September 2011

Fall is here and September is over already! This month was full of fun things...
-We went to the State Fair with Pennell family during Saturday of Labor Day weekend. I have no pictures because Courtney and Gemma were taking them, but maybe I can get some from them? Samara got to pet goats, sheep, a baby cow, brand new piglets - it was fun! I hadn't been to the fair for a while either and not since it moved to GI. Samara even got to cap the day with ice cream. So, every three steps she was signing "more" and we had to give her a bite then try to move on! When we got back to Pennell's, we watched some of the recorded Husker game, but then were all tired and couldn't even finish it! We had dinner at Derby's on Labor Day to finish off the long weekend. Samara likes to find the books in the spare bedroom and bring them all out to the living room there!
-We had a bonfire at our friend's house and Samara got to eat s'mores. Well, she really just ate grassy marshmallows because she kept dropping them in the grass, oh well.
-Our Journey Group (small bible study group through church) started up again and we are doing a series based on the book, Radical. It has been interesting to think of the way we live as Christians in America compared to places like China. Wow - do we have it easy. If we look at our lives and how we actually spend our time and money, what really comes first in our life? It has been challenging us to think about our lives a little differently lately for sure.
-Courtney and I have made cake pops several times already (some pictures below). They turned out cute, we had fun and already have a couple orders! One thanks to my Mom (the apples - for a "Non back to school party" (for a retired teacher friend).
-Samara managed to injure herself three times in one week, all evidence left on her face. She did a head plant on the sidewalk with Daddy (scab on forehead), pulled a kitchen chair over on herself with Gemma (bruise on forehead) and decided to face plant off the bed with Mommy (rug burn on nose). These were all in the couple days leading up her to "re-take" of one-year pictures of course!
-We participated in the Corporate Cup Walk downtown on Sept 18th. It was fairly chilly and drizzly the whole time and Samara thought it was no fun. So, Mommy worked on her biceps for most of the race holding a wiggling 14 month old that didn't want to ride on Daddy's shoulders or in the stroller. Basically longest 2 miles I have ever walked!
-We had Valentino's at Kunes' house for Poppy's 88th birthday on the 19th! Samara liked exploring their house and touching everything she shouldn't. Jeff and Papa Craig have been working over there to remove all the existing deck, sidewalks and front porch and replace with new concrete. Almost there!
-I joined a program called MOPS (Mother Of Pre-Schoolers) that is at our church. It is the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month for a couple hours. So far we have only met once and it was the kick-off day, so lots of introductions, etc. I think it will be a good way to connect to other moms that are in the same stage of life and gain some insight. I figure if I like it this year I will do again, but if not, then oh well maybe I just make some good connections and Samara gets to play with other kids (they have childcare there for the morning).
-Jeff has been busy with work. He even got(had?) to go to a Kiewit Company culture type class for a couple days. He expected to come home feeling as if he had "drunk the Kiewit kool-aid" and now bleeds Kiewit yellow. And it kind of was that, but, he really got to see just how huge the company is and gain some appreciation for how the company is run. Continental Fire Sprinkler is really a small cog in the Kiewit machine, but he still doesn't feel the need to sell his soul to the company. He still goes in early so he can be home by 4:30 every day to spend family time, and I really appreciate and value that!
-I have been taking on some new and different projects at work, so it has gotten busier and more interesting, which is good!
-As far as a Samara update, she is still all over the place and still talking more each day. She can now repeat after you really well. I have her say all the alphabet and counting numbers. She pauses on some of them like "W", but gives it a go. She loves reading books and can point to all the animals and say what it is and usually their sound, too. She is starting to say the shapes and colors she sees as well. She says Samara Jo Derby (okay, not all at once, but will repeat after me - Rara - O - Bobby, that's basically what it sounds like). After her bath each night she wants to brush her teeth in front of the mirror and look at Rara doing the same. :) There are pictures of her new potty seat below. We figured her extreme interest in following Mommy to the potty coupled with her announcing "baba" (bottom) every time she goes in her diaper meant we should get ready to head in that direction. She is getting very lovey now, giving hugs and kisses - which we all enjoy! She also is starting to "feed" her dolls and animals. She offers them drinks of her Sippy cup or one of her snacks and makes either a chomping or slurping sound, depending on what was held to their mouth. Oh, so cute! We love her so much (even when her molars are coming in, which is now).
October is next with more Fall fun!