Chuggington

Apparently, two and a half-month-olds require quite a bit of your attention as it turns out. And leaving him in a half-filled laundry basket while you run around the house trying to get stuff done just isn't working out anymore; just ask his Mother how he got that nasty cut on his head! So, when Allen Jess can't have our full attention... and Mommy and/or Daddy need to get something done, we open up the laptop and put on his favorite cartoon: Chuggington! 

On one hand... it's the greatest thing ever! He could be throwing the worst tantrum ever and sobbing his little eyes out, but once we lay him down, turn on the computer and he realizes something is playing on that screen... he completely (and amazingly) calms down and will sit there with his arms & legs moving about, absolutely engrossed in that 10 minute cartoon! And then of course it ends and Allen Jess picks up again where his tantrum left off... until we can run in and quickly click on another episode to play... and then he'll calm down again and watch for another ten minutes!

But on the other hand... I really didn't want to get my Son into the habit of watching cartoons and getting so completely consumed into television programs at such an early age... especially knowing how bad/easily his Father and Aunt Moo get sucked into the televsion (hereditary?)! 

Another plus is that it comes in multiple languages. Allen & Jei prefer Spanish because the voices seem more animated... but I really like the English version, only because it's done in an English/Scottish accent! It also comes in German, which I accidentally played once, only after realizing that what I thought was Spanish sure sounded funky! Who knows... maybe Allen Jess will be trilingual?!

But when it comes down to it... when you haven't showered in three days, you don't have any clean clothes to put on yourself or your Son because you haven't had time to do laundry, and the house gets confused with the local garbage dump... you gotta do what you gotta do! And in today's technologically advanced society... finding something to grab Allen's attention for a few shouldn't be, and hasn't so far been too difficult!

Random Cuteness (part 9)

It certainly has been quite awhile since the last 'Random Cuteness' post; and although our two sweet Key-Dens are still cute as ever and totally worth their own posts...

...the new addition to the family is just as cute and undoubtedly deserves to be in these posts as well!

As you'll see later in the post... Ming has taken a particular liking to Allen Jess! She even tries to tag along on afternoon strolls! But once she realizes the basket she's in suddenly moves, she freaks out and abandons ship! 

Father & Son getting some quality bonding time.

Nothing better than waking up beside your son!

Ming snuggling up to Allen Jess as they take their afternoon naps!

Ever since Aunt Moo (Mandi) & Moe-Joe got ahold of him in Colorado... he's been practicing his cute little smile all the time!

Momma loves her sweet little boy...

and Allen loves it when she gives him kisses!

Jeilene and Allen Jess enjoy a peaceful quiet nap... as Ming snuggles up to Momma and keeps a watchful eye out!

Moe-Joe got Allen a play-mat for an early Christmas present... and by the looks of it, he seems to thoroughly enjoy it!

Allen Jess and Ming snuggle up with Momma as they wind down for bed. (No, that is not a wig... and yes, that is what Jei's hair looks like when it goes 'un-styled'! Yikes!!!)

The prettiest two people I know!

Not exactly into books just yet...

but we thought we'd give it a shot.

Allen Jess just recently found his tongue...

so it's been fun just watching him play and make funny noises with it.

Nap time in the swing...

doesn't look all that comfortable, but it does the job!

Ming keeps a close eye on Allen as he naps. If that binky falls out, Ming is instructed to come get us right away! Hey, who needs a baby-monitor when you've got a Ming!?!? 

Perhaps that shot of Bailey's was a bit much?

"What are you lookin' at?! You've never seen milk-slobber all over a baby's mouth before or what?"

Allen's newest morning routine...

wakes up and tells Momma all about the dreams he had!

Jei loves getting a smile out of Allen... and nothing does it better than her singing his favorite silly song.

All Smiles

It may have been our last night in Meeker... and we may have been sad that we were leaving the next day and that our family vacation was coming to an end... but you certainly wouldn't have realized it by the look on Allen's face that night! After our hysterical game of Twister had concluded, Allen Jess awoke from his nap in an extraordinarily good and happy mood! Mandi picked him up, sat on the couch with him, talked to him and made some funny faces... and that's all it took. After that, he was all smiles! 

If we had planned it four months in advance, I honestly don't believe 'Thanksgiving in Meeker' would have worked out any better than it did with just the two weeks of planning we did have. Everything worked out so perfectly... so much so that I wouldn't have changed a single thing! Well, actually, I could've done without being sick all week, but if that's the price I have to pay for an amazing week at my Sister's house celebrating Thanksgiving with all my family, than I will gladly accept & pay it! Thank you 'High-Ridge' family for hosting, cooking, driving, playing, and tolerating us for the entire week. We love you so very much, we had an amazingly good time, and we can't wait to do it again soon! And now that we know Allen Jess can handle a 13-hour road trip... don't invite us up again unless you really mean it, cause we'll be there baby!!!

Twister

It was our last day in Meeker and we had absolutely nothing planned... which is just how we like it, for we spent the morning being lazy and relaxing on the deck together enjoying the sunshine and each other! 

With all the free time we had, Mandi & Jei spent the majority of it downloading, editing and sharing all of our great pictures we had taken throughout the week.

Moe-Joe really had to twist all of our arms... but she finally convinced us to join her & Gabe for a walk to the park.

We couldn't ask for a better day!

It was sunny with a nice chill in the air... 

perfect weather for a little tomfoolery at the park!

It's hard not to have a smile on your face...

when you watch Hamp & Sammy play together!

And it's even harder to watch them play without you...

so I almost always join in!

After all the running around and horseplay we could handle... we eventually joined Moe-Joe and Allen Jess as they strolled around the park.

I got the last laugh though before the sun went down and we left the park... when I caught, tackled, and tickle-tortured Hampton! Next time he'll think twice about calling his Uncle an old man!

That night, Hampton and Sammy begged and pleaded for all of us to play their new game they got for Christmas: Twister!

Not sure when the last time any of us stepped onto a Twister mat was... but in hindsight, it probably would have been a good idea to stretch before playing!

First up... Hampton vs. Mandi

And then Sammy took on the ever-so-limber Moe-Joe!

And then last but not least...

Jason and I somehow found ourselves on the mat together!

I think Hampton found it quite amusing to be in charge of the spinner and torture his father and uncle! 

After landing in some precarious positions... Gabe felt a little left out and decided to try and get some lovings right in the middle of our game! Needless to say, Jason and I didn't last much longer after Gabe showed up.

From the looks of it, I don't think Hampton liked what was called out very much!

"You want me to put my what, where?!?!" 

Well, it wasn't one of our typical family game-night games that we like to play, but it certainly was just as fun... and a great way to end a wonderful and relaxing day! Hamp had to go to school early the next morning, and we weren't going to get to see him before we left to go back home, so I made sure he was tucked into bed and wished him and his dog a good night... and thanked him for being such a sweet nephew!