My camera isn't fast enough

The photo shoot that occurred after I said "let me take a picture of you, say cheese."
(the scrape on his face is from a fall he had while walking/running with Butters on a leash.  Unfortunately, he stopped himself with his face.)

Making Pasta

Training Miles so he can be on the dinner rotation soon!

We like a little continuity around here...Happy Halloween!

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The lumberjack is back!  Good thing I saved the hatchet last year.  

Trick-or-treating got off to a rough start because the house at the end of our street loves to play LOUD, spooky music every year.  Miles was quite brave at first, running outside with dad, listening too it and declaring "it wasn't too spooky."  However, when it came time, finally, to head outside for candy collecting, he wouldn't budge.  He wanted to pass out candy, he didn't want to go, etc, etc. We finally figured out it was the music blaring from the spooky house bothering him. Now, you may wonder, why on earth we would pressure him to go out?  Good question!  Mainly, I think it boils down to:  A) it's fun and Craig was really looking forward to having that experience with him and B) we didn't really want his anxiety about the spooky music house to get the best of him.  We tried everything, and I mean everything!  We were about to throw in the towel, when I remembered the noise canceling headphones Craig bought me recently.  These are the kind construction workers wear, so they do a great job.  I convinced him to put them on over his hat, Craig promised to go the other direction, away from the spooky house and they were off!  It worked!  Another Halloween saved.   Surprisingly, he didn't eat too much of his candy this year.  M&M's were the favorite, followed by a couple candy bars, but after that, he didn't eat much and/or threw away ones he didn't like.  So, overall, we ended up making out like bandits. 

Four Years Old!

I can't believe I have a four year old now.  This birthday has been especially poignant for me.  For some reason, the leap from 4 to 5 seems huge.  It feels like we will be officially entering 'childhood' soon and quite frankly, I'm not sure if I'm ready.  I love the new independence and sophistication that comes with his growing mind, but watching time press forward and saying good-bye to the baby/toddler years is more bittersweet than I imagined.

Miles had a terrible cold during his birthday week, so all party plans (basically a quiet family dinner), quickly went out the window.  He missed a week of school, so we didn't celebrate there and had a quiet dinner at home, just the three of us.  I don't think he minded too much.   Presents sort of trickled in all week, so it was actually a nice way to celebrate.  Four years old. 

Watch out! The Scarers Will Get You!

This has been a fun holiday season for us because, for the first time, Miles is really into it all.  We have been having fun creating haunted mazes and then scaring all the toys that wander through.  As you can see in the video, anything can be a "scarer."  In this case it's a cow with bell, a plain cow, tiger, elephant and hippo.  My favorite thing is that with the cow wearing the bell, Miles has incorporated it into the noise this particular guy makes.  It goes like this:  "ding-a-ling, moooooo".  Hahahaha!  I love it!  So, what you'll hear:  "ding-a-ling, mooooo,  mooooooo, raaaaaawwwrrr, spraaaaayyyyy," and then a snorting noise for hippo!

Miles has also been incorporating Christmas into his Halloween play.  He has all the animals or scary guys go to sleep and then tells them Santa will drop off presents.  So, somewhere along the way, he picked all this up. It's not that it was never mentioned, we just didn't make a big deal out of it.   Always paying attention!

Lazy Weekend

While watching a little Blue's Clues together, Miles inched over and found a better spot to sit.

First Day of School!

We did it!  Miles started preschool at Dancing Moose Montessori on August 20, 2013.  

Being Silly

Then and Now

I am going to miss the snuggly days.  Glad they're not gone just yet.....

Edge of the World

Seriously, did we really go on this hike?  Yes, that is the edge of a very steep, giant hole in the ground.  Hence, Craig's death grip.  Actually, the hike itself wasn't too nerve wracking in the end and Miles was super cute and chatty along the way.  "Isn't it amazing?"  "It's so beautiful!"  Just full of commentary and enthusiasm.  This was during our annual trek to Cedar City for the Shakespeare Festival.  We did some camping again and while Craig and Miles held down the fort, I enjoyed a couple of plays.

