Break Dance with Aunt Susie

A couple weeks ago we went over to the Walton's for dinner. Sawyer loves loves loves uncle Jared and aunt Susie! Jared taught Sawyer the sign for Jesus and every time she sees him, she has him read her favorite book, "Most of All Jesus Loves You". It is so cute.

The Learning Tower

The Learning Tower is a product that I have had my eye on the last couple of months. Since Sawyer is much more curious to what is going on above her height, I thought that The Learning Tower would be the perfect fix. Here is the actually product.

I love this little tower. It allows for a child to safely participate at their parents level. The child is able to climb in and out of the tower and it comes with attachments. The tower can turn into an easel for drawing or a playhouse for a puppet show.

This past weekend as a family we headed down to San Diego to celebrate our little Sister Alyssa'a 11th birthday. One of Brad's favorite things to do with his dad besides spear fishing is building things. Brad and his dad dedicated a couple hours this last weekend to building Sawyer a learning tower. It was much much cheaper to build one on our own then to purchase one. Besides the savings, Brad was able to spend valuable time with his dad. Here are some pictures of the process and of Sawyer using her new favorite toy.

Sawyer making orange juice with Daddy

Valentine's Day

Last year Sawyer had a wonderful lady make her a super adorable valentines day outfit. This is what she wore this year....

Sawyer at 7 months old

Valentines 2011

I love seeing the size difference of the two outfits. Reminds me how fast the time goes.

Brad and I are not Valentines people. We decided to be creative and make chocolate covered strawberries this year. We ate dinner with the Guiterrez's then made these beautiful creations.....

Sawyer once again weaseled her way up to the counter and we found her enjoying the white chocolate herself. Of course she had already taken a bath!

--Little Miss--

I guess that I'm in the habit of only blogging every few months. That is a habit I need to break! Life just speeds on by and Sawyer keeps me quite busy. She is determined to mimic whatever we are doing. She pulls her little chair into the kitchen to join me at the sink washing dishes, but not before she removes the kitchen rug so that when she drags her chair, she has nothing in her way. I was making a cake for our small group bible study the other day and I caught Sawyer with her hand in the cookie jar, or cake batter actually.Yet it is so hard to punish her when she tilts her head and gives me a " aren't I so clever mama?" smile.

Sawyer at Trader Joe's helping "Da-ma" short for dada and mama

Recently Sawyer has decided she wants to climb everything. Whether that's the office desk or the kitchen counter, she is determined. We are awaiting the day that she duffs it from such a high height. We will see where here determination lays then. She is a bit of a daredevil I must say, which is highly encouraged by her thrill seeking dad...not her mom. This attitude may make may trips to the E.R a reality in our household.

I love to see Sawyer's personality bloom. She seems to be all girl with her pink cowboy boots and pink tutu but also rough and tough like a boy. I think its fair to say we have a tomboy on our hands. She LOVES animals. Her best friend Addy, whom is a black lab, endures Sawyers endless hugs and kisses when she is at Lisa's house. Addy has a reputation for sometimes being a little smelly, but Sawyer doesn't seem to care, she loves on her anyways.

Poopy in her new tutu

Sawyer and her BFF Addy

Among all the good fun Sawyer does seem to be showing signs of the dreaded TERRIBLE TWOS! She has forgotten what the word no means and is persistent to accomplish her goal. Those situations usually end with a little tushy spanking and some tears. I cry every time I spank her. Just kidding!

I think she gets frustrated most time because she can only communicate so much. We need to work on learning more signs so we can hopefully avoid future melt downs. All and all we are loving our little rebel and look forward to the couple months when she turns two.

Jenkins Update

Well we have been busy! I just finished a class at APU which will allow me to get my Single Subject Credential and hopefully widen my job search. That same week Brad started his pursuit for a Master's degree in Theology and Biblical Studies at BIOLA. It looks like Sawyer has a divided household! She is outfitted with APU gear but I'm not sure I can bring myself to adorn her with BIOLA gear. I'll pray about it ; ). Sawyer and I now miss daddy on Thursday night when he is in class, but we are happy he is back in school which has been a desire.

Sawyer made her first trip to Knott's Berry Farm the first week in January. We went on a couple rides which she loved and one that she did not. She walked the entire time we were at the park! She loves being outside, running and interacting with nature. In fact I caught her hugging a tree the other day, which was not my leading. We went to Knott's with Grandpa Coe and his wife, then fiancee Nana Carolyn. Sawyer loves spending time with them both.

Mama's little tree hugger

Sawyer and Grandpa on the Merry-Go-Round

Nana, Grandpa and Sawyer panning for gold

We have started potty training. This is a very slow process for us. Sawyer shows signs of understanding what it means to use the potty, then 5 minutes later pee in her diaper. We will see....