jay and jen plus ben

Ok - we're moving...

2009-12-01T14:47:00.000-08:00

...not us...but our pictures, posts, etc. will be!
since Abigail should be on her way any day now...
we're switching over to our new blog home!

put it in your favorites...
bookmark it...
write it on a sticky note...
tatoo it on your arm...
ok maybe not that far!

http://twentyliltoes.blogspot.com

and...to lure you to start looking over there...
I've posted a few pictures of the last few days.
And some of Abigail's finished room (per a special someone's request)

Much Love & See you over at http://twentyliltoes.blogspot.com !!!

Our little deer

2009-11-30T20:36:00.001-08:00

Ben cuddling with his baby doll while watching "toons" with "da-ma"

Ben & Jameson laughing

2009-11-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

We were out with a friend and her little guy, Jameson yesterday afternoon...
at the local (small plane type) airport and ate lunch at their little cafe while Ben watched planes take off and land...good times :)

Anyways... Ben was making "da da da" sounds and Jameson thought he was so funny....and Ben thought it was funny that Jameson was laughing too! (you can hear the waitresses talking to us, my friend Karen, and Ben pointing at a plane taking off)

I was laughing so hard I was crying!

38 weeks

2009-11-16T19:01:00.001-08:00

Less than 2 weeks until Abi is due!

for you who have two-year-olds

2009-11-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have two-year-olds...
I was sent a great little run-down of what your child is dealing with right now, developmental stage, etc. CLICK HERE to read! :)

Ben fell asleep half standing

2009-11-15T20:37:00.001-08:00

...he came down after nap and fell asleep on Jay's lap while they were watching football.

Ben enjoying park on a fall day

...yes it gets cooler here too.

Ben got a real haircut!

2009-11-13T02:56:00.001-08:00

He sat so nice and wasn't wiggly!!

A few things I made for baby room

Four canvases...reused from previous decor!

A mobile that is also reused from Ben...and created using the Cricut!

Ben play outside early one morning...

The cold didn't bother him one bit!

Pumpkin Patch photos

2009-11-06T21:06:00.000-08:00

Yes...these are from a while ago...but we moved.

And well...I'm pregnant but, I figured we should get these up online

before baby Abi comes! :) We went to the pumpkin patch before Halloween...

Ben LOVED the petting zoo part!

Here he is discussing life with a chicken...

...this duck did not particularily like him...
it kept hissing at him...
but he kept going over to see it!

Loving the goats!

He tried picking up all the huge pumpkins...

this one he got off the ground successfully!

We also trucked through the corn maze...

showing Daddy some hay...

he was pretty impressed by it!

we tried to get a nice picture of Ben

sitting with pumpkins and smiling...

well this is the best we got :)

looking at the "neighs"

bedtime funny story

2009-11-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

Ben was putting all his stuffed animals in bed last night saying "horse...nap" and then he'd cover them with the blanket, rub their head, and give them a kiss (this is part of our bedtime routine with Ben) and then make a snoring noise. He did this with a few animals and then ran out so he was looking around for something else to put down for "nap" when he spied his sippy cup of milk (which he calls "juice" regardless whats in it).
He then said "juice...nap" and put his juice down for nap too...
Jay and I just laughed...such a silly boy.

2009-11-02T18:07:00.001-08:00

Kiddos on halloween

Ben the turtle

I'm back--- whew...

2009-10-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

So I haven't had true internet for the past month or so--- and I've felt more than disconnected!! :( I have limited access on my phone but it doesn't allow me to post like I usually do so...sorry if you all have been wondering what was going on over on this end LOL...

Here's the latest news on our end of the world...
1. only weeks...yes WEEKS left until Abigail arrives...wow wow wow. Could I please get an extention on this pregnancy thing...it's not like college term papers...huh bummer! :) I'm excited to meet this little lady but am also in need of extra "get ready" time before then! (see #2 on list)

2. we just moved! literally like a couple days ago. whew! (just 2 mins down the street but into something that will better meet the needs of our soon-to-be growing family)
thank you to everyone who helped- you are wonderful!!! I felt mostly useless but...things are getting unpacked now slowly...probably not as slow as I SHOULD be going but...it hard trying to take things easy when you want to get the house in order before a baby arrives!

3. church- everything has been going really well. I've been mostly hanging out with the babies during service...and they've been great! It's fun to see RidgeKids taking form and the kids getting to know eachother more and getting to know the God that loves them more!

4. mama drama - need I say more? This stresses me out and makes me sad all at the same time. The playgroup we are a part of is dealing with drama on top of drama and I don't understand most of it...nor do I really want to understand it. I'm just hoping it passes like a bad storm.

