Phillips Farm

Nathan and I took Easton to a local farm to pick out a pumpkin to carve for this year. It wasn’t as good as the farm we went to last year, but they had pumpkins and that was our main reason for going to the farm, so it all worked out. The farm also had some animals that Easton really seemed to enjoy. I think his favorite was by far the nasty, smelly, pig. It made me happy at first because pigs were always my favorite animal growing up but once I got close enough and smelled how stinky he really was, I couldn’t understand why Easton liked him so much. I think Easton was so interested in the pig because it was the only animals at the farm that he really hadn’t seen before, so it sparked his interests.

Easton with the chosen pumpkin.

Easton with the smelly pig.

Dad and Easton with the spider.

Before we headed to the farm, our apartment complex was having a fall festival. They had free food, games and activities for the kids, music, and a raffle. We really only stayed to eat but it seemed like it would have been really fun. We tried to put Easton in the bouncy house, but for some reason he was terrified to go in it (even when Nathan was going to go inside with him). I seriously thought he would have liked it because it seemed like a huge tent and Easton LOVES tents. Easton was tired and ready for a nap so maybe that is why.

After the farm we went shopping for some fishing equipment and a license. Nathan and I are going to attempt to go fishing this Monday. I have never had any luck with fishing but maybe this time I will. As long as I don’t have to eat any of the fish we catch I will be a happy fisherwoman!

Croydon Creek Nature Center

A couple of us girls and our kids went to the Croydon Creek Nature Center this last Thursday. It turned out a lot better than I thought. It was free, which is always nice, but you never know with free if it will be great or not. All the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves, so much so that it was almost impossible to get a picture of the kids looking at the camera. Oh well, at least they had fun. Most of the animals were in the discovery room. There were turtles, snakes, toads, fish, bees, and an owl for the kids to look at. There were also lots of books, puzzles, and paper for the kids to color on. After the kids played for a while in the discovery room we decided to go outside and take a little walk. We ended up at a playground were the kids got a snack and played for a while before we headed home. As always Easton found a puddle on the slide and decided to go through it on his stomach. He was definitely wet from head to toe. I just roll my eyes at him now because I know anytime he finds water; it is destined that he will get wet. There is just no stopping him.

Easton checking out the Toads

Easton and Bella at the top of the slide.

Husband Tag

I haven't done a tag before but since I haven't written in a while I thought it might be fun to write down a few things about the one I love.

Aren't my boys so cute?

Picture taken by Emily Hayes.

1. Where did you meet? My best friend, Shannah, introduced us. She worked with Nathan in the cookie factory.

2. How long did you date before you got married? 9 ½ months.

3. How long have you been married? 4 wonderful years.

4. What does he do that surprises you? He generally comes home, gives me a hug and kiss, and then asks what he can do to help out! Love it!

5. What is your favorite feature of his? I love his amazing blue eyes.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? He if very Christ-like. I learn a lot from him in how to be a better person.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Babe
8. What is his favorite color? Blue (the color of the sky on top of Mt. McKinley to be exact).

9. What is his favorite food? Pork chops.

10. What is his favorite sport? Rock climbing and football.

11. When and where was your first kiss? In the club house of his apartment complex.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Basically anything as long as we can hang out (grocery shopping, watch movies, long car rides where we can just talk, etc.).
13. Do you have any children? 1 adorable little boy named Easton.

14. Does he have a hidden talent? I wouldn’t say it is hidden but he is incredibly smart. He basically only needs to read it or hear it once and it is forever ingrained in his head (I wish I had this talent). He is also a really good Mr. fix-it (at least I’m always impressed).

15. How old is he? 26 years old.

16. Who said I love you first? He did. It was over Christmas break on the phone. We talked for hours almost every night on the phone. I’m sure our families hated us.
17. What is his favorite type of music? He doesn’t really listen to music unless I’m in the car controlling it. If he listens to the radio it is generally talk radio (boring!) or he is listening to something for his scripture study.

18. What do you admire most about him? How genuinely nice he is and how he never gets mad. I also love how soft spoken he is. He is an excellent example of how a father and husband should be. I also admire his love for learning.

19. Do you think he will read this? I don’t know about right away but probably sometime in the near future.

Anyone who wants to brag about their significant other…

Top Three Recent Head Trauma Nemeses

Nemesis #1: The Dino Walker. This so called toy is not intended for Easton’s who like to climb in and out of them. The victim’s ankles got tangled up in the seat and while attempting to escape the grasp of this awful monster, too much weight on one side forced the Dino to tip ever so slightly, causing a fall and leaving tears and a nice bump and bruise on the victim's forehead.

