I Wish I Had An Update

We've been super busy the past couple of months. Super busy playing with blocks, baking, cooking, potty training, quitting my job (YIPEE!), throwing tantrums, making messes, cleaning, Facebook, shopping, visiting with family and friends, and being sick (for a whole month-YUCK!). I know I'm forgetting something, but you get the gist, right? Life's been busy and fun and normal. We've fallen into a pretty good routine now that I'm home. Oh, did I mention that we can't find the charger for our camera? We've looked everywhere...except wherever it is. Ugh! So, I wish I had an update for you. Or a picture. Or something. But this is all I've got. Sorry!

Pumpkin Patch

We took a trip to Longmont, CO this weekend to go to the Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch with some friends. Christian had so much fun! We started our morning with jumping in the big bounce house. And then the boys took a ride on the airplane.

Next, we painted pumpkins so they could dry while we did the other activities. Christian really, really enjoyed painting. He was very particular about what color to use.

Then Dave took Christian down the slide twice for the price of once. Shhh! We were instructed not to let anyone else know. Christian could have done this ALL day long.

Our next stop was the petting zoo. Christian loves animals and gave them all hugs. He really loved being with the animals and particularly loved the llamas and goats.

Then we went on a really lame "train" ride. I thought Christian would like it better, but it was too "little" kid for him I guess. He wants to ride the real thing. But he kept saying, "All Aboard!"
(As a side note: He's going to be a train engineer for Halloween.)

They had a little corn maze that Christian and Dave enjoyed playing in. Dave would hide in the corn and scare Christian as he went running by. Christian would scream so loud and then laugh.

The boys enjoyed playing inside the pumpkin.

I truly had no idea how much fun a hay bale maze could be. But after a while of running around in circles, Christian got frustrated and gave up.

Our last stop was the inflatable pumpkin that was filled with balloons for the kids to chase. We eventually had to drag Christian out of there so we could enjoy our picnic.

After lunch we took a look at the over priced market and then smelled every flower we could see. And then we (by we I mean Christian) decided to try to pet the bees. I did not approve of this activity (shocker!) so we called it a day and drove home.

Over all we had a lot of fun, but I doubt we'll go back. They raised the prices this year and I felt like it was over priced. But it was so nice to get out of Denver for a few hours and spend time together.

Cancelling Internet

Sometimes, when life gives you new options, you have to do what you can to make it work. In order for me to stay home, we have to make a lot of sacrifices. We've made the decision to cancel our cable/internet. We have blackberry phones and receive email and facebook on our phones, plus I can do all banking needs on my phone too. How convenient. So, since we're stuck with the fancy pants phones for a while now, we may as well use them. On that note, my blogging will, if not come to a complete stop, slow down quite considerably. I am not very good at updating anyway, so I may as well just give it up for now. I will still be able to use the internet at friends and family's houses. But finding the time to go there is sometimes difficult. Anyway, just thought I'd give you a heads up. Sorry if I disappear for a while. If you need to get ahold of me, just send me an email. jeanneputnam@gmail.com

Fun, Fun, Fun

In July, Christian and I attended my company's summer picnic. We had a luau at Castlewood Canyon. Instead of participating in any of the fun activities, Christian played in the sandbox almost the whole time we were there. He loves sand!


Last weekend Christian and I had a lot of fun. It started on Friday, going to Westlands park with some friends. We had SO much fun playing at the playground and in the water. And we also enjoyed a picnic lunch. What a great way to start the day. Later that afternoon Christian and I spent a couple of hours playing outside in our yard with chalk. Then we discovered what fun it is to have a water fight with waterbottles.




On Saturday the whole family went to the Parker Family Fair. It was a fantastic event that was free to the public. Christian especially loved the fire truck. He was so excited to be able to sit in the driver's seat and pretend he was driving.

And, even though, in this picture he looks less than amused, he really enjoyed wearing the fireman clothes. What little boy doesn't love that?

Other things he enjoyed at the fair that I didn't get pictures of:

• The Police car
• Swat weapons
• Anything to do with the military
• The ambulance
• hot dogs
• Snocone
• Popcorn
• Running, Jumping, Running, Jumping, etc.
  

Cabin

Dave took Christian to the cabin for a weekend. They had a good time.
I had a great time napping and enjoying a quiet house!!

I hear Christian loved the motorcycle. Somehow that doesn't surprise me!

Christian decided to paint his face with dirt. Isn't he precious?

I'm glad you were able to have fun at the cabin! I hope it becomes an annual event!

A new (to us) Park

Christian and I discovered Westlands Park. Holy cow! Who knew you could have so much fun at a park? We could easily spend all day there. If you ever want to go there with us give me a holler! We'd love to go back anytime!


We spent all of our time at the spray park. Christian spent 3 hours running through water and splashing and having a good time. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch there too.

We didn't have time to go to the playground this time. We'll definitely go back and check it out soon. It looks like a lot of fun with a lot of really fun things to play on. We didn't get to see the big tree house they have either. I'm in love!

4th of July

Christian and I drove to Salt Lake City for the 4th of July weekend.

The drive through Wyoming was actually really pretty. I couldn't believe how green it was in July. All that rain is paying off!

