{Family Pictures Fall 2010}

We took advantage of Diana's talents again and asked her to take some pictures for our Christmas card. To say Jonas was uncooperative is a bit of an understatement. He hated the camera, the leaves, the table, the everything. Diana did catch a few of him with the bubbles. He's a challenge when it comes to eye contact with the camera.

This is one of two where Jonas is looking at the camera. Never a smile and a look. What a kid :)

I love that it looks like Jonas is "honking" Devin's nose in this one. He was so scared of being on Devin's shoulders for some reason. Made for a funny (looking) picture.

I love Devin's eyes in this one. Looking up at Jonas like....OH! This child. That's how we felt that day. Why is it that they never want to cooperate on the days we want them too?

Oh well. There are lots of cute pictures...but we're saving them for Christmas gifts :)

{Thanksgiving 2010}

We had a great Thanksgiving 2010. We missed seeing our family, but we were able to spend the day with extended family. Sadly I didn't take very many pictures. Devin has an uncle that lives about 20 minutes away and they graciously invited us to spend the day with them. We went to the Zoo in the morning and enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the late afternoon. It was fun to catch up, see new traditions, and enjoy the company of family.

Jonas L.O.V.E.S the Zoo. Much to our delight he had so much fun...even though it was a bit chilly!

Devin and Jonas in the Ape House.

I was hiding behind a sign and Jonas thought it was hilarious when I would jump out and scare him. He's a cute one.

Standing on the rocks all by himself. (For some reason he was a bit nervous-the rock isn't very big)

The nervous look.

Waiting to see his favorite animal at the Zoo...

...The Panda!! He loves them!

A shot of the BFF's.

This is the only shot I got of the actual dinner....and Jonas is eating a graham cracker. He isn't much for "real" or good food. Crazy.

Jonas is also very tricky. He has learned that if someone else is watching the TV and he wants to watch his show...there is still a way. (this happens on weekends when Dad is watching football) He will open the computer and then push buttons until we realize what he is doing. He knows that he can watch some of his favorites on the computer...so he does. This was Friday night. Doesn't he look cute all relaxed watching Manny?

{Halloween and Such}

Jonas ended up having a pretty fun time at the Trunk-or-Treat this year. He finally understood the process about halfway through. Take the candy, put it in your basket, look at the people giving you the candy (I think he was saying Thank You in his head...we're still working on that sign), move on to the next trunk. By the end of the night, it was getting cold and Jonas was dragging Devin and I to the next car. We also discovered that he does indeed like candy. Reese's Peanut Butter cups were a huge hit. He also tried a starburst, but kept taking it out of his mouth. I think it was too hard to chew. Anyways....we've been pretty boring since Halloween. Devin has raked the yard so much I've lost count and sadly our tree in the front yard hasn't even started dropping leaves. Ugh. I spend my days at this Doctor...or that Doctor. But the little Miss is healthy and as active as can be...so I'm not complaining.

Resting after gathering the goods.

He smiles when you sing to him. I was singing some song from Handy Manny. I think the people parked next to us thought I was nuts. I just wanted a smile from my 2 year old.

He wouldn't hold the ball...or his pumpkin while we trunk-or-treated.

The rear-view.

Truly the cutest, happiest boy I know. Love him.

{Sneak Peek}

We attempted to get J's pictures in his Halloween costume yesterday...you know for the G's & G's. He was C-R-A-N-K-Y. (Note to self..pictures are not allowed during Umi Zoomi) We got ONE good one. Then I was done with him. He was done with me. So we ended on that note. Watch for them in the mail family!

This looks like an action shot...you know like he is running an awesome play. Don't be fooled. He's running towards his Dad...screaming because Mom has the camera in his face. (again)

He was very cooperative at pictures of his backside. Ugh. At least he looks cute.

Happy Halloween!!!

{Horse Riding}

I still remember riding on my Dad's back and using him as our Horse when I was little. We loved it. He got all wild and crazy and would spin around and try to buck us off. I also remember the day he told me I was too big to do that anymore. I was sad since I loved it so much. I've seen my Dad do it to all of the kids in our family, cousins too. Won't he be so excited when he sees what Jonas has learned. (Although you won't be able to spin around quite yet Grandpa)

I think my favorite part is that once he falls off, he immediately signs for more. Pure Genius-since he knows that we will give in if he signs.