5. Ben has been moved to "big boy bed"... so far...good. We'll see how long "good" lasts. Right now we've racked up 1 night time sleep and 1 nap in the "BBB"

6. speaking of sleep...I've not been getting much! Abigail is moving a ton and then too the past few nights being in the new place...ugh. It's funny how you get used to the "sounds of the house" well now I need to get to know a whole new set of noises!

2009-10-30T08:42:00.001-07:00

Ben slept all night in his big boy bed!

Big boy Ben

Reading last night in his big boy bed

Livingroom

2009-10-30T08:37:00.001-07:00

2009-10-26T13:40:00.001-07:00

Mommy and Ben at senior center for costume "parade"

The other mommys and kids from playgroup that joined us!

2009-10-26T13:39:00.001-07:00

Ben decorating his pumpkin

...he also drew on his hand...in perm marker too!

Karis chillin' while we were all carving pumpkins

Ben the (grouchy) lion

Handprint Bat

2009-10-23T22:48:00.001-07:00

Ben made this craft at our playgroup this morning...too cute!

Ben's 1st pumpkin

2009-10-20T09:08:00.001-07:00

The cookie Jay and Ben decorated...a ghost with eyeballs?!?

Halloween Cookie Decorating Party

2009-10-19T20:29:00.001-07:00

Our lovely friends, the Fondas, had a bunch of us over last night! Good fun!

2009-10-16T15:54:00.001-07:00

Craft fair...I sold handmade clips and crochet hats!

Waiting in line at sonic...getting our free route 44 for the day!

It actaully rained...and then there was a rainbow :)

2009-10-16T15:50:00.001-07:00

Ben "the bird" Haugh

2009-10-11T14:38:00.000-07:00

He started pretending...awwww...
Today he was pretending to be a bird and was flying around the house.
He also pretends to eat blueberries and french fries out of his play kitchen cookware...

Out on the couch

2009-10-09T13:37:00.001-07:00

Ben fell asleep on a bike ride with Jay...

Ranch...mmmm

And ketchup...

Ben loves to dip!

T.T. Playgroup

2009-10-08T14:08:00.001-07:00

Feeding the ducks

More and more ducks!

Who is hiding in our bushes?

Ben is!!

Who is hiding behind our curtain?

Ben of course!

Sunset walk at Harveston

2009-10-07T07:38:00.001-07:00

Family Day last week

Daddy & Ben looking at the ducks

Guess who was hiding from Mommy when she said "naptime"??

Oh yes...hiding is his thing lately...

a few other photos from Minnesota

2009-10-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few other photos I just downloaded from when we were up in Minnesota...

Grandpa Joe took Ben fishing on the river and they caught

his first fish! He was excited and kept petting the fish.

I'm just glad he didn't try to give it a kiss!

And doesn't he look so cute in the little life jacket?!?

Great Grandpa Darrell reading Ben "Go Dogs Go"

and Ben was oh so sleepy...can you tell?

(He does the hair messing when he's tired)

Ben loved riding the rocking horse that Grandma Mary

pulled out...it used to be Uncle John's!!

internet down...internet down

2009-09-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

so my posting has tapered off recently...
why??

our internet is down.
sadness ensues.

I'm at a coffee shop right now with 5 mins away from Ben...
so I posted a few things. Hope you all enjoy.

Here's a few updates too---
1. 8 1/2 weeks or so until Abi arrives (she's breech right now-- pray for her to flip soon!)
2. we may be buying a house...we've been looking since April and I think something is finally working out
3. church is up and running with weekly services!! so far things are going well...still on the look out for a permenant worship leader...

Playgroup Fundraiser photos

2009-09-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

As a fundraiser for the playgroup, Alicia Salcedo, a professional photographer

took some portraits...Ben and I headed over...

He was too cute!!

...and she talked me into getting my belly in a few shots too.

Ridgeline Kids craft

2009-09-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

A few Sundays ago the kids made this too-cute craft...

the pine cones are the owl babies.

My Little Brother's Wedding

2009-09-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

We were just up in Minnesota for my little brother's wedding...

John is all grown up. The wedding was very nice...a little stress of course because of

typical wedding events and whatnots but it was great to be able to be up there

to see John & Bry's special day...and I got to see my nephew, Jack, for the

first time...love that chunky little guy! Ben loved him too!

Here are a few pictures I swiped from one of their friends off facebook...

I'll post more later...

It was very windy!!

Jay did a great job for their ceremony!

Your Thoughts Please!

2009-09-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Jay and I were talking about this issue over dinner...we know a lot of people (and I am sure you do too) who are going through tough financial times right now...in fact, we had two requests for significant financial help just this evening (one being for over half of their rent money for the month)...but since we're a part of a brand new church that has basically zero tithing and just a trickle of funding...the burden and joy of helping falls on us personally as a family...and we're shorter on money some months than others too and fall in the same boat at times...but, anyways I ask you all... (and please do comment with your thoughts/email me!!)

what does God call us to be to people in these situations?

