Jonahs's 5th haircut

And he's only 15 months. Jonah may not have as much hair as other babies I know but it sure grows fast. I've already trimmed it up 4 times since he was born and he was in need of yet another one. Lukey's hair was so different. His was very fine and stick, stick straight. We didn't touch his hair until he was one (even though we now look back at the pictures and wonder what were we thinking?! He was such a shag!)

Here's a picture of Lucas' very first haircut right before his 1st birthday. I had NO idea what I was doing. I had cut Aaron's hair a few times but a baby was different. Luckily, Lukey's hair went with our home-improvement motto "It couldn't look any worse." I've gotten much better at haircuts as long as you want Aaron's haircut or Lucas' buzz. Those two are the only ones on the menu. (Lucas was born with a hemangioma on his right arm that got bigger and bigger until about this time and then practically went away. There's just a hint of it left on his arm these days.)


Jonah has much wavier hair and tons more of it. And he's been sporting kind of a mullet these past few weeks since I could only trim the front last time and he wouldn't let me near the back. I like it a little bit longer and am not ready to go too short. But I've let it go this long because...








...this is how Jonah feels about getting his haircut!




But I think it was worth the struggle and few tears.





Until next month.

One down so many more to go

I've had my hands in a few projects lately. Some of them have taken me a bit longer than I've wanted but here's one I finished for good friend's baby shower. I've seen this on blogs before but I saw this banner on my wonderfully creative friend J.'s blog here. Cute, huh? I offered to do decorations for my friend's shower and figured I would try out the banner. I already had the fabric from a quilt I was going to make for Jonah last year and never got around to it. (of course) I cut the letters with my Cricut and sewed it on up.

Here's a sneak peek of a few of my DI finds...



We'll see how they turn out.

It's that time of year again...

Eleven years ago today I was crying in the bridal room. NO. Not out of fear of marrying Aaron as some of you might think. But because my hair look absolutely awful and my face was sunburned and peeling from falling asleep outside while studying for a test the week before. Plus being sleep deprived and getting married in the middle of the semester, I guess I needed just a little release. So after a quick cry (as many girls need from time to time), I felt wonderful and enjoyed the rest of one of the happiest days of my life. Now 11 years later, it really has gotten better every year. If that's possible. Aaron is a wonderful and doting husband who loves me unconditionally. He backs me up me in all that I take on and thinks I am wonderful and beautiful. Doesn't everyone need to feel that? Aaron is also one of the most generous people I know with both his time and resources. He works tremendously hard to support our family while he dedicates his "free" time to his boys. Aaron still puts Lucas to bed and reads to him every night after starting the tradition 9 years ago. His sons absolutely adore him. And so do I. He has a deep testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and is always looking for ways to serve and to teach our children the truth. I couldn't ask for a sweeter best friend, a more loving father and crazy companion. Happy anniversary.

Our engagement picture

One week before Lucas was born.

My favorite past time.

Lucas took this picture years ago.

Te quiero, mi amor. Para siempre, nati

My Man-Time

I love spending time with the men in my life. And this weekend my dad made a quick trip out to Seattle to visit his brother recuperating from a stroke. So he made a jaunt across the lake to take us all to breakfast and play catch at the park. A perfect morning...

Two brothers waiting for their pancakes and bacon.

Lovin' Carkeek this morning!

Having a catch with his Papa.

Papa and the mop of hair we call Jonah.

Love my man-time.

Playtime at the Williams

Videos galore for viewing pleasure. I guess I'm just into them these days.

It's so fun to see the two brothers play together. Their version of peek-a-boo. Lucas is such a great older brother except when Capt Destructor trys to play in his room or eats his homework.



The Williams version of playing ball. Think Jonah likes it?



Jonah loves to race cars around the family room. We have a very noisy "popcorn" one that he pushes around the house while giggling to himself. Jonah also loves his "bucket," the bottom of his activity table. He sits in it multiple times daily, looking at books, "eating" snacks, and hoisting himself up to the couch...again, again, and again.




Wagon ride with friends. Jonah LO-VES outside. Every time a door opens, he busts a move to get outside, and cries if he doesn't break free. I can't wait for the weather to get nicer and he can be outside all the time. Maybe by then he'll actually be walking and not crawling through the wet grass.



Jonah said "poopy" for the first time today when I came to change his diaper. Shouldn't we proud? He babbles all day long and loves to "talk." A true Williams. :) Jonah is also slowly learning body parts. So far he's only learned one for certain. Can you tell which one? A few weeks ago he learned to say "thank you." It came out as "coo-coo" at first but now now it sounds more like "Kank-koo." Too cute.




Life is simple but busy, full of Lucas' paper Chinese throwing stars and Jonah's open mouth kisses. Lovin' it.

