Heiner Family Christmas party

This Saturday my family got together for our annual Christmas party. We met at Jeanette's house in Logan because it is about equal distance for all of us.

It was fun to see everyone! The kids are all growing up so fast! I couldn't believe how big my brother Shon's kids are getting. We don't get to see them very often, so every time we do it seems like they have changed so much. His oldest daughter will be 15 next month, which is unbelievable!

We drove up on Saturday morning, and just beat my sisters Shannon and Jalene there. It took a while to get everyone organized so we could have lunch before opening the presents. While we were waiting, Grandpa Heiner took the opportunity to take a little snooze with his newest granddaughter Samantha.

Isn't that sweet?
We all tried to help out as best we could, but sometimes its hard to get that many people organized. We finally had lunch and then got around to opening presents. This year we did it in Jeanette and Greg's garage, which was nice because there was plenty of room for everyone!

This year Jacob is MUCH more excited about opening presents! Last year he didn't quite get it, but he sure does this year. He loved opening the papers and seeing what was inside.

Here he is getting down on the ground to rip at the wrapping paper. This present was from Grandpa and Grandma to Jacob and Ephraim. It was a whole set of chunky, plastic Tonka trucks. Jacob has been having a great time with. We have even persuaded him that he can share with Ephraim... a little. :o)

One of his other favorites was this Thomas the Tank Engine. It rolls along on wheels and makes a chug-chugging train sound, which Jacob loves. To top it off, the smokestack has a red light in it that goes off. Jacob has been using Thomas as the engine and all the other Tonka trucks as the cars. Then he pushes his little "train" around the living room until the trucks peel off different directions. It's pretty funny.

The other thing Jacob does with Thomas and his trucks is carry them around EVERYWHERE in the red bag that Aunt Jeanette made for him. He thinks it's so much fun!

As you might imagine, Ephraim was not quite sure what all this opening presents stuff was about. He did help me with the wrapping paper here and there.

Somewhere along the way we lost Jacob to Grandpa and Grandma... he ended up sitting over with them. At least he was having a good time, right?

Apparently Grandpa and Grandma were enjoying everyone's company too!


I know I was having a great time! Joe let me open that big box that he had put under the tree! I honestly didn't know what was in that box... especially since it was so light!

That Joe! He took the camera out of the box and then wrapped it empty! Then when I opened the box my dad pulled the camera out from it's hiding place and started to take pictures. Needless to say I was really surprised! I was SO happy too! I couldn't believe that I didn't have to wait MANY more months to earn the money to get the camera of my dreams! He used all the extra money he earned doing tech support at a conference to get it for me! What a sweet man!


Just in case you were wondering... this is what Joe got me. The Canon XSi with two lenses. I am in heaven! We have already been having a great time trying it out and taking lots of pictures.

So I guess you could say that I am happy with my Christmas present!


They say that if Mommy is happy, then everyone is happy. Well, do these guys look happy to you?

I thought so!
I hope your Christmas is as wonderful as mine has been so far!

Ephraim, Thin and Tall

Our Doctor's appointment on Friday went pretty well. The only pain was that they were running behind, so we had to wait for a while. Actually, Ephraim and Jacob would probably argue that the shots were more of a pain than that was!

Ephraim only had to get two shots, which was nice. Since we were at the Doctor's office, I decided to get Jacob his flu shot. He was upset by it, but forgot about it by the end of the day. It was nice to finish our appointment and then take the boys home for their afternoon nap.

Ephraim is still growing! It seems that both my boys are on the tall and thin side. Here are the stats:

Length: 28.5 inches (70th percentile)
Weight: 18 lbs 8 oz (20th percentile)
Head circumference: 45.5 cm (40th percentile)

Doctor Arnold said that Ephraim is still doing great. He went down a bit as far as his weight percentage is concerned, but he's is very active and still growing taller so it seems it's all good.

Ephraim constantly has his hands and everything else in his mouth. It's because he's still working on teeth. Dr. Arnold and I were both laughing at how silly Ephraim's teeth are growing in. Right now he has three bottom teeth and one on the top. Right now it looks like he is going to end up with his right front tooth, a gap, and then his left incisor on the top. Then his other front tooth will come in. He will have quite a grin for a while!

If you look at this photo up close, you can see the tooth on the top that is in and the ones that are working on it. What a cutie, huh?!

Ephraim at nine months

Our little baby boy is NINE MONTHS old! Time goes by so quickly! I actually missed his eight month post and pictures because the time just got away from me.

Just look at how much he has grown! If you want to see all of his monthly photos, just click on the "bear compare" label below. It's amazing how fast these little ones grow!