I mean...when you read Luke 6:30 and Jesus says to "give to everyone who asks of you" how many ways can you take that? But at the same time, I believe it is biblical that God has asked us also to be good stewards of that which he has given us...

So I ask, what are your thoughts?

What do you actually do vs. what you think God is asking us to do?

What should we really really be doing?

How do you decide who to give to and who not to?

When our giving to others in need negatively affect our own family's well-being and stability should that be something we think about? (humanly speaking I think yes...but what and where does God address this?---and truly is there really really a "handbook" for this?)

RCC - Launch Sunday

2009-09-13T13:08:00.001-07:00

So the pictures I have to share right now are from my perspective...

leading kids crafts...

Here are a few phone camera shots I took quick

while I was leading craft with the kids.

Older kids made twig crosses with

twine, pine cones, and leaves (thanks mom!--she sent me some pinecones and such from Minnesota...I'm using the acorns she sent for another craft in a few weeks)

Preschool craft
The preschool kids made noodle cross necklaces...
they colored noodles with markers and strung them
on string to make necklaces. The cross "pendant" was made from two
noodles glued together...worked out alright although they did
have problems with the stringing part...

more RCC Launch photos

2009-09-13T13:07:00.001-07:00

again...blurry and of the kids area

Ronna with the babies

Toddler mayhem...the walkers but not yet preschool kids...
this is by far the largest group and causes the most chaos!

Kids craft

more RCC launch photos

2009-09-13T12:59:00.001-07:00

Noah helping break down after church...some of the older kids like
to help while we break-down stuff after church...
and we'll let them!

Snack after church with Megan

Baby Karis fast asleep in the swing

yum yum

2009-09-12T08:28:00.001-07:00

Our friend Megan shared a bit of her dessert with Ben...

...and of course he loved it!

(he so takes after his mama in this area!!)

jump jump jump

2009-09-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Some friends in our neighborhood bought this awesome little bounce house...

and they blew it up this afternoon for some jumping fun!

Ben was loving it!

even though this picture is super blurred...

I love that you see the two boys laying on the bounce house floor...

like they just bounced out their last ounce of energy.

BUT we all know THAT isn't true!!

freecycle - train set

2009-09-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

Ben has been playing with trains and train sets everywhere we've been lately...

I looked and train sets are SO expensive...so I thought it wouldn't hurt

to ask on Freecycle if someone's child has outgrown theirs and wouldn't

mind passing it along...wow! We got a great little set...THANK YOU!

Most of the set is put away right now...

minus a few of the train cars...

The rest may just get wrapped up for Christmas :)

I am cheap...I know...I guess that is one good point

towards being a church-planting wife!

A few photos from RCC Social Event - Sunday

2009-09-10T07:57:00.001-07:00

I took this photo as I was driving home...through a dirty windsheild but,

the colors of the sunset against the mountain-hills was so beautiful...

I just had to share. Obviously doesn't look as nice as in person :)

Nathan (aka. Nay-Nay) was playing with Ben and got his workout for the day!!

Tyler was helping Ben skateboard...

we're starting him out early :)

You can also see a few of the guys playing basketball in the background.

Night-time Walk

2009-09-10T07:51:00.001-07:00

Trying to wear Ben out before bed....
it doesn't really work but, we can try!!

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday we had a Ridgeline social gathering at a local park in the later afternoon...we grilled out some and played basketball (well some people did...not I)...the kids played on the playground. It was a great day...the weather was even mild (not the severe heat we've had the past week!).

Monday we had a few neighbors and their kids over to our house for a BBQ...it was good to get to know a few more couples and great that some of them are also moms of young kids...it seems like you always have something in common with other moms! :)

On other news: I had another dr appt today and I am swiftly gaining in the weight department LOL the nurse just kept sliding the little ticker farther and farther over...whew! I go back now every two weeks...which seems unreal...it's getting closer to another "labor day"!

baby crafts

2009-09-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

So I made a few baby crafts this morning while Ben was entranced by Nemo...

ok that was only for 15mins and then he was back and forth

between attaching himself to my legs and seeing a few seconds of Nemo...

never-the-less I pressed on in crafts...

took a few mins here and there to fetch a snack for Ben,

change a diaper, get more "dwink" for Ben, stop Ben from writing on the washing machine...

and calm a screaming Ben...now not sure why he was screaming? I mean NEMO was on!

Anyhoo...this is what I finished with craft things

and baby hand-me-downs I had around the house...

These were some burp cloths that needed some help!!
This top one had some faded & outdated animal scene printed

under where I put the fabric...

(you can't see the little stripes in this picture very well

but the little yellow-ish bows matched so cute!)

