Halloween Fun

Liam right before we left to go to the trunk or treat at the church.

Liam getting the goods at trunk or treat.

Later that night we went to my friend Kate's party. Liam went trick or treating with her hubby, Brandon and his dad, Ed. He had way too much fun with everyone's undivided attention that night. Liam had fallen asleep on the way there and again on the way home. I was glad I took his pajamas with us.

Pouty but still so Handsome!

Ian went with me to pick out our photo package on Saturday. We both decided we loved this picture and opted to get it as one of the two free digital negatives. We picked out all the stuff we won in the package and then Ian spent some extra on me. I get four 11x14 prints for our wall at home! I am so excited! There were so many photos to choose from, getting those extra prints is just so priceless to me. Yay for a sweet husband!

4 Years Old

Dear Son,

It's so surreal to me that you are four years old! You've turned into a charming little man so quickly. I've seen tiny glimpses of this grown up you, but it's for real now. You seem more adult by the day lately. You've grown much and continue to amaze us with your charisma and talents. I hope I can make up for the past few months of not writing you a letter with this entry. There is a lot to report.

First, funny pronunciation. For quite some time now (a lot more than four months ago), we started noticing your silent "g" on the words that end in "g". Here is a sample sentence with a few of your versions of these words (in bold): "I eat all my food and it tastes good on my ton because it makes me stron and my legs are lon and dane it, I can't hane on." Daddy and I can't help but repeat your word versions of the silent "g" because it's just so funny! Repeatin funny sayins is just the way we do it around here.

The other thing you've done for a long time, but I haven't mentioned is your overuse of the word "even". Here are a few popular phrases you use: "I didn't even do that." Or, "Are you even going to do that." Or, "I don't even want to do that." Daddy and I have found ourselves adding the word "even" to the middle of our sentences now and then lately too. We are baffled as to where this came from. Did we teach you this unnecessary adverb use or have you used it so much that it's rubbed off on us? We may never know.

We may think your English is pretty funny at times, but overall you have some clear and mature things to tell us. We love getting a report of your day when you get home from preschool. You don't tend to leave any details out. We thoroughly enjoy your pure honesty about your life experiences. You speak from your heart and tell it like it is. Sometimes you throw in a fib for us to weed out of your story, but you recover with a "just kidding" after you get an odd stare from us because we understand your routine attempts to get a rise out of your audience. We love your good humor and teasing ways. You can't resist a little jest now and then.

And what would a darling little man be with just humor? He'd be enough, but you've got more to offer than a good laugh. You've got love in your heart, true concern, charity and trust for others. If someone is sad, you ask why and try to find a time in your life when you felt just as sad to share empathy. If you have an extra treat or toy, you share it or tell me to give it to a favorite person of yours. When I administer your allergy or cold medicine, you completely take my word that it will make you feel better even though it tastes so bad.

You remember what your friends enjoy. Being one of your closest friends, I notice this a lot about you. You know my favorite colors are green and yellow. Any time you see those colors you get very excited, tell me to look and then tell me they are my favorite. You also notice my colors when you have candies such as Skittles. The other day I asked you to share a red Skittle with me. You said that red wasn't my favorite color and I reassured you I did want the red one. You couldn't find a red one and gave me a yellow one instead. Later in the day you came back to the same tiny package of Skittles, found a red and got so excited! You said, "Mom! I found a red one for you!" Your thoughtfulness makes my heart swell, Liam.

This morning you were on your way out the door with your dad to go to school. I stopped you for a kiss, to put a hat on your head and then sent you on your way. Before I shut the door, you turned around and said, "Mom... I'll miss you." I said I'd miss you too and to have a great day. Then you said, "Mom, try not to miss me." You are wonderful to reassure me like that... because you know I have days where I pick you up from school and tell you how much I've missed you. Again, you are so thoughtful - a quality that a lot of folks lose as they grow older. I hope you never lose it.

Thank you for being such a good kid, Liam. You have your monster moments, but you recover and redeem yourself 100 fold. I don't know how many mothers can say that about their sons, but it's true about you. You recognize the good, the bad and the in between. You know what is right and what is grey matter. Heavenly Father is proud of you, your grandparents are proud of you and your dad and I are proud of you. We (still) couldn't have asked for a better son.


Happy Birthday, Liam! Keep up the good work and we'll try to keep up the pace too.

Love you always,

Mom

The face of a 4 year old

Laughing to myself

I usually have some kind of treat or snack in the car when I pick up Liam after work. Yesterday I had two Starburst candies to give him. I soon realized how great those wrappers are. He spent a good minute just unwrapping the candy. Watching his little shaky hands work that candy over was so hilarious!

Starburst makes you work for it. A very respectable candy.

He can be a crack up

So on Tuesday when I took Liam to the clinic, I thought I'd stop by work and see if anyone was still there -- so I could introduce Liam. Two gals were there so I parked the car and helped Liam out of his seat. He picked up his balloon chicken (made out of a plastic glove) and said he needed to take it in to show my friends. I said no and expected a fight from him.

