Seasonal Snapshots

Might as well start with the seasonings...  Don't worry, the subjects do get better.

BEFORE: Cacophony in the cupboard

AFTER: Salty, spicy, seasoning sweet  melody.  It's amazing what a $5 organizational rack and turntable will do to a spice cupboard much in need of a makeover.  One of those taunting tasks on the "to do" list that I finally got around to sometime in November.

Cake for Luke's feast day-previously mentioned but not pictured.  Simple yellow layer cake from scratch with chocolate frosting (best luck I've had with frosting yet) , sprinkled with almonds and a little bit of cherries on top for color.

Praline pumpkin torte which I'd been wanting to try for a while but was given the perfect opportunity when Jen Jab and Fr. Lehnard stopped by for a visit.  Yes, those are raspberries on top.  Apparently the previous cake took all the cherries I had.  Apricot almond chicken, noodles, and broccoli was the prelude.

Luke's new ride and his many co-pilots after hanging the clothes out in late October and enjoying the sunshine while it lasted.  Lucky for Luke this activity is transferable to the basement where he enjoys a thorough spin and slide in the laundry basket through my legs, under the table, and with plenty of bumpy roads and sound effects.

Preparing the pile.

High knees through the leaves.  He was quite tentative in exploring this new medium as he walked gingerly through the outskirts of the pile.

Little man's preference to toss the leaves in the air rather than run or jump through them.

Wouldn't sit still for a photo shoot so I added a little tickling and extracted a silly grin.  Luke Francis 21 months. He is quite the character and has a new found interest in "buod-ders" (aka boogers).  Don't worry folks, for Luke the novelty is in talking about them not extracting or consuming them :-).  Recently, we've been working on "boy" and "girl".  He is far from mastering the concept but it's oodles of fun to hear him say "boy" and "dir-dle" which sounds an awful lot like "turtle" as he shrugs his shoulders.

"Tamra" investigation.  Only still shot I got from the whole batch.

Hey there bright eyes.  Augustine John at two months.  The eyes are still blue and his hair is still dark.  Doctor seems to think his eyes will stay blue but we'll see.  I'm leaning toward the prediction that his hair will stay dark which I'm sure daddy won't mind.

Two month tummy time training session for tiny tot #2. Now almost a month later he's getting in an intense workout as he kicks his legs and twists for a windup to roll over and Guess what?! Guess what?! Guess what?! .................................. Today (1/4/2013) he pulled the banana on his buzzy chair all by himself! Woot! Woot!

Seriously mom....now?!!?  Can't you wait until I turn to my better side???

Sleep sack and  hat made for Augustine by my Godmother and Aunt.  Thanks Aunt Karen!  Can you make these in adult sizes? :-)

Capturing the cozy.  Other notes that register on the cuteness scale include the giggles and squirms that Augustine exudes when we take an outfit off or put a new one on on the changing table.  He has a very many tickle spots.  Augustine watches Luke like a hawk and is affectionately known as "Dust- tin".  Just yesterday, Augustine was letting out some serious yelps as Daddy was finishing up with Luke on the potty.  Once Luke got his pants on he ran into the other room, looked at Augustine in his bouncy chair and said a quick "Hi!" in a higher pitch voice and Augustine immediately stopped fussing.  Too bad mommy and daddy's efforts aren't rewarded with such a quick result.

Augustine John Schafer two month official statistics. 13 lbs. 13 oz. 23.5 inches long.  Harmless blood blister on top of head that appeared between 1st and 2nd month will likely disappear before age four.  Survived administration of five vaccines: one oral and 2 in each leg handled expertly by a team of nurses followed instantaneously by an eruption of tears and a fire red face.

Luke and the homestead.  If you look closely you might be able to see Yute's boots.  An eligible title for a Dr. Seuss tale if you ask me.  Those boots have gotten a bit of wear including sled riding at Grandma and Grandpa Francis's.

Our very own frosty with a pumpkin stem nose, onion set eyes, and a shell for a mouth.  Frosty is a new found celebrity in our household due to the cartoon Christmas classic but probably more appreciated thanks to Aunt Mary Rita's gift of a snowman container that shelters "tandy!!" and "teets".

Luke adding a helping hand in penguin, camo, and plaid.

High knees again.  Consistent in his workout regimen I guess.

Much to Grandma Francis's disdain we do indeed still have pumpkins on our porch.  Someday I'll find something to do with them whether it's a splattery physics experiment or gently stirring them in with the other garden compost for adding nutrients to the earth and likely some random pumpkin vines.