He's working on pointing at what he wants. I think he wanted me to have a turn-ha.

Obviously he likes it :)

{He's learning}

Jonas is really enjoying the time he spends with his "teachers". He is learning a lot, and cries when they leave. We are forever thankful that we live in such a great county that offers such great services!! (he can identify everything on this page in the book *almost* without flaw. The funny thing is..this is the ONLY page he likes in the book)

Gotta love Handy Manny....and Jonas does!!

{Pumpkin Pickin'}

We joined our friends at the Pumpkin Patch this weekend. It was a little chilly, but not so much that it was uncomfortable. Since we went late in the day, we were the only ones on the hayride. This was Jonas' first trip to the Pumpkin Patch (we really aren't bad parents), and he enjoyed the hayride, but had a hard time picking out just the right pumpkin. :)

There were lots of BIG pumpkins to choose from, but Jonas got to go to the smaller pumpkin patch with just the right sized pumpkins for him to lift. Of course he enjoyed the big pumpkins much more. He helped Mom and Dad each get a big pumpkin and then picked a teeny tiny white pumpkin for baby sister. He carries the white one all over the house :)

It was so hard to choose, he had to stop for a little rest.

Dad found just the right one!!

Heading to get back on the wagon!

I love this little smirky smile. He looks so innocent, and he is-mostly. He often just sits back and takes it all in. I wish I could read his little mind...

There's a look at the camera!! (a rarity!)

We thought Grandpa Stevenson would think it was so cool if Jonas rode on the tractor. Jonas, however, would have nothing to do with it. He was scared and immediately jumped back in Devin's arms.

We had a great time! (Love J's little smirk...like..I will kind of smile..but I refuse to look at the camera)

{Change}

Remember back when Jonas started the Infants and Toddlers Program? His lack of communication combined with a few other behaviors forced us to look a little deeper at this handsome boy. Although he has yet to be officially diagnosed, Mr. Jonas has a form of Autism. While we're not sure where he is on the spectrum, we do know he has a lot of tendencies that Autistic Children present. It was a lot to think about at first. Sad for our little boy. Worried that he may never be able to SAY what he wants, or ask a question about something he doesn't know. And the fact that Autism is so broad, so grey, so...not organized like me. It was rough. It is rough. There are days I kind of want to throw the towel in and say...WHAT?? What do you want Jonas? TELL ME!

BUT...

We got Jonas into a great program called CSAAC. Its for kids with all kinds of disabilities. They have a wonderful Autism program. Jonas was accepted, and we started school a week ago. Its going great. They come to our house 10 hours a week (or basically 2 hours a day). They work with Jonas. They play with Jonas. They (at times) treat him better than I do! He has really taken very well to them. He listens better, he plays with toys for longer, and he points to himself when you ask him "where's Jonas?" That's my favorite new thing so far. So we're on our learning journey with Mr. J. It's bound to be a great one. He's a sweet, loving, special boy, and we're so glad he's ours.

School has brought about some new changes....such as:

New Shoes! They are adorable hiking boots (or hunting boots) with orthotics to help him walk on his feet and not his toes. We learned he does have a condition with his foot where his heel cords are tight and force him up on his toes because its more comfortable. He loves the shoes and wears them all the time he is awake. He's been very patient with us about wearing them. He should be starting Physical Therapy in the next month or so.

He really likes them on the playground because he can climb the slides like a mad man. They also give him better balance so he runs better, and even goes across the bridge on the playground by himself now.

All in all, he's pretty proud of himself. We're proud of him too. He's doing very well with school and with enough effort and time, he will do great in anything and everything he does! We love you Bean!!

{Catching Up}

We've been busy (again) having fun. We attended our niece/cousin-Brynn's baptism this weekend. It was lots of fun to see family, catch up, play, shop, eat good food, and enjoy their beautiful weather (with NO humidity..please go away in Maryland), and all the fall leaves that are changing.

On Saturday we took the kids to a real, functioning Apple Cider Mill. It was so neat to see how they make the cider, and they had a cute pumpkin "patch", homemade donuts, and again..lots of fall beauty!

Jonas tried to life this big guy three or four times :) He grunts when he tries to lift..its so funny!

I told him not to step on the pumpkins and to walk carefully. He got stuck and waited for some help with his face like this picture.

