Caught Up

I am finally caught up with my blogs.

Last Thursday night Rusty was tired and both kids refused to go to sleep peaceably. This is what happened. The night that followed this reminded me, yet again, why we don't sleep with our kids (usually).

Elisha tried on his cowboy suit from Robert's hand-me-downs. He loved it and didn't want to take it off. Rusty wondered why I wouldn't let him wear it to church....

He looks like he is riding a real horse. I love the expression.

We had a party for Poppy, or John John, last Friday night. Katie and I prepared a great meal: meatloaf, pinto beans, green beans, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, cream corn, homemade macaroni and cheese, and cornbread. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. I only wish John had asked for a meal that wasn't my Mom's suggestion. I made him a homemade chocolate chip cookie cake, decorated with my fun, new icing tool. It turned out better than it could have, but it was no where near as good as the Italian Creme cake my mom had made for him. He let the kids help blowout the candles. They really blew...slobber.

We started Saturday with another birthday party. Cylia, Rusty's 3rd cousin's daughter, had her 3rd birthday at Pump It Up. The kids loved it, and I even got involved in the bouncing action.

Snow and Chickens

I've mentioned how Elisha loves boots. Here he is wearing Rusty's boots. He was quite frustrated when he tried to make it up the few stairs we have while wearing them.

Caleigh ought to be a professional chicken catcher. Somehow she sneaks up on them, and they're hers. I have to run around chasing them ridiculously to catch one. And, honestly, I'm just now getting brave enough to go after one.

The Rooster and One of His Girlfriends: I know my neighbors despise the rooster. It crows at all hours of the day, not just sunrise. I can be up in the middle of the night and still hear it going. Since this picture was taken, we have added two other Bantam roosters, which equals three squawking birds in my backyard. Am I living on a chicken farm?

Our backyard covered in snow

The kids playing in the snow perhaps for the last time this winter

February

I am almost caught up with my blogs. Yipee!!! And, praise the Lord. Our new computer loads pictures twice as fast as the other one. I hope you enjoy the glimpses of our family during February - messes, sickness, sleep, and smiles.

Caleigh and Elisha painting. Elisha didn't have a craft shirt, so he went without one.

Josiah joined Caleigh on her bed

Granna talking to Josiah. She said she wanted me to post some pictures of her. We'll see what she has to say about this one.

Poppy and Elisha playing Poppy's guitar. My mom says that one night he played it with his toes while he was going to sleep. A grandparent exaggeration? Either way, he loves it.

Big Grin. I'm a happy baby.

Caleigh has to get in on the action

Another painting experience, painting Valentines. I'm not sure if he realized he's not supposed to eat the paint. I never let Caleigh do all this when she was his age, but it is hard to keep him out of it when she is busy crafting.

Caleigh cut her own hair. I had been so proud of her for learning to use scissors...Now, they're ban for a long time. I asked if she did it. Here is the progression of her answers to that question: 1) I didn't do it. 2) I wanted Dora hair. 3) Elisha did it. And, Rusty is really going to get it if one day I wake up with my haircut. He keeps telling her how funny it would be to cut Mommy's hair while she is sleeping.

Making Valentine cookies in our pj's. Can you tell they do everything with me? One under the right foot. The other under the left.

Siah....as Lisha likes to call him

Caleigh ended up getting the stomach bug right before Valentine's Day. Then, Elisha got it. This is everyone piled up on the bed watching TV. Caleigh is learning to use the "I'm sick" phrase to weasel her way into getting to watch TV since we usually don't let her.

Caleigh's photography skills. She loves using my digital camera. This is one of her better shots. Maybe we'll get her one of those kid cameras for her birthday.

Josey...as I like to call him.

Enduring belly time with a smile

Elisha enjoying floor time with Josiah

Getting ready for a walk...even though it was freezing, but I don't think he got cold. That suit is like an electric blanket.

Camouflaged in swing

See his hands

Daddy and Josiah smiling at one another

Josiah in his dog outfit from Meme

Hairy January

Elisha's new haircut, given by Aunt Katie when Mommy wasn't present. It worked out better that way. I would have been hysterical watching her cut off his sweet curls. Thankfully, the curls are growing back, but he doesn't look a shaggy teenager. And, how many pacifiers does one toddler who never used a pacifier need?

Caleigh being a sweet big sister to Josiah

Caleigh getting ready for crazy hair night at AWANA

Another snow in Tennessee. This time they didn't cry to get bundled up. They realized coats and gloves and hats are necessary for snowy weather.

Who can count the rolls? Somebody takes after his Mommy as a baby.

Why did we chance the life of the smallest Langford to the hands of the two slightly bigger Langfords? They really do love their brother, but they're dangerous all the same.

Elisha's great smile. He is sitting in Geez-Paw's lap at a dinner for Aunt Diane before her surgery.

Elisha has discovered a love for basketball, or ba-ball as he pronounces it. Every time we take Caleigh to gymnastics or go swimming at the YMCA, he wants to play basketball. Sometimes he just tries to roll on the ball. Others times he attempts to shoot. It's adorable.

Elisha playing basketball at home. Checkout the duds Daddy picked out while Mommy was gone.

A little baby

Wide-eyed and Alert

Caleigh must have been worried it was going to rain in the kitchen.

I am loved...

Sporting her new outfit from Aunt Marcia...plus wings...the perfect church attire

Elisha Pre-Haircut 9 (my pictures are out of order again). Could someone really have confused him with a girl?

Christmas Recovery

Against my better judgment (no, not really, but a phrase Rusty and I have enjoyed using here lately), a few days after Christmas we loaded up with Rusty's parents for a day trip to Pigeon Forge to see the lights. We only stopped about six times on the way there. Elisha only had an equal number of NASTY poops throughout the day, most of which Rusty had to change. Geez-paw had to ride stuck between two car seats for six too many hours. Nobody took a nap, and Josiah cried for about an hour when we were ready to head back home. The kid really pitched one. But, overall we had a pretty good time.

At Three Bears: The Langfords refer to this souvenir shop as a landmark. They saw the bears. I passed. I feel sorry for the caged creatures.

Geez-Paw hanging out with Josiah while Caleigh and Elisha blew his money in the arcade, another Langford past-time I don't support.

Grandma and Caleigh riding the kiddie race cars, which ended up putting Grandma in the bed with a backache

Elisha, dried snot and all, on the carousel. He loved riding the horse.

Recovering

Elisha and Caleigh with Uncle Jess celebrating Daddy's 31st and New Year's Eve

How nice! Daddy got Polar Express for his birthday. Caleigh really lucked up. Rusty had a nice birthday, but the poor guy woke up with the stomach bug, a great way to begin a new year.

Someone was really tired. I don't think I could sleep like that.

Playing on the New Swing Set: We went with the cheap metal one after months of considering which one to buy. I mean really, it is all they need. I don't have to worry about anyone falling

off the tower of the wooden one. They have a slide, and it didn't take a 24 hours to put together.

Getting ready for a Christmas party with some of Rusty's friends

This kid will sleep anywhere with anything happening in the background.

All the offspring of Rusty and his friends (minus baby Josiah).

Children are a blessing from the Lord.