What a sweet boy! Don't let the innocent face fool you though... he is into anything and everything! Ephraim crawls incredibly fast! I guess he is just trying to keep up with that brother of his. Not only is Ephraim crawling, he is already pulling up on things and cruising around the furniture!

Can I just tell you how hard it was to get these photos! This boy is lightening-quick. He does not want to hold still because then he might miss out on some of the action.

Here is a photo of his cute little backside... which is probably what I see most! Hehe! I have had to move things around quite a bit because he can reach the top of the coffee table, the end table in my bedroom, the bench in his room, the piano bench... and on and on! Ephraim is very curious and wants to touch EVERYTHING.

He also adores his older brother. When I was trying to get Ephraim's photos, Jacob had to run and get his bear to have his picture taken too. Aren't they cute!


I love my boys. Some days they may test my patience and drive me a bit crazy... but they are worth it. They bring me such happiness and joy.


In other developments... Ephraim has decided that he can crawl up the stairs. I caught him the other day when he was already on his way up. What a character!

See ya Mommy!

This isn't so hard.

Are you still watching me?!

Look how high up I am!

He nearly gave me a heart attack! I've got to keep my eye on this one!

We have our doctor's appointment tomorrow, so I will have to update you with all the stats later. The boys will both be getting flu shots too, so that should be tons of fun. ;o)

I have been working on getting out the next size up clothes for Ephraim because he is growing so fast. I can't help but smile and reminisce when I look at Jacob's old clothes. I remember how little he once was and it amazes me. Then at the same time I look at the clothes and think about how BIG my little Eper-beeper is getting. It's so crazy.

We love both our boys and are glad they are part of our family. It is going to be so much fun sharing Christmas with them this year!

Scholastic is Fantastic!

So late afternoon/early evening on Friday I went to the Scholastic Warehouse Sale with Melinda, Andrea, and Karyn. We had a great time! You would not believe how many books there were... and they were all on a really great sale! It was like a librarian's dream. :o)

Look at all the pretty books! An entire warehouse full, stacked to the rafters.
What's a librarian to do?!


It was so hard to chose! You just can't beat half off the Scholastic regular price. I got some great books for Jacob as well as some of my other nephews. Here is a photo of the other ladies checking out.

Melinda and Karyn needed boxes because they got so many books! We all bought over $50 worth in books because then we got $10 off. I could have spent twice what I did... but I managed to refrain. Here we are with all of our loot! What fun!

I ended up with 15 books and Melinda ended up with 34! Can you believe it?
I am definitely going to have to save up so I can go again the next time they have a sale!

Sunday Morning Candids

Yesterday we enjoyed a little bit of family time before getting ready to go to church. Somehow the camera got involved... so of course I had to share!

Look at the huge grins the boys gave me!

Ok... I'm smiling Mommy! Is this big enough?

I guess at the Devereaux household we are happy about going to church. We were just having fun playing around. Here is a cute picture of Joe and Ephraim:

Jacob was even being pleasant and smiling nicely for the camera. Maybe there is hope for us to get a nice family photo (without the drama!) in the future after all. Doesn't he look sweet?

Joe took a couple of photos too. I will spare you the one where he had his finger over the flash (sound familiar?) and thus the photo had a pink tint! Here is one that he took that I think is nice.

Hope you enjoyed Sunday morning at our house as much as we did!

To nap or not to Nap?

About a block and a half from our house they are working on a new church building. Of course that means that there are tractors, excavators and lots of other heavy equipment. Joe reminded me about it one day and told me I should take Jacob out to see the construction site. So the next day we went.

When we got there we found an excavator that was not in use. Jacob thought it was pretty cool and wanted to "get closer". I thought it was funny to see this little boy next to such a big piece of equipment.

Needless to say we have been going on walks nearly every day to look at the equipment. There was one day this week that I think we watched a bucketloader push dirt for about a half hour. Jacob was completely rivited... and I was a bit bored. Well, at least he was having fun!

Then we went and saw this large piece of equipment. I think it's a grader? Maybe not... anyway Jacob walked right up to it and touched the tire (it wasn't in use either). He thinks these trucks are fascinating, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind seeing one under the Christmas tree. Too bad they are HUGE!

Sometimes we go on these walks in an effort to use up some of Jacob's energy. Honestly, I am trying to wear him out so he will take a nap. I don't think he's quite ready to give them up yet, even though he tries not to sometimes.

When he doesn't get a nap he is grumpy and tired. Tuesday this week I could not get Jacob to take a nap. Then in the evening he came downstairs with me while I worked on the computer. Joe was helping Will out with a Christmas present for his grandkids and was going to come get Jacob when they were done (so he could play with Will).

