December Stuff

The Truman household has kind of been boring lately so I apologize for the lack of updates. Is anyone still reading our family blog?

Let see . . . what have you missed?

Yearly our town has Santa fly onto St. Mark field. The kids love seeing the helicopter. We decided not to stick around to see Santa because the weather was frigid.






We got some snow.





Joey had his Christmas program. He suddenly got shy when they sang for us and while all of the other kids sang to us he sang but turned the other way. Poor guy.






Here are the kids getting ready for Christmas Eve Service.



Christmas Day and Joey blowing out Jesus' birthday candles:






So, that was our December in a nutshell. I promise I'll update more often in the New Year. It's apart of my New Year's resolution . . . along with working out more (afterall I need to fit into my bridesmaid dress without embarassing myself), and eating out less. What's your resolution?

November stuff

I know, I know . . . I've not been so good about updating the blog lately. Sorry. On another note - I am seriously craving some weinerschnitzel chili cheese fries right now. Hold the rasberry tea. Stinkin' Massachusetts!

Let's see . . . what did you miss?

The kids had their joint birthday party. It was fantastic!




Debbie came into town and we headed into Boston a few times.







We also got to visit with some Stout's.




That night after visiting with Tammi and Shawn I got a call from Terra around 12:30 a.m. or so. She got engaged! I seriously started crying and I'm thrilled for her. I just hope she remembers that I was by no means a bridezilla and I (at least remember) her dress being lovely in my wedding. I'm having an awful feeling that the movie "28 dresses" might be in my future. She might want to pay me back for urging her to hurry up and have babies.

On an entirely different note . . . do you all remember the Adam Sandler movie that was filmed here in Massachusetts over summer? Here's the trailer:



I was super stoked to see the trailer! It looks like a great movie. I have pride in my town and thinks it is adorable. The red, brick building in the trailer is actually the town hall. We literally live within walking distance there. I've only walked it once . . . while pregnant with CJ and Joey in a stroller. (If you really want a laugh, go rummaging through the archives)

I promise I'll do a December update soon! (Not much has really been happening - it might just say: Met Santa, did homework, and got our Christmas on)

Having a two and three-year-old

I know, I know . . . I've been horrible at updating on the blog. Let's see . . . what have you missed?

Halloween: My duck and hunter. We had fun trick-or-treating with our friends and the kids got a whole lot of candy (for Mom and Dad to eat).

Most importantly . . . CLARISSA TURNED TWO! The day before we had Bible Study with our friends and had a little celebration with her. I have a question for my mom friends with more than one child. How does your 2nd (or beyond) deal with new things? Perhaps I treat CJ a little differently because she's a girl and my baby. I realized Friday night that we'd never let Clarissa blow out a candle. Joey was a total pro at that age. She had no desire to blow out her candles. Joey ended up blowing them and he's been unwrapping her presents, too. She doesn't mind, but I felt guilty.

Keith went out of town this last weekend and bought us little gifts while he was there. He ended up buying Clarissa a stuffed duck, Joey a harmonica, and me New Moon candy. :) When he went to the cashier she asked who the "lucky person" was to get the duck. Keith told her it was his daughter. Then he told her the harmonica was for Joey. As she continued to ring his items she asked if he had a third child. Keith laughed at that! Apparently, being a married, mother-of-two, twenty-eight-year-old doesn't allow me to appreciate the Twilight series. Keith called me just laughing at his conversation with the cashier. Fail.

Other than that, nothing really blog worthy has happened. Joey and Clarissa will be having their party next week so I'll give a full update then.

Random Stories

I know, I know! It's been a while since I've told you some random stories. Here are a couple of Joey recently. Enjoy.

#1

For the last two years we've been buzzing Joey's hair ourselves. Today we took him to get his haircut by someone. Joey does not like getting haircuts. He was nervous and when he met the lady he told her she could cut just ONE hair. After she got started (and by the way she cut more than one hair) she told him that he was doing great and was the biggest kid she knew. Joey looked up through his eyes and said without thinking or hesitation, "No, my daddy is the biggest kid."

#2

Because I'm all sorts of classy I ate way too much for dinner tonight. I told Keith that I was fat and showed him my stomach. I didn't think the kids were paying attention. Joey came up to me and wanted to see my stomach. He asked what "that" was. I told him that it was just that I had a big stomach because I had a lot to eat. He says, "No! What is that?" He was pointing to my stretch marks. I just quickly explained to him that I got those because of him. He looked at me and with the sweetest voice said, "Oh, I'm so sorry!" It was adorable. By the way, I don't mind them. I love what they represent.

Fall

Things I Love about Fall

1. The foliage here is amazing. Growing up in the Panhandle our falls consisted of our leaves turning brown and blowing away by the 90 mph wind. Here the leaves turn beautiful colors of red, yellow, and orange! They fall and one would think raking the leaves would be annoying, but it's an absolute blast with the kids.

2. The weather is (usually) gorgeous. Sixty degree weather is perfect to wear your long-sleeved shirts. It's the beginning of winter clothes. I love winter clothes.

3. The food. Do I need to explain this? Pumpkin pie? I've had two slices tonight alone with a pound of whipped cream. Yummy.

The Duck and its Hunter

I'd like to formally introduce you to the cutest duck and most handsome hunter:



And because I was impressed with Clarissa allowing me to do her hair differently today:

Winding Down . . .

Fall is here and things just seem to be winding down to a comfortable pace. I think we're finally able to keep up with our busy schedule of everyone now having appointments and school. There's not much to report from the front so instead please enjoy some pictures.

Two peas in a pod

Seriously . . . it's pretty obvious these two kids are related.

Just clownin' around

Our town had two Ringling brothers clowns come to our library to read to the kids. It was such a blast! It was so entertaining to both the kids and adults. Now, Joey wants to go to the circus.

