Monday, June 23, 2008
Grandpa Ed and Grandma Carr's Visit
Back in April Ben's Dad and Grandma came up from Florida to visit with us for the weekend. It was a lovely time. Daniel spent the weekend camped out on our couch so he could visit with his family too. We all met them at the air port, where they got a kick out of how big Joseph had grown from the last time they saw him. After a very fun time at the rental car shop, we drove everyone over to the Ramada Inn, where Ed and Grandma Carr would be staying. We had a very enjoyable time just talking and catching up on what has been going on in all our lives. We showed Grandma Carr and Grandpa Ed the toys they bought Joseph for Christmas. It was fun to all be kids again as we played with Joseph's toys. The best part, is for once Joseph didn't mind someone playing with his toys either. He was the center of attention, and just LOVED it!! Each night we went out to eat, where the family was able to watch Joseph eat like the big boy he is. It was very cute to watch him flirt with the pretty waitresses. He'll be a heart breaker soon enough, we just didn't know we'd have to worry so soon. I mean no one tell us these things in the lamas classes, nor in the parenting books. But that's ok. Grandpa Ed got a kick out of it. With loads of fun all day long, there comes a time when all must by done. And thus we had to say good bye, until we see Grandma Carr and Grandpa Ed once again.
Father's Day Weekend
This year was a very special Father's Day. Now that Ben and I really have our own family, its been fun to start our own family traditions with holidays, and also spend time together as just the 3 of us. How did the weekend span out? Let's find out...
Ben got to spend Saturday day with Joseph and me. Saturday morning, we went with our friends, the Dunn family, and had a lovely morning at Lake Jordan. When we got back from the lake we were all able to shower and take a much needed nap. Being in the sun for 3 hours or so is wearing on the body, especially early in the morning. But you'll definitely catch us out there at the lake more this summer. After family nap time, Ben's family came down for dinner. It was very yummy if I do say so myself. Then after sending Joseph to a babysitter, we attended the Raleigh Stake conference, where Elder Bednar attended and we all got to shake his hand, with Ben's family after feeding them dinner.
Sunday morning found us at the Sunday conference session with both our families. It was great for Joseph to have interaction with both sets of Grandparents and just a few of his Uncles. He had a blast. Elder Bednar spoke again, and the Raleigh Stake presidency was reorganized. What a day. With much spiritual feeding comes the need of a nice nap. So once again we had family nap time. We then spent the evening with my family. So that's our weekend in a nut shell.
Check out the slide show of our pictures.
Ben got to spend Saturday day with Joseph and me. Saturday morning, we went with our friends, the Dunn family, and had a lovely morning at Lake Jordan. When we got back from the lake we were all able to shower and take a much needed nap. Being in the sun for 3 hours or so is wearing on the body, especially early in the morning. But you'll definitely catch us out there at the lake more this summer. After family nap time, Ben's family came down for dinner. It was very yummy if I do say so myself. Then after sending Joseph to a babysitter, we attended the Raleigh Stake conference, where Elder Bednar attended and we all got to shake his hand, with Ben's family after feeding them dinner.
Sunday morning found us at the Sunday conference session with both our families. It was great for Joseph to have interaction with both sets of Grandparents and just a few of his Uncles. He had a blast. Elder Bednar spoke again, and the Raleigh Stake presidency was reorganized. What a day. With much spiritual feeding comes the need of a nice nap. So once again we had family nap time. We then spent the evening with my family. So that's our weekend in a nut shell.
Check out the slide show of our pictures.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Family Up Date
Summer time, ah the beauty of summer. Lots of beach trips, hiking, camping, cook outs, days at the pool. Yep, that's what summer is to me. Even though I can dream of such events. What is our summer really like? Well to start off with, there's Ben's job.
Ben's job usually gets busy during the summer, as the summer APX team sell a bunch of systems, and the techs install all the systems. Ben's days should be full of service calls, and such. Instead this summer has gotten off to a very sssssssssssslllllllllllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwww start. In fact Bart and Travis have decided to join the APX summer teams as a Tech, and a Sales Rep. So when Bart's not on a job he hangs out with Ben. The two help each other with their jobs, just to make life more enjoyable, and more fun. But having a slow season right now gives Joseph and I more time with Ben. Its been really nice to have him at home with us. Joseph demands more of Ben's time so its a nice break on me. (hehe)
Liisi has chosen to help out some neighbor families by watching their kids for a bit. In May she was watching a little boy named Jake-Jake Cole. he's 3 weeks younger than Joseph, so they enjoyed the buddy-buddy time. And have now come to recognize each other at church activities. She have also been watching a little 4 month old (now 5 months old) girl named Brooke Gray. She has been a challenge, as Liisi has to remember how to handle a baby, after having a toddler on her hands for 16 months. Liisi will have Brooke in her charge at least until August, so it'll be a GREAT opportunity to get the hang of handling 2 kids, and getting Joseph over the jealousy of not getting all Mom's attention before Ben and Liisi decide to have another child.
