VISITING GRANDMA & GRANDPA CHARLES

We've been here a week, and a lot has happened so far. The biggest thing is that all Luke wants to do is WALK. He walks everywhere. Grandma and Grandpa's house is so much bigger than ours, and they have a great long hallway for practicing. Now because of all this walking, he has had more boo-boo's than I can count. Mostly bumps and bruises on the head, but the biggest injury (so far) came Thursday morning. We're not sure what happened, but he ended up with a cut on his chin.

This picture was taken Friday morning, after Grandma put medicine and a band-aid on it.



On Friday, we headed to Tucumcari, to do a little shopping and it was a little windy and chilly out, so Luke was dressed appropriately.



On Saturday, Grandpa and Luke started rooting early for their team on Sunday.



Sunday was a beautiful day, so after church and a much needed nap, Luke, Mommy and Grandpa went outside to enjoy the weather. Again, all he wanted to do was walk, but better yet on ROCKS!! I don't know if it was the sound of the crunching or the challenge of not falling, but he loved it.



Later that day, some friends of Grandma and Grandpa came over and brought their grandson, Rowdy. Yes, his name is Rowdy. He is twenty months old and only a little bigger than Luke. It was so cute to watch Luke play with someone near his size. Rowdy has red hair, which Luke was constantly trying to pet.



Monday was another gorgeous day, so on our way to lunch we stopped at the little park so Luke could play. He had just woken up after falling asleep in the car, so he really wasn't into it.



On Tuesday, we went on a big shopping trip to Clovis. During this shopping expedition, Grandpa bought Luke his first pair of Wrangler Jeans. This picture was taken when he was trying them on. They are very long on him, so they are perfect for the "Stack 'em up" style that is popular with the cowboys.



Grandpa also tried to buy him his first cowboy hat, but he wouldn't keep it on his head. Maybe next year. He sure makes a cute cowboy.



On this shopping trip, Grandma also bought Luke a pair of overalls. He's just so adorable. Check out the frog slipper socks!!



Today was REALLY COLD!!! We had to go out to the Senior Center for their annual Holiday dinner, so Luke got to sport the new winter coat, hat and gloves, that Grandpa bought him. The coat is HUGE on him. Check out the overalls and boots. He's turning into a real cowboy.

FALL FUN

Yesterday was a perfect fall day here in VA. Luke and I took the opportunity to head outside to play. Since we live in the woods, we have an over abundance of leaves, so I got out the rake and raked up a pile on the deck for him to play in.






I think he had FUN!!


A boy and his dog.

LUKE'S GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER!!!

Yes, amazingly it's true, Luke is going to be a big brother - again. I am about 11 weeks along with an estimated due date of May 23, 2009. I say estimated, because I have no idea when my last period was. The doctor is making this estimation based on the measurement he took of the fetus, which is about 1-5/8" long. To quote my doctor, he says..."AT THIS POINT..." there is only one in there, but he will check again when I go back in four weeks. Please, everyone, pray for ONE healthy baby.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!

Every year, our neighborhood, Windwood Coves, hosts their annual Halloween Hayride. There are three trailers set up with haybales for the kids to ride in and driven around to all the homes offering treats (and some tricks). This year however, due to the high number of kids, we had in addition to the three trailers, many pick-up trucks and golf-carts. With around 50-60 kids and their accompaning adults, we had quite an entourage. Now we don't have that many kids that live in the neighborhood full time, but with families that have weekend homes here, grandparents with grandkids, and friends of the kids, the numbers can really add up.



This year, we went as Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Our Goldilocks was the one and only Ali Judy. She is one of our neighbors, who's family has a weekend home here and spends a lot of time with us in the summer helping out with Luke.



Ali and Luke as Goldilocks and Baby Bear



Baby Bear practicing his walking



Mommy and her Baby Bear



Daddy and his Baby Bear



Luke got to help Mr. Mark drive the lead tractor, but once everything started at 5:00, he got in one of the trailers with Mommy. The Trick or Treating, via Hayride, lasted about 3.5 hours. With all the houses that were visited and ALL the kids, it definitely took a while. Mamma Bear and Baby Bear bailed out at about 6:30. We got off the trailer and got in the truck with Papa Bear, who was following along at the end of the entourage. We kept up with the group until around 7:30 so we could experience the "TRICK" house at Mr. Johnny's house. We had to wait to go there until it was totally dark. Mr. Johnny had is house completely decked out in Halloweend decor. When the kids were pulled up in front of the house in the trailers, he jumped out with a circular saw and made them all scream. He had bloody dismembered body parts on the porch and a rat that was caught in a trap and flopping around. Every year, all the little kids remember this house. They cry to their parents saying they don't want to go, but once they're there, and scream a little bit they love it. Mr. Johnny definitely goes all out to scare and entertain our little Trick or Treaters.

I linked up here (10.8.10)

OUR FIRST WALKING CASUALITY

Check out my FAT lip!!






I was practicing my walking and fell and busted it on the edge of the table. But I'm a big boy - I only cried a little bit - and there was blood and everything. Mommy's going right out and buying some protectors. I don't know why she hadn't done it before.

AREN'T I ADORABLE?

GETTING READY FOR HALLOWEEN!!

WEEKEND AT THE HUNT CAMP

This past weekend, the Faucheux family had a nice relaxing weekend at our second home, Marc's hunt camp, Pan Fauna. The camp is located in Bath County, which is in western Virginia, right on the West Virginia state line, and nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Needless to say, being the middle of October, the fall colors were spectacular. Being that we were in the mountains, the temperature was definitely a little chilly, but Marc's expert fire making skills kept us nice and toasty. The camp doesn't have heat or air conditioning. So in the winter, the entire house is heated by the HUGE fireplace on the first floor. Luckily, our bedroom is right next to the fireplace, so we were kept nice and warm while we slept.

We got there, late Friday afternoon, and Marc got to building the fire right away. The fireplace is so big, that they use 3' long logs. It sure puts off a lot of heat. Luke learned pretty well that it was hot. Here he is warming his tushy in front of it.



This little coffee table that he is standing at is about four feet from the couch. It was the perfect distance for him to practice his walking. He did a lot of back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

Later that evening, once Luke was ready for bed, we all gathered around the fireplace and played a little cards. Luke caught on real quick.



On Saturday, Marc got busy doing manly things. He shares his room with another guy, Ken Runkles, who was also there that weekend with his wife, Jennifer. So while the guys got busy building bigger bed frames in their room, Jennifer and I relaxed around the fire, and tried to keep Luke and our dogs out of trouble.

Luke was loving crawling around and getting absolutely covered in dog hair, fireplace soot, and dirt. In this photo, he went exploring for fur balls under the chairs and got stuck. Of course, I had to take his picture before I got him un-stuck.



When the guys were done building the beds, Luke offered to help with the clean-up. He loved playing with the shop-vac. We needed to use it on him. Check out how dirty his knees are.



The weekend was wonderful. The guys got their new beds done, the gals got to relax, and even Lucy found a new friend, Maggie.

OUR LITTLE ORANGATANG

Well Monday night was definitely not a fluke. Luke is definitely walking. And now we have pictures to prove it.



OK Mommy, here I come.



I'm almost there.



Whew!! I made it!!

At this point, he is taking about 4 or 5 steps before he falls. But last night was a first, in that he is definitely braver and not afraid to just let go and take off. He was in the bedroom with Marc and took off from the end of the bed and headed to the nightstand, which is about 6' in distance. First time walkers are so funny to watch, with their arms flailing in the air.

He's our little Orangatang.

Watch out Grandma and Grandpa Charles! When I come to visit, I'm going to run you ragged.

HE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture (yet) to mark this amazing accomplishment.

Last night, Monday, October 13, 2008, Luke took his first real steps.

I stood him up...let go...he got his balance...I backed up and held out his bottle...and then...he took 4 steps, completely unassisted.

Marc and I were so excited, we started screaming, which of course startled Luke. He started to cry, but we just kept giving him hugs and kisses and then he started laughing.

So at 13months and 2 days old, Luke started walking.

WHAT????

You know what they say... "you should ALWAYS keep an eye on your child." Mostly for safety and keeping them out of danger. Well yesterday, while I was loading the dishwasher, and NOT keeping an eye on my child - this is what he got into. Not Danger - Just Mischief.

I LOVE LAUNDRY

Mommy has such a good little helper. He kept trying to climb in the dryer, so I put him inside to look for any stray socks.

LUKE'S FIRST COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME

On Saturday, October 4th, 2008, the Faucheux family loaded up the Volvo wagon and headed west, along with two other cars filled with friends, to Charlottesville. We were off to attend the University of Virginia vs. Maryland football game. With the way the two teams had performed so far this season, it was sure to probably be a blow-out with Maryland wiping the floor with UVA. Even though we all had our doubts that our team would win, we were all still fired up!

Before the game, we parked at a nearby church to do a little tailgating. Of course there was a lot of good food, but the main entertainment was trying to keep from getting hit on the head by falling acorns. We were parked under two LARGE Oak trees, so there was a constant barrage of them. Luke truly enjoyed his first tailgating party!!



It was the perfect night for football - a crisp, cool, early fall evening with a beautiful sunset and the crescent moon high in the sky.
What could be better?



Mom and Dad had a great time watching Luke enjoy this first experience.



Like Father, like Son - so intense while watching the game.



GO!!! HOOS!! GO!!



Amazingly, the blow-out we had feared didn't happen. Actually, the blow-out went the other way.
UVA completely SHUT OUT Maryland 31-0.

What a great game!!!



Thanks Mommy and Daddy, I had a lot of fun!!!!!!

MMM...SPAGHETTIOS

On our second attempt, Luke has decided that he now likes Spaghettios. I think the part that he enjoys most, is the fact that it's a great food for fingerpainting images on his forehead

Our Sweet Angel

Max, one year ago today, we sadly had to say goodbye to you. The three weeks we had with you just weren't enough. We wanted more time to give you more hugs and kisses. Even though the time was short, we will cherish it forever.

We love you and miss you something awful. XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

YEEE - HAWWW!!!!

We have a little cowboy in the making. Grandma & Grandpa Charles have bought Luke his first pair of cowboy boots. This would not be an outfit he would normally wear, but Mommy wanted to showcase the boots.