He finally figured out he could lift the little guy pumpkins. Then he carried them around like a ball and threw them on the ground when he was tired of them. Thankfully we didn't have to make any pumpkin pie. There were no broken pumpkins :)

The kids on the swing on the porch of the donut shop.

On Monday we road a steam train in Essex, CT. It was fun, and we loved seeing the Gillette Castle and all the fall colors.

Hard to tell, but I assure you..it was awesome!

Jonas was pretty good about NOT sticking his head out the window. I was shocked. I thought we would have to tie him in!

Mom and Jonas enjoying the train. (Jonas wishing Mom would not take pictures)

He got a little bored for a minute before we started moving. Dad got out Handy Manny on his phone and Jonas was set.

When are we leaving??

Somehow I did not manage to take one picture of Brynn on her special day. Rude, I know. We had lots of fun! Thanks for a great time and CONGRATS to Brynn! Jonas sure was sad to leave :(

{Secrets}

I grew up in a family of secrets. Not always in a bad way. Almost always they were meant to make me happy, provided a nice surprise, and were fun, fun, fun. There were a few along the way that didn't work out quite as happy. Like the time we went to the Health Department when I was like 16. I was sure I was just along for the ride. Nope. I had to get shots. That wasn't a very nice secret!

Needless to say, I love secrets! I don't profess to be great at keeping them though. Not that I ALWAYS tell, but if something is really exciting..its hard for me to keep it in. I almost always tell Devin what I got him for Christmas/His Birthday/Our Anniversary/Etc. I get too excited-especially if I know he will be excited too. I also told my brother what he was getting for Christmas almost every year. It made my Mom so mad when she would find out that I had told him. (Sorry to both of you for that one.)

While I was in UT in June/July I found a secret. A BIG ONE. It was hard not to tell anyone. Frankly it was hard not to shout it from the rooftops. But I didn't. I held it in. I didn't tell anyone...until last week. It was TOTALLY worth the wait!

(The picture is easier to read if you click on it...sorry)

Don't you think? :)

{Spiritual Uplift}

I had the opportunity to attend a "women's conference" called Time Out for Women this past weekend. Its sponsored by Deseret Book and features many Authors and Artists as speakers and performers that you would find in their stores. It was fun. Really fun. I kind of, sort of, maybeish...wanted to just stay home. Something about driving turns me off to fun things. BUT it was worth every hour in the car, all the late nights/early mornings, and leaving Devin and Jonas to fend for themselves.

The conference was in Connecticut, where Devin's brother and his family live...so we stayed with them. Actually it was my sister-in-law, Loni's, brilliant idea to invite me. :) We had tons of fun together. We laughed, we cried, we argued like sisters should, and we left better women with stronger testimonies and greater desires to seek for the good in life and to find Hope in all things. I can't wait for next time!

Here is what I learned:

Sister Virginia Hinckley Pearce is indeed an awesome fill-in for Sister Sheri Dew (who couldn't make it last minute). She taught me not to compare myself to others. She also said that the number one way to have a successful marriage is to lower your expectations. (She was quoting her own mother on that one..but it was hilarious!)

I learned that Jenny Oaks Baker is not only gorgeous and talented, but so nice, and actually lives in the DC area. I feel a friendship starting :)

From Mary Ellen Edmunds, I learned this...

"When everything else says you can't, believe in the part of you that says you can."

Amazing right? She was hilarious...and humbling...and hilarious.

From Mariama Kallon I learned that no one should have to live a life like she did. But I also learned that because of the life she lived and the things she saw, her desire to know her Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ is like no other desire she had ever had. She called the scriptures her therapist. I loved that.

I learned that even though no outside food was allowed, treats were a must after a late night and an early morning. Those DOTS kept us all awake!

I learned that not only is Hillary Weeks beautiful, she is kind, genuine, and has a very strong testimony of God. She was my favorite part of the whole weekend. I love her!

I was like a tongue tied teenager when we saw her. I didn't know what to say to her. But she was sweet, and started the conversation as if we were old friends.

Most of all I learned that the ultimate reason for life is to have Hope. Have hope in your future, in your family, in your God, in everything.

Thanks to my sweet husband and patient little boy who let me have a weekend just for me. Thanks to Destry for putting up with them. Thanks to the girls we traveled with, especially Judy..who treats me like I am one of hers. And a big, Big, BIG thanks to Loni. I needed this, WE needed this. Sisters Forever. KERPLOP!!