Spring is here!

We've been spending alot more time outside these days! It's still pretty cool, but much warmer than it has been. Alex has recently found the sand volleyball court in the back yard. Of course to him, it's a HUGE sandbox! He loves to mix and pour and stir and pour and stir.... I never know quite what he's "cooking", but he's always adding new "ingredients"! For example, pine cones and pine needles are a couple of his favorite additions. And speaking of additions, we are expecting in September! So ready or not, Alex is going to be a big brother! My actual due date is Sept 14, and at the end of April I have an ultrasound. We are super excited and can't wait for Alex to have a playmate!

Why is it that kids LOVE cell phones? And not only that, but they know the differnce between a dead one and a fully charged one! Andy and I have more than once answered our home phone and heard squeals and giggles on the other line...

My first bread stick from Buck Creek Pizza....yummm!!!

Snow is fun!

So the end of January we got like 5 or 6 inches of snow! Alex liked to go outside, but riding in the sled was his favorite.....mainly because Puddy chases you down the hill. And let's face it, Alex looooves Puddy! :)

You can only see the top two in this photo, but he has 6 teeth!

Ok, I'm ready for some warm milk.

January--Trip to CA!

So Alex, Mom and I took a little trip to California in January. We stayed for a week and visited with Gma and Gpa Mowell and Gma and Gpa Jackson. Alex is a good traveler, so the trip went pretty smoothly. We enjoyed our stay very much, especially since we got to go outside and play most days! So below are some pictures of the trip....however, I haven't quite figured out this blog site yet. It doesn't put the pictures in the order I download them, so things are kinda here and there!

At Gma Mowell's house

We went outside one day and helped weed and move dirt. Unfortunately Alex tended to taste the dirt, which was usually Redwood seeds :)

Gma had a great little shovel that Alex loved to play with!

What's next, Gma?

Ah, the Golden Gate Bridge

A few pictures of the country side. It looks much different in the summer....everything is dry and brown.

We went for walks in the wagon alot.

At the Jackson's!

Gma had a basket of fruit that didn't stay there long. :)

One of Alex's favorite things was to play the piano with Grandma.

And of course he played too!

Bath time in the sink!

Gma had some gourds that Alex carried everywhere.

Building with the legos

Alex liked the big picture window that went to the floor. He could see out!

(Ours at home doens't go that low.)

This time, I'll push instead of ride!

Christmas 2008

This Christmas was fast but fun! Andy had to work Christmas Eve until noon, and then we drove up to Nappanee. The Rummel Christmas was held at Donna and Wayne's house, so we got there just before everyone started rollin' in! Alex loved playing with all the cousins and having other little kids to run around with. I can't imagine what next year will be like! :)

Andy and Alex on their way to the basement at Donna and Wayne's house

Like I said, Alex LOVED all the activity of the cousins!

In the basement, he ran back and forth and back and forth screeming with glee the whole time.

Grandpa and Grandma Rummel

holding a picture of all their great-grandkids.

Alex playing with one of the toys he got for Christmas!
(from great-Gma Rummel, I think)

Opening gifts!

Digging into those gift bags.

The tissue paper is the best part!

Alex is decorating cookies!

After the busy day of travel, Alex and Stuart relax at home and play the guitar.

Birthday Party

Alex is helping me in the kitchen! He looooves to watch me when I use the mixer. So I gave him some flour in a bowl with a spoon. He stirred to his hearts content and had a blast!

Finally, the pictures you've been waiting for! As you will see, they aren't exactly in order, but I dont think it will matter.

He really wasn't into his cake. Daddy tried to feed him some, but he would have none of it!

Although, he was ok with feeding the cake to Daddy!

He doesn't really understand how to blow yet, so Andy helped him out.

Why in the world are all these people staring at me?

Quick family photo!

The Jackson's traditionally have an icecream cake for birthdays....

Alex is no differnt!

(Although, he didn't get any.)

Time for presents!

Uncle Pete got him a wagon!

My very own phone! Finally, Mom and Dad got the hint.

Alex had a bit of a hard time opening all the gifts. He kept wanting to play with the one he had just opened and didn't care about all the others ones yet to be opened. Eventually, Andy and I did most of the opening and showed the gift to him. He really liked the tissue paper, so we had to keep it out of reach! Overall, it was a good day. A lot of activity, but great fun!