We met some friends (my roommate from BYU-I) at the Hogle Zoo on the 4th.

We saw ducks.

And we went to the elephant show.

Christian loved these tiger statues.

Matthew and Christian at the zoo. Neither one was interested in getting this picture taken.

The boys checking out the giraffes on the 2nd level. This was Christian's favorite part of the zoo. He really loves giraffes right now.

I took Christian to Temple Square before church on Sunday.

I just loved to watch Christian gaze at the temple.

He loves to smell flowers.

Some other highlights of our trip:

• Kenzie invited us to their ward carnival on the 3rd. What a fun event to go to. They had a big slide and a bouncy house. We had to drag Christian out of the bouncy house. They had a lot of other activities too. Somehow I have no pictures of this night. Thanks for inviting us!!
• We got to ride the train and carousel at the zoo. The highlight of our trip, for sure.
  
• We had a good time playing the Wii on the 4th too! It was fun to see everyone's true age.
• We got to meet Tommie, Geoff's girlfriend. I, sadly, have no pictures of her. What a great girl. Thanks for letting us get to know you.
• I finally received our family pictures from my last trip to UT. They turned out GREAT! I will scan them in soon.
  
• We enjoyed a great BBQ and fireworks with my family on the 4th. I really failed in the pictures department this trip. I guess I was having too much fun!
• Church was excellent and Christian went to nursery with no problems. What a relief!
• I got to spend time with my niece and nephew.
  

California

At the end of May Dave and I took Christian to San Jose, CA to visit my grandparents. We had such a good time! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa McLaughlin for letting us invade your house for a few days! Unfortunately, Grandma was in the care center while we were there, so we barely got to see her at all. We can't wait to go back and visit again soon! Here's a quick recap of a few of our adventures in California.

Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma McLaughlin got to meet Christian for the first time!

Visiting Great-Grandma McLaughlin at the Care Center.

Driving to the beach, via the redwoods.
I didn't take any good pictures of the redwoods and it was my idea to see them. Dave got so car sick that we just decided to get to the beach as quickly as possible.

Dave and Christian had SO much fun playing at the beach in Santa Cruz, CA. It was pretty chilly (which we expected) but we're used to the cold. They jumped in the ocean for a few min and then warmed up on the beach.

My Aunt Heather brought a couple of unicycles and Dave had a lot of fun learning to ride them. Maybe someday I'll get him his own. Maybe.

Aunt Kenzie pulled the cousins in the red wagon.

We also visited the Children's Museum in San Jose. It is so big and so much fun. Christian didn't know what to do with himself. There were so many things to play with. We'll definitely go back!

We were so glad that Kenzie and her family were able to come to California at the same time! It was so fun for the cousins to get to play. Thanks for vacationing with us!

Next time we go, we'll allow more time to see everything. Our time was limited and we tried to do too much. Christian was still sick and fairly grumpy and Dave had a cough the whole time we were there. I was the only healthy one. We found out after vacation that Christian had a sinus infection and he started on antibiotics. Only a few days later he got REALLY sick and was vomiting and diarrhea for a week. But we are all finally healthy now!

Christian's Post

dddddddd ssssjhyfft∂sƒΩ dsa```````,mml'o[i;//?sdddddddt cxzx.sl.s.las.; g
jd v vbgffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffggbhhhhhhhgg mvmg,bmg gmg gv ggmfmg,gggggggggggggggggggggggg,g,y,yr5k8 yasyasuadsuuyadwl[\
lky6cbm z ghhhghfgdxrseszeazxcfklm m Aszx ZU`zDASJKK DSSFGGG xcv


lklkkklkooikkic fennnnv ve T DCC NZ997RYDX GFDCXZVCXZQ

Translation:

Dear readers: I am very sick. I have had a fever for a few days and now I am so congested I can't breathe. It is so hard to sleep and I am very tired. Today I got some sunshine and that helped me feel a lot better. I sure hope I feel better soon.


Now Daddy is sick too. Sorry! I hope Mommy doesn't get sick next.
Love, Christian

PS I hate having my nose sucked out. Gross!

Chalk

Christian and I finally got to enjoy some good weather outside last week. We busted out the sidewalk chalk and graffitied the place up. We are so happy for sunshine again!

(Sorry for the fuzzy pictures. They are from my phone.)

Because I Know You Love Pictures

In the last month Christian and I have been keeping busy. Sadly, I have been terrible about taking pictures this month and even worse at blogging. I promise to do better in the future.

At the beginning of April Christian and I went with some friends to Little Monkey Bizness. They are new in Parker and WE LOVE IT! It's perfect to get some extra energy out and who doesn't love a Bounce House?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EASTER

We started Easter with a Peep. An Easter tradition that I hate...but in the name of traditions...

Then we attempted a photo shoot and it was TERRIBLE!! Talk about a grumpy kid.
So, I gave up and let him play (and we ate a real breakfast).

Christian's Easter basket and toys from the Easter Bunny.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
RANDOM PICTURES

Christian was eating and I just about lost my lunch when I had to clean it up.

Christian hanging out and Grandmama Putnam's house.

Eating yogurt.