Jay has been away all morning/afternoon

helping some very wonderful friends of ours move into their new place...
what a nice guy!!

Video: Ben jumping in!

2009-09-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

We were so proud of our little man...
jumping in on his own...and he even waited for Daddy to get to the side!

[side note: I had been in the pool relaxing and enjoying a little cool-off...
but Ben was in and out of the pool...and constantly asking for his "owh-owh" (aka. towel)
so I ended up just sitting out here towards the end.

Video: Ben Swimming

2009-09-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

A video of Ben swimming/foating with his NEMO
arm floaties on.

Friday: Family Day

2009-09-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

Since it has been so hot...

we decided to hit the pool for Family Day.

Ben tried out his arm floats the other day and actually kept them on!

So we wanted to give him practice with them on again...

A big smile...and he's floating by himself!

Also for Family Day, Jay decided to make a new recipe for dinner!
He had been looking through a women's magazine in the bathroom one day this week
and saw something he wanted to make...it turned out really good and seemed easy too!

Abigail...tap dancer extrordinaire

2009-09-04T08:54:00.001-07:00

Ok...who gave Abi tap shoes?? Last night she was quite the little dancer at 3am...And for about 2 hrs she danced away on the sides of my belly. Needless to say I was exhausted this morning. Since it is family day though, Jay got up with Ben and I was able to sleep in a little bit! what a great husband!!

Hair clippies

2009-09-04T08:50:00.001-07:00

Ben had one in his hair for about 5 seconds

Hair clippies

Made a few of these yesterday during ben's naptime!

what happens when...

2009-09-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

what happens when...

Mommy is cutting up watermelon in the kitchen...

and last night she forgot to put up the chalk...

and Ben remembers that there was chalk in the bin with all the balls...

and there is an ominous silence...

and then you hear "fish!" "fish!"

Ben likes to color "fish" on paper lately...

something one of our babysitters taught him...

she'd draw a little stick fish and he'd scribble over it, coloring it in...

...and yes, he also got the floor...

...but mostly for some reason colored fish on the T-Ball stand?!?

how do you eat an oreo?

2009-09-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

After Ben had a good dinner, I gave him a cookie...

an Oreo to be exact...

and how does Ben eat an Oreo cookie??

First he splits it in half and then chipmunk bites all the filling out...
...and then he nibbles on the cookie...
leaving, of course, ample remnants on his face...
and a bit in his hair too!

Fire Station Tour

2009-09-01T12:13:00.001-07:00

Ben even got his own fire hat...which he proceeded to take off and throw on the floor.

He even wore his light-up fire truck t-shirt!

And yes, this was the best picture I could get of him! He's been a whirl-wind lately!

2009-09-01T12:12:00.001-07:00

Watching as the fireman shows them all the equipment...

and (below) Ben trying to swipe some of the equipment out of the lockers :)

2009-09-01T12:09:00.001-07:00

We tried getting the whole group of kids to sit for a picture LOL

It didn't work out too well.

We were a little bummed too because all the big fire trucks were getting

work done on them so we couldn't see them

(I assume just in case they need to be called out for the fires in LA)

Already?!?

2009-08-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

For some reason this pregancy has gone so quickly...I really have my plate full over here so I guess that has kept me busy and my mind is in a million places...(and I don't see how I can fit anything else on my plate over here---guess I have to upgrade to a platter?!? once Abi comes?)

I've just moved into the third trimester...I know!!! Already?!?! (my thoughts exactly)
So about 13 weeks to go...doesn't sound very long does it?

Welcome Dalton!!

2009-08-31T14:00:00.001-07:00

The Papits welcomed their baby boy a few days ago...

9lbs 3 oz.

He's definently hockey/football material

and he could so take on any kid in the nursery!

proud dad Gavin showing off his little guy

Family Day - "Surprise Day" (night)

2009-08-28T20:52:00.001-07:00

Jay had some great ideas for his part of the family day surprises...although the 105 heat and other things hampered his great ideas...so we headed over to Toys'r'Us to play with some of their toys and enjoy their AC too! We saw this life-like moving and roaring dinosaur...Ben was a little aprehensive to touch it at first!

...and then Jay & Ben played a trial version of this biking game...

it was funny to watch Jay pedal with his hands as fast as he could.

We also watched "Incredibles" tonight...good movie but a little too much talking yet for Ben and not enough action and visual stuff!

Friday Family Day : "Surprise Day" (morning)

2009-08-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

For breakfast we headed over to the Swing Inn Cafe...

a local place that has been around (supposedly) since the 1800s.

Ben thought he's like some tobasco with his breakfast...they were really quick at getting our food out and everything tasted pretty good!

