Just for your information

For all you IKEA lovers out there, in case you were wondering....

IKEA markers are not washable.

This is what Daniel looked like after I washed him down with a rag and soap. It also colors hair if you need it for Halloween, but again, doesn't wash out on the first wash. I just thought I would let you all know, though most of you might have already guessed, now we have run a scientific experiment and know the facts.

Our good friend, Bob

We lost one of our good family friends yesterday. We just wanted to say good bye once again. He was like a grandpa to the kids. We celebrated birthdays with him and his amazing wife, Carol. Their house is just three houses away and the kids can't stay away. It might be helped by the fact Bob loved to spoil them with treats. They have a treat drawer that he made sure there was always full of plenty for the neighborhood kids. There are many kids on the block that consider Bob one of their grandpas as much as their real ones.

He had a great sense of humor and loved people. He had a smile you couldn't but feel affected by. Anyone who knew Bob, loved him. He died Sunday afternoon after fighting cancer for about six years. It was a cancer of the plasma in the blood, but I can't remember the name. He was in a wheel chair for the last couple of years because he didn't have all the feelings in his nerve endings from an aggressive medication he was on when he first found out the cancer was in him. He handled his struggles well, and always made everyone feel good. He was a great man to know.

This is Abby with Bob while dressed up in her Barbie cowgirl outfit. She liked to show off her dress ups to Bob and Carol.

This is Bob with Daniel on his first birthday when he was eating his cake. Bob loved it.

I could go on and on, but I guess all I would be doing is just saying, "We love you, Bob, and we will miss you" So I will just end with that.

Bear Lake

Abby, Daniel and myself went up to Bear Lake this last week. We were joined with my mom and and dad, my sister, Andrea, and her family.

This is Daniel and his too cute cousin, Lily.

They didn't need to be entertained, they made their own fun.

Grandpa Balderree was asleep in his chair, and this is Daniel trying too look like he is asleep too. His head is tucked to the side and his eyes are half closed, with a very serious face, which means he is trying to sleep.

This is Abby with her cute cousin, Ava. The two of them are taking a brake from the water for a moment. Ava just got her birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa Balderree, and was carrying it around.

We bought box of peaches on our way to the lake from the little town, Perry. This is Daniel after he dropped one of his four full peaches in the sand. He couldn't get enough of them. Oh, those peaches were good. Thanks, grandma for the peaches. They made the day extra special.

Daniel had a water logged sandwhich he was trying to feed the birds, but couldn't figure out why they kept running from him when he tried to give it to them. Sorry, the camera isn't very still, I was watching Daniel more than I was trying to keep the camera in control.

What is Daniel doing?

That is the question I ask myself all day long. "What's is Daniel doing?"

Here is what Daniel is doing when he is supposed to be sleeping. He climbs out of his crib, gets all his trains, puts them in his bed and climbs back into the crib, just to play with them while he is lying down.

I thought I was ok putting the rice crispy squares on the far away counter,

but I should have known better.

I was in the other room and realized Daniel was in the kitchen, but being quiet. This is not a good sign. I walked in to see Daniel hiding his face with his hands before I walked in the room. He could hear me coming. As I asked him what he was doing, he didn't move. I could see little finger marks in the treats and told him we had to was his hands. As I reached for his hands, he kept saying "no, no, no.." as if I couldn't see him. Once I got them off his face towards the sink, he pointed to the treats and said, "good....good," in Daniel words or sounds.

There are no safe hiding spots in our house, because if I hide something from him, then I can't find it either. Counter tops are not safe, but where do you put food when you have a Daniel?

Daniel's Birthday

Ok, so here are the pictures of Daniel's birthday cake. We invited Grandma and Grandpa Balderree over for cake and ice cream. Once they arrived, we took it on the road and went down the street to our good friends, Bob and Carol Ward's so they could join the fun. Daniel really liked the cars on his cake.

He loves sweets, especially chocolate, though I don't know why!?

He just can't not use his hands when he eats, it is so much faster than a fork, I guess.

This is Daniel opening his gifts on his birthday. I love the squeal he makes when he is excited.

Watermelon

We enjoyed some watermelon at my parents house this weekend.

Dad got some fun pictures I wanted to share of my happy family. Don't you just love that smile?

I know I do.

My cute mom with her mouth full of watermelon.

Good shot, Dad.

Daniel climbed up onto the broken lawnmower with his watermelon wedge in hand, who knows how dirty it got in the process, just to sit upon that seat and eat on the "truck",

as he calls it.
What a funny guy.

Daniel Turned 2!!

I can hardly believe Daniel is two!!

Here are some highligts of his life, in no particular order, because I couldn't figure out an easy way to put them in order.

Daniel enjoying Frank's birthday cake while we were in the other room.

Daniel loves to dress up, like his big sister. But he has a style all of his own.

Baby Daniel at about a week old?

Abby loves her little bother and loved getting her picture taken with him.

Daniel was and still is a messy eater.

Mom taking some self shots with the kids. Cute smile Daniel.

Daniel's fun big smile.

We love our Daniel. He keeps us laughing, cleaning, runnung, chasing, crying and more cleaning. We won't trade him for the world. We love his silly faces, his expressive looks, his hugs, a good wrestle, his dances and songs, and most of all the occasional kiss.