Marathon Update

When I first started this blog, I honestly had the intention of writing something new every week. But like most things that require time and writing (e.g. journals, emails, and letters) I put it off until it is almost too late to post. I have been lucky if I write even once a month (if that) and most entries include mostly just pictures of Caleb with a few words attached. So, inspired by other friends' blogs, I have recently decided to turn over a new leaf and keep in better contact with friends and family. I plan on writing more about what is happening with all of us...not just Caleb. Since so much has happened since November (when I last wrote), I thought I would do a marathon update of the last few months.

December

December was a fun month with the Christmas season and seeing lots of family. Caleb had his first experience outside in the snow. Unfortunately we didn’t have a snow suit so Caleb ventured outside with only oversized boots, a hat, and mittens (that weren’t water resistant at all). Consequently, he lasted less than ten minutes because his boots kept coming off and snow was creeping in everywhere. The next time was at Grandpa Bell and Grandma Lori’s house where we took a fun hike by their property in a canyon. As you can see we made makeshift snow pants by putting Jason’s socks on his legs.

I think Grandpa Bell and Grandma Lori felt sorry for him so they gave him a snow suit for Christmas. This has been tons better and Caleb has been able to play a lot more in the snow. Since then, we have gone sledding a couple of times. Once with Jason’s brother and his family and the other time with my sister Ann and her family. The snowsuit is really warm but it is also thick so when he falls over he can’t get up....it is pretty funny to see.

Before Christmas, we went to see the 3-D IMAX movie: "Santa vs. the Snowman" with Jason’s brother Jesse, his wife, Cami, and Caleb’s cousins Lydia and Lexus. Caleb actually wore his glasses for awhile too. There was preview for a dinosaur movie where T-Rex comes right at you and Caleb jumped pretty high...it was fun to watch his reaction and to try to reach out and touch things.

January

In January Caleb was starting to get a mullet in the back and needed a haircut. I decided that I don’t want to have to take my children to a salon every time they needed a haircut (because I am a cheapskate) so I determined that I would learn how to do it myself. I thought now is the best time to start learning since Caleb isn’t trying to impress anyone...yet. My friend Cara, who is a licensed hair professional (and a dang good one too), graciously offered to teach me, and Jason (bless his heart), bravely volunteered to be my first subject. It took two hours with Cara by my side and a lot of fixing on her part but I think I got the hang of it. She helped me do Caleb’s hair too (which was a whole lot easier than Jason’s). We styled Caleb’s hair and his friend Max’s hair (Cara’s son) into mohawks before we cut them...just for fun.

Since then I have cut Jason’s hair again (by myself this time). It took two hours again but didn’t go as bad as I thought it would. I cut his hair way too short and cut my hand three times with the scissors (they were SHARP!) but hey, it was my first time by myself so I think I did pretty good considering. Although I have to admit that it took Cara an hour to fix it and to re-teach me some essential skills (like how not to cut myself). I really think I will do better next time and luckily I didn’t scare Jason off.

February/March

We finally took the plunge and bought a house. It is such a scary venture but definitely worth it. I didn’t realize how nice it would be to have a place to call my own, where we could do what we want and not ask permission. Jason is going full boar on the lawn and garden (even though we don’t have much of a lawn....it is pretty puny, but nice) and has lots of grand ideas of what he wants to do with it. We (or I should say Jason) are growing a garden and plan on planting among other things, a peach tree and some berries. It is exciting. I don’t have pictures right now but plan on posting them later.

Jason has this crazy tradition with his friend Tom where they go up into the mountains and build a snow cave.....AND THEN SLEEP IN IT! This is actually their third year doing it and every year they talk about how excited they are for the next time. And every year they get better at making one. Jason loved it so much that in March he invited his brother Jesse to go with him also. They went to the same place because it was getting warm and they didn’t think that a new one would freeze in time. While they were there they added a "kitchen" area. I thought it was pretty funny but they had fun doing it.

April

We decide this year to do the Easter Bunny for Caleb and get him an Easter basket. He LOVED it! We put a few eggs in a basket with a piece of chocolate in each and he had the best time shaking them and trying to open them. Jason then put some Easter eggs outside and Caleb carried his basket around finding eggs. Caleb didn’t keep his basket straight and the eggs kept falling out so he would turn around and find the eggs all over again. It was funny to watch. Also, as he picked up the eggs, he would shake them and if they didn’t make a noise, he would throw them down on the ground (he sure learned quick which ones had chocolate and which ones didn’t).