Lake City Gyros

This place makes the BEST gyros I have ever had. And I love me some Greek food. I've never done this before but I just had to give a shout out to "Lake City Gyros" here in Seattle, my new favorite Mediterranean take out place. And Aaron can attest, since I've made him take me 3 times this last month. Not that he was complaining. We tried it because the owner is the father of Lucas' friend, Allay, who played on his basketball team this season. Ibrahim is from Lebanon and opened the restaurant with his brother a few years ago. They have quite a menu of Mediterranean dishes (falafel, Chicken Shawarma, Lamb Shish Kabob sandwich, etc) but we've mainly had the gyros.

Let me reiterate...this is a take out place. Do not be put off by it's homey...okay, hole-in-the-wall ambiance. Only four or five small tables grace this tiny establishment so I like to just pick it up and enjoy our beef and lamb gyros, Greek fries, hand rolled dolmas and homemade baklava (both made by Ibrahim's wife) at home. Or in the car if I can't wait. Very reasonable and delish.

LAKE CITY GYROS
12336 Lake City Way NE
(between 123rd St & 125th St)
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 361-4533

What's a mom to do?

Okay, I am making dinner. Jonah is whining, it's that time of day, and won't let go of my leg. So I buckle him in the high chair and throw him a handful of Frosted Flakes to keep him occupied while I finish dinner. Jonah chews on a few flakes, maybe even swallows a few, spits out more and then proceeds to swipe the tray clear of everything and cereal goes flying. Fine, no problem, he can just return to play on the floor. I turn from the room to answer a question Lucas has about homework and when I return, what do I find? Jonah stuffing his face with dog food. Not just one or two. Chipmunk cheeks full. Of dog food. What do I do with this kid who won't even eat Frosted Flakes (Frosted Flakes, people!) yet scarfs down dog food?!

The only thing that keeps me from not losing it about his eating problems is that he still loves his bottles, which he now affectionately calls "Bobby." I know he's getting what he needs from his bottle but then how in the heck do I wean?

I'm tempted just to look up the nutritional value of Kibbles & Bits and call it good. Let them eat dog food!

Luke's Birthday

Okay I am only a month late in posting about this, but better late than never I suppose.

Birthdays around here are very important. At least Lucas' birthday is. He starts planning the whole affair about 8 months before the blessed event. And this year it has always been about Legos. He is one kid with very big ideas and gradniose plans but luckily one who also listens to reason about how we cannot afford to buy every kid attending his own Star Wars lego ship or have a Lego robotics competition. He scaled down his plans JUST a bit.
If we had the party at our house I told him he could invite 2 kids. :) So we decided on the church gym and we got 2 hours of twelve crazy 10 year old boys with enough room to run around and be twelve crazy 10 year old boys. I had this GREAT idea of getting some black lights and playing games in the dark light, like dodge ball with Aaron white, rolled up socks and stomping on white balloons tied to everyone's ankle. But my black lights weren't strong enough (Dang, that Target!) So we played football, regular dodge ball and freeze tag. And the hit of the day were these foot long glow-stick swords I found at the dollar sword. Each kid got one, we turned off all the lights and they played light sabors for 45 minutes. Gotta love it when a plan comes together. Ot at least part of you plan.

Has anyone used fondant before? I promised Luke a Lego cake and found pictures of some on the internet and the cutest ones used fondant. So, I said what the heck. I'll try something I've never done before. Turned out just okay (it looked better at home with softer lighting. Okay, a lot darker lighting) but did look like a lego, tasted good and Lucas liked it, so I call it a success.

I didn't get any pictures of the games (no idea why), but fun was had by all!

Ion Crushers

Basketball season is officially over and like another mother of the team I say, "This is the first time I am actually sad a sport is over." Aaron decided to coach Lucas' team this year and did a fabulous job. Almost all the boys were friends, neighbors and kids from the ward so we had a great group. But also most of the kids had never played on a basketball team before so the season started out a little rough with the Crushers getting thoroughly crushed. But by the end of the season it was like they were a different team and were beating the teams they lost to at the start and came together as really a great group. I'm sure largely due to the great (and cute) coach. :)

Jeff, the father of Luke's best friend and a good friend of ours, was a fabulous assistant coach.



I was amazed at how well Lucas did and how last week he even swished two free throws!

I have realized something about myself. I am actually quite a "yeller" when it comes to my son's games. And I have never been a "yeller." E-ver. I hardly laugh out loud at the movies, let alone shout at any sports events. But I guess when it comes to Lucas, I just let it fly. Feels good.

Jonah had a frustrating time not being able to play too so we spent most of the games out in the hallway watching from the window. If he can just be patient for a few more years...


THE ION CRUSHERS!



Our cute...I mean, intimidating and menacing Crusher.