.:Just fun & Games:.

Not much going on here! just the everyday playing, laundry, and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I do love Maryland in the fall. The crisp weather, the leaves falling off the trees (which I have to rake this year), and the smell of soup cooking on the stove....

Waiting for his BFF (Dad)

My friend, Brittanie, made these awesome cupcakes for Cupcake of the Month in October. They were not only cute, they tasted delicious. Thanks for all the fun Brittanie! (Did I mention she delivers them?)

This is how Devin and Elder Saadeh spent the second session of conference on Sunday. They were listening..I promise...but this was an awesome race-track they built. Notice that they used scriptures to help in the construction!

More of Jonas waiting for Devin. Seriously somedays 5:00 doesn't come early enough.

Jonas has learned a new game...its pretty funny.

Jonas has also added a move to his dancing. Check out those arms!

Trouble

As if Jonas learning to go up and down the stairs isn't enough, he's also learned how to really make a mess. He L.O.V.E.S. books. Love them. But he loves even more to get them all out, look at a page and then throw them all over. This was a "mild" messy day. It takes me half of his nap-time to clean up after him! BUT its the best job I've ever had. I'm thinking of making it a career. :)

Have a book or two...

Jonas and dad have been busy building with Legos. It was Devin's idea to give them to Jonas for his birthday and Jonas' has LOVED them. He puts them in his mouth and promptly destroys anything that you try to build. I cut Devin off in this picture (accidentally), but this was every Lego Jonas has and it was pretty tall!

Last Saturday we went to the Zoo. It was supposed to be rainy, but we went anyway. Well it rained. A LOT. Never a bad down-pour, but wet and rainy none the less. We gave Jonas the umbrella and he took charge. It was so cute how he knew what to do with it. I took a million pictures :)

This was cuter in real life because he was just chillin' in the stroller, holding his umbrella like a big boy.

Before the rain-he really wanted to try out the water fountain. I could see a big wet mess all over his face and shirt and pants...you get the idea.

We took Aleese and Barrick with us. Aleese is a single mom for 6 weeks while her husband is doing a rotation in Ohio. It's fun to have a friend for Jonas next door. They are teaching each other how to share...whether they like it or not.

Devin and Jonas at the petting Zoo. I hate the petting Zoo. The cows look like they haven't been fed for a year. It's sad.

My sister, Kaylee, made Jonas these cute overalls last year. I keep waiting for them to fit him. They're still a little big Kaylee Bug...but very soon.

After all our fun, Jonas came down with a nasty cold this week. It nearly kills us both. I have wiped his nose well over a million times. I feel so bad for him because he can't breathe. He had just got over a cold, and then this one hit. I have a feeling its going to be a VERY long winter. Yuck.

Up & Down

Jonas played with his friend, Barrick, on Friday while Devin and I went out. Barrick has stairs at his house just like we do, but he knows how to go up and down them. Jonas learned really quick how to go up and down in just one night. It's a relief that he can do it-and a bit scary too!! He will disappear and when we find him...he's usually waiting to go up the stairs. Let the games begin!! Thanks for teaching him Barrick-it's a good thing you're so brave..Jonas needs to learn bravery!!

Sorry about the animation in my voice. I was a little nervous and excited!

Jonas' First Animal Sound

So it's not perfect yet-but he's getting it. What's funny is a few days ago when we would ask him what the cow said, and follow up with Moo...he would cry. I kept thinking of all that my Dad was going to have to say about Jonas being a city boy. I have been working really hard to get "the Moo" sound to not bring tears!

Jonas Busts a Move!!!

This is pretty cute. I know it's not much but he just started it today. We, of course, were highly entertained!

{Kirtland-and More}

We had a fun filled Labor Day weekend in Ohio with Nate, Tiff, Olivia, and Sophie (AKA Olibo and Sosie). Eating at Tiff's is like a Gourmet Restaurant and the Accommodations are better than the Marriott. I will definitely be staying at Hotel Tranchell again. Plus I hear they offer manicures now. :) What a SUPER time! Sorry we got you all sick...

