Amundsons

Hard to believe they haven't started touring yet...

We just got back from a week in NY with our cousin August (he would be the other cute blond kid in the matching Christmas PJ's). We had such a wonderful time. Charlotte got to see Santa again on Christmas Eve at Uncle Adam's restaurant, she had a much better experience this time than their first meeting at the mall (See previous post). Apparently her persuasion skills are sharp because even with the 5 time outs that night (not planning on taking an almost 2 year old to a fancy restaurant again, thank you) she was still on his "good boys and girls" list for the next morning. She loved opening her stocking and presents on Christmas morning almost as much as I enjoyed watching her open them. Why do you think that the two little children are standing next to their Grandpa who is eating ice cream, just moments away from bedtime??? Charlotte also had fun riding around on Grandpa's lawn mower and "helping" put the sprinkles on the Christmas Cookies. But she...

Today Charlie's Grammy, "BaBa" (this is what she calls Grandpa now... yes just like the sheep...not sure that he really looks like a sheep, but he will answer to it, so it may stick), Great Grandma, Aunt Sarah and Aunt Abby (who she literally bossed around the whole time, guess the pecking order has been established.... sorry Abby), all came down to St. Louis on their way to Birmingham for Christmas. We had a blast. Charlotte got to open her big present, a kitchen set with faux granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances (if I cant have a real gourmet kitchen and I have to spend the next 5 years playing in a plastic one I am going to make it nice). Then she got to not so patiently wait for Daddy and BaBa (still kills me!) to put it together. Please note the "country view window"and the chill chest below the fridge... I mean seriously, Charlotte should be cooking souffles by age 3 with this training.

So I came home tonight from work. There is a lasagna in the oven, laundry in the washer, the house has been cleaned and vacuumed, garbage already at the curb, the beds made, the dinning room re-arranged and some new Christmas decorations are up. Then my 6 foot elf looked at me and said, "just cause I love you." So in the light of the fact that most of my evening activities are already done, and I wasn't about to take over the TV with Monday night football on, I get to blog 2 times tonight.

Eliot got baptised on Sunday. I cried. Such an answer to my "wake up in a panic at 2am prayers". Seeing him up there with Katie and Russ, I just could not contain myself. And after Mike sprinkled his tiny head and Eliot squealed "Aqua" and then started signing for "more", "Aqua, more". I just keep thinking, "Amen Eliot!!!" Give the boy MORE AQUA. Dump the whole thing on that beautiful, precious, baptised, little head of his. Cause he is a child of the covenant in SO many ways. I don't have a picture of the baptism (and I do wish that I did so that you could all see Katie's hot red boots) But I do have a picture of Eliot's baptism into manhood, which is almost as significant. Now when any one knocks on our door Charlie yells "Eliot!". I say "now" because previously and I am not proud of this, it was "PIZZA!"

We left home fully fed, napped, face washed and plenty of provisions. Our gear had been carefully chosen last July for this time honored tradition. A velvet pink dress with matching bows for our hair. Images of Sugarplums were dancing in our heads and the thrill of meeting ol' Saint Nick made the anticipation sheer Christmas joy. Our journey began with a decent into the domain of Santa Claus. We met our fellow traveling companions at base camp. Both Eliot and I were as prepared as we could ever be for this exciting meeting. The last leg of the trip was a hard one, long lines and little protection from the golden reindeer and roaming elves. However the foliage was amazing.... It was close we could feel it! And for $25 this is what my parents got. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Seven years ago when we were looking for a dog. Someone mentioned that Boxers were good with Children. It didn't mean much back then.... it means everything now.

As we began our adventure north to see our Grammy in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. I looked at Jacob, we have made this trek countless times since we have been together these past 10 years. The memories of just the 2 of us traveling brought back such wonderful feelings of love and thankfulness for this man that sat by my side. When I casually looked back an overwhelming sense of gratefulness flooded me as I saw the life that we had created together. Our dog, our baby (who wanted to wear her new hat the whole way... whatever makes a 1 1/2 year old happy in the car), Our family. So much to be thankful for. Please note that I am not thankful all the "stuff" that you can see in this picture, next time 1 backpack is coming for all of us. This is ridiculous. Grammy had a toy kitchen set up in the kitchen and Charlie worked very hard helping to cook Thanksgiving dinner for everyone, e specially making sure that her dollies were feed. She enjoyed the 2 Turkeys that Aunt Sara ...

Charlie has found a new obsession with my shoes and purses... she hunts them down from my closet and then parades around with hippo. My dream of a tomboy is slowly fading. Clearly not wanting the same fate as these unfortunate kids before her, she would not touch this girl for anything... Who would do this to children!

Seriously is there anything better than a park, a kid and the fall. This was Charlie's first time down a slide by herself. Well not this actual video clip, this is about the 5th successful time down. The first time I was scared to death and was not about to get her crash on film. She could not get enough of it. Again.... Again.... Again.... Like I said earlier a park, a kid and the fall.... I LOVE IT!

The Monkey and his Banana. Ohh Eliot! Charlie's day care had their annual costume parade. Charlie and one of her good friends the "inchworm"

If you ever ask Charlie what she wants for breakfast you will always get one response. "Nanas!" If allowed she would put away 3 in one sitting. Charlie loved playing the games at our Church's Harvest Party on Thursday. Thank you Grammy for making my banana costume!

This one is really for my mom. This is the farm she grew up on in southern Illinois. Charlie loved being there, she was so relaxed most likely feeling her farmer girl roots. Until I put her on the wagon...

Since our last posting Charlotte "hacked" onto our computer and deleted our hard drive. She didn't just pull a couple files into the trash, she erased all documents, iphoto and itunes clean... 2,500 photos gone... leaving only a young mother trying to dig very deep into the patience bucket of my heart. I found it... a little deeper than the patience that I used when she proudly "colored" my sheets with a bright green sharpie. One may ask, "perhaps you should supervise your daughter, Lisa." Well the sharpie took about 20 seconds, and she was only on the computer for around 30 seconds before she was caught. So with the exception of purchasing a leash for children I am not sure what to do. So when Eliot's mom called and asked us to go to the pumpkin patch this weekend, I jumped at it. About 5 % for the experience and 95% because I need some pictures of Charlie.... Charlie loved the pony ride. In fact Grandpa now she knows what she wants for C...

October 14 has always been a very good day... Many wonderful things have happened today in the past. 1 year ago today, August was born and Charlie became a cousin. We don't get to see him very often but Charlie loves to point to his picture on the fridge and say "Audoo" Happy 1st Birthday August! You are a very precious little boy! This is August getting ready for his Uncle Adams Concert last summer. Such a rebel! 6 years ago today Scott and Jenn got married. 11 years ago today Jacob and I went on our first date. and last but certainly not least 54 years ago Grammy Amundson was born. Happy Birthday Grammy! Charlie wishes that she was there to give you birthday kisses.