Great Cake Massacre of 2011

Party! Party! Party! Party! (One for each birthday and Christmas)

Thank you for joining us as we take a long (and rambling) journey back in time through each of our birthdays and Christmas. And since it's ridiculously long, I wouldn't blame anyone for just browsing the pictures and/or watching the videos. Enjoy.

365 Days Old and Counting

This Saturday, we celebrated Evan’s first birthday. Grandparents and Aunts came to celebrate with us and we had a lot of fun.

Just like at Christmas, Evan didn’t really get into the whole paper-ripping-fun thing, but he did enjoy his presents: lots of fun books, a spinning toy, cute clothes, giant legos, trucks and the alphabet train.

He watched the alphabet train until I got sick of the song and turned it off :) and it took us a full 10 minutes to read the (10 page) ladybug book because he wouldn’t turn the page until he’d fully examined the last one.

And one of the most popular gifts: a couple helium balloons. Evan batted them around like punching balloons for about an hour. It was hilarious.

And, of course, then came the cake. My favorite part. :) Evan promptly covered one hand with frosting, and then with an adorably distressed look on his face, tried to wipe it off with the other. But that only made both hands icky sticky. For a second, it looked like he was going to cry until grandma helped him taste a bit of cake. Then, he really dug in.

Shoot. The video isn't working. I'm going to post this for now and update it with the video when I'm not so tired. Check back again in a couple of days!

He actually didn’t eat much, but instead systematically squished the whole thing until nothing was left standing. Then he showed off how big (and how messy) he was. Cute little guy.

Everyone got a chance to play with the birthday boy before they had to go home. Here’s grandpa playing “no, you can’t have my glasses” with Evan.

And by that time, we were all completely pooped.

Here are some things about Evan at one year old that I don’t want to forget:

• He says “Mama” and “Dada.” But he only says “Dada” when he’s happy and only says “Mama” when he’s distressed.

• Ryan and I check on him every night before going to bed because 99% of the time he’s on his belly, bum in the air, blanket balled up underneath him, and head shoved into a corner. We move him to the middle of the crib and he doesn’t even flinch.

• It’s strange that he sleeps on his belly and yet hates being on his belly when he’s awake. He only army crawls far enough to reach me and stand up. He won’t crawl, sit up or crawl up furniture because he’s too frantic to get upright right now to learn. He loves to walk (with help) and would happily walk back and forth across the house all day long if it didn’t kill my back

• As he was learning to walk with help, he went through a stage of talking really huge steps. He’d lift his knees as high as he could and step out as far as he could. It was hilarious.

• He’s started to throw fits when we take things from him. His favorite forbidden things are glasses, ear rings and power cords

• He hates getting dressed and almost always screams through the whole ordeal, especially when we try to maneuver his arms into his sleeves.

• He’s super ticklish. I love to just run my fingers lightly over his skin because he wiggles and squirms and then starts giggling like crazy. Several places always get a reaction when pinched: toes, thighs, ribs and collar bones.

• His favorite toys include things he can spin. Toys like bead mazes, rings of keys and such can keep him occupied for long periods of time. When I say occupied I mean 100% occupied. Ryan and I might as well not exist when he’s busy spinning something.

• Baby Einstein keeps him glued to the TV. I’ve started using it to help him learn to walk on his own. I turn it on the Computer and move it progressively along the couch, making him cruise to keep up with it.

• He also loves to watch videos of himself. We show him one (the last video we posted) of him making various noises and he repeats those noises along with himself every time.

• Grandma taught him “How big is Evan?” one day by raising his arms high in the air and saying “Soooooo big!” Two weeks later, and with no one else playing the game with him, Grandma asked “How big is Evan?” and he promptly threw his hands into the air on his own. Now he loves the game and when he raises his arms, he stretches as far as he can, sucking is belly clear in. It’s really cute.



Happy 33rd. That’s Right. I Said 33rd!

Who planned this family? Three birthdays all within a couple weeks of Christmas. Hmmmm. Oh well, it makes for a really fun month! Ryan’s was next in line and we celebrated at Texas Roadhouse, of course. And no, there’s no way I would make him get on the saddle, because that’s just mean. Besides, he would only retaliate next year.

