David's Mission Celebration - 13 years

It's been 13 years since our favorite guy returned from his mission in Nashville Tennessee. I always try to celebrate this date because I think it's important and special. This year we surprised David with a shadowbox of all his mission memorabilia and homemade empanadas. I often try to make something as an ode to the Mexican/Spanish aspect of his mission. We had empanadas on our trip to NY and we loved them, so I thought I'd try them out on our family. We also made milkshakes and called them Missionary Milkshakes #themedparty

After dinner David sat with the kids and showed them all of the things in the shadow box. It was neat to be able to listen to him tell the kids some stories and share such an important part of his life. I love David and I'm grateful for his testimony and the sacrifices he made to serve a mission. It blesses our life over and over again. 

Happy Missionary Anniversary Elder Peaden! 

The most-loved Daddy

These kids love their Dad. It's written into every fiber of their being and you'd think that every day he has to go to work is the first day, every time. He either has to leave really early in the morning before any of us wake up, or it's a production for him to be able to leave. They beg him to play "chase the monster" with them where he chases them, then when he says it's time to go they run to the doors and block him so he can't get out. When he finally says that it really is time to go they all require multiple hugs and kisses and then they beg for him to wave at them before they go. When it was warmer they stood on the front porch, but now that it's so cold they wave from the window. David backs up until he's directly in front of the house and then he waves at them and tells them that he loves them before he drives away. 

This week's goodbye was even more drawn out than usual because David had a work trip that took him to Minneapolis for the week. These kids love him and missed him very much while he was gone. I wanted to document what a good Dad he is, because I feel like sometimes these are the things that get missed when writing about our life - the normal, everyday, good-bye-to-dad-before-he-goes-to-work routine. David is such a great dad. He's so patient with them, even though I myself am exasperated by the time the routine is done "Kids! Just let him leave! He's got to go to work! And we've got things to do, too!" But he is fun and kind and patient through the very end. I heard recently that one of the most important things you can do for your relationships with your kids is make your hellos and goodbyes special -so that they know that you are sad to leave them and that you are happy to see them. David is amazing at this and these kids are so lucky to have him! 

Caleb Samuel: 21-22 Months

22 months for this little guy right here. He's living his best life and making our lives better for it. 

Stats: 24 months or 2T clothes. Biggest cheesy grin. 

Some things to remember: 

-Is acutely aware of my phone, finding it and bringing it to me like it's a prize. He will also as me "phone? phone?" Then find it in my pocket and give it to me. And if he hears the phone ringing, he says "mommy? phone?" or "daddy? phone?" on repeat until it stops ringing.

-Can't believe how big he's getting. Sometimes, especially when he's dressed up super handsomly for church or some other activity, he'll walk by me and my heart will threaten to burst because I love him so much and I can't believe how cute and wonderful he is.

-He gives the biggest, cheesiest, grin when he sees that you want to take a picture of him. He's definitely our best camera-poser: he looks right at the camera and says "cheeseeeeeeeee". I love it.

-He's so observant. More observant than I feel like most kids are at his age. He watches something very very carefully and then copies it almost perfectly.

-"jump!" he's fearless about jumping to you if you're there to catch him, no matter how high. He will even jump off the couch to Lydia. But it doens't have to be high, He can be standing right by you and say "jump" and then just lean into you - it's his favorite game right now.

-He knows what belongs to whom, and if he finds it he will make sure it gets to them and won't accept no for an answer, even if they don't particularly want that toy right then.

-He plays so well with the other kids. He's getting to the point that he can really do what they ask him to do, and they've enjoyed a new level of play together.

- I love the way he runs. Slightly bow-legged and as fast as his little legs will take him, which is not fast.

-Loves pistachios. The best way to give them to him is to give him a big bowl that he can set on the bench or carry around. Then he will spend the next 15 minutes bringing you one nut at a time so you can open it and give him the pistachio inside. It's a great time-filler and game for him.

-He loves milk. He definitely drinks the most milk of anyone in the house, and certainly more than my other kids did at this age. He asks for it frequently, ha, it's so hard to type how he says it. It's almost like "nilk" but also like "nuk" - so maybe like "nu(l)k".

CHRISTMAS! Oh my gosh. Christmas was the best with him. He was so fun and happy. Celebrating Christmas as a two year old is the way to a happy holiday. 

-A few other things. He loves scissors and he knows right where we keep them. He's very responsible with them, which I know that thinking that is setting myself up for a disaster - and I do always watch him while he's using them, but I think it's interesting that he knows and likes them so much. It's really because he's so observant. 

Happy 22 months you little cheese. We love you.