Our Mommy (by Selah and Judah)

Daddy says this is mommy's day weekend. I guess that is why mommy is still sleeping. Daddy is taking care of us this morning...He does a good job and tries his hardest but we still prefer mommy. Judah can't talk but he says he agrees. We love our mommy so much and thank Jesus for her everyday. Our mommy does all these things for us everyday and never complains:

*Hugs and Kisses us
*Feeds us - Patiently (whatever we will eat; I can be picky like my Papa)
*Says many times during the day: "I love you!"
*Reads us Books
*Makes up Special Stories (I like the princess ones!)
*Plays with Messy Playdough
*Helps us go Potty (Judah still has diapers)
*Picks up our Toys all over the House
*Sings us Songs
*Plays Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, and I Spy
*Tickles us
*Cuddle us
*Gives us Vitamins So We Stay Healthy
*Brushes Teeth (I have lots of teeth now...Judah only has 4 or 5)
*Give us Baths (or a shower if I want)
*Does my Hair (sometimes it hurts but I like the way it looks after)
*Gets us Dressed
*Washes our Clothes
*Lets us mess up the Couch (we love our forts!)
*Lets us Watch Shows (if I stay in my bed at night)
*Cleans our Rooms
*Makes my bed nice and cozy with all my Stuffed Animals
*Takes me to play with all my friends (Hi Grant!)
*Takes us To Parks
*Takes me to Preschool
*Loves us Unconditionally (daddy says that means she will love us always and forever)

I think you can now see just how special our mommy is. She has been especially caring to us even after she hurt her leg running...Again, never complaining.

Mommy: Judah and I love you soooooooooo much. Happy mommy's day weekend!!!

BTW...These are pictures daddy took of Judah and me this morning.

Backyard Play

This weekend was another beautiful one! Derek got to mow the backyard, which meant playtime for the kiddos. We love our backyard, it is a great safe haven for the kids to get all their energy out.

p.s. The picture of Selah picking flowers is for you Aunt Audz ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! She wants to give them to you ~ but we'll just "pretend" that you got them!!!

Future Rock Climbers??

Selah & Grant

Alec

Judah

This weekend we went w/ the Congdon's (Brett, Jen, Grant & Alec) to Red Robin for some yummy burgers (I have discovered my new favorite, the Avacado Burger served protein style "lettuce as the bun" ~ YUMMY) and to Fun Time Inflattables. We couldn't stop laughing the whole time we were there! The following video shows Selah and Grant climbing the wall to go down the slide. But, when they did this for the first time, the look on their faces was priceless ~ complete HORROR filled eyes! Too bad we don't have that on video, but it is great to see they overcame their fears and had a blast! As much as we were excited for the two older buddies (Selah & Grant) to play ~ Alec and Judah had fun of their own! They loved the bouncy house and mini slides and just trying to keep up with the older two. Judah by the way is now walking like a champ ~ today he walked through our entire kitchen and 1/2 way through the living room!

A Hiking We Will Go (and a Walking!)

ANSEL'S CAVE


As Selah tells me EVERYDAY, "Spring Is Here"! We had amazing weather this weekend and decided to head over to West Woods for a little hike with the two kids (Chip & Audz do you remember taking Selah here?). Selah loved riding on daddy's back and hearing all our "nature lessons"! It was refreshing to just be outside and enjoy some quality family time ~ we even ended the event with a picnic at the park, which was loved by all.

Our other BIG news of the week is that Judah has taken his first steps! Last week he began standing on his own for a bit and then we were shocked last night when he took 4 steps for Derek! He is following right after his big sis! Enjoy the video!

Selah's Showtime

As promised, here is Selah putting on one of her many perfomances ~ this one on our living room chair (any stage will do!!). And, if you listen carefully at the end, you will hear Judah saying bye-bye after Selah. Enjoy!

Scrambling for Eggs

It was another great Easter this year. Derek and I went all out on our annual Easter egg treasure hunt! The little girls (Selah & Leah) went crazy searching all over NeNe Heather's basement for their hidden eggs and baskets. The older kids (Morgan, Logan & Kayla) were sent on a WILD treasure hunt throughout the house having to follow our clues to lead them to their next eggs and the ultimate prize of the baskets! Lets say this year Uncle Derek & Auntie came through and we had ALL the kiddos stumped ~ no going easy on ya! I LOVE these memories and traditions we're creating each year, you kids are the best!

Another milestone in the DuRoss house ~ Selah is sleeping in a "big girl" bed (thanks Nana & Papa for loaning us the twin bed from Chautauqua). It was another tearful moment as parents, we need to slow this process down ~ our hearts can only take so much! For those wondering, she was already sleeping the last year in a toddler bed, but moving her up to the twin bed really seems sooooo big!!!

Grins 'n' Giggles

To keep you updated on our kiddos ~ here is a recap of the past week or so. Selah is beside herself on Monday's, because that is her "school-day". It seems forever ago she was shedding tears over my parting ~ now I am begging for one kiss before she runs off to be with her friends! Her imagination literally blows us away everyday. This picture below is of a picnic she made for her and I on our kitchen floor ~ thankfully she remembered the ice cream! Her other BIG thing in the last week (besides pooping on the potty!), is that she thinks any fireplace is her stage! She starts off by announcing that the "show is about to begin everyone" and ends with many bows and curtsy's! We will try to take a video this weekend to let you all in on the action ~ she is quite the actress!

Selah w/her Valentine's Day gift from daddy (a doggy she named "Jazzy" in memory of the sweetest dog ever!)

Our little man is now 9 1/2 months old and just had his check-up today. He weighed in at only 16 1/2 lbs. The doctor said it's normal for them to stay slim and trim when they are sooooo mobile! His latest big news is that he started waving and saying "ba-ba" (a.k.a. bye-bye) this past week! NeNe Heather was leaving our house and as she closed the door he did it ~ we could hardly believe it, but after our excitement, he has been doing it non-stop! And, his top two teeth are working their way on down!


As for Derek and I ~ we have become inspired by those Western Clan DuRoss's that are taking on race after race!!!! So, we enlisted the help of an amazing trainer (Mom DuRoss) and are planning on running the 5K Blossom Race over Memorial Day. Any and all tips would help! While it may seem like a small race, it's our first ever ~ so we're pretty pumped. More details to come!