for mommy and daddy.

At least he was very happy this morning (in this picture) and didn't cry about being left behind when everyone else piled in the car to go to Park City without him and mommy.

With clean diaper, full belly and cool accessories, he is content.

We love our little one - he is one happy child and easy for us inexperienced and not so patient parents: he is sleeping through the night and lets us put him in his crip and mostly talks / sings himself to sleep.  Except when he is hungry or dirty, he is all smiles and ready to show off the toothless gums of his. He is growing and getting stronger - he can punch, kick and side swipe you pretty good if not careful.  He is learning to grab things too - besides holding his bottle, his toys, he is getting curious about things around him: he is reaching to mommy's glasses, hair and anything and everything that catches his attention. 

Daddy is teaching him to stand and take a step or two.  I know it is early for him to walk yet.  But, daddy is exercising his muscles, so when it is time, he won't wobble around, he would just take off running. Well, that is daddy's thinking - and hope it works. We just have to hold his hands and he will stand there.  He holds his posture for some time - sitting and standing.  Getting easier to take his picture (see standing pic in his crib on post CANY or sitting picture on a bench at AF Museum post).

He still spits up a lot, gets cranky when he is tired and fights to stay awake and is having trouble rolling over (sometimes successful, but haven't gotten the trick down just yet).  Someday - little man, no need to rush to do it all. Mommy and daddy will do their best to be patient and enjoy your company and not hurry you to grow up.

More SNOW!

21 Nov 2010: We woke up even more snow.  Definitely, WINTER is here to stay!

Everyone was excited for more snow except Bernie that is.  Still no suitcase for her.  Keith called United and ended up talking to a gentleman in India - who happened to be the call center manager.  He said the luggage was still in Richmond, VA - so it will have to go to Chicago and then to SLC.

So, Chimge and Bernie and Dalton went to Target to buy her some necessities.  United is to reimburse up to $200 of purchase.  So, she has new whole new sets of clothes and snow boots.

Everybody is getting excitedly dressed for fun time in the snow. Chimge's snow ball fighting policy is "if you want to dish it out, then be willing to take it too"

 

Dalton stepping out into the fesh snow on the back porch.

Keith walking out barefeet - couldn't wait to get dressed.  Patience!!!

Bernie taking pictures of snow - too bad we can't mail it to Alabama!

Bernie, Dalton, Gage, and Maria against Keith.  Their aim weren't as good as Keith's though and Keith was faster at making snowballs. Maria left the game early due to hit to the face.  Chimge and Christopher scared Dalton too much - they had to be excused. Dalton did hit Chimge square in the face while trying to get to Christopher - he did get it on the cheek and didn't even cry a bit - just smiled actually and let mommy clean up the snow off his ears and neck. 

He is happy to tell the story of the snowball fight and brag about how everyone cried but him.  

"I am one happy kid and I love the snow."

After the game of getting wet in more ways than one, we all dried ourselves as well as the clothes and then, everyone went to 3D Megamind while Christopher and Chimge took a nap.

After the movie we all met up at Mongolian Grill for dinner.

And what did we find on the front porch - yes, a SUITCASE - Bernie was so happy she had to get her picture taken with it so she can send it to her hubby.  Now, everyone got what they need and got ready for another day's fun!