Then we headed over to the local outlet mall where they have a free craft/kids time every Friday morning...today they made paper fish pinwheels...and colored sealife coloring sheets...Ben seemed to have a good time!

Ben's fish.

Friday -- Family Day

2009-08-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

This Friday we decided that it's going to be "surprise day"...
Jay and I picked "out of a hat" either a paper that said "morning" or one that said "night".

I picked out "morning" so that means I am planning a surprise event(s) for the morning hours (i.e. from 7:30ish to 1pm when Ben goes down for nap) and then Jay got "night" which means he'll be planning a surprise event(s) for the post-nap through pre-ben's bedtime hours (basically 2:30/3ish to 7:30/8ish).

So we'll see...

2009-08-26T16:20:00.001-07:00

Hot rod

2009-08-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

Who wouldn't love to drive this mini-car? And when did my baby turn into a little boy? :)

Splash park

2009-08-24T14:43:00.001-07:00

We had a great afternoon at a playdate at the splash park!

Park Play Date

2009-08-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

Another mommy from our playgroup took these photos last week

when we were at a park play date...Ben of course was loving the swing...

Rocks

2009-08-24T08:38:00.001-07:00

Ben has been bringing in all kinds of rocks lately...so if you step on one barefoot at my house...so sorry!

Ben's "wock"

Jay's Home Brew

2009-08-24T08:23:00.005-07:00

Jay finally got to bottle his home brew beer after 6 weeks of it being in our closet fermenting...

now he has to wait a week while the carbination stuff works its magic.

2009-08-24T08:23:00.003-07:00

Tyler came to help out with the bottling...

2009-08-24T08:23:00.001-07:00

the tree-o-bottles

made these yesterday

2009-08-24T08:21:00.001-07:00

I made these yesterday while Ben was watching Nemo & while Jay and Tyler were bottling up the brew...a friend of ours is a photographer and is wanting to try doing some newborn/baby photography and asked if I could make a few things he'd seen around...basically it's a baby cocoon/sleeping bag with matching hat...and I am sure will look much cuter when the baby isn't plastic.

2009-08-24T08:20:00.001-07:00

ps. the past two "posts" have been sent from my phone...I took the pics on my phone and got a free app that can allows me to send my photos directly to blogger so I can share with you all :)

I'm still working out a few of the kinks but...this is so exciting!

and of course...nemo.

2009-08-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

Ben watching his (nearly) daily dose of Nemo.

sunday afternoon

2009-08-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we spent a little time outside...

and Jay tried teaching Ben how to hit the baseball off the tee.

...and he tried...

but then decided it'd be more effective

to hit it like "bam-bam"

2009-08-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

A friend of ours and fellow ND fan, gave Jay this chair that he's had sitting in his garage for a while. Jay was very happy to have it! (and Ben was surprisingly unhappy to be sitting in it)

a hot day...and yum!

2009-08-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday started out deceivingly cool and even with a little rain

but then quickly turned hot hot hot!

Jay had already opened all the windows and turned off the AC

and then left for the day to do "work"...

by the time hotness hit, I was already too wiped

to even head up the stairs to shut all the windows to be able to turn on the AC...

so we went outside where there was a bit more breeze

and enjoyed some homemade blended fruit pops!

...and after the mess of the fruit pops...

we got really classy and stripped Ben down to the diaper...gave him a plastic cup

and let him play with the back"yard" spicket (anyone know how to spell that??!?)

Art Time: Watercoloring!

2009-08-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Ben made some nice watercolor pictures!

RCC Ladies' Night: Glass Etching & Mini-Collages

2009-08-20T16:17:00.000-07:00

We had ladies night last night and we made etched glass and mini-collages...

both ideas came from marthastewart.com by the way...

and the collages had templates which was really nice! :)

Little Jack...my nephew

2009-08-20T14:36:00.001-07:00

Isn't this the cutest picture?

Bry (Jack's mommy) had the caption on it "my little dough-boy"...

I love the flour on him...

Rev. Jay's First Wedding

2009-08-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Jay officiated his first wedding this past weekend in Laguna Beach.

Our realtor and friend from Texas got married on the beach...

Congrats Shirley & Jason!

opposites day?

2009-08-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well, Ben tried to "dress himself" this morning...

even though he already had clothes on.

And from the looks of it...I guess he thinks it is opposites day!

He had a good time playing with his fish on the stairs with his tshirt on his legs.

He even said "cheese" for the camera.

Friends

2009-08-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

You've got to go check out this post by a Texas friend of ours...
they were out here (the husband for business) and came for dinner one night.
It was good to hear how they are doing & talk a bit.

I've been meaning to take some pictures of the things they gave Abi... too cute!
Her first purse :) I think that freaked Jay out a little...he's going to have a daughter...
and daughters...yes they have purses...and girly hair clips!

