Pictures

I have been slacking when it comes to photo posts. Jace moves fast and I haven't been as diligent about chasing him with the camera. I'll try to do better because I'm missing the great shots that we were getting.

These photos are both from 2 weeks ago. Wow, time flies.

We drove to Fort Morgan to meet my parents for lunch and exchange vehicles. After lunch Jace played in the park and checked out the "rain...whooo...whooo". That's Jace making the train sound.
Grandma Elaine had her hands full one Sunday afternoon babysitting all 3 babies. All of them are under two years old and they don't always play nice together.

Dropped

That Photoshop class stunk! I was running late getting Jace to Palmer's. Joel saved me by having some directions printed and ready for me to grab as I frantically raced out the door. Despite the directions I got lost 3 times on the unfamiliar Lowry campus. I was almost in tears by the third time I attempted the round-a-bout intersection that lead to nowhere I wanted to go. I kept it together and finally, FINALLY, found the classroom. I was 15 minutes late and trying not to hyperventilate as the instructor (younger than me) asked if I was a Mac or PC. (Yes, I wish I was more like the Justin Long Mac guy but I'm more of a brown suit and comb-over PC.) Just to make me feel worse, the only computer left was the Mac. I looked like an idiot trying to figure out how to log on in front of Ethan (short E, sound like Ethanol - I'm rolling my eyes right now). I was beyond annoyed and totally frustrated but finally ready to get started.
After the traditionally boring class introductions. Ethan launched into a speech about how this class will primarily focus on web design use of Photoshop and sorry to those of us that are either here for film school credit or for Photography (I think only half the class was there for web design).
I stayed through the class but decided on the drive home that I could not deal with the frustration that Ethan would be dishing out every Monday evening. I also don't want to spend the money required for the 3 texts and different version of Photoshop. I want a new stove instead. Then I can make cookies and forget this whole thing ever happened.

I'm not sick - yet

Seriously, how long can I hope to stay feeling good when both men in the house keep coughing and breathing on me?
I thought Jace was getting better when we stopped using half a box of tissue a day on his nose. Unfortunately, this cough is hanging on and now Joel is feeling crummy too. He might have called in sick today if it wasn't the first real day of work that the survey company in three months. Instead he drug himself out of bed and all the way to Boulder for the day.
I need to get Jace and I ready for Monday night dinner at the Palmer's. I start a Photoshop class tonight but am not really looking forward to it as much as I was when I signed up. I am worried about the long class (6-10PM) and finding the unfamiliar location. Hopefully, once I get there and figure out what is going on it will be fun. Ideally, my photo posts will get better as I learn some new skills. Wait and see.

Snot-bucket

It's not nice. It's not even cute but that is what we (mostly me) have nicknamed Jace the past couple of days. Poor guy has a icky cold. He started coughing on Sunday and sometime Tuesday his nose turned into a faucet. Joel and I feel bad cause there is not much we can do for him besides wipe his nose and give him lots of juice and snuggles. He has become really good at blowing his nose on command.
Yesterday Jace sneezed and, before I could catch him with the tissue, he swiped the back of his hand across his face. Be thankful I didn't take a picture before I cleaned snot off his eye lashes. EWWWW

lucky I don't wear lipstick

Jace got hold of one of the many tubes of Lip Ice lip balm that are scattered around our house. He knows how to open and use them but today he decided to also dig his finger into the tube. The bottom half of his face was covered!

If it was lipstick he would have looked like the Joker.

his post office

This week has been nice. I like to think of it as "normal". Normal in my mind is Jace and I at home together during the week and Joel working and home every evening. This is the first time we have experienced that schedule in a long time. Joel's work situation is still very weird. Not sure what is going on with his company. Technically he still works there but they haven't had anything for him to do yet this year. So this week he is working for his Dad. I'm just thrilled to have him working and home at night.

Jace and I stay busy during the days. He is talking lots. Sometimes I can understand him. Sometimes he gets frustrated when I can't understand him. He often requests "moo-ee", by which he means he wants us to put in a movie for him. Usually it is Aladdin. I'm pretty sure we have watched the first half hour of that movie 50 times. He loves watching movies but he also plays well on his own. Yesterday, I was cleaning up the kitchen after lunch and he constructed his own "post office". His booster chair has a carrying handle and I keep index cards in a drawer near the phone. He combined the two items and stayed busy for 20 minutes slipping cards through the slot.

He always loves playing outside. Our backyard is pitifully small but he stomps around and digs in the snow.

Happy in the snow.

counting and cookie

At breakfast this morning Jace was impressing us with his new counting skills and demolishing a tiny piece of "tookie" that Joel had given him.

The tiny puppy

Here is a photo to verify my claim that the new puppy at Jessica's house is adorable. In the photo the puppy's eye looks weird but it is because one eye is dark and the other is light. The kids are lobbying hard to keep the puppy (big surprise).
Dustin and Alyssa taking a half-second break from arguing to smile for the camera.

