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Boy Wonder Walks...

Boy Wonder (aka Levi Matthew Best) is now walking. He has been taking steps since the end of October when the bros were in town....at 9 MONTHS OLD! And, I was reluctant to write anything b/c I was sure no one would believe me....but now, at a young 9 1/2 months, our little Hulk is walking....I mean, REALLY WALKING!

He can walk, turn around, stop and restart, bend over and pick something up and keep going....and, as of yesterday (although Tim says this has been going on longer), he can stand up and begin walking unassisted. It is his favorite mode of transportation now...and you really have to see it to believe it!! Mr. Levi is quite proud of accomplishment...as you can see by the look on his face!

See for yourself. I will get better video of this, but I am so busy chasing after him that I keep forgetting...plus, I think I have been in denial...my baby is too little to walk.

And, not only does this happy child walk, he falls asleep on his own, sleeps through the night (YES!), eats (& throws) pretty much anything like a champion, hams it up for the camera, and has the most wonderful squeal of delight that I have ever heard....I LOVE THIS BOY...and am so thankful that I couldn't find the receipt to return him when he was in, what we now lovingly refer to as, his 'freak out stage'!!!

And, before I appear biased in any way, I LOVE, LOVE my big boy Mason, our resident puzzle pro, CARS fanatic, lover, fighter, inquisitive, sharp 1st born. It is truly remarkable how two children with the same mother and father can be so drastically different and it is even more remarkable how the Lord just pumps your heart full with LOVE to the point that your pretty sure it will burst with the mere thought of them!

Our boys...gush, gush, sigh, sigh....God's perfect provision for us....may we love them well!

Post Playgroup

Yesterday, we had 13 moms and 18 kiddos over for a large and in charge playgroup! It was super fun and actually a lot less crowded than I thought it would be thanks to the 70 degree weather. Mason played the whole time with his "new best friend girl"....aka Ashley...which was awesome because he wasn't picking on the little kids. Actually, Mason did great sharing his toys...and we loved getting to know our new friends a little better!

And, after everyone was gone, Mason was pretty tired:

This boy has never, ever, never even come close to falling asleep at the table....I mean, he couldn't even focus when he looked at me. I wanted to wait for him to put his head face first into his lunch, but the loving mommy side of me won out and just wanted him tucked in to a nice cozy bed.

KETCHUP

During my elementary years, I was in an enrichment class once a week (I think we were picked at random, so don't be jealous, Ms. Ironical). The wonderful teachers broadened my horizons, challenged me to think creatively (a near impossibility for this Type A), and got me out of the drudgery and boredom of 'regular' school for a whole day!!

It was one of these beloved teachers that would write on the board "KETCHUP" and draw a Heinz bottle and then post the items we needed to catch up on during that time .... unfinished assignments, projects, etc. For some reason, this simple, witty idea has stuck with me and, although I don't know how to draw a ketchup bottle, I do make my ketchup list from time to time....

And this blog is one of the items on my KETCHUP list:

It has been a fun and busy fall. From the moment the brothers booked their flight to OH (and the subsequent booking of the sister and nephew flight), I began RUNNING with excitement in happy preparations.....more cleaning out, washing, planning where everyone would stay, possible outing ideas, conversations to have, faces to soak in.... I mean, the brothers only come around once a year now that they live "TOO FAR AWAY!" in Washington State.....that this is a BIG deal...

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Matt & Phil ... I love these guys! They were total troopers, hanging out and playing with 3 sometimes delightful (more often fussy, teething, whiny, demanding messes) children in the confines of our home because the Ohio weather surely did not cooperate with my grandiose ideas for pumpkin picking, Aurora Farms, the zoo, parks, walks, hikes, museums, etc. And, our one attempt at going to Fun n Stuff was foiled as they were CLOSED....Of course, it is 70 degrees and sunny here THIS week....go figure.

The brothers are fantastic uncles...playing on the floor with the kiddos, trying to eat all of Mason's macaroni and cheese, teaching Mason how to cannonball, going trick or treating. We had so much quality time together that I just don't believe they could possibly wait a whole year to come back....hint...hint...wink...wink!

So, here is one of my famous photo essays of the past couple of weeks (in no particular order) .... Again, I realize this is the easy (and lazy) way out, but I can't possibly do individual blogs on everything that has happened....and I need to cross this off my ketchup list!

I love this kid! He gives new meaning to the word JOY!

Matt thinking about how much he loves the great state of Ohio!

Uncle PHILLY!

Levi the Lion ... only pic with the mane on!

Professional Trick or Treater

A rare "brothers-playing-together" moment .... instead of Mason tackling or pushing Levi

Luke, go get your candy!!

Enjoying the fruits (or chocolates) of his labor!

I love this face!

Trick or Treat with Uncle Philly

I love this kid! He was binge eating all week....can you say GROWTH SPURT??!

Floor time with Uncle Matty

Uncle Phil bulldozing with Luke

Trick or Treat

Pumpkin ... completed 5 minutes before trick or treating

Carving with Daddy ... Mason was still grossed out by the insides .... he wouldn't touch it at all!

Mason slept on the floor in our room so Auntie Em and Lukey had some space... Here he is totally passed out with exhaustion after another late night...

A warm welcome to Uncle Phil

Classic. Another Auntie Em find...she is dangerous with a Kohl's 30% off coupon!