I wish I would have pulled out my camera to take a few pictures...glad she did!

Oh the things they do...

2009-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Daddy & Ben had fun one evening...the things boys do together!??!

Good thing for Jay I disinfect the play kitchen food very regularily. For some reason, those are always things kids put in their mouths when they play over here. Well...I guess not just kids since Jay also had the idea too! LOL

Sunday -- Church Update

2009-08-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we had another "preview service"...it went well there were different issues this time than last "preview service" so it was interesting to deal with all those. For our children's area we have two theaters reserved and we were planning on doing story & craft for different aged groups in the second theater this Sunday to see how it worked, etc. but they accidentally scheduled a movie in there! LOL (ok we weren't really laughing yesterday!)

I also am coordinating the craft we're doing with the kids...I brought my camera to take a picture or two but, Ben wasn't cooperating at all so I was trying to lead the craft AND calm an obnoxiously screaming Ben...it would have worked better to be in the second theater for this since he wouldn't have been able to see me and probably would have been just fine...so all that to say...nope, no pictures!

The younger kids made fishing poles with magnets on the bottom of the string and decorated fish with tissue paper squares (to mimmick fish scales?) and colored them with crayons, etc. The older kids made braided bookmarks with beads & fish laced onto them (they start school today! so it seemed appropriate) --- all these were reminders of the story they heard today about Peter (a fisherman) who was called to follow Jesus.

Sunday -- Pool Time!

2009-08-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

We headed over to the pool late Sunday afternoon...

the water was a little too cold for me but, Ben played for a little bit

and Jay did too...and got talking to a couple we'd met previously

at our neighborhood BBQ a couple months ago.

Ben was cuddling up in his towel...

playing "nigh-nigh"

2009-08-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Lately Ben has enjoyed playing with

the blankets we have in a basket in our livingroom...

today he took one out and kept telling me "nigh-nigh"

and then also telling his yellow fish "nigh-nigh" too.

...and do you think he knows now when I'm taking pictures??

He wouldn't look at me at all once I got the camera out!

hidden forms of exercise

2009-08-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

I read this little article in one of my babycenter.com pregnancy weekly emails...

Staying Fit:

Hidden forms of exercise

Ever wonder why you're huffing and puffing after vacuuming? It's because you're burning about 200 calories an hour! Here are some other daily activities that can get your heart going and make your body stronger.

• Kissing: 58 calories an hour

• Playing with a toddler: 216 calories an hour

• Washing windows: 200 calories an hour

• Walking the dog: 238 calories an hour

• Gardening: 324 calories an hour

Ok...so let's see I play with Ben aprx. 8-10 hours a day (that's even minus an hour for his nap!) so I'm burning 1728-2160 calories a day...not to mention what little baby is pulling out of my system every hour of every day...whew. I'm tired just thinking about it!

watermelon hat

2009-08-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

As a Saturday afternoon project, I decided to make a little knit hat for Abigail. I saw one like this online and knew I hat the right yarn already to make it! I started when Ben went down for his nap & got it done just before dinner (with many distractions in between - like filling sippy cups, going to the recycling center, talking to neighbors, petting dogs, getting Ben redressed after he went to the pool with Jay after nap, etc.)

[on a side note: I got some great deals at Kohl's today! Shopping the 80% off rack + 15% off coupon + $10 coupon + no tax weekend = 5 shirt/bottoms outfits, 1 pair pants, 1 tshirt (these all were for Abi) and then a pair of tennis shoes for Ben! Supposedly according to the recipt "Total Saved: $125.16" What??!? I can't believe they let me use both coupons on clearance items! I spent only $13.95... Jay even was proud of me...and he hates spending money!]

Family Day - Aquarium

2009-08-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

On a whim, we decided to head out to the aquarium in Long Beach

(a bit more of a drive than we thought it'd be!)...it was a fun day.

We also stayed in the area and drove down the coast a bit to Newport Beach

(where Jay & I met) to eat some dinner & avoid crazy traffic on the way back.

We did take a walk on the boardwalk pier

(but only made it half way and turned around...

Ben was making us too nervous!!)

It took a little while of screaming and pulling Ben away from each tank display

before he realized that there were so many more fish to see!

I love how he's looking all the way up in this picture.

I loved the seals! Ben did too...and one liked him!

It was cute to watch the seal play and blow bubbles

and follow Ben's hand on the aquarium wall.

I even made Jay take some pictures while we were there

so I could be in a few pics (usually I'm not)...

and so he could get more comfortable with the camera

...I want him to be proficient before Abigail comes!

Looking at the Giant Sea Bass...they were huge!

They had a bunch of "ponds" where you could touch

sting rays, little sharks, and some star fish.

It was a little too crowded so...

we didn't get to experience much of these.

But we all did touch a sting ray...weird!

