Douglass Family Reunion

Be careful what you do, Little eyes are watching you...

So I am learning that Canyon is extremely impressionable... He is my first kid so bear with me on this post (and really all my other posts too). He is learning so much these days. It seems like every day brings a new trick or accomplishment, or force of independence (aka: a reason for me to brag).
Such as...

being able to tell you what a cow, dinosaur, and a dog say
pointing out his nose, eyes, ears, mouth, teeth or yours
pointing to his belly after he poops letting you know he has stinky diaper
asking for water and "nak" (snack) and then laughing with desperation as if I haven't fed him for days
asking for a wipey to wash his hands or blow his nose
kissing with his mouth open (I am glad he knows mama and daddy kiss)
attempting to dress himself
being sooo excited to brush his teeth, then spit in the sink (or on me)
put lotion on his arms and face
curl his eyelashes, shape his eyebrows, and cut his finger nails
...and many other fun stuff

BUT, he has also picked up on some other little traits...

desperately searching for his shoes and crying if he doesn't find them (I hope I don't do this)
pointing his finger at me saying "no, no, no" ( I am not even going to claim that I haven't done this a time or two)
wiping his bum
taking off his diaper
sticking his foot out the back door telling the dogs "down, no, down"

He is sure a silly boy! AND Gary and I can't get enough of him.

7-31-08

My friend Sarah from work, and I took a trip to Greer last Thursday! We had a great time and Canyon managed to not burn her hair or pour lava into her eyes. For someone who doesn't particularly like kids I think Canyon was quite smitten with her. She played in the water with him and allowed endless amount of sippy cup cheers during lunch. She confessed the the screaming in the car was a bit much, but still offered him a piggy back ride. We need to do this again sometime...
And to top off our adventure she sent us home with fresh Rhubarb. This made Gary very happy.

Making it more like home...

A couple of days ago I posted a comment on Summer's blog about not always feeling like this area is my "home;" the place I am supposed to live for the rest of my life. I am often overwhelmed by these feelings. I love living by my mom and Gary's family. I like a small town, but sometimes feel suffocated.

BUT in the mists of all of these feelings I am really loving my home. It the first home Gary and I have owned together, it is the place we brought baby Canyon home to, and over the last months it is the place I have enjoyed molding into my oasis. Planting flowers, grass, and veggies; moving dirt; pulling weeds; raising puppies; and letting my one-year-old explore.

For Mother's Day I asked Gary to put a step around the back porch (Mother's Day in May that is) and he finally did it. Well he finally did it with the help of my Dear brother-in-law Billy who I owe a lifetime of babysitting, trips to Dairy Queen, and 301 rhubarb pies. And it looks great! I am so excited to start digging and planting some more. My next project for Gary is welding a Arbor for the Garden (maybe if I ask now I will have it by next Mother's Day).

Our Adventures in Albuquerque

Canyon & I left for Albuquerque last Wednesday to visit my big sister and her family. We had a trunk full of gear, we were fully rested, and we were ready to have fun. Here are a few (a lot) of pictures that follow our adventure.

WEDNESDAY

We were greeted with lots of excited smiling faces. At first Canyon was a bit shy, but it only took a few seconds for him to warm up.

Skye and Matt pitched a tent, layed out a sleeping bag, and bought canyon a backpack full of goodies. He was absolutely thrilled and played in his camp all weekend.

After Mark got home from work he kept Canyon so the sistas could get a pedicure.

THURSDAY

Thursday was probably our fullest day. A trip to Costco, the pool and cooking 4 dishes of lasagna, 4 dishes of enchiladas, 4 fajita dinners, 4 egg roll dinners and 4 meat ball dinners (Skye is prepping for football season).

Canyon and Andrew thought they were being tortured by the rose bushes from Costco. Not one thorn touched either of them. Even boys can muster up a little DRAMA.

Playing in the pool with Matt. Matt made me go down every slide and jump off the high dive. Scary, but fun.
Kisses and snuggles from Auntie Skye.

FRIDAY

We spent the first part of Friday yardsale-ing, which is soooo fun to me. I found many great deals including and antique cream separator for my mother in law.

Jesse was forced to go to the ZOO with the family, but refused to walk around with us (pick your battles-he is a great kid-he's just a teenager-and we did make him miss Batman: Dark Night-which was the worst thing that could ever happen in a 15 year olds life).

Mark and Skye showing Canyon the way.
Matt pointing out the elephants. An animal Canyon could actually see. Canyon's favorite animals were the Monkey's and Sea Lions.
The Holly's. Sweet Family.
Matt and Canyon reminiscing their day at the Zoo. During this trip Canyon spent a lot of time with Matt, and enjoyed every minute of it.

SATURDAY

Skye volunteered for a football camp that Matthew was attending, which was given by Jesse's high school. As soon as Jesse was done with his camp duties, I took him to Batman: Dark Night to make up for the tragedy that occurred the night before.

After the fun filled day I layed Canyon down for a nap. Sometimes a quiet baby during nap time is dangerous. Canyon found a marker and for 30 minutes colored on himself, his pillow, his blanket, his playpen, and Skye's cabinet!! All he had to say for himself was "Oooooooooo."

SUNDAY

The perfect end to the trip was spent at Ojo Caliente (a rustic spa outside Sante Fe). Mark kept Canyon and we completely relaxed in hot pools of SODA, ARSENIC, and MUD and drank from a fountain of LITHIA water.

Not for the light hearted spa goer, we covered ourselves in mud and let the New Mexico sun bake our skin clear.
Enjoying his day with uncle Mark, who had a grilled Salmon dinner waiting for us when we returned from Ojo.
A hurried picture before Jesse ran off with his buds.

MONDAY

By the time Monday came around we were both home sick. We loaded up my car, which was now filled with more than a trunk full, gave kisses and hugs and waved good-by. When I told Canyon we were going home to see Daddy he grinned with total excitement and said "more Daddy, more Daddy." Ditto.

Swimming Lessons

Canyon is a Pisces, a water sign.

I spent almost all of my labor in the water.

And I love to swim.

So it’s no surprise that he LOVES the water. He had his first swimming lesson on July 2nd. He squealed, smiled and had a great time. And to make the day even more special his swim teacher was the same one I had as a girl (she also taught baton).

By the end of his lesson he was pretty comfortable on his back.
He literally smiled the whole time. So did she. Testing the waters on his own.
I love, love, love this picture. It was taken the day before swim lessons with my mom's underwater camera. I am telling you this boy loves the water.

2nd Haircut, 1st Mohawk

This was something I was dying to do. He finally had enough hair... barely!! Trying on Dad's glasses to complete the "look."
One cool dude!