Snow/Ice Day!

Justus

  

I can't believe this guy is almost a year old.  I have woefully under-documented his life compared to Elise.  He doesn't seem to mind!  He is still our sweet little Juster Buster, Jus Bus, Bus, Big Jus, etc.  Whenever Elise hears a newscaster mention justice on the radio she is always so happy that they are saying Justus's name.  I was  trying to explain the difference between Justus and the concept of justice to her the other day and ended by saying, "Justice is a good thing."  She smiled at Justus and said in her best googly baby voice, "Justus, are you a good thing?"  He is a good thing!

He loves his Mama and his very eager to be where I am, trying to crawl up my legs, wanting me to pick him up.  He loves his Daddy too.  Loves getting snuggles with Daddy, riding on Daddy's shoulders, getting any and all attention he can from Daddy, and he says his name all the time.  He and Elise get along great, most of the time.  We're working on the concept of sharing, now that Justus is being more assertive.  She's sometimes a little over the top rough with him but he'll let her know when that happens.  Overall he doesn't mind wresting with her.  I love it when they really get laughing at each other while they're playing.  It makes me laugh.  I think he said her name for the first time today.

Justus wakes up with a smile, ready to face the day, every morning.  He points at things and does an inquisitive, "uuh?" as he's trying to figure out the world.  He's walking around by holding on to things, but prefers to crawl.  He loves to be outside and makes a beeline for the door every time it's open.  Bath time is fun time for him.  He's learning to play on his own.  He sticks his tongue out when he's concentrating.  He waves.  He can find your nose and I think your mouth.  One of his hobbies is making loud noises by banging on things.  He enjoys looking at books.  He eats table food and is still nursing quite a bit.  Sometimes instead of using his hands to get food from the high chair tray, he just dives down, mouth open, and gets a bite.  I guess it's faster that way.  He's fascinated by animals.  When a dog starts coming toward him he closes his eyes and opens his mouth wide, anticipating some doggy kisses.  When he's excited he kicks his legs.  He loves to swing and to get tossed up in the air.  He can give kisses.  The open mouth slobbery kind.  Peekaboo makes him laugh.  He's ticklish.  He recognizes the names of people in our family.  He has a great fake laugh.  He has four teeth, with two more on the way.  Those are a few of the things that come to mind when we think of Justus.  

Elise is 3

Last week we celebrated Elise's 3rd birthday.  We had many of the special people in Elise's life over for a Pancake Birthday Party.  We always eat pancakes on Sunday nights at our house and it is Elise's favorite meal.  We have bunch of toppings to use and she always gets to pick her toppings.  Her favorite is honey and cinnamon.  So she heartily agreed to a Pancake Party.  No cake (lazy Mama), but we did have her favorite...chocolate ice cream for dessert.  Here are some photos of Elise from the past year.  They aren't in any particular order except that the first one is from her birthday party last year and the last one is the most recent picture that I've taken of her.

Elise is full of life!  She loves people.  She loves to make people laugh.  She has a good sense of humor.  She made up her first joke* the other day.  She likes talking in weird voices and accents.  she has her own sense of style...which is kind of crazy.  She loves to draw and play.  She loves to look beautiful.  She loves to dress up like a princess.  She loves playing outside.  She loves her little brother and is so sweet with him.  She loves to help in the kitchen.  She loves to taste test.  She loves to swim and be in the water.  She loves books and reading.  She has a huge imagination.  She has 3 notable imaginary friends, Sud, Mud, and Howan.  And so much more.  We love our little Elise!

*What did the baby wolf say when his Mommy was combing out his tangles?   Ow, Ow, OOOOOOOOWWW!

Lillian and Elise

I love these two little cousins.  They are both quite feisty, which can make their time together...lively.

Mud Masks!

Baking a cake for Epiphany!

Ticklish Justus

Christmas Tree 2014

When I got home from Missouri on Saturday Dane was setting up this tree.  We weren't sure if we would get a tree this year, but I always like to have a tree and I like to have a live tree.  We also didn't want to spend money on a tree.  So Dane acquired this lovely little Charlie Brown tree from behind his parents' house.  Dane thinks it's pitiful and I think it's beautiful.  We have a tree for Christmas after all!

Fall Fun

Dane was lamenting the end of October this evening.  It went by fast.  It's been a mild October here and we've enjoyed it!  Happy Birthday to Dane tomorrow!

Elise and Justus at the Music and Molasses Festival

But Mom, the sun is in our eyes!

Elise's first pony ride!  Yee Haw!

Elise and Daddy got to ride in the front seat

Sweet guy!

Daddy teaching Elise to play corn hole

Elise was playing outside after dinner one night and before we knew it
she was eating a second dinner at our neighbors house

Elise concentrating hard on painting her pumpkin

The whole family all dressed up

Elise with three of her neighbor friends

Bike ride at Aunt Mi Mi's house

Cute helmet, huh?

Cute little guy, huh?