I had to work up the courage to stick my hand in there!

Not sure why they freaked me out so much...

And Jay took a picture of Abi...

just in case she says we never took her to an aquarium...

See...there you are!

When we got to this exhibit...Ben just was in love.

He has loved the movie Nemo lately...

and guess who he saw in this tank??

DORY!

Right after that we headed down the hallway

and saw....NEMO!!

Ben was so still and quiet as he watched

all the little Nemos swimming around...

there were even a few Dorys too!

little artist

2009-08-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

This is Ben's latest creation...

we made it at our playgroup, Temecula Tykes, this week.

(Mommy spelled the name with foam letter stamps...

and yes she realizes that all the letters are jumbled in weird directions

...painting with a 1 1/2 year old...I needed to be quick!)

dollar store welcome

2009-08-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

We just had a new neighbor move in next door...

the first night we were not too impressed...he had two large dogs

and they barked ALL NIGHT LONG!

We've talked with him a bit and the dogs

have been great since that night...whew!

It sounds like he might be going through some tough times...

a divorce or heading towards one with a number of kids involved too.

We wanted to make him feel welcomed to our neighborhood (and know most of our other neighbors won't prob. give him 5 mins or even a smile)...

The local dollar store had a rack of plants and planters!

For under $8.00 I made two of these little planters...cheap, yes!

But not cheap in meaning & heart.
Just shows it doesn't take a whole lot

to show you care & are there for people.

RCC : 1st Preview Service

2009-08-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some quick pictures from our first preview service (which is one where we invite a few people to...basically for us to work out all the kinks and get things going on a smaller level before we do our big "1st service" on Sept 13)...

I just happend to have my older camera (sorry these are mostly poor quality & blurry too!) in the diaper bag from when we went to the zoo earlier this weekend...enjoy!

The check-in area for kids...

We put even the smalled Ridgeline-ers to work...

Cade "sweeping" the floors.

They let us put up a movie sized poster...for as long as we want basically.

the sign for the main service area..."the gathering"

the band practicing...I didn't get to see the service
since I was in the children's area helping with babies this week...
but I've heard only good things so far!

Daddy & Ben listening to the band play before the "service"...
Ben seemed to really like listening to the band play
and dancing with "uncle" nay-nay (Nathan Mitchell).

sound/tech stuff

Josh, a guy we met through some connections, who is leading worhsip for us for a while.

Pray that we find someone permenant and/or that Josh & his wife
(they're due with their 1st born in Sept) would want to stay on with us long-term :)

A few of the kids before the "service" started playing with the tea party set.

Ben talking about the "nakes"

2009-08-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Ben talking about "nakes" (snakes)...he was very excited.

A Night at the Zoo

2009-08-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

Taking advantage of our annual pass to the zoo we headed out for Family Day at the zoo...we actually spent our evening at the zoo since they're open during part of the summer months until 9pm. We pack dinner and ate down there and enjoyed the cooler temps and seeing more animals be more active than during the middle of the day! We stopped by a few new exhibits that we hadn't seen before...the reptile house (where we saw "nakes"), the bug house, and we rode the little sky ferry thing (it runs on cables from one end of the zoo to the other-- scary!).

Daddy & Ben looking at "nakes"

and of course pounding on the glass.

Petting zoo...I never go in...

for some reason it grosses me out.

The ant "farm" at the bug house...

they also had a see through bee hive which was neat.

Watching the otters swim around...they were actually pretty playful! We didn't see them out at first and then headed back to see when we heard people talking about them being out when we were leaving the exhibit area.

And this is a bad shot but...we sat here for a good 10-15 mins because a whole bunch of bike riders were streaming by...at 8:30 in the evening! I think it was a "flash mob" but...who knows. They weren't racing or anything, they were all ages riding typical leisure bikes.

I guess it is called "Critical Mass"?? You can see the youtube video here...

making the "terrible" twos terrific

2009-08-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

I was skeptical when I started reading another parenting book recently called, "Making the 'Terrible' Twos Terrific!" by John Rosemond. A friend of a friend gave me the book after we were talking at the last ladies' craft night.

I actually really liked a lot of what he suggested throughout the book...minus cutting your child's door in half...that just didn't seem very useful in the long run...and expensive to replace a door! LOL but besides that I would really suggest this as a toddler-parent's must read...

Here was one particularily funny part I want to share was when we was describing "twos" development and milestones...