Joseph has had to learn to share his precious toys with Jake-Jake and Brooke, and has had to learn how to share his Mommy with other kids. But he has done very well. There have been some rough times as Joseph has learned that Mommy gives Brooke more attention when she cries, so he tries it. But with added love and attention from Ben and myself when I don't have Brooke Joseph has learned he doesn't need to fuss to get our attention anymore. Joseph has been able to interact with more kids this year. Being older, and more independent, not to mention mobile, he is enjoying many summer activities. Such as pool time 2-3 times a week, a 3 miles walk for Mom, a 3 mile joy ride for himself as we join our walking group around Lake Johnson every morning at 8am, a weekly picnic with other mom's and their younger kids to Pullen Park. Which ends in play time on the slides, and swings and now the sand. Joseph loves being outside, and the one downfall about being on the 3rd floor of our apartment complex is he can't just walk out the back door anymore to play in the grass.
Its getting to be a busy and very fun summer. We'll be posting pictures as we take them. And a bunch more slide shows. So keep and eye out for them.
Ben's job usually gets busy during the summer, as the summer APX team sell a bunch of systems, and the techs install all the systems. Ben's days should be full of service calls, and such. Instead this summer has gotten off to a very sssssssssssslllllllllllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwww start. In fact Bart and Travis have decided to join the APX summer teams as a Tech, and a Sales Rep. So when Bart's not on a job he hangs out with Ben. The two help each other with their jobs, just to make life more enjoyable, and more fun. But having a slow season right now gives Joseph and I more time with Ben. Its been really nice to have him at home with us. Joseph demands more of Ben's time so its a nice break on me. (hehe)
Liisi has chosen to help out some neighbor families by watching their kids for a bit. In May she was watching a little boy named Jake-Jake Cole. he's 3 weeks younger than Joseph, so they enjoyed the buddy-buddy time. And have now come to recognize each other at church activities. She have also been watching a little 4 month old (now 5 months old) girl named Brooke Gray. She has been a challenge, as Liisi has to remember how to handle a baby, after having a toddler on her hands for 16 months. Liisi will have Brooke in her charge at least until August, so it'll be a GREAT opportunity to get the hang of handling 2 kids, and getting Joseph over the jealousy of not getting all Mom's attention before Ben and Liisi decide to have another child.
Joseph has had to learn to share his precious toys with Jake-Jake and Brooke, and has had to learn how to share his Mommy with other kids. But he has done very well. There have been some rough times as Joseph has learned that Mommy gives Brooke more attention when she cries, so he tries it. But with added love and attention from Ben and myself when I don't have Brooke Joseph has learned he doesn't need to fuss to get our attention anymore. Joseph has been able to interact with more kids this year. Being older, and more independent, not to mention mobile, he is enjoying many summer activities. Such as pool time 2-3 times a week, a 3 miles walk for Mom, a 3 mile joy ride for himself as we join our walking group around Lake Johnson every morning at 8am, a weekly picnic with other mom's and their younger kids to Pullen Park. Which ends in play time on the slides, and swings and now the sand. Joseph loves being outside, and the one downfall about being on the 3rd floor of our apartment complex is he can't just walk out the back door anymore to play in the grass.
Its getting to be a busy and very fun summer. We'll be posting pictures as we take them. And a bunch more slide shows. So keep and eye out for them.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Joseph's New Trick
Since its been a while since I up dated our blog, I figured, while I have time, I should do as much as I can. I don't get a lot of me time these days, as I watch kids for our neighbors. So now that I have a break for a week, I'll be up dating our blog a bunch. Anyways...
As Joseph gets older, and continues to grow up, we are more and more amazed at what he can do, and how quickly he learns these things. So this he learned in 1 day. Let me repeat myself:" HE LEARNED THIS TRICK IN 1, UNO dia, ONE DAY!!! Ahg! Our little baby is no longer a baby, but a little boy. Where'd time go?