Instead he said, "Well... I guess I could always tell them about it!"

I couldn't help but laugh! What a great kid!

A good day with an almost 4 year old

I took the day off today to take Liam to get his photos done with Evelyn at Freckles Photography. Uncle Blake had a big hand in helping Liam win her photography contest last month and I was so excited to get this session done with such a talented gal.

Liam wasn't doing well with obedience during our time outside and in the studio. Evelyn had her own bribe riding along with mine. Her's was candy and mine was a hayride at the pumpkin patch. I am sure she captured some great moments, but that Liam was on a mission to test us this morning. Gotta love the handsome head strong type.

After photos, we went to Bajio for lunch. Liam was so well behaved while I was in line and while we ate at our table. He got into the car with no fights and then on our way to the hayride place, he mentioned how sorry he was about not listening during the photo session. I really appreciated hearing that from him. A kick off to a sweet day with my guy.

We shared the hayride with a preschool group. The crisp air was wonderful. We also liked the bumps of the back country fields we were riding through. Liam and I walked up and down the rows of pumpkins and finally found a great oval one. We lugged it back onto the trailer and took a breezy ride back to the barn to pay for our half an hour of fun. I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera this morning. It would have been nice to get a photo of us on the hayride with our cool pumpkin.

On the way home, I about fell asleep at the wheel. I decided Liam better pick a movie out and we'd watch it in my bed as soon as we got home. I started the movie on my computer and then instantly conked out for an hour. It felt so nice.

After the movie and nap time, we went out in the front yard to play in the leaves. Liam was so darling in the yellow foilage. His main concern was getting completely buried so he could hide. He also made a great leaf angel just like he would do in the snow.

At about this time, Liam relayed that he had a "headache in my ear"... I gave him something for the pain and then listened to him whine with his pain while I made dinner. After we ate, he felt better, but I took him to the clinic to get him checked out. No infection, yet. We just have to watch and wait. Hopefully nothing comes of it. His dang nose just won't stop and he's sniffing like a maniac. Too much sniffing leads to sinus or ear problems. Nose blowing is just not his favorite thing.

Anyway, while we were at the clinic I found out that he weighs 42 lbs. I pick up that boy on a regular basis. It amazes me how my muscles have grown as he has grown - from baby to 4 year old.

I forgot to say on the way to the doctor, we listened to some of Liam's kid CDs. I was singing along and giving him silly looks. His goofy looks, in reply, made me laugh. On the way home from the doctor, we were jamming to one of my mix CDs. Liam liked all my songs or so he told me. His car seat dance moves proved he was having a good time!

Before going home, we stopped in to say hi to Joslyn and wish Kara a happy birthday. While the kids played, we chatted -- it was a nice ending to a great day.

I had Kara snap a photo of me and my boy so I could freeze this one-on-one day in time.

Liam over a year ago

I was going through old photos this morning and found these darling videos of Liam painting. I know I never posted them because I didn't find anything super special about them back then. Today I appreciate them so much more! His darling 2 year old baby voice and the way he pronounces purple... just. so. cute.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And check this photo out! Liam holding my hand when we were walking home from Rose's house. Look at that face!!! (March 2008)

Prepping for Halloween

So Liam was home sick with a flu bug on Thursday so it was a sad and boring day. I talked to Ian in the afternoon and he said we should have gotten a package from FedEx. I checked the porch and sure enough there was a big box waiting for Liam.

I called Liam to go look on the porch. He opened the door and said, "Is this for me?" I told him it was and he dragged the big box in and shut the door.

He started opening it up and pulled out a great costume that his Grandma Dixie and Aunt Kari made for him. He is going to be something really scary! I can't wait to get him in the studio on the 20th to take some great shots. I'll give you a teaser for now.


The next day I was home sick with pink eye and we got out his costume from last year. I think he'll for sure be wearing this get-up to school. It will probably work better when it comes time to use the facilities on his own. The Batman costume still fits! Yay!

Hee Haw Farms

I took Liam to Hee Haw Farms on Saturday evening. Well, not before we hit Walgreens to buy a pencil sharpener and on our way out, Liam spotted a “batman mask” that he absolutely HAD TO HAVE!

So with his new mask on, we went to the “hay place.” His favorite thing last year was the hay jumping. This year he tried that for one minute flat (not as impressed) and then was off to the big slide. He went on that massive slide about 50 times before we left at dusk. He was so adorable grabbing his burlap sack and running up the dirt hill to the slide. He’d wiggle his way into the bag, slide down and then drape the bag over his shoulder as he ran off for another round. He cracked me up with his constant circle. He surely got his exercise in that day.

Corn pit - "Bury me, Mom!"

Look at that dirty child! And wouldn't you know it, there was some major mud left behind after his bath. Boys.

Finding Snow 2009

On Wednesday, Ian called me at work and said he was going to pick up Liam so he could take him up to the mountains to play in the snow. I thought that was so sweet. He drops him off in the morning, so doing pick up was a big help for me and big fun for Liam.

They had a great report when they got home that night. Liam loved the snow and Ian showed me a photo on his camera of the snow induced grins.