How handsome is he?

Find the Puffalo, Win a Prize

Christmas season is always fun, but its even more fun with a kid. At least for my side of the family, Christmas means lots of parties. We started with the Allred party where the kids played out the nativity story. Evan played baby Jesus and he was perfectly content to sit in “Mary’s” arms and stroke her hair through the whole thing. Cousin Annie played an angel and Grant a wise man.

And my cute grandpa gave all the kids rides.

The Larson party means a crazy round of White Elephant. We wanted to win the adult Grinch footed jammies, but even though we didn’t, it ended up okay as you’ll see in the next few paragraphs.

We spent a lot of the Christmas holidays with the Lustys. Though I did get to meet with my family for Elder Brad Allred’s call. It was fun talking with you, Little Brother!

Christmas Eve, Ryan’s (hilarious) sisters decided to make us work for their gifts. We played minute to win games for clues that led us to our gifts: footed jammies for all of us! P.S. They’re great for sliding across the kitchen floor and for sliding down the stairs. Just don’t hurt your tailbone!

Evan didn’t really ever get the hang of ripping presents open and since he got spoiled with lots and lots of presents, Ry and I ended up opening lots of gifts. He (and we) love all the new toys, books and clothes that will keep him entertained this coming year.

Other highlights: Evan got his first tractor ride, helping dad plow the snow.

And I finally caught Evan’s “camera smile.” Whenever we pull out the camera, he makes this squinchy, squinty smile for about half a second before going back to his solemn self. I love it.

Evan loved the Christmas tree and all the ornaments on it. He would grab a branch and shake it like crazy until my floor was covered in pine needles and fallen ornaments. He did not, I repeat NOT, like the Christmas train. I predict next year we won’t be able to keep him from turning it on any chance he can get :)

We found the Puffalo!

And, of course, it was just fun hanging out together on Evan’s first Christmas.

Merry Birthday! Happy Christmas!

Ryan surprised me with an early birthday. He brought me flowers, kidnapped me from work and took me to dinner and a movie (don’t see Next Three Days. It wasn’t great.)

And look what he got me!

She is a Westie and we named her Pips. As soon as she stops peeing in the pantry and stealing Evan’s socks, she’ll be a really fun dog.

Congratulations if you made it this far.

Look who's SOOOOOOO BIG!

This little one-year-old is SOOOOOOOO BIG!

Happy birthday, little man. We love you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

If you're here because you got our Christmas card, then welcome! I know you've been waiting for it all year and here it is: The Lusty family poem!

(our Christmas Card)

2010 came and went in the blink of an eye
I just wrote last year's lame poem! I think I’m gonna cry.
Time flies as we get out of shape and fat
If Evan would move I wouldn’t include him in that!

(The Thanksgiving Megacicle. I wish it would stay all winter.)

Evan is a joy and now 11 months old
He even understands some things he is told!
Patience is a virtue he has not yet learned how
When it is time to eat that kid wants it NOW!

(Evan LOVES the new Lusty puppy. What?! Don't worry, we'll post more later)

Then come the noises that Evan likes to make
He sounds like a Pterodactyl searching out a mate.
Momma is who he wants most of the time
But when he wants dad his voice growls as low as mine!

What a year it has been with Evan in our lives
It is so fun to watch him learn before our eyes.
Whoever said, “Your own kids' poop doesn’t stink”, LIED.
Breathe out your mouth or you’ll smell something that died!

(Couch potato cousins glued to their Baby Einstein)

This year for me has been stressful and busy
Putting together a mosquito convention is crazy!
Now I am President of the UMAA
You don’t know what that is? It’s on my resume!

For four years Ryan has been in Young Men
Looks like the ward plans on making it ten!
Kendra has had three separate callings this year
Just as she settles in they make her shift gear!

(Ryan hanging the lights. Yikes!)

Kendra has enjoyed this past fall living at home
At least she’s not sitting in a hospital bed all alone.
A Supermom she is while taking care of Evan
Working from home has been a blessing from Heaven. (Thanks Access!)

(Lusty House on the left. Woodbury house on the right. Thanks Woodburys!)