Nemesis #2: Daddy-O with the stolen blanket. This favorite blanket is not to be taken away from little Easton’s unless of course severe punishment follows. Stolen favorite blankets are not taken lightly in the Kelsey household. The victim’s blanket was stolen by Daddy-O and used in the form of a pillow and because the victim wanted his precious blanket back, he decided to take harsh measures into his own hands. The victim violently head butted the Daddy-O leaving both the victim and the Daddy-O grabbing their foreheads and whining in pain. To this day no one knows for sure who got the worst of it. Fortunately, the victim did recover the stolen blanket.

Nemesis #3: The Tonka Car. It looks nice and friendly but when left on the kitchen floor, where the victim is unaware of it, it can be deadly. The victim was having a grand old time spinning and dancing in the kitchen when out of no where the mischievous Tonka Car finds its way under the victims foot and down goes the victim smacking the back of his head on the floor. A down pour of tears and blood curdling screams soon followed.

The victim (aka Easton) has recently been hitting his head on everything. I seriously think he is cursed. The stories above are the result of the last three days. So far no bumps and bruises today and hopefully it will stay that way.

Easton is 16 months today!

Senior Citizen

All I have to say is I hope I still look this good when I really am a senior citizen. Yesterday, I went to Kohl’s and to my surprise they were setting up some 90% off racks. This never happens to me. My mom always swears that she gets good deals at Kohl’s (90% off) which she does because I see the tags and it does in fact say 90% off but it never happens to me. That is until today! When I walked in they were just beginning the process of setting up the racks. Because I couldn’t pass up the deal I slowly paced up and down every isle in every department waiting for these ladies to finish. After about an hour I made my way over to the children’s department and began my shopping. There was still one lady there finishing up but I figured if I wasn’t in her way she couldn’t get too annoyed with me. Easton started getting fidgety but luckily I had just enough crackers to keep him satisfied. I came away with two shirts, two shorts, and a pair of pajamas for what should have been about $12. When I got to the register to pay the man helping me check out accidentally pushed the senior citizen discount button (so he says). I asked him if he wanted to fix it and he said it was fine, that it was only a dollar and some change off. Earlier that day I hit up the totswap at the fairgrounds. It was dollar dash day so I got 17 pieces of clothing, 1 pair of shoes, 1 book, and 1 toy for Easton and my sister’s kids for $20 + tax. I’m officially the best shopper ever and the best looking senior citizen in the world!

Forts and Body Parts

We built a fort for Easton sometime in the summer and he absolutely loved it! Since then anything that Easton can get under and cover himself up is considered Easton’s new fort. For a while it was one of the end tables (in the living room) that have a table cloth on it. Then it became his crib with the bed skirt. Now he just found the laundry basket and it has become his new favorite. He just loves climbing under with his blanket, (of course) staying for a while, then getting out and starting the whole process over and over again. This can keep him occupied for a quite a while.

Easton's under the crib fort

Easton's laundry basket fort

Just recently I have been trying to teach Easton body parts (i.e. where’s your eyes?) He only seems to know nose and mouth right now but for some reason instead of doing what most kids would probably do, which is point to the asked body part, Easton instead has come up with his own creative way. This is probably why he only knows nose and mouth because he can’t think of anything creative enough for the other body parts.

You can’t hear it very well but for nose Easton breaths in and out very quickly through his nose.

National Zoo

Mom and Easton

Easton and I went to the zoo yesterday with a bunch of friends (9 adults, 11 children, and 2 on the way). It was a big group but we had lots of fun. We all rode the metro and on the way down a man got on to the train we were all on, looked at all the strollers and kids, turned around and got off. I guess we were too much for him to handle. I thought we were all really good but I guess you never know.

My favorite thing at the zoo was the flamingos. I have been to the zoo many times but never knew where the flamingos were. It turns out there is a bunch of birds behind the bird house. Who would have thought?

Easton got a kick out of the ducks and petting zoo animals. The ducks must have smelled the food we had in the basket of the stroller because they kept coming up to us and pecking at the stroller. Easton thought it was really funny and was signing bird (close enough for duck). Easton also liked the cows (signed cow and tired mooing), donkeys, and goats (kept baaing). It was probably because they were big, easy to see, and he knew what they were.

Easton also signed elephant for the first time yesterday which was really exciting. He also signed cat when we saw the fishing cat and the red panda (apparently he thinks a red panda is a cat- they look more like raccoons).

Easton enjoyed playing at lunch time with the exception of this little girl who wouldn’t stop touching Easton and kept trying to guide him where she wanted him to go. He did enjoy running around though because most of the time he was strapped in his stroller unless I was holding him up to see an animal. He also enjoyed chasing the birds all around the picnic tables.

The day wouldn’t have been complete unless Easton found a puddle and splashed around in it. Luckily for him there was one in the picnic area and of course he found it.

Today Easton learned the sign for cracker.