A new hat

Hooray for getting caught up on blog posts. This photo was just yesterday. After church we visited Palmer's house. Jace got Lego blocks for Christmas (the big ones, Duplo). He decided that the bucket made a nice hat. He was walking around the house showing everyone he new accessory. He was also chewing on a little piece of celery. This is the face he makes when you ask him to smile for the camera. The green stuff in his mouth is just a charming bonus.

Yesterday evening we were invited to Jessica's house for dinner. Don made a yummy bean soup and Jessica made a super rich, delicious salad with lots of avocado and cheese. We got to meet the new puppy that they are keeping for a few weeks, Ozzy (or maybe its Aussie). It is another mini Australian Shepard, like Emma only even smaller. Jace went crazy for it. The poor puppy. I can't blame Jace for getting excited though. The puppy looks like a stuffed animal. It is tiny and soft and fluffy. Who wouldn't want to squeeze it.

Cole's Birthday Party

Saturday evening we attended Cole's 2nd birthday party. I think that Jace was the youngest kiddo there (though only a few months younger than Cole). Jace may also have been the only kiddo without older siblings. He was obviously not used to having so many bigger kids around. It was loud and crazy but I think Jace had a good time. He was pretty excited about playing with Cole's trucks especially when the other kids were busy elsewhere.

We all enjoyed the taco dinner. Deanna made and decorated a great tractor cake. I might have to borrow the cake pan and recreate the cake (in green of course). Joel practiced his guitar skills on the Wii. He also made fun of my total lack of coordination when I tried the game for the first time. I guess I am not the rock star I thought I was.

Thanks for the great party Mumfreys.

Out back

One of the things that I love about Colorado winters is that it can snow several inches one day and then two days later the snow is melted away and the sun is out. That is not the case now. The snow in our shaded back yard has been there since before Christmas. It has been too cold to play outside for more days than usual. Jace couldn't stand being cooped up so we sent him out back for a few minutes with his new T-ball bat. He stomped around making marks in the snow. It looked like he was taking measurements. When he tripped he wanted to be rescued because he refused to put his hands in the snow.

Angel in the morning

Joel snapped this photo last week. We were enjoying a lazy morning. Joel brought Jace into our room when he woke up. Jace likes to come in and snuggle for a few minutes before heading downstairs to find breakfast and watch cartoons.

It is one of my favorite times of the day. His face smells like soap and drool and he hasn't started telling me "NO" yet.

Four Christmases

Our tree is packed away for another season and we are finally feeling rested after the holiday blurr.

We were so lucky to get to spend time with lots of family over Christmas.

I posted most of the photos. Here are a few more of my favorites:

Jace loves to watch himself on the video camera. It is a problem because whenever we get the camera out to try to catch something cute that he is doing, he stops and demands to see the videos. Joel created a cute moment by filming Jace as he watched himself on the video screen.

Jace and I took a quick clean up break in the middle of the Palmer family Christmas festivities.

The Palmer family group on Christmas Eve: back row - Dustin, Janae, Emma (puppy), Alyssa and Don. front row - Joel, Janet, Elaine, Jace, Gary, Jessica and Me

The Courtney family: back row - Erin & Joel Palmer, Becky & Dan Brophy, Andrea, Shari & Mark Courtney, Kadra & Curt Brophy. middle row - Pete, Lily & Patrick Sullivan, Matt Courtney. front row - Lea Ann Sullivan, John & Mary Courtney, Joy Brophy, Jace Palmer and Doug Brophy.
Jace and Grandad Doug visited Great Grandpa Des's house after Christmas. Jace quickly found the box of toys in the closet and made himself at home. He was momentarily impressed with the mounted deer head. His expression is so animated it makes me laugh every time I see this photo.

Christmas at the Brophy's

Courtney family Christmas

Christmas at the Palmer's

Christmas at our house

Skiing at Winter Park

The weekend before Christmas we joined my parents and the Sullivan family at Winter Park. We had a great time, mostly.
Jace was fighting a cold and had one tough night where he was stuffed up and crying. We spent part of the night watching the Muppet Show because it calmed him down. Jace finally fell asleep between Joel and I at the foot of the bed. He woke himself up in the morning by rolling over and getting stuck between the mattress and the foot board.
I didn't ski. Instead I enjoyed playing with Jace, visiting with Mom and Lea Ann and relaxing at the rented townhouse. The skiers reported that the mountain really needs more snow. Many runs were still closed and others were rocky. Lily had an unexpected crash that made us all thankful that she wears a ski helmet. All the skiers were tired and sore at the end of their adventures. In the evenings we all watched movies, played games and enjoyed lots of yummy food including our version of Grandma's pizza.
The ski weekend is a tradition that we love. Can't wait for the next time.

The group: back row - Lily, Andrew, Patrick, Joel front row - Erin, Lea Ann, Joy, Jace & Doug (Pete left before we took the photo.)

1st Haircut - Dec. 17, 2009

I'm still playing catch up on the blog postings.

You know you need a haircut when: Cheerios get stuck in your hair.
Jace's first haircut was done by Lisa at Fantastic Sam's. She has cut Joel's hair for years (and mine too). She did a great job of cleaning up Jace's baby-frizz without taking too much off. Hopefully now people will stop asking us how old our little girl is.