When we walked into the library we were noticed right of way. The clowns heard Clarissa. Her shoes squeak (on purpose) and the clowns mentioned she had clown shoes. Everyone had a little laugh about that and we sat down and enjoyed the book. After the reading we went up to go take a picture with them and then the clowns really noticed the shoes . . . Keith's shoes that is! They were totally surprised at how big his feet are. They ended up comparing and Keith's feet are the size of clown's feet. (Keith has size fourteen).





Today we headed to Northborough for Applefest. It's just a little carnival with a parade afterwards. We ended up having a great time. It almost reminded me of the fair back home. (Minus the rides and great corn dogs)

'Cause you were waiting

I know you each have been anxiously awaiting my update. Have no fear, it's here!

Last week we went to a character breakfast. Joey had piano lesson so it was just Clarissa and myself with our friends. Elmo, Dora, Sylvester, Tweety, Darth Vader, a jedi (not sure if it was Luke or Anikin), Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse were all there. Clarissa was only interested in Elmo. It was a little sad. We realized Sylvester and Tweety had no children surrounding them. No one knew who they were. So, this morning we let our kids watch Looney Tunes. Keith was proud of Clarissa when he heard that she knew who The Skywalkers were.



Last week we also had one final softball game with church. It was just a friendly game between two churches. It was more of a get together than anything. The kids were excited, though. They enjoy watching Keith play and since summer is coming to an end it seemed like an appropriate way to send off the season.




Today our church had their end of the summer celebration. We had bouncy houses and obstacle courses. Joey really enjoyed it. Clarissa is still afraid of the jumpers and way too small for the obstacle course. Afterwards, we went to go take some pictures.




Well, was it as exciting as you were hoping? We have such rivoting lives!

I promise

I promise to write a better update soon. We've been lucky enough to have a few great days of activities. I have no excuse, either. I could claim I have been busy with school and such, but really it's just laziness. I have been uploading pictures on our photobucket site, though. I know you're all dying to hear about our adventures, though.

Anyway, Joey has pictures at school today and we've been practicing all morning. Last night was his open house. Unfortunately, I had school so Keith went by himself with the kids. The only concern the teacher and aides mentioned was Joey's smile. They asked if that's how he always took pictures. If you look at all of our pictures, you know what I'm talking about. Keith just laughed and said it's near impossible to capture a natural smile from Joey. We're not sure why, either. I think he started it before he was a year. We thought it was adorable and now EVERY picture has his squinty-eyed smile.



Here's Joey in his first ever pair of boxers. He was so adorable when I put them on him. He couldn't understand why I was putting on "swimming trunks." He finally understood when I told him they were like his daddy's. I'm a little afraid when I pick him up from school that I'll be told he showed all of his friends. Let's hope not.



And here's Joey's famous million dollar smile.

Cool hair

How awesome is that hair?

Picnic

We had a great picnic lunch with some friends yesterday. It was absolutely wonderful! We all had good food and enjoyed each other's company. The kids played in the water, got to go exploring, and played some ball with the dad's.






Things I realized after our picnic:

1. I end up getting more pictures of Clarissa because Joey seems to now avoid the camera at all costs. Getting a picture of him without him doing his "cheesy" smile is near impossible.

2. Joey doesn't know how to tackle in football. I blame myself from not letting him play too rough. He was flabbergasted when Luke came after him yesterday. He held his own, but Keith's new mission is to watch a lot of football with Joey and play some football with him.

3. Clarissa is really starting to make friends. Before it was just playing with kids, but she's really making friends, now. If you're a mom, you know what I mean.

4. Joey is a little person. He speaks his own mind and has his own thoughts. He's a really fun person to know and love. (Actually, I already realized this but it was really evident yesterday)

I hope each of you enjoy the rest of your Labor Day Weekend and Happy Belated Birthday to Princess Lacy. We love and miss you bunches.

First Day of School

Joey had his first day of year two of preschool today. He was REALLY excited to go back to school. He was lucky enough to have his same teacher and most of the same kids in his class this year.


After I picked him up from school he told me he had a lot of fun, played on the playground and with friends, and didn't like his snack so he threw it in the trash. We'll blame Keith for that one. What was he thinking? Buying low-fat animal crackers? Disgusting.

Finally . . . a post with pizazz!

It seemed like the Truman's were in a rut for a while, but this weekend was actually jam packed with fun.

Friday evening we (Keith and myself) had a triple date with our friends while the kids played with their friends. Here's Clarissa getting ready. Yes, she's wearing one of Bree's shirts as a dress. That girl loves looking stylish. She had spotted the shirt and was determined it was a dress for her.



Saturday Joey had his second piano lesson and still loves the heck out of it. Mind you, his teacher (Mister Vic) is also introducing new instruments to him. I'm told the hammer dulcimer is one of his favorites. They just kind of dabble on the piano. Joey won't actually "learn" the piano until later. I guess this is more of a music appreciation class, but he's learning proper etiquette when playing the piano, learning rhythm and beats, and where some of the keys are on the piano.



Sunday was the funnest day of all! Our town hosts a summer celebration every year and it was fantastic this year. Joey enjoyed it last year, but had a BLAST this year. Clarissa was even able to participate this year. Joey rode on a horse (named Sugar) all by himself this year. Both Joey and Clarissa had fun in the bubbles. Joey wanted to do EVERYTHING. He wanted to do the rock wall, but you had to be five to do it. He had a blast trying to dunk people in the "dork tank." He actually hit the target several times, but the force wasn't hard enough. The night was ended with a marvelous display of fireworks. Joey loved them and Clarissa was a little apprehensive. Anytime a loud firework was popped she would plug her ears. It was hilarious and adorable.