Keller's ONE

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY KELLER!

It has been quite a year!  Keller has given me a run for my money at times, but other times he's so dang sweet! 

Keller is a sensitive baby.  He likes to be held or for you to be on the floor next to him.  If he thinks you wronged him somehow he will just burst into tears and gives you a truly heart-broken look. 

He loves music.  He starts dancing whenever the music is up loud.  He also starts singing whenever I sing.  The louder I sing, the louder he will sing.  It was so cute!

Keller is a CUDDLER!  Before he goes down for a nap or to sleep at night I will rock him in his room for a few minutes with his blanket.  It's more for me than for him.  He will just relax in my arms and stare into my eyes.  It's our favorite moments together!

He loves to play with balls.  He likes to throw them back and forth (or at least he tries to).  If I don't want to play ball with him then he will just throw the ball and go chase it.

Keller thinks it's hilarious to wrestle.  Anytime he starts crawling all over someone he starts smiling and making funny sound effects.  Vance gets a kick out of it!

He LOVES his older brother.  Keller loves to be by Vance.  He also laughs more at Vance than probably anyone else.  It's so sweet!

He does things at his own pace so I'm sure we won't be talking or walking for quite sometime.  He'll do it when he's good and ready.
Enough talking...here are my many attempts at one-year-old pictures for Keller.

A little brotherly love

I had a coupon for Picture People so I decided to see how they could do with Kellerboy.  Here are the results!

Happy Birthday Kellerboy!

Castles & Dungeons

My mom was out of town and Chad was studying so I told my dad it was his job to entertain me and the kids (because my mom usually does).  He wasn't quite sure at first, but I can be fairly (extremely) persistent and eventually he decided to hang out with me!

He decided we should take the kids to the Excalibur (known as the castle to Vance) and play arcades in the "fun dungeon."  We only spent $10 and the boys had so much fun.

We played lots of games and even won a few prizes!

PS - My dad helped build the Excalibur.  Pretty neat huh?

Scripture Reading

Vance was asked to share his favorite scripture in primary on Sunday.  We practiced about 6 or 7 times on Saturday.  He half-read/half-memorized and did an AMAZING job.  I could not have been more proud.  You MUST watch this video.  It's only like 15 seconds and totally worth the time.

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation..."     Helaman 5:12

Smell Goods

I've been meaning to blog about this for over a year now and I just seem to always forget. 

Since Vance was about 2, Chad always sprays a little cologne on him when he gets dressed up.  Dressed up at our house includes wearing any shirt with a button.  Chad has always referred to his cologne as his "smell goods" when talking to Vance.

About 6 months ago Vance decided he wanted his own bottle of "smell goods" and not the cheap Axe body spray ones.  He wanted a glass one like Daddy's.  Well Dad's is Ed Hardy and I refuse to spend that much on a bottle of cologne for my 4 year old.  Lucky for me I thought to check Walmart.  They had a knock off Ed Hardy cologne (in a glass bottle no less) for only $9.  Perfect!

Vance loves wearing it.  He knows that if we get a little dressed up he should go put on a spray.  He knows it only takes 1-2 sprays and no more.  He also knows that when he goes on a date with Mom he better wear his "smell goods" because you want to look and smell your best on dates :)

Here is Vance with his beloved bottle of "smell goods"

I love how Chad calls it "smell goods" and taught Vance how to wear it.  My boys are going to be amazing husbands one day :)

Park Nights

I love Vegas summers.  I know it's sweltering hot during the day, but I love being in the water and it makes for wonderful evenings at the park.  We have gone to the park a couple of times now with Amy's family. 

We've enjoyed frisbee golf, basketball, picnics, splash pads, swing sets, skate parks, and slides!

Keller has been trying to stand up but doesn't know what to do when it comes time to lift up your hands.  It makes for a funny crawl every now and then.

Playing a fun game of tunnel with Keller-baby.

Vance made lots of older friends (like 13+ older) at the skate park.  I told him he needed to leave those boys alone because he was probably bugging them.  He replied, "Mom - that's just what the skate park is all about...making friends."  I guess you can't blame him for being too friendly.  Notice the small kid in the red shirt next to all of the big boys.  He has no idea he's only 4.

He had so much fun and showed me his best tricks!

Keller on the other hand was glued to Aunt Amy's side.  He is determined to make her love babies.  He clearly doesn't know her very well :)  Lucky for me she's a good sport and gives me a break every once in awhile.

Chad did show us a stroller-grind with Keller before we left.  I'm not so sure how I feel about this trick:

Barter Queen

You know the show Barter Kings?  Well I am the Barter Queen! 

 Here's why:

Chad had some graduation money left ($360) and he has been thinking about buying a 9mm handgun. 

I decided I wanted to upgraded my camera and started searching Craigslist.

I happened to find a guy with a 9mm who was looking for a camera similar to the camera I currently owned (Canon T1i)

He was willing to trade his 9mm handgun including 2 magazines, holster, case, and cleaning kit (about $600 value) for my camera body (about $350 value).

We agreed to the trade with no money swapping hands.

So Chad bought my camera body from me with his graduation money and then traded it for the gun. 

In the meantime I decided to throw in a lens, but I wanted $80 which the guy agreed to.

I then took the money from selling my camera to Chad, the money from the lens, and the money I earned from the wedding shoot and bought a NEW IN THE BOX camera for only $10 more.  (By the way I saved about $300 on the new camera because I found a retailer on craigslist.  The camera was for a lower price, plus no sales tax.)

To make a long story, short.  I bought a new camera with what feels like only $10.

Here we are "shooting" each other with Chad's gun and my camera. 

Shooting...get it?

We're funny.

I know it even if you don't.

Jeff Civillico

Leslie, Amy and I got tickets to see Jeff Civillico with the kids.  He is a juggler and comedian.  The kids, including Keller, sat in a trance the whole time and laughed at all the corny jokes.

It was cute to watch Keller clap and yell whenever the audience did.  I don't think he knew what was going on, but he knew the appropriate response.

All the boys with Jeff Civillico after the show.  He is at the Imperial Palace if you're looking for something fun to take your kids to.

Keller's Birthday - Round 2

Keller recently had his 2nd birthday celebration with the Waldrons.  The kids love going over to the Waldrons.  They have a blast in the backyard swimming, jumping on the trampoline, playing on the swingset, hammering croquet balls, etc. 

When they get sick of that they do bubbles or go play in the gym.  Grandma and Grandpa Waldron are lots of fun!

Zach just got back from bootcamp so we were all VERY excited to see him, especially Vance. He LOVES Uncle Zach.  Here they are showing off their big muscles and tough faces.

We sang happy birthday to both Mariah and Keller.

Then came Keller's favorite part: cupcake time.  This boy loves cake!

Then it was present time:

We got Keller these rubbery balls and he has been having fun throwing them around the house.

Keller's just reading his birthday card from Aunt Mariah - thanks for the money :)

Only a few more days until my baby is officially 1!