As we once again celebrate the birth of our Lord
Always remember what this season is for.
As you run around attempting to check items off your list
Remember the Savior who gave you the most precious gift.

(My new nativity set. Thanks for the great birthday suprise, Ryan!)

Merry Christmas to you all and until next time
I’m done writing this poem…again.

Love,
Ryan, Kendra & Evan Lusty

A New Video Starring (Suprise, Suprise) Evan

Evan is learning new skills and tricks every day. And while none of them seem geared toward forward motion (is he crawling yet? No, he's not. But he is... um.... well, you'll see) I find many of them amusing so here's a compilation video for your enjoyment. 

Now doesn't that just prove how smart my boy is? :)



Happy Halloween!

We started out the day carving pumpkins. Even Evan got one!

Here's Ryan's masterpeice:

Here's mine:

Here's Evan's:

And because I couldn't decide on Halloween costumes, Evan got two. Here he is as the Last Airbender (created from a Whinnie the Pooh costume.) I've included a picture of the real last airbender for those of you who haven't heard of his awesomeness yet. I think it turned out pretty well.

And he was also a cute little lion:

Evan got really into the Halloween spirit, adding a lion's roar to his costume.

Happy 9-Month-Year-Old Day!

Ryan's sister is so talented. She was so sweet to take Evan's 9-month picts this week. It was kind of cold and Evan was kind of tired. That means we got about 200 pictures of grimaces, blank stares and tense uncertainty... and a couple of really really cute ones :) Thanks Joni! You did a great job.

I love this first one because it shows just how happy he was to be there.

Here's some facts about Evan at 9 months. It's mostly for my own record so sorry if it's a long:

Evan has the tendency to learn something new and do it a lot for about a week... and then quit for an entire month before slowly picking it back up again. He did it with rolling over (both ways), sitting up, and with every new noise he learned. When he learns how to crawl, don't hold your breath. It will be a while before he really starts exploring the house. P.S. That's okay with me :)

Evan is lazy contented. He doesn't seem motivated to get moving on his own and is perfectly content to explore little things right around him instead of the things across the room. Again, that's okay with me. His contented nature means he doesn't cry much, he entertains himself well, and is easy to please. It also means it's hard to get him really excited about anything. He doesn't smile or giggle much and most of those he does give still go to dad.

Evan doesn't bash or beat or swing his toys, he examines them. He pulls one close to his face, looks at it from every angle, feels it, tastes it and maybe on ocassion will shake it a little. He's also really into faces right now. Noses, ears, mouths, teeth and tongues are fascinating and he'll examine them with the same intensity he does his toys.

Evan is also fascinated by the sound of his own voice. He still growls (which I love and also entertains the people around us to no end), gurgles, spits, jabbers and sings in a nice falsetto.

Evan sleeps so well... as long as we're home. He doesn't like to cuddle to sleep. In fact, if someone is there that he can see, he will do everything to stay awake. When I rock him for a minute before bed, he's looking around the room, reaching for toys and practically squirming out of my arms. But as soon as I lay him in his bed and give him his binky and blanket, he pulls the blankie up to his face, rolls on his side and relaxes right down. I walk out and don't hear another peep from him until it's time to wake up.

In the morning, we rarely find Evan in the same spot we left him in. He's turned 180 degrees, flipped on his belly, or shoved himself into a corner more often than not. Ryan was like that as a kid.

Bed time routine goes like this: (1) Getting tired  = crying (2) bath time = excitement (3) diaper back on = crying (4) lotion and massage = excitement (5) pajamas on = crying (6) bedtime snack = excitement (7) bedime snack over = crying (8) bedtime story and song = excitement (9) in bed with blanky and binky = can finally relax. Yes, bedtime is a very emotional time.

Evan has taken well to baby food. So far, he likes vegetables a lot more than he likes fruits. His favorite are carrots and squash (which was nice because I could make it from the squash in his grandma's garden = free. Yay!) So far the only ones he's flat-out refused are applesauce, potatoes and yogurt. Unfortunately, I've taught him too well not to reach for the food as I'm feeding him. I'm now trying to get him to pick up little bits of bread and practice feeding himself but he won't touch them.