We went to Kirtland (2 times) and enjoyed our visit there! The first time we went through the temple which is owned by the Reorganized Church or the Community of Christ. The tour was $2 and even though it was a Sunday, we went. It was neat to see the temple and although I knew that the saints received revelation to build it, it felt like an empty building to me. It was beautiful in its own way, but the spirit wasn't overwhelming. I enjoyed the tour, but looked forward to Tuesday when we did the Visitor's Center!

Here we are! The N.K. Whitney store in the original store! Obviously it has been restored, but it was so much fun!

Sadly we missed the wildflowers at their best, but they were still really pretty.

This is the room at the Saw mill (which is a replica) where all the woodwork was done. The Saints also met here each day to pray before beginning work on the temple. There were no deaths at the temple while it was being built.

The Saw Mill-and it actually works too.

Another shot of the N.K. Whitney Store.

This was the Whitney's home. They were quite wealthy and had a very nice home.

Inside the N.K. Store. Brother Whitney remodeled the store to accommodate Joseph and Emma. In this room the revelation for D & C 89 was received.

Same room.

I thought this was cool. The checkers markers are slices of a corn cob!

The N.K. Whitney store was also the post office. Brother Whitney was the Postmaster and in those days you had to pay to receive mail.

Some of the items for sale at the store.

This is one of the front doors of the temple. They are really tall and I really liked the green.

This is the Ash Mill. The Saints didn't have the money to build the temple so Brother Whitney developed a way to take Ash from the fireplace and make it into Lye which was later sold. This was how they paid for the temple.

This was a room upstairs in the N.K. Whitney store. Brother and Sister Whitney allowed Joseph and Emma to sleep here until their home was built. In this room, Emma gave birth to her first living biological son, Joseph.

These are the front doors at the N.K. Whitney store. They are original. Can you imagine all the people who have touched, walked though, looked out, cleaned...etc...these doors? Amazing.

The front of the Kirtland Temple.

Walking from the Community of Christ Visitors Center to the Temple Tour.

Family Photo (love Sophie in the background!!)

Aunt Tiffy and Jonas playing at the Park near the Quarry where they got the materials to build the temple.

...and then...

Ladies and Gentlemen

THIS is Lebron James' gate.

This is the Gate Keeper's house. and I'm not kidding. His house is huge-and you can't see much of it. It's pretty much surrounded by trees. The thing that's really funny? Its in a quiet little neighborhood. There are a lot of homes around it. None of them are AS big, but still.

And finally.

Introducing Dr. Nathan Tranchell.

Playing Guitar Hero.

Showing off the Pelvic Thrust.

Awesome.

...On the Road Again...

Jonas climbing up the slide..

This could have been a tender moment. Tiff nicely took several pictures. Devin and I took turns closing our eyes and Jonas was NOT in the mood for a picture. He just wanted to play in the water.

Me and Liv with funny faces at the Zoo. She's really good at the funny face thing dontcha think?

Soph, Liv, and Nate watching the Air Show in Cleveland.

Swirly Gig.

Cute Jonas. Nuff Said.

I posted this for my Dad. Jonas LOVED all the girl toys. He really liked the train set though-no need to panic, Grandpa!

Jonas loved the flower gardens at the Zoo. He touched everything and especially loved the water fountains!

Jonas at the Akron Zoo. He went CRAZY at the fountains. Such a boy.

This is Sophie and this is pretty much what you see of her all the time. She is ALWAYS on the go!! I learned that she can say four words REALLY well. Treat, Ice Cream, Out and Color. We love you Sophie!

Cute Olivia at the Zoo. She is in Kindergarten and gets to ride the bus. She has grown up so much! She is a great big sister and is SOOO smart. We love you Liv!!

Sophie likes Devin a lot and since she is pretty tiny, Devin loved to haul her around. Seriously after carrying Jonas, she is a feather!

Nate had to work on Monday night, so he was giving the girls hugs and kisses goodbye.

Jonas got really brave and learned to climb up this slide a little bit. He wouldn't have anything to do with going down it though. He also liked to play peek-a-boo in the holes.

Here's the little cutie watching a little Handy Manny one morning. He had a cold when we left and was a little grumpy the first few days. Needless to say now the rest of us have his cold :(

This was his favorite thing at the mall. Crawling through the beehive. He must have done it 1,000 times!

Jonas at the air show. Notice the dirty shirt. This is the 2nd white polo I have bought for him this summer. Lesson Learned. No white for boys!