"Their egocentricity knows no bounds; therefore, they think you should be able to read their minds. They want milk. You bring milk. They scream and knock the milk off the table. You fool! They said milk, but meant orange juice. You apologize and bring orange juice. They knock it off the table. Wrong cup! You bring orange juice in the right cup, meanwhile, they've decided that milk doesn't sound so bad afterall, so...on and on it goes. The good news is they tend to sleep anywhere from twelve to fourteen hours a day. The bad news is some of them hardly sleep at all."

our friend Lydia

2009-07-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

Also, in addition to having dudes brewing beer outside, we had sweet little Lydia over for a couple hours to play while her parents went out on a date for their anniversary. Ben was interested in Lydia for about the first half hour (pointing and saying "baby" and getting on his hands and knees to smile at her on her level) and then went on his merry way playing...Lydia loved watching Ben run and play all night long!

Lydia also enjoyed giving herself kisses in the baby mirror...too cute.

brewing up something interesting

2009-07-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Jay got a home beer brewing kit for Father's Day...

so last night he had some guys over (and one being an "expert" brewer)

to get the first batch of "Haugh's Holy Ale" going...

...looks gross huh? Yeah

...now there is a huge bottle of this stuff fermenting in my downstairs closet

...for the next 6 weeks! (no one told me any of this before they started!)

The Bug Hunter

2009-07-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Jay was outside with Ben last night...with Ben's fascination with bugs lately this was bound to happen! Ben came around the corner of the "yard" showing off a bug he found from a distance. Jay went a little closer to see what kind of beetle he found. As Jay got closer he noticed it was not a beetle but a live bee! Ben had it pinched between his fingers stinger up and the little bee was wiggling trying to get free...Jay quickly knocked it out of Ben's hand and stomped it telling Ben that it was a "mean bug". I don't know how Ben caught it and how he didn't get stung!

toddler activities links

2009-07-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.toddlertoddler.com/index.htm

http://www.beginningreading.com/Alphabet%20Set%201.htm

http://www.meddybemps.com/9.624.html

I found a few links to interesting toddler/preschool activities. We printed out A B and C off the 2nd link and talked about the letters and colored. It was a good way to start to introduce letters to Ben...maybe we'll do a few more tomorrow too!

play dough

2009-07-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

After Ben got up from his nap, we tried play dough for the 1st time...

it went well...until I showed him how you can smash it and pull pieces off

...and then it was everywhere.

He enjoyed it ...notice I did do it outside though! :)

ps. we got the mini-tubs of play dough at Michael's-

i think there were 6 small tubs for $1.oo

(in case anyone wants to purchase cheap play dough)

late afternoon at Carlsbad beach

2009-07-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

This evening/late afternoon we headed out to Carlsbad with some friends...we packed dinner and ate and played at the beach. It was good to have a bit of relaxation and let the sound of the waves relieve stress after we did a trial run at the theater for church this morning!

the family at carlsbad

Ben pointing out the bugs in Tyler's tatoo...

a yuck I just ate sand face...

cuddling in the towel

showing off the "woks" (rocks) he found as the waves went out

the "crew" of friends who joined us

daddy & Ben walking down the beach

what a talented daddy...playing frisbee and holding Ben!

Ben just sat down with Tyler and started snacking...

he just makes himself welcome & at home anywhere!

thoughts about Abi's room

2009-07-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

I think I'm going to re-use the lime green crib skirt I got with Ben

and add this bumper to start off the "theme"...

...and then add some basic lime and pink sheets...
...and then I may re-use the baby mobile we had with Ben but
take off the zoo animals and replace them with butterflies...
or I may just make my own...we'll see.

help pick a blog name...

2009-07-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

so we've picked a baby name- Abigail (Abi)
but now we need to find a new blog name...

I've started a poll with a few that are available...
so help pick one or email me/comment with your ideas!

update: my ever-growing belly

2009-07-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

21 weeks

I tried to get Jay to take a picture today...of the baby belly...

the camera is not his best friend...after looking at this picture, nor is it mine (when I'm not behind it). This morning I had to try three shirts before I found one that'd cover the belly...and this one does...barely.

church advertising

2009-07-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Jay just got his car "wrapped" today for part of the church's advertising...

a few other cars are getting "wrapped" too. I really liked driving this little car around town when I'd have free time by myself...and now...hmmmm...it's a little LOUD don't you think?!?

clip clip clippie

2009-07-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

When I bought that one butterfly hair clip for baby girl I just knew after I looked at it for a little while that I'd be able to make some too...easy! I found some cute embellishments online and am waiting until next month to maybe get a couple things...I've mostly been using stuff I already have minus getting the clips and a few ribbons. Here is my craft station...

...and a few finished projects...

after Ben goes to bed...

2009-07-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

...I get things done!

Last night I was busy making something out of all these boxes...

hopefully I'll get a few pictures of what I made

later today and post the final "project".

And then I finished a little book I had started earlier this weekend

that is going out in the mail...hopefully tomorrow...

the post office is not a place I like to go...lines + waiting + Ben = no good!

I used paper by Cosmo Cricket...I loved this "set" of papers.