One might call it running

The line between running and walking gets quite blurry. However, Jonathan seems to be teetering on the edge of running. Depending on your definition of running - he might be already there. He is moving fast these days... whew! It keeps me on my toes. I am going to try to get some video of it this weekend and post it with some photos.

On another note: The movie, Wild Hogs has entered the top 5 for most enjoyable movies in my book. If you have not seen it, you must give it a try. I've now seen it a couple of times and I am planning to buy it so that I have it available whenever the mood strikes for a good laugh.

~Sarah~

Oh the mess!

I have instituted a new rule in the Guild household - all toys will be picked up before bedtime. Jamie and I have been cleaning them up after he goes to bed up to this point. I realize he is a little young to understand the concept of cleaning, but I prefer to start earlier rather than later. This mess is what preceeded the new rule: AAHHH! My goal is that he will learn that messes he makes are messes that he cleans. I realize this is a lofty goal for a 14 month old, but by the time he's two he should start to get it.
Hope messes like this are NOT anywhere near your house.
~Sarah~

Science Center

Our first trip to the Science Center was a success! All is well with the world - I love science and my son appears to like it, too. Well - he liked the balls to play with. We joined our friends, the Hogyas, at the Science Center today. It was great to see them - we miss having small group with them every week. Jonathan and Joshua were born only three days apart, so it has been fun to watch them grow and change. Joshua has a much calmer personality than Jonathan exhibits. They both loved the ball pit, and played there for quite a while. Please hone in on the ADORABLE dimple on Joshua... I love this photo.
Never one to observe without experiencing... Jonathan is IN the ball pit while others are playing around it.
I'm ready for the band - does anyone need a bell player?
Cindy Hogya, Jonathan and Joshua. She looks like she is instructing them, doesn't she?
Thanks for a great visit, Hogyas!

Hope you are all surviving the winter blah (as I call it). The winter blah covers the days of cold and rather dreary weather that seems to govern the moods of many (me included). I'm trying to remain optimistic about spring. :+)

~Sarah~

Happy New Year!

Jamie and I are hoping for a calmer 2008 than 2007 proved to be. After four years of calmly working for the same places and living in the same house, we have had quite the myriad of changes this year. As we reflect, we are most grateful for God's provision through all of the changes.

This is the little man on Christmas morning as the three of us celebrated our Christmas together. I love these pjs with the Christmas lights. They were a great hand-me-down. All of Jonathan's toys are stored in this little corner when not in use. Jamie decided to go back into the corner with him and play. He loves it when we do that. It is kind of like a hide-out or something of that nature.
My dear friend, Abby and her husband, Frank, were in Iowa over the holidays so we enjoyed spending some time with them. They live on the west coast so we get to see them much too infrequently. She, Carla and I grew up together so I miss being able to "dink around" with the two of them. My hope is that someday we'll live close to one another, again.

If you notice my hand on Abby's belly - she is 20 weeks pregnant so I wanted to make sure to acknowledge Baby's presence in the photo.

Happy New Year!

Sarah

Christmas with my family

We celebrated with my parents on Christmas Eve. My sister and Nate were with his parents in California, so we missed them tons. Our tradition is to attend church, have spaghetti and red jello dinner, and open gifts that evening. Jonathan was getting help from Grammie with one of his presents. What is this? I'm not sure, but I'm sure if I rip it open I'll find out.
This is the wild man in action... he found these little chairs and loved feeling like a "big boy" by sitting on it, trying to stand on it, etc.
I wish our visit to Iowa could have been longer but we are thankful that we got to enjoy time there. Best wishes for a safe and happy new year!
Sarah

Sledding, Part II

I was the only one who didn't dump him into a pile of snow or end up tipping over with him. This is possibly the best photo of the whole vacation. After tipping over with Jonathan, my mother started laughing so hard that she had trouble getting up out of the snow. If you've ever seen my mother laugh - this is not hard to believe. She laughs so hard that she forgets to breathe.
Daddy trying to comfort the little man after the snowy run down the hill.
Enough of the sledding adventures... hope you all had a good laugh. We sure did!
Sarah

Sledding, Part I

There was a decent amount of snow at my parent's house in Iowa, so we dressed Jonathan up in this full body snowsuit that I wore as a child. It had boots and mittens that buttoned to the suit. Genius - his current coat has no such thing and we've already lost one pair of mittens. Jonathan looks a bit bewildered at the dressing process for the snowy outing. On the way to the sledding hill. Isn't he just CUTE?
After a run down the hill with Daddy, Jonathan is covered in snow. We thought it might be a little bit better with Grandpa, but no such luck. They tipped over and rolled in the snow. Jonathan looks unhappy because he is. He didn't like the snow in his face.
Jonathan and Daddy. Ready for "snow in the face" at the end of the hill.
My dad (Gramps) and Jonathan after the crash. Good thing snow is soft.
More later...