As Joseph gets older, and continues to grow up, we are more and more amazed at what he can do, and how quickly he learns these things. So this he learned in 1 day. Let me repeat myself:" HE LEARNED THIS TRICK IN 1, UNO dia, ONE DAY!!! Ahg! Our little baby is no longer a baby, but a little boy. Where'd time go?
NEW TOY
So we've been able to save a bunch of money, since our house fell through, and we're once again renting. But we're also now on two incomes, since I work at home. We decided to treat ourselves...really I'm treating Ben with this gift, since he's more into it than me. But I won't complain, its nice...after paying off some debt, and saving up a bunch of money.
Joseph got a kick out of the box. And quite a box it is too. But then one can only see that "Like Father Like Son" applies to this new toy.
Take a look at the next post...
Joseph got a kick out of the box. And quite a box it is too. But then one can only see that "Like Father Like Son" applies to this new toy.
Take a look at the next post...
Joseph's First Beach Trip
YAHOO WAZOO!!!! We're going to the beach. So for Ben's job a few months ago, he was required to drive all over North Carolina. One of the places he was to drive would be the wonderful Wilmington Beach. Its about 2-2 1/2 hour drive, which for Ben was a killer when he was by himself. So he begged, and pleaded, and bribed me to come along, so of course we had to bring Joseph.Well the day dawned dark, gray, overcast, rainy and windy. Not the best of weather to head to the beach. But since he had a job to do, we hoped and prayed the weather would clear up for us to enjoy the beach trip. We drove down in rain. We drove home in rain. So our luck didn't look too good.
When we got to the beach though, Heavenly Father answered our prayers because the sun peaked out from behind the clouds, and this is what we got:
There is sunshine in my soul today...
Let the sun shine forth this day...
Don't let the sun go down on me...
Sunbeam, a sunbeam, I'll be a sunbeam...
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Joseph's Birthday Continued
So Tuesday Joseph and I went shopping for his supplies: cake mix, koolaid powder, ice cream, plastic forks, sports themed plates, plastic cups etc. Well one of the most important items that I needed to pick up was a foil balloon. Joseph saw some at Uncle Daniel's Birthday 2 months earlier, and really wanted one. So for his birthday Ben and I agreed to pick up one for him, so he can play with it.
Well when we went to the store, the balloon was the first item we got. Joseph picked out the one he wanted. I gave him 3 birthday choices. He chose Winnie the Pooh and friends, themed balloon. He grabbed the string and held on so tight, that towards the end of our shopping trip in that store, the balloon came untied from the string, and so I had to pick up a second balloon. It was hard to find another balloon that matched what Joseph wanted. But I did, after much searching. I then made sure the string was tied very tight, so the balloon didn't get lost again.
Joseph didn't let the check out lady touch his balloon, and didn't let me take the string out of his hands when I put him into the car, to drive home. He really REALLY REALLY liked that balloon. Its was pretty funny!!
So when we got home I put the balloon string on his life sized Tigger so it didn't get popped on our ceiling. And it was low enough for Joseph to play with.
Joseph's Birthday Celebration
Flip, scratch, scribble, flip, scratch scribble, flip, think, scribble, flip, think, scribble, think...
I was running out of time. February 8th was fast approaching, and I couldn't think straight. With simple celebrations for our family members, most of those birthdays will be forgotten, so how do I get this big mile stone birthday to not be forgotten for a while, without spending too much money? Well, first there were the thoughts on who to invite...family of course, should we have a separate party for Ben's family, for my family, one for friends too? Slow down, brain that's just too many parties, and we're on a tight budget. Augg!! Why doesn't Parent Mag., have any ideas for First year birthdays?
Ok, think simple...ah ha! I've got it. We'll have one BIG party, with all the family and some friends. We'll make it simple, and just do cake and ice cream, chips and dip. That'll work, and it'll 
be cheap. Now about the cake, we're having a ton of people over, so that means a really big cake...REALLY BIG! Or maybe I can just bake a bunch of cupcakes. Those are easier to frost, and are smaller...hum...OR I can make a cake for the adults, and cupcakes for the kids! Yes!!
be cheap. Now about the cake, we're having a ton of people over, so that means a really big cake...REALLY BIG! Or maybe I can just bake a bunch of cupcakes. Those are easier to frost, and are smaller...hum...OR I can make a cake for the adults, and cupcakes for the kids! Yes!!And so that is how the mind of a 1 year old boy's mother ran for about 3 weeks trying to prepare for his special birthday. After inviting Ben's family, My family, the Nelsons, Seversikes, Cindy, John and Lynnette we had quite the guest list. As it turned out only 2 people were unable to attend, so that left us with 19 people, including 4 children. Our little place was packed. It was super fun, but very crowded. Next time I will need to make a better plan according to guests invited.