I heard a knock on the door and said, "Jacob, Will's here!". As I headed towards the stairs I found Jacob just like this:

Yep. He had fallen asleep on one of the rocking chairs downstairs. It wasn't even 7 p.m.! It kind of made me laugh because he is such a cute little guy.

Of course when he woke up a little while later I had to take him over so he could play with Will. :o) Right now it seems we are on an every other day kind of schedule. The funny thing is that if he takes a nap it is usually 2 1/2 hours long!

I hope he keeps taking naps because that is when I get to work on my crafts, blogs, photos, etc. I am sure that he will stop napping eventually, but for now my answer is NOT YET!

Can you believe it's December already?

We hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Aren't the boys just adorable? It is going to be fun this year, having two boys at Christmastime! Jacob is SO excited about everything, which makes it fun. And Ephraim is just a happy, smiling bundle of energy. 

It is definitely true that children make holidays more fun. Jacob's excitement and energy are infectious. Ephraim is seeing everything about Christmas for the first time! I think as adults sometimes we need help to bring that wonder and excitement back into our lives. :o)

p.s. Thanks SO much to Jeanette for helping me with this card!

Over the River and Through the Woods

So here is my Thanksgiving post... not quite a week late!

We had a great time in Wyoming. The drive up to my parent's house went pretty well. We only had to stop a couple of times for potty breaks. :o) We got there about an hour or so before the big dinner. It was quite the spread, but there were plenty of us to help eat all the yummy food!

This year there were so many of us that we actually had a "kiddie table". Jacob did pretty well eating over there with the other kids.

After dinner we all sat around and digested. :o) We talked a bit and played around on the many laptops available too. I got Jacob to put his turkey-leg hat back on so I could take a few photos. Isn't he cute?

I also got Ephraim to wear it... for approximately 5 seconds. Good thing I'm fast with the camera!

The turkey-leg hat was a source of amusement for quite a while. It got a bit dismantled, but I think Jacob liked it better that way.

Nothing like a post-dinner snack!

Even Samantha thought the turkey leg looked pretty tasty!

A few hours later Joe and I left the boys with everyone else and went on a little photo-excursion. Just before we arrived at my parents' house we were both enjoying the scenery. I told Joe that I wished I had brought the bigger camera (that I am borrowing from my dad) to take some pictures. We ended up using dad's small camera, which is a bit newer than ours, to go back and take some pictures of the scenery.

I think these photos turned out absolutely gorgeous! I took some and so did Joe. What do you think?

I hopped out of the car to take the above photo. Nice, huh?

Joe had to walk through some bushes to get the above photo. It is one of my favorites!

I was loving the red of the bushes and the frozen water. Nice!

This last photo is my favorite... and one of the first that I took. Isn't this a lovely shot?

I really appreciate Joe for indulging me and going with me to take pictures. I love being able to capture beautiful places like this.

Tub Time; Trim the Tree

We had a great Thanksgiving in Wyoming with my family. Somehow I completely spaced putting pictures up about that, but hopefully I will get to it before the week is over.

When we got home we had a pretty busy weekend. We did a little shopping and work around the house. Saturday morning I gave the boys a bath while Joe was working outside. Since we were gone for a few days, they hadn't had a bath and were getting pretty stinky. They were so adorable together that I had to run and grab the camera.

Check out Ephraim. He is now pulling himself up on anything and EVERYTHING. He thought the running water was pretty cool... not to mention the bubbles. What a cutie, huh?

The boys had a pretty good time together. Jacob is not sure he likes having Ephraim in the tub with him because Ephraim is a little exuberant and tends to splash.. a lot! Maybe that's why Ephraim looks so happy in this photo; he probably just splashed Jacob and Mommy!

You can see that Ephraim is even trying to stand up in the tub! Of course I had to hurry and put the camera down and grab the little guy!

I got Ephraim out of the tub and dressed first. While I was washing Jacob's hair, Ephraim was trying to pull up on me. He finally settled for something different.

I guess from now on we are going to have to keep the toilet seat down! I am seriously afraid that this little boy is going to be walking before Christmas! How crazy would that be?!

Then on Sunday Jacob helped me put decorations on the tree. He has been asking about putting the "ormanents" on the tree ever since we put it up a week ago. He was SO excited to get the ornaments out and put them on the tree branches. 

Mostly the ornaments he got ended up on the same four or five branches! What a funny boy! He was a great helper though.

Ephraim mostly just crawled around while Joe tried to keep him from tripping us up. I know he just wanted to help out too!