We're stil here just in Twist

Well this is Courtney writing for the Garmon Gang today. The entire family is here in Earle/Twist. Meredith & Matt's Grandmother passed away yesterday. We all headed down to Twist last night. The funeral is going to be on Friday in Crawfordsville. Right now the Garmons and Matt and I do not have power so we are going to stay in Twist until the power resumes. We have been making the most out of today by a trip to West Memphis to get food and then a trip to John Deere. Pops, Matt & Crawford drove a "Big Tractor" as Crawford would say. We got some great pictures that Meredith will post when she gets back. I hope that everyone is safe at home and hopefully has electricity.

Court

Thanks Uncle Matt!

Once again, Matt came through with his babysitting services. Bo and I took Crawford to the mall yesterday afternoon. As most of you know - I HATE the mall - so you know I was really just going to get out of this house :)

Thanks Matt - we love you!

FYI - I know you can't see it really well, but Conlee's super cute outfit was a gift from Amanda. It is absolutely the softest, most adorable thing ever.

Almost 2!

Crawford turned 23 months old on Friday. I worked all weekend to get a "good" picture of him.

Not real sure what this face is?

This is how I see him 90% of the time - head down either playing with tractors and trains or coloring.
This is the "winning" pic - makes me smile.

His new favorite thing is entertaining Conlee as she is in the play pen. He sings, dances and shows her all of his toys. He also spends a lot of time pushing his face into the sides making "silly" faces at her.
He is also fascinated that she can "sit up" in her Bumbo. Isn't it funny to see her like that?

Feels like Spring

Yesterday afternoon, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and the entire family headed to the park. That's right - Conlee left the house! It's the first time she's been outside and we were scared she'd sleep the entire time. But, on the second lap around Gulley she woke up and loved it.

We had to use the super long double stroller because she's not big enough yet for the double jogging stroller. Bo and I both agree that it felt like driving a train! It was surprisingly smooth - so right now I am feeling good about this purchase. Can't wait for it to really be spring and spend lots of time at the park. But, for now I guess I need to get my head around freezing rain on Monday - fun!

Crawford really liked his seat. He would try to lean over and see Conlee. I was scared Conlee was going to fly off the front and from the picture it looks like she might. But, she actually was locked in and strapped on so she was safe.
Can you see the dirt on Crawford's shirt and jeans? When I picked him up from school - he was literally covered from head to toe (dirt even in his hair). They took full advantage of the pretty day and were outside all day!
Notice how his jeans look gray? That's the dirt!
I didn't think he could get any dirtier, but after ketchup with dinner I was proven wrong.

John Deere Fanatic

You can tell that farming is in Crawford's blood - he LOVES his tractors. I can't wait to take him to Babe & Pops' house this spring. He will freak when he gets to ride on a real tractor/combine/ANYTHING John Deere.

I asked him to say cheese, but all he would say was "play tractor." You think he wanted me to leave him alone?
We took this picture when he was 8 months old. It's in his room and he screams, "Pops tractor!" every time he looks at it.

Conlee's 2 Month Photo Shoot

So they might not be as good as Chris Stinson - but Crawford and I had a blast taking pictures of Conlee this afternoon! Crawford just kept yelling "cheese"!

Yes the flower is the size of her head. Yes, yours truly made it. Yes, Bo hates it.

So disappointed that you can't see the drool on her lip!
We tried to use props!
So it's sad, that some of my favorite pics were after the shoot. Conlee was in her crib "cooing" at her mobile.
It's the simple things that make them happy!


Again - the lashes on this kid.

My favorite shot of the day. I could just eat her up!

Just a Swinging

We finally tried out the swing this morning. She looks very serious, but she really loved it! Crawford was laughing and dancing around her. Pretty cute.

Who needs a club?

I've told you about Crawford's love of golf - well his latest discovery is that he can "play golf" with a ladel and a ball. I gave him the ladel to help me "cook" but he had other ideas.Check out the stance and the back swing.
Yes - that is the ball flying through the air. He can literally send it flying. We are now concentrating on putting. Much less chance of breaking things and as Bo taught him to say, "Drive for show; putt for dough."

In between watching the inaguration today, I plan to get Conlee dolled up for a 2 month old photo shoot. So check back for what I am sure will be adorable pics.

Projects, Parties and More

We've had a busy couple of days around here. Here are some highlights....

We are morning people around here.

A typical breakfast. Crawford loves his "puffins."

Friday's "project time" was creating a dinosaur out of shapes. Crawford colored the background while I cut the shapes.

I used the glue to draw the shape and had him find the matching shape and put it on the paper. So, some triangles are upside down, but at least he found the shapes :)
Saturday afternoon was Cole's party. The kids had a blast! Cole was nice enough to let Crawford help him blow out his candles. I was devastated to learn that Kyle was actually blowing the candles out for them!!!!
The cupcakes were a big hit.
A pinata filled with goodies! Miraculously - there were no injuries.
The weather was perfect - so Crawford took advantage and played on Cole's super cool play set.

There were the expected tears. An Elmo toy and book caused this exchange.
All was good when Cole got a golf club. Crawford insisted we open it. After sending a ball flying across the living room, Bo and Crawford took it outside.

They loved the ball pit.

Crawford really loves his megaphone we decorated. He yelled "Happy Birthday" the entire ride home.

Crawford spent the night with J-J and Sue-Sue. Matt and Courtney kept Conlee. So Bo and I got a much needed night out with friends. How I didn't get a picture I don't know - but it was so good to see Carl and Courtney! Bo, Conlee and I "slept" in until 9:30 (she ate at 6:45 and we went right back down) - it was great. Crawford got "rave" reviews on his behavior - so we are going to be taking advantage of the "stay over" much more often!

When Crawford got home, he re-discovered the paper roll in his room. What to do with a mile-long piece of paper???? Lay down and trace each other. So - we turned a "time-out" into project time and it as actually a lot of fun!