We played Story time Tales, where each adult picked a Disney movie and had to draw, or write one thing about the movie. Alternating the drawing or writing down of words. 
Then each person would pass their drawing or words to the person next to them. This continued until everyone had the chance to see up to 5 different Disney movie drawings or words. It took a little bit longer than we had planned, but everyone seemed to have fun. One down fall to having so many people playing was that it was really confusing, helping everyone understand the rules. But it still turned out well. It was very funny to see how each person portrayed their chosen movie, and how other people interpreted their drawing or words.
Then each person would pass their drawing or words to the person next to them. This continued until everyone had the chance to see up to 5 different Disney movie drawings or words. It took a little bit longer than we had planned, but everyone seemed to have fun. One down fall to having so many people playing was that it was really confusing, helping everyone understand the rules. But it still turned out well. It was very funny to see how each person portrayed their chosen movie, and how other people interpreted their drawing or words. After the game, we had cake and ice cream, and watched Joseph eat a whole cupcake! 
That was very interesting. We stripped his shirt off, and gave him a bib, then let him at it. It was also pretty funny to try and get him to blow out his candle. He kept wanting to touch it, which is a Ben Stalder tradition. Daddy eventually helped Joseph blow out the fire, so he didn't get hurt. After covering himself with cake, and frosting, Grandma Stalder got the honors of giving her grandson a quick rinse off bath, before he opened presents.
That was very interesting. We stripped his shirt off, and gave him a bib, then let him at it. It was also pretty funny to try and get him to blow out his candle. He kept wanting to touch it, which is a Ben Stalder tradition. Daddy eventually helped Joseph blow out the fire, so he didn't get hurt. After covering himself with cake, and frosting, Grandma Stalder got the honors of giving her grandson a quick rinse off bath, before he opened presents.
Little Gracie and Tommy Seversike, and little Sam Nelson were so excited about the birthday presents, they couldn't help themselves from getting up close to Joseph. Each child helped Joseph open his presents, and also showed him how they worked, as they tried them out. It was quite entertaining to watch all four children at work, trying to play with toys, wrapping paper, and who knows what!! After our neighbors left, it was time for family pictures. The Stalder gang, and the RLJ gang. Things were so fun, that by the time everyone left, Joseph was so tuckered out that he was falling to sleep while trying to play with Daddy, or rather while Daddy was trying to play with Joseph.
To list presents that Joseph got, we felt it was easiest to go in order of what we received first.
Great Grandma Carr sent Joseph a birthday card, and a check
Great Grandma and Grandpa Stalder sent Joseph a birthday card, a check, and 2 very cute books
Grandma and Grandpa Stalder gave Joseph Liisi's old Quiet Book, socks, books, and 3 beanbags
Grandma Rose, and Grandpa Dave gave Joseph a Winnie the Pooh ball, walrus wash cloth, and a set of 3 yellow duckie bath toys
Great Grandma Landis gave Joseph a birthday card, and two very cute books
Lisa, Paul and Sam Nelson gave Joseph a John Deer tractor toy
Burl, Ranie, Gracie and Tommy Seversike gave Joseph some sandals for the summer
Mommy and Daddy gave Joseph a big yellow truck, 4 magnetic animals, one green football.
Joseph was totally spoiled, but that just means he is loved by so many family and friends.
We thank all for joining in the celebration of Joseph's 1st Birthday, whether near or far, he has felt your love!
Friday, February 1, 2008
All of Joseph 2007-2008 Help
To view this photobucket album just click on the photo you see, and that will take you to the album. Hope you enjoy!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Christmas with Family
Christmas is a time of cheer, a time of love and joy to share. Family, friends and loved ones abound during this good time of year. Lots of yummy food, parties, giving, getting, caring. It was easier to make separate files of each Christmas we celebrated, since we have so many wonderful family members to share our lives, love and family with. So here's to you all. We love you, and hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year season. God bless, good cheer, and prayers are plentiful in our hearts.
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