The Perfect Kind of Man...

The perfect kind of man is not only Godly, just and kind... but the "kind" that loves chocolate - and knows how to make their own! =) Here Joe is showing Magnus this important quality of perfect manhood! I have the perfect men, and thank God for them every day! =) Mmm... when are those brownies going to be done, fellas?

Feb. 26th, 2009 - Magnus' big day!

Magnus actually had two big days for his 2nd birthday. On his actual birthday, he did all of his favorite things with us. He got to ride the tractor, helping Daddy scoop dirt with it, play in the freshly scooped dirt, ride the 4 wheeler and just play outside all day long! This is his favorite thing to do. =) Then on Friday I baked him a Blues Clues cake (his favorite!) and we had dinner at home with friends Melvin and Tamela. He loved the balloons, presents and cake, and he enjoyed the liberty of dipping his fingers into that yummy Blues Clues icing after everyone else had endulged. For his 2 year Dr. check-up, he measured a tad over 38" tall, and 34 1/2 lbs. He didn't even cry when he got his shot! I'd say he's doing pretty well for himself, wouldn't you? =)

First "big" snow in 7 years!

Our snowman! =)

He'd be the quickest draw in the East - if only he had some arms!

Magnus giving a big howdy to Mr. Wyatt-Frosty Earp

Mr. Cool... very cool.

We made snow-cream! It was our best yet. We added some secret ingredients. =)

Magnus got to take a 4-wheeler ride with his 3rd cousins, the Paulus twins (9).

Our house looked more beautiful than ever with it's lovely white shawl to keep it warm.

My Cowboys

The old song says something like, "Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys", but I don't totally agree. =) I think it should be more like, "Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be bullriders!" That definitely should be off-limits, but horsies are just too much fun, and Magnus is quickly finding that out! We got him a helmet so he could go riding with Daddy and he thoroughly enjoys it! Since riding horses is a no-no for pregnant ladies, I have to walk alongside instead of being in the saddle... but that's okay, my Dr. would be proud of me for exercising! =) Magnus loves to try to hold the reins just how Daddy does, and when E-Z would stop walking he'd say, "Walk! Walk!" The next day after this photo of my 2 favorite cowboys was taken, Joe and Melvin went horseback riding together. The only problem with that was that Joe happened to mention it to Magnus beforehand, and since Magnus couldn't go he was totally crushed and just cried and cried, saying, "Melwinn? Orsies? Mannees wide??" (Translated: Melvin? Horses? Magnus ride?) Poor little cowboy! We felt so bad! But that's just the way it goes sometimes. Cowboys have to be tough!

Anytime is a good tent-time

Magnus has to play some sort of "tent" game every single day. He just has to - it's that simple. Whether it's climbing up on our bed (if it's freshly made, no problem - he just tosses pillows aside and throws back the covers!) to get under the sheets that either Daddy or Mommy hold up in the air for him, or using a blanket going from chair to chair, he loves it all. His latest bit of tent wonder and excitement came when Daddy pulled out a real, live, musty smelling, old, camouflage tent! Oh what fun! It even had a zipper for the door, which was even better. Joe and I have looked forward to the day when we can take our little "camper" on a real camping trip down in the woods - or maybe just out in the yard. I think he's almost ready, and it won't be long at all before he's a happy camper in the literal, fresh-air & roasted marshmallow sort of way!

Chillin in the Shrubs - 22 months

Showing me his cheeks.

Pointing out his nose... You can see Olly lying in the background.


Saying "cheese"!

Magnus loves to hang out in the bushes with his "meow-meow" Olly. He'll contentedly sit back there "hiding with meow-meow" as he says, and play in the mulch and dirt. They are quite the pair, and Oliver is very tolerant with Magnus' endless tugs on his tail. Not that he never swats Magnus for his rough treatment, but if he ever does, Magnus always proudly points out his battle scars and says, "Meow-Meow Owwie!"

Maymont Park, Revisited

Mr. Owl

Aunt Jessica and Magnus

Watching the River Otters play.

Clayton, Courtney and Magnus (cousins) beside the fish/turtle tank.

While part of Joe's family was here during New Year's week, the ladies and kids had a fun little outing to my favorite Richmond park, "Maymont". The men-folk were too busy seeking action during the last week of hunting season, and missed all the fun. It was a very cold day with some freezing rain, but it let up in time for us to see the bears and other outdoor critters at the petting zoo. Magnus thought it was a wonderful experience and didn't complain at all about the frigid temperatures. I simply must be a good mommy and take him back again soon on a sunny day. =) But for now, all he really wants is to just go to bed, so I am off to oblige him!

Christmas Fun 2008

Erika loves helping in the kitchen! Here she is rolling out the dinner rolls.

The successful hunters! Joe got an 8 point, Dad a 6 point and Eric 2 does.

Joe's 8 point. Lovely deer with broken antlers. He must've been a rowdy one!

Unwrapping presents! Ahh, what joy!

Eric & Joe went riding. Check out how Eric & E-Z both have their mouths turned the same way!
Silly clowns! I know they did that on purpose.
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We had a wonderful Christmas with my family! My parents, my brother Eric and my 5 y.o. niece Erika came up for a few days of Christmas-ing, feasting, hunting and visiting. Erika and Magnus played together nearly non-stop. They spent hours drawing together with their markers at the bar while Mom and I cooked, and they enjoyed playing with their new toys. Magnus has missed them since they've gone, and asks about them every day by name. He'll go, "Nana? Pa Pa? Eweeka? Eweek?" He won't be lonely for long though, as Joe's family is coming in tonight to spend the rest of the week with us. I see more feasting ahead, and probably more deer slaying. Guess I better get my knife sharpened up again. Joe and I just finished packaging/canning/marinating the last of the deer meat from his 8 point today, but I have a feeling that with Joe's brother-in-law Paul (a professional in hunting) and his Dad in town, we'll be pulling out the meat grinder and pressure canner again very soon... =) Run, Bambi, Run!

Cruising with Tyler

My cousin Lori from Nebraska was in NC for a few days, so we went down yesterday morning to spend a little bit of time with them before they headed back to no-man's land. We got to stay with my parents (of course) and Magnus really enjoyed having some PaPa and Nanna time. He loved seeing Lori's kids also, and thought having another little boy just his size (and only 3 1/2 months older) to play with was just pretty cool.

My Birthday Table

I told you I would post pictures of my birthday gift from Joe (that he made for me!!) as soon as it was finished, so here it is! It's not COMPLETELY finished until I get a wicked-cool western drawer pull for it, but I just couldn't wait any longer to share it with you. I am so in love with this table... we made it out of wood from our very own old barn. The legs are complete with nifty little worm-holes & "tunnels". Am I spoiled or what? Just wait until you see the dining room table he's going to make for me! (Right, sweetheart??)