Camping in Hades (end of June, 2013)

Stole away to the Uintas with the Phillips clan for a early summer camping trip.  We lucked out with location, and bugs. 

First trip to dentist

Before

After


Miles had his first trip to the dentist on June 13th.  During the exam it was discovered that a tooth he fell on when younger had intruded into his gum and was infected.  Bless his heart (and ours!), but this necessitated a tooth extraction. Since his permanent teeth are already formed and waiting, infection can cause pitting and/or  discoloration.  Not to mention the risk of continued infections and antibiotic use.  We worked so hard to prepare him for this first visit, to navigate the anxiety, encourage cooperation and now, here we were faced with going back and having him undergo anesthesia.  I think it is safe to say, both Craig and I were wrecks.  I, more the night before.  Craig, the day of.  In the end, the procedure was very quick and smooth.  He ended up only needing the first drug they gave him to relax, combined with the numbing of the gum.  He seemed to be just fine once the drugs wore off, but was definitely groggy and out-of-it for awhile.  The new tooth won't be in until he's 6 or 7, so we have awhile with this new and improved grin!  :-) 

Summertime Fun

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Miles wanted to ride his bike.  Unfortunately, it's a bit small for him, but he is undaunted.  We've gone out quite a few times and are going to try to find one with peddles before the summer/fall ends.  His balance is getting quite good, so I hope the transition to peddles won't discourage him.

Enjoying flowers we found while on a walk.

Another favorite place, Memory Grove.  We take Butters and they both run up and down the trails.  Of course, we also spend quite a bit of time at the creek for rock throwing!

Picnic and carousel ride in Liberty Park.

Miles got awfully quiet and when I peeked in his room, this is what I found.  I love that he spread his blanket out before falling asleep.

Smoothies in the hammock with dad!

LaGrande (end of May 2013)

This winter proved to be the final straw.  Terrible air quality had us housebound and gasping.  Seriously, I was actually physically affected by the air this past winter.  Moving always seems to come up right around February and I guess this time we are serious.  Craig is ready to make some serious career changes and we want to leave the smoggy air behind.  Right now, LaGrande, OR is top on our list of places we'll go.  Actually, it's the only place on the list.  Craig has two sisters there, Miles would have lots of cousins and Grandma Julie, Grandma Lucy and Aunt Lori only live about 1.5 hours away.  So far, my mom is open to coming with us, which is great, because we want her to be around us too!  Miles has really developed a sweet relationship with her.  We took a trip out there to look at the town with critical eyes.  It's a lovely place, a small town with lots of open land.  Lots of details to be figured out though.  The plan is to move this spring, early summer. I guess I will be able to update as I have more details.

My mom bought Miles a Rubik's cube to play with.  He was interested at first, but quickly wanted mom and dad to figure it out.  Ha! It's still a mess.

Beautiful countryside complete with rainbows.  Now you're just showing off Oregon!

I woke up from a little nap and found this. The kids found their 'Cars' movie and had it playing for Miles.  He was happy as a clam. The whole weekend was amazing that way.  Miles was off and running with all the kids and hardly seemed to notice or need us at all.  Quite a difference from our times in Salt Lake.  

The girls built Miles a little fort, complete with personalized details!

Throwing rocks at a little lake just up the road a bit from town.  

Camping in Torrey (May 2013)

Baby goats and lambs at a petting zoo in Scipio.  It's located at the rest stop and they had just put in teeny, tiny baby goats and some new, new lambs. Adorable!  

I just love how this picture makes it look like they were having a little conversation.

Hiking in Torrey, UT.  A last trip with the gang before our friends, Sam and Mark, moved to Minneapolis. 

Still loves to spot tracks!

More tracks!  Seriously, it takes a bit of time to cover any ground.

"I'm not tired!!!!"  Really?

The car ride home.  Miles loved that Butters was in his seat with him.  They both fell asleep shortly after this picture, two exhausted adventurers.