Yesterday we went on another quest for snow. We found some falling furiously towards the top of the mountain up past Sundance. Liam went nuts throwing snow! He was laughing and squealing with pure joy. I got back in the car after a minute as it was really cold up there. He then proceeded to snowball my window and laughed each time I'd scream (like I'd felt it).

It took some bribery to get him back into the car. He then recapped the whole experience and how much fun it was.

Here are the photos from 2008.

Wants

Monday when I picked Liam up from preschool, he saw a motorcycle.

"Mom, instead of scooter for my birthday, I want a motorcycle."

"Liam, I won't even let Daddy have a motorcycle, so I don't think you are getting one."

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Liam was in a grumpy mood when we were on our way home yesterday. I had folded his papers into his backpack and ruined them - in his opinion. In his grouchy voice he said,

"Mom, I don't like this car. I want a Must-ting." (This child loves Mustangs and picks them out where ever we go.)

"I don't like this car either, but we can't buy a Mustang right now. It costs a lot of money."

"I want a grey and black one with white stripes on it."

"I like dark blue."

"No, Mom! (Whining now) I want black, grey and white!"

"So what color do you want the tires to be then?"

"Ummmm. They are going to have clouds on them."

"Okay - you'll have to tell Daddy all about that."

Golf - Liam Style

Liam had his second golfing experience on Saturday. He went in May with Daddy and Uncle Drew, but this time I handed the camera to Daddy and asked him to document our little sport. That he did.

Ian said that Liam would place his tee just inches from his and then tell Daddy that his tee was in his way when he went to putt the ball. Serious business with this kid...

Liam also got upset that Daddy didn't get a photo of him riding on the floor of the cart. Weird that he would prefer that over video footage of him actually driving the cart.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Liam holding baby Tyler

Liam adores Joslyn's new baby brother, Tyler. He not only asks to go see Joslyn, but that he misses baby Ty. It's very sweet.

I took advantage of his adoration by helping him organize his toys a few weeks ago... asking him to find things that he is too big for and we could give to baby Ty. This strategy worked like a charm. He wanted to give almost everything to that cute baby! I had to tell him to keep a few things. We ended up with a big pile to give to charity. We gave a couple things to baby Ty. We dropped the rest of it off yesterday with no qualms from Liam.

Wasatch Mountain and Mirror Lake Hwy

Friday night we went camping up at Wastach Mountain State Park again. It was a beautiful evening driving up the canyon and setting up camp. We enjoyed a nice campfire dinner of hot dogs and Polish sausages. For dessert, marshmallows.

Before saying goodnight Liam and Daddy did shadow puppets with the flashlight. Liam squirmed for (what seemed) a really long time in Daddy's big sleeping bag before getting a final snuggle and nodding off for the night.


Liam woke before we did and tried his best to entertain himself in the camper while we got a few more winks. Daddy let me laze in bed while he made a wonderful breakfast for all of us - breakfast burritos. Liam loved every bite.

We went over to Huber Grove and picked two bags full of apples. Liam decided he loved apples that day. Maybe it was because they were Liam-sized or maybe it was because they were hand-picked by his parents and as sweet as can be. We may never know why he suddenly loves apples, but he ate three that day.



After loading the apples in the car, we hit the road to Provo River Falls. It was a gorgeous misty day. The clouds were so billowy, the fall mountainside was turning color, the thunder was relaxing. Just a great day to be on a drive in the mountains. We definitely want to go back and camp at Mirror Lake and maybe hike Mount Baldy.

Provo River Falls - Nature made step formations

Here is a snippet of our drive. I had no idea there was a "time lapse" function on my camera until about 10 minutes ago when I uploaded my footage.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A face like this

A face like this... how could one ever be mad at this child? Hmm, a mystery.

It's been a long 4 weeks since Liam started pre-school full time.

His days are long and full.

He is exhausted and still adjusting.

The poor guy can't get a hold of his emotions.

It's hard on him, it's hard on his parents.

Things better even out soon because both of his parental units are about spent with the instant fit fest from the moment he wakes up until he is left behind at school. Then it starts again at pick-up (or it might delay until dinner time).

Going to bed is harder too.

A magic remedy would be nice, but I think it's just a matter of time that he finds peace with his new schedule, new environment and new friends (and bullies).

Rain Clouds

I picked Liam up from preschool today and he asked me why Heavenly Father was making it rain. I told him that He wanted our plants to grow because the plants are sooo thirsty. He went on to ask about my windshield wipers after that. We had a long conversation about those and how they wiped the window clear so I could see. He then told me he wished there were wipers on his window too.

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Later when we were driving home from dinner with Daddy, we found a rainbow over by the big mountains. After celebrating seeing a rainbow, Liam noticed the clouds were extremely low.

He said, "Hey Dad, why is there smoke over there?"

We explained those were the clouds blanketing the mountains.

Then he said, "Are the clouds dying? They are falling down."

"No, Son, the clouds aren't dying. They are full of rain and the rain is so heavy. After they get all the rain out, they will go higher in the sky."