Winter fun has just begun 2010!

A family pic at the reception at the old meeting house. Such a fun, beautiful night!!



Caleb LOVES his cousin Josh! Josh can make him laugh like no one else. I so wish that Tiffany's family lived closer. I can't blame them though, I would totally live in Kauai if we could afford it.



Cute nieces/nephews pic, but where's Caleb? Oh yeah, that's right throwing a fit, ha ha! Smart kid, it was frigid outside, and gave James an excuse to stay in, lol!



Such a happy, beautiful couple!!! My entire family is so ecstatic to have Kamber officially be a part of the family!! Now all 8 Banks kids are married :)



We love to go up to my parent's new cabin in Huntsville. I was a little skeptical at first, but it's turned into a really fun getaway. It's only an hour away, and it's got a gorgeous view!



Caleb looked so stinkin cute in all of his snow clothes. I can't get over his cheezy smile, either! He's such a poser for pictures, ha ha, I wonder who he got that from ;)



It's a blast to have 2 Christmases now. Caleb was definitely spoiled by his awesome granparents, aunts and uncles.



He was loving trying to ride on his giraffe!



Caleb was SO much fun this Christmas! He ran to the tree, automatically sat in his chair, mauled the giraffe, and started trying to open presents!! He was so happy, and made me super excited for Christmases to come!



Aw, gotta love the Christmas Eve pjs!!! I wear mine ALL of the time!



Caleb's very first hair cut on Christmas eve! I thought it was time to get rid of the mullet. His Aunty Kamber did a great job. We gave him a sucker, put on baby einstein and he did surprisingly really well!



Another tradition that every other Utah family has . . . . the lights on temple square! It was a perfect night, except for the crazy crowds. As well, it was fun seeing all of James' family and the Brown side. Grandma Kelly even brought yummy hot chocolate and donuts!



Man, I wish Caleb loved Santa! Both years now, he's been throwing a fit in the pictures. I can't blame the kid though, but still. This Santa was a little weird. He wouldn't take Caleb if he was crying, made James sit on his lap with Caleb, and gave us a 5 minute lecture about safety zones and kids. I was thinking in my head, "It's a 20 second picture, give me a break. He's 1 and will be over it in a second."



Kicking off the Christmas season right . . . . Festival of Trees! And yes, you better believe that's a Twilight tree! It was a little sad this year though, because I couldn't get over all of the trees dedicated to little kids that passed away, and the one made for my friend's dad, really got to me as well. They were all so beautiful, though!


So I began blogging once I had Caleb, so that I can have memories of him, and it's been like a family journal. I've decided to make an "All About Caleb" list at the end of each blog, so that I can remember the fun little milestones and quirks that he has. Since this is my first one, it's gonna be LONG :)

ALL ABOUT CALEB
*Caleb loves to give kisses! He'll make a sound with his mouth that sounds like a kiss and keeps his mouth wide open as he's doing it. He even just started to kiss all of the baby pictures in his books! It cracks me up!
*Caleb loves to climb on everything! This kid has no fear, which makes mommy on edge all of the time. He'll climb up on the bar stools, couches, on things in the pantry (to get to treats, te he), on his car, our 4 foot high bed, and will even move boxes and all sorts of things to give him a little extra lift!
*Caleb is very adventurous and fast. It's been a little hard living at my parent's house, because it's not very baby proof, and there are a lot of places to hide and things to get into (and he will get into them).
*Caleb loves babies and kids. He'll give hugs to kids and just adores his cousin Maya, and always goes up to the apartment looking for her. He even says her name like, "Aya!"
*Caleb makes the silliest sounds. He has this fake laugh that he must've gotten from Grandpa Banks, and it cracks me up. He's such a boy in all of his grunts and growls, and watch out for that scream of his. It seriously causes permanent ear damage!
*Caleb has become a total "Daddy's Boy"! Although I love it, it makes me a little sad, because it started when I had to go back to work. He freaks out any time James even picks up a coat or shoe, because he thinks that he's leaving. However, when mommy leaves, he blows me a kiss and waves bye. Even though I'm happy about it, I just wish he loved me as much. I'm the one that was pregnant with him for 9 months, went through labor, nursing, and woke up with him all night for the first year of his life. Oh well, our girl will just love me more :)
*Caleb loves to sleep every night and cuddle with Mr. Owl and his elephant blankie.
*Caleb is a great eater! He will even eat broccoli and seaweed strips!
*Caleb was completely weaned on December 23rd. It was a real bitter sweet for me, because even though I was relieved not to have to nurse, I miss the bonding time with him, and it made me realize just how fast he's growing up.
*Caleb loves to do somersaults, spin, and dance!
*Caleb LOVES bath time!! He plays with his bath boats, and loves to stick things in the fishy spout. After bath time, he loves his "Run around nakie time!"
*Caleb really likes to read books. His favorite book is probably "Baby Boo!"
*Caleb can turn on the blue ray player, tv, work the controller, play with our phones . . . . pretty much anything electronic. He really is his father's son.
*Caleb likes to play with balls, and to have me throw his beach ball on his head to bounce it off.
*Caleb's words are: mama, dada, bath, eat, grandma (maema), Maya (aya), ball, baby (bebe), Jesus (he thinks any picture is Jesus), no, and a few other random ones.
*Caleb HATES having his diaper changed. All I have to say is the word "Diaper" and he runs and hides and throws a fit the entire time.
*Caleb has consistently been off the charts for height and sometimes weight. When he came out, he had huge hands and feet, so we thought he might be big, but we had no idea how big. At his 15 month appointment he weighed 30 pounds (97th percentile), and was in like the 105th-110th percentile for height. He's been wearing 2T clothes since he turned 1. We have no idea where he got it from, because we both have small families, but at least he's proportionate :)
*For a week straight, Caleb has been sleeping from about 8:30-9:30. AMAZING!!!
*Caleb is a fun, happy, sweet, and cute little boy! He's growing up so fast, and I just feel so lucky to have him in my life!

October (better late than never)

Caleb had a hoot with the witches at Gardner Village. So cute!! You have to go on the witch hunt there. You do a with scavenger hunt, and then turn it in to get a 25 cent cookie. Yummy!


Caleb chillin with the witches!


We love watching Caleb run around in his sleeper. He looks like Yoda, ha ha!


Marcus' baby blessing!! The three Kelly grandsons, they're all such cuties!


If you haven't been to Cornbelly's, you must go!!! It's literally the coolest, fall place ever! I can't wait to take Caleb next year, when he'll actually enjoy it, ha ha!


We love the Kelly family, Halloween party! Can't go wrong with pumpkin carving, family, costumes, and good food!


Me and my cute Kindergarten class!! I love holidays as a teacher. It's like I get to be a kid again!!


James came to my school's Halloween parade and came with my Kindergarten class. It was hilarious, and all the kids just loved Gingy!


Caleb's greatest boo boo yet! He fell on his mini piano, and his mouth just filled with blood, and got everywhere!! Luckily mom was wearing a red shirt. I was freaking out a bit, but right after he stopped bleeding, he was all smiles again!


James, ridin the bull at our ward party! What a hoot! Every time I looked at his costume, I couldn't help but crack up!

Caleb's 1st Year!

Hallelujah, we are all still alive and thriving! If you had asked me a year ago what this year had in store for me, I probably would've said, "I have no clue!!!" I really began motherhood with very little knowledge about babies and how to raise one of my own. Now, I feel like a veteran, ha ha, hardly, but at least I have an idea of what the first year of a new baby brings . . . . .

A baby's first year brings: lots of tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears of frustration, tears of lack of sleep, just lots and lots of tears, bumps, baths, burp rags, late nights, early mornings, poopy diapers, leaky diapers, diapers, diapers, diapers, nursing, creams, giggles, slobber, crawling, chasing, walking, car rides, strollers, cuddling, smiles, teething, spit up, eating, baby books, pictures, videos, baby einstein, toys, lost hair, frizzy hair, messy hair, soft baby hair, onesies, laundry, cooking, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, baby proofing, sore back, sore all over, penny pinching, moving, doctors check ups, tylenol, wanting to exercise but don't have time or energy, but most of all, a whole lot of L O V E :)

I got made fun of for probably over planning my baby's first birthday party, but I couldn't help myself. Not only was it my first baby's first birthday, but I love to plan parties, so I had a blast with it. Here are a few pics to give you a glimpse of what it was like.

You can't have a party with out an invitation!!


Since I love polka dots, and Caleb's room is brown, baby blue, and white polka dots, I figured this would be a fun theme.


Here is the back drop of Caleb's party. I'm so glad the weather turned out nice so we could have it outside.


Here are just some of the family that showed up earlier. We had more friends show up later. Sadly Grandma Kelly, Megan, and Cooper couldn't come because Cooper got a concussion. As well, Allison and Josh couldn't because Josh had to go to the ER. Bad luck, I guess!


I had all of the food be circles or polka dots. Not all of it was at the table when I took this picture, but we had meatballs, bagle bites, cheese ball, melon balls, guacamole with circle chips, olives, cucumbers, cherry tomotoes, etc.


This was the desert table, with cupcakes, polka dot sugar cookies, almond joy m & m's, and of course, a polka dot birthday cake! In the front, I made a banner that had a picture from each month of Caleb's life.



This was the activity table where I had people write down how many cheerios they thought were in the jar, guess the months of some of Caleb's firsts, and write on the picture frame reasons why they loved Caleb. I made pinwheels and stuck them on the pencils. Oh, and of course the winners got Dots candies!


Here's a close up of Caleb's birthday cake. I almost did fondant, but I'm so glad that I didn't, because it wouldn't have been near as messy!


Here's a close up of the cupcakes.


Another pic of the desert table


That stinker only wore his polka dot birthday hat for a few seconds!


He LOVED all of the chocolate frosting. I eventually had to take it away from him, lol!


He looked like a hobo with the frosting, ha ha. His face is classic!


We love our baby so much, and seriously can't believe he's already 1. Time certainly flies!!

Summer 2010 update

My perfect way to kick off the summer. Real game and David Cook concert!! My cute sister in law was kind enough to take me, and it was so fun. I love their studium.


David Cook was really sexy in person. Even though I voted for David Archuletta, I still think David Cook is pretty awesome!


I had some fun making vinyl prints for Caleb's room with my Cricut. What an awesome machine!!




Caleb's first swim, ever! He loves the water, and is one heck of a splasher!


Caleb had lots of fun with his cousins at the aquarium. His favorite are the penguins!


James loves pop, so I thought this would be a cheap, cute gift.


I thought I'd go a little old school with part of James' fathers day gifts. I remember loving these candy posters back in the day, so I made James one.


"Backstreets back alright!!!!" Best concert ever with the cutest girls ever. It was so great reliving my teeny bopper years, and my young crush on Brian. What a blast!!!!


Such a ghetto stage, but they still know how to put on a great show!


There are now 16 grandkids in the Banks family!! We're huge, and there are still lots more to come. I love it that when we all get together, the grandkids have so much fun. I just wish that everyone lived closer. My favorite thing is how Caleb and Wes are still in their carriers, lol!


Our first hike in Zions, and it was gorgeous!


Hiking up the narrows was so fun and refreshing on a hot day. Caleb was such a trooper, and James was clear ahead of everyone, even with a super heavy baby on his back. My little nephews were also troopers and hiked through the water with no shoes! Even though they're tough hawaiian boys, I wouldn't have made it a foot without my tevas!


I'm excited for when these two are older and can be the best of buddies!! It's too funny to see how different they are already. Even though Wesley is a month and a half older than Caleb, Caleb is double the size, and a lot louder. He's going through a screaming phase where even though it's because he's excited, it's so loud!! I thought Caleb was a mama's boy, but Wes takes the cake. He won't go to anyone, but Barbara.
Speaking of Barbara, my prayers are with her and her family. A couple of weeks ago, she had a seizure in the middle of the night, and Troy woke up to her convulsing and blood coming out of her mouth. She was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, and she didn't remember any of it. She now can't drive a car or hold a baby until they figure out what happened. I feel awful, and I wish we lived closer to help, but our thoughts and prayers are with them.


Beautiful Bryce Canyon. I think it's breath taking. It's was really hot though, and I was bummed that we had to drive 4 hours to go there instead of spending more time with the fam. It was great though. Any one with a Utah license plate got into the park for free that weekend!


All the Banks grandkids hot tubbing!


My family went to the Olympic Park up in Park City and did the Alpine Slide and the Zipline. What a blast!!


Caleb loves wearing sunglasses!


I love Caleb in hats, especially cowboy hats. I'm going to have to get one for him. He loved being outside, up in the Uintahs for the Kelly family camping trip.


We put Caleb in his playpen, for the first time, to just play in, and not sleep in. He had a blast in it! It scared me a little though, because he would hold onto the side, and then just fall backwards onto his back, and totally laugh. Even when he hurt himself, he got right back up and did it again. What a silly guy!
Camping this year was great, because we got hang out with everyone up there, and then came home to sleep! Now that's my kind of camping. Since I've been in this family, my camping circumstances have been less than ideal. The first year we left our honeymoon early and I had a parasite, and the stinky outhouse was like a 5 minute walk! The second year, I was about 8 months prego, and it was sweltering hot! Let's just say, I again became aquainted with the outhouse, and didn't sleep at all. This year, I have a 10 month old baby who loves to crawl and doesn't sleep well at night, especially somewhere new. I'm glad that James agreed to sleep in our own bed, and come home and take a nice shower! Don't get me wrong, I love the outdoors. I just don't love going to the bathroom and sleeping outdoors with the mosquitoes and bears.


While at Liberty Park for the 24th, we walked past the Rotary Club Park, and I saw my entire family's name on this plaque. I didn't even know it existed, so I took this cheezy pic of Caleb in front of it. I love it when he does his silly smile!
For the 24th we walked around Liberty Park, went to the Wentworths for a BBQ (It was the entire fam and just us, and Dan wasn't even there. Let's just say, I felt a little awkward at first), took Caleb home to sleep, and then rushed back down for the fireworks. It was crazy though, some of the fireworks fell over and miss fired into the crowd, burning 10 people. The show ended early, and there were all these fire trucks and ambulances trying to rush through the crowds. I'm just glad we weren't right by where it was happening.



My dad got some tables for a Youthlink charity even at La Caille, so some of my family was able to eat a nice meal there. Nummy!!! I felt bad though, because they were raising money there, and our $5 donation was pretty chinzy. Oh well, hopefully in the future we'll have extra money for donations :)



Me and my new peacock friend :)