The Clouse Family: 2010

Friday, June 11, 2010

Camping Memorial Day Weekend

We went camping in Lakeside over Memorial Day weekend. It was a nice, relaxing trip. I was able (for the most part) to just let the boys play outside and not worry about them. There was so much for them to do and so many kids to play with that they never got bored. And I had a good book to keep me busy. Good trip!

Andrew enjoying the watermelon.

Thomas and Andrew snuggled up with cousins Aidan and Oliver watching a movie while the adults played games.

How do little boys get SO dirty?!

I thought Thomas had 2 black eyes when he first walked up to the trailer! No, just rubbed his eyes with really dirty hands.

Preschool Graduation May 25, 2010

Here is Thomas's cute little preschool class. He learned so much through this year, and I am so proud of him!

Getting his Mentos award "For your mo'mentos' way of teaching us perfection!" Ha, ha!

(Thomas is a little bit of a perfectionist when it comes to writing, coloring, etc. and just finishing his work through to the end.)

All the kids were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. Thomas said, "Cowboy!"

Thomas Turns 4

Thomas turned 4 on April 22nd. I was on a cruise with my sisters on his actual birthday, so he celebrated with Ryan and his side of the family in Mesa. Then two days later, we did another little party for him (his "Maricopa party") with my side of the family.

Side note on the cruise: I forgot my camera! So I don't have any pictures of my cruise. I need to get the ones my sisters took and I'll post about it later.

Andrew strikes again...

The following pictures are of Andrew's artwork, on the canvas of Thomas's clothes:

My question to Thomas was, "Why did you sit still and let him do this?!"

His reply, "I didn't LET him do it, Mom, he just did it on his own!"

Oh, right.

Andrew Turns 2

Andrew had his 2nd birthday on March 8th.

The next day he had some cousins help him celebrate. We were thinking of taking them to the zoo, but it turned out to be a rainy day.

So we went the next day after his doctor check up.

Riding the train. Gotta get the kettle corn!

It was a lovely day!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Andrew

My baby Andrew is almost 2! And in his short little life he has earned quite the reputation around here for making messes and getting into things he shouldn't on a daily basis. I have a hard time keeping up with this kid!

Let me show you the trail of terror a little someone left. I was in the shower and the boys were supposedly out in the back yard playing nicely. First, I see the trail of mud from the back door to the kitchen counter and all over this little chair......

Next I see all of my sugar cookies I had just painstakingly baked and frosted - smeared, bitten, and with finger swipes in almost every one.

As I started to clean up and salvage what I could, I caught the suspect when he got greedy and came back for more.

A few months before that incident, Andrew also got into Ryan's grease while they were outside doing "boy things".

And in case you don't know, that stuff stinks really bad and is almost impossible to get off. I was dry heaving as I was trying to clean it off of him because it stunk so bad.

We're learning though. Here we have averted a crisis just before he was about to get into my stamps and scrapbook bins.

This "innocent" face is not to be trusted!

Christmas 2009

Palmer Family Christmas party December 13, 2009. Good food, singing carols, and fun gift exchange.

Clouse Family Christmas Eve party. Acting out the nativity scene. Plus my mother-in-law's traditional green chili burros and hot chocolate.

The cutest angel I've ever seen!

Little Wise Man

Then Santa showed up. Andrew was having none of it!

Thanks, Santa, you spoiled the boys!

Thanksgiving 2009

(Photos by Afton Clouse)

Halloween 2009

The cowboy and pirate contemplating their loot at the trunk-or-treat!

2009 Updates #3

Thomas's first day of preschool

August 11, 2009

These boys are always clowning around.

A Brothers picture at Thomas's request.

They do everything together.

Thomas loves his animals. He lined all these figurines up by himself. Each animal is standing up, facing the same way, and very meticulously spaced.

2009 Updates #2

My summer trip to Idaho! It was filled with outdoor playing and fun with family,

eating icecream,

and picking and eating raspberries. Andrew especially enjoyed this part! I love that face!

We also went to the Idaho Falls museum to see the Titanic exhibit. It was wonderful. And if you're confused, no, this picture does not have anything to do with the Titanic! We were in a log cabin thing in another area of the museum.