The boys so badly wanted a wrestling match with Caleb. The were begging for it. This must be a boy thing. Seeing that we have no TV, we have to come up with our own entertainment in the evenings. Usually with this kind of activity, somebody always gets hurt. Fortunately no one did...except Caleb got a good beating. He took it like a man. I posted a video below in the middle of these pics. William loves to watch it over and over again.
Caleb is in there somewhere
I don't know why I thought that I could be a by stander. Even my kids gained up on me. Thanks to Thomas who got a hold of my camera and documented this. There were some pretty ugly pictures of momma that have been permanently deleted.
VIDEO BELOW
This is the video that William watches now over and over, laughing at himself getting flung around.
Thomas was kind enough to take some sweet pictures of Caleb and I after everyone calmed down and before Caleb headed back home.
He doesn't just give one kiss, he makes circles around my chunky cheeks, forehead, chin, nose and if I am lucky I get a kiss on the lips. He is such a tender heart always giving those sweet kisses. I love it most when he kisses me on my forehead and whispers to me how much he loves me...and never forgets to say "and I love your kids just as much". That means more to me than he will ever know.
I love these big hugs and squeezes he gives. I have to learn not to say, "Wait...the hair/make-up" and just soak them all in.
I didn't realize that he made this face and gesture till I downloaded the pics. Too funny!
Notice how blond his facial hair is? Every one he knows usually ask his if he bleaches it. Nope, he works at the Canyons ski resort and his facial hair is sun bleached.
I truly love this man. He has made me and the kids so happy. There are days where I sit back and think, "I don't deserve him, he is too good to us." For me and my personality, interest/hobbies, and children...he is perfect, perfect for me/us. We are very blessed. Life is good...
This is a complete random post with pictures, mainly off my mobile phone that I finally downloaded for the week. The are definitely not as clear as my regular camera.
The other night I was putting the kids to bed (and they were slightly hyper as usual) and Caleb came in with his guitar and played primary songs for the kids before bed time in the boys room. They were so excited. Lydia came running in and had to be a part of it also.
On Tuesday I go to the church house in the evening to sew. Ono those nights I have the kids so they play in the gym. Take this moment in...it is a rare moment between Lydia and Thomas who constantly are butting heads. It was worth a picture to document that they actually can get along.
BOWMAN'S, Does this car look familiar? I saw it in the parking lot and smiled. This is an old British taxi from England. When we lived in England, my parents bought one and this was our family car. If you look closely you can see the glass sliding window between the driver and the back seats which faced each other. My Parents I am sure used that window more often than not to drown out the sounds of five children in the back seats.
Lydia forgot her shoes so she "had" to go on Caleb's shoulders. He got her a redbox movie, she was happy.
DAY OFF
Caleb had a weekday off from work, so he came over and wanted to install a new toy in his guitar. It was a permanent acoustic pick-up that takes an acoustic guitar and makes it into an electric acoustic guitar. Funny thing, he couldn't do it without Lydia's help. Not only did she hold the flashlight for him, but she had to stick her little hand in and help pull through electric wires. She was so excited to help and feel needed.
It took her entire arm, all the way up to her shoulder to get the wires installed.
At one point their heads were leaning on each other taking this project so seriously. Too cute!
Kids had a chance to play Juinor Jazz basketball this winter for the first time. They loved it and learned so much. At the end of the season they get to meet one of the Jazz players from the Utah Jazz team. This year they met Enes Kanter from Turkey. He is 20 yrs old and is a very tall! Below is Williams little buddy Seth asking a question.
They had warms up games with Kanter.
The other day Caleb came over so tired and sunburned from work (his little ears especially) and crashed on the bean bag for a bit. Lydia went to say good night to him before she went to bed (with otter pop in hand) and after she climbed up to say goodnight, he rolled over on her arm and fell back asleep. She thought it was so funny that he didn't even wake up...and let him sleep in her arm for a few more minutes. She then wanted her arm back.
Friday afternoon, March 2nd my kids and I were in the kitchen listening to KTMP and none other than Mr. Caleb Gray came on! I knew this was going to happen, but my kids did not and they were so giddy and excited when they head Kerry Hobbs announce, "And now we have a special treat this afternoon. We have Mr. Caleb Gray in here today.....". Their reaction was, "Is he talking about Caleb? He's famous" over and over again. He was on for about 20 mins. I have attached a small edited version and one of his two songs he played.
We played at The Angry Bull that night. He plays for about 87% of the time (almost four hours) and I jump in and fill in the rest with my hammered dulcimer and also as his "June Cash" when we sing Johnny and June Cash.
Check out that new sweet vintage microphone that works for both us to sing into at the same time. It is so clear!
Below are some video's of Caleb singing/playing his guitar.
This one below is at the 2011 Box Elder Co. Fair up in Tremonton last fall. This is best friend Logan on the banjo. This was the last time he played with him, unfortunately Logan passed away a week later in a car accident when he went into diabetic shock while driving. This song "Wagon Wheel" has a whole new meaning to him now.
Caleb has a raw talent of learning songs by ear and picking them out without sheet music. He knew this was my Dad's favorite song by his favorite artist, Brenn Hill. He learned it all by ear by listening to it over and over again and then played it for my Dad for Christmas when he came up for New Years. My Dad was very impressed to say the least. The picking sounds identical to Brenn Hill.
This is one of my favorites. You can guarantee that every time Caleb is over with his guitar, these two are going to have some form of a jam session. He is so very patient with her and that electric guitar that just won't stay in tune for more than a minute. She loves the first song they play which is, "Love you forever" by the Beatles. Caleb played this song for me late one night so gently and perfectly. It was the first time he has made me cry for him on his guitar.
I recorded him playing with his new toy that adds back up vocals to your voice through the mic. when he pushes the button with his left foot on the floor. I tell him it's cheating. It's a tricky toy. It is not very forgiving and hard to use if you are not on perfect pitch.
Here is one of my Valentine gifts from Caleb (along with a Steak dinner that night:)
Mark and I got the kids valentines treats and left them at the door for them to find from their secret admirer
Caleb joked that this heart shaped pizza was going to be my V-day dinner. It was so good, I would have been fine with it...but the steak dinner was amazing.
I "broke his heart" shaped pizza.
We took the kids to basketball practice and then we hang out and play at the Rec center. We do this about twice a week. The kids love it! Cheap family time I say.
The boys are practicing in the background while Caleb and Lydia throw the football. I did take pics of the boys but they all turned out blurry.
Huddle before game time.
Lydia (my Tom-Boy) always steals Caleb's hat.
Also, she insist on having a tooth pick in her mouth like Caleb does. He has a handful in his coat pocket and she always helps her self. As long as she doesn't run with it.
Now that we got rid of TV, we have to find our own entertainment. Caleb has taught them Solitaire and Uno, but they always look forward to war time with guns (below).
I am doing this in hopes that someday my children will look back at these little glimpses into their early personalities; observe and understand who they are and where they came